Dive Brief:

• Trimble's 2014 edition of its SketchUp platform for making 3-D models during building design has beefed-up capacity for merging its data with building information models on numerous platforms, the company said.
• There also have been changes in the 3-D Warehouse where users can store models they have created and access others' models put there – uploading directly from browsers and the ability to store models up to 50 megabytes.
• In the new release, SketchUp can export data in models in an industry-standard IFC 2x3 format so the information can be used throughout the BIM process.

Dive Insight:

Trimble says its goal with new features is to loosen what it characterizes at "often complex and rigid" BIM work-flow processes. The company believes the 2014 version of the product is going to let users be more effective in all stages of the BIM process.