SketchUp 2026.2 Introduces New Analysis Possibilities

SketchUp 2026.2 Introduces New Analysis Possibilities

by Alex SchreyerNo Comments
With the release of SketchUp 2026.2, we are getting our hands on some new analysis tools that expand how we evaluate building models and streamline our project workflows. While the initial 2026 release focused heavily on live collaboration and harmonizing the user interface - and 2026.1 introduced SketchUp AI features - this mid-cycle update delivers several new features alongside highly requested efficiency tweaks (and bug fixes) for both SketchUp and LayOut. For those of us in architectural design and education, these updates offer an excellent toolset to dive deeper into environmental design without ever leaving our familiar conceptual modeling space. The new Analysis Hub and its initial set of tools Introducing the Analysis Hub & Advanced Shadows The headline feature of this release is the introduction of the Analysis Hub. With this toolset, Trimble is giving us a dedicated, central space to study building performance directly inside SketchUp. The first official tool to be featured in this hub is Advanced Shadows. Instead of just toggling...
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SketchUp 2026 Has Been Released!

SketchUp 2026 Has Been Released!

by Alex SchreyerNo Comments
SketchUp's new collaboration features (Image source: Trimble) With the 2026 release of SketchUp we are now getting hands-on ability to use more of the features that were teased at the 2024 SketchUp Basecamp Keynotes. While the 2025 version of SketchUp introduced PBR materials, the 2026 version now implements all of the cool collaboration features - like live viewing and commenting (illustrated in the image above). These collaboration features will be very useful for the sweet spot of architectural design where SketchUp shines: Conceptual modeling. With the new features, all members of a project can now engage in a live modeling exercise - complete with a shared visual experience and extensive commenting abilities. This should make it much easier to dial in the perfect design solution. The other major feature - in my view - is a MUCH BETTER LayOut interface. Both SketchUp and Layout (at least on Windows) now have the same user interface with similar visual elements and functionality. That makes not...
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