* Posts by on3dprinting

1 publicly visible post • joined 2 May 2012

Mystery as Google offloads SketchUp 3D drawing tool

on3dprinting

Why Did Google Sell SketchUp? Impact to 3D Printing

The simple answer is focus. As founder and new CEO Larry Page wrote in his 2012 update to investors, ”Since becoming CEO again, I’ve pushed hard to increase our velocity, improve our execution, and focus on the big bets that will make a difference in the world.”

SketchUp apparently is not included in Google’s big bets.

Google’s move is surprising to those who believe 3D printing is at an inflection point and will be a disruptive force on our global supply chain by empowering a new generation of product creators.

Although SketchUp was not necessarily the best design software for 3D printing, it was one of the most popular free 3D design software packages on the planet and inspired many people to get into design. Google has now lost that audience.

Perhaps SketchUp was too technical of a product for the mainstream. Should we prepare for a new 3D modeling software from Google?

http://on3dprinting.com/2012/04/30/why-google-sold-sketchup-and-what-it-means-for-3d-printing/

@on3dprinting