One of the more powerful functionalities in SketchUp is its ability to integrate your models with data from Google Maps. Since SketchUp was owned by Google and initially used to crowdsource their Google Earth modeling, there are powerful, easy to use tools built into SketchUp to help both import maps into your models and also to geolocate models in Google Earth.
This video is specifically designed to teach you how to import Google Maps into your model.
There are two ways to get to the maps tools in SketchUp. The first is very simple. The icon for Google Maps is located in the getting started toolbar at the top of the screen.
The second is to activate the Google toolbar. Navigate to view at the top of the screen, then select the toolbars option.
Go down and check the box labeled “Google,” and select the close option at the bottom of the screen.
This will pop up a window showing a Google map and a search bar. Type in the location you’d like to import maps from into your model. Press the enter key.
This will pop up 4 pins on your map. Reposition them to select the area you’d like to import. Once you have the area you’d like, click the “Grab” button.
This will import your map data into your model. This map is brought in as a flat plane, and you can model on top of it as much as you’d like.
Not only will this bring in a flat copy of the Google map, you can also click the button next to the import map button on the Google toolbar. This is the “toggle terrain” button, which will turn off the flat map and show a version of the map that reflects the topography of the site. This is especially useful in cases where you want to model a building and see how it sits in hilly terrain.
In the next tutorial, I’ll talk about using imagery from Google Street View to create models with photo textures.
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About Justin Geis
Hi, I'm Justin Geis, and I'm the founder of The SketchUp Essentials. I started using SketchUp as part of my work as a general contractor in 2008. I quickly realized the power of the software and started using it for personal projects. I started The SketchUp Essentials as a place to share easy to follow SketchUp tutorials and tips to help everyone harness the power of 3D Modeling in their lives. When not working with SketchUp, I enjoy playing soccer and spending time with my wife and our two dogs.
Hi Justin:
I am using a trial version of Sketchup. Is that why I do not see Google under Views/Toolbars?
The result of not being able to select this and activate the Google toolbar is that I cannot make the streetview have any form.
Sandy
Hi Sandy –
You’re probably using the newer SketchUp 2016 version. In this version, they changed the name of the toolbar to “Location” instead of “Google.” Try checking the location option under views/toolbars and see if this works.
Justin