
The annual subscription fee for SketchUp Studio is $699, whereas Autodesk asks for $2,190 per year. CostĪutodesk Inventor is not cheap, even when compared with the most sophisticated version of SketchUp.
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To feel comfortable using the software requires dedicated training time and a good grasp of engineering knowledge. With so many features wrapped in one package, Inventor is not the most accessible 3D CAD software to master. Stress analysis and dynamic simulation tool.User base: Professionals with an engineering background.RELATED: 3D modeling & CAD design recap Quick Facts About Inventor Inventor is aimed more toward professionals and is mainly used for industrial applications. It also offers extensive post-modeling tools for documentation, rendering, and simulation. Thanks to the feature-rich system, Inventor is an excellent option for mechanical engineering firms to handle massive projects efficiently. Inventor has been around since 1999 and is a persistent top contender for the market’s most sophisticated 3D modeling software. Inventor is popular in tooling creation, design collaboration, and 3D mechanical design. The software allows users to draw accurate 3D models for product simulation before the product exists. Of all the 3D modeling functions Autodesk Inventor can do, creating a digital mechanical solid prototype is best. RELATED: The best 3D modeling programs similar to SketchUp Autodesk Inventor When SketchUp is not exactly what you’re looking for, here are some alternatives you can consider. The world of 3D modeling design services is broad and filled with individuals of different talents. Since November 2020, SketchUp has stopped selling lifetime licenses and turned into a subscription model instead. Previously owned by Google and now a product of Trimble Inc., SketchUp offers both commercial and non-commercial versions. A significant advantage of the approach is that the program helps its users think spatially. Why Do Designers Like SketchUp?Īs the name implies, SketchUp allows you to “sketch” freely and loosely without inputting numbers. Raster files lose quality when scaled up (enlarged).

SketchUp is also a vector program because it creates vector files that can scale up and down without sacrificing quality, instead of raster files consisting of individual pixels. Designers call it “polygonal” because everything drawn on the software consists of multiple polygons – flat shapes bordered by straight lines the term “surface modeling” indicates that it draws hollow 3D models.


SketchUp is a polygonal surface modeling software. Created as a general-purpose 3D content creation tool, SketchUp has transformed into one of the most widely used CAD software across different disciplines, including architecture, engineering, construction, urban planning, and interior design.
