As a team member, I can say anything is possible. Is there a plan to rewrite the core of SketchUp to make it a NURBS modeler? While we cannot publicly tell you exactly what we will be doing in the future, I can say that work is not happening right now.
I’m aware of the history of SketchUp, and that much of the underlying code comes from the past. I thought I made it clear that I have no personal need for perfect circles and curved lines, but that some of you very important customer base does. So my question is one of simple curiosity, and a concern about the future of SketchUp. To answer your question directly, I am not a developer. I’m asking because I simply want to know about what may be coming in the future to keep SketchUp viable.
The release of the 2025 version is particularly alarming to me, and really has to make me wonder. While CAD users, such as myself, were completely ignored in this release, you seem to be paying devout homage to the architectural industry. I’ll repeat my list of improvements I’m looking for, and maybe you can see why I was disappointed in the latest release:
Right Click an object to access and edit all properties!!!
This one is huge, and can really speed up modeling. When any object or entity is right clicked, all of the attributes should be displayed, and should be able to be edited. For instance, if a line is right-clicked, the color of the line should be displayed, and be able to be changed. Compare that with changing the color of a line currently, or editing the properties of a dimension.
All of the attributes of an entity, or object, that can be edited, should be easy to edit.
Ortho mode for Line Drawing
Constraining lines to be drawn in X, Y, or Z should be the default. A user should not have to remember to hit a key to constrain line drawing.
Move important Layout features into Pro, and get rid of Layout.
Switching back and forth between two separate programs within the same application makes no sense whatsoever. Since I have been using SketchUp, I’ve heard endless complaints about Layout. There’s simply no sensible reason for it.
For dimensions, add "baseline dimensioning, and add angle dimensioning.
Baseline dimensioning is essential for contractors when doing framing layout. Stepping measurements is a forbidden practice for professional builders.
Not being able to dimension angles is ridiculous.
Rounded, Chamfered, and Beveled edges for objects
Users should be able to specify all parameters, and should be able to create fillets.
Make zooming in and out consistent, in contrast to having cursor on an object when zooming in or out.
This is, without question, one of the most irritating, and time wasting defects in Sketchup. If your cursor is not on a specific object, the zooming in or out is random, and causes unnecessary delay when modeling.
Cutting openings in layered solids, such as walls with siding and paneling.
This should be standard.
Slicing solids.
There should be a slicing tool to slice up solids, and the sliced solids should remain as separate solids, not raw geometry.
Polyline.
It is standard in vector drafting software to have a polyline option. The user should be able to add nodes, and be able to convert the polyline to a curve.
Bezier Curve.
A Bezier curve tool is standard in vector drafting software
OSNAP needs substantial improvement. Look at AutoCAD OSNAP options.
A user should be able to specify exactly what nodes should be snapped to, and when any of the specified nodes is selected, it should be prominently indicated, without being hidden by the cursor, and that includes finding the center of a circle. It can be extremely useful, for instance, when only midpoints are to be snapped to. Users should be able to specify a line to be drawn perpendicular to an object, or the surface of an object.
Group selection for actions, such as Push Pull.
When multiple entities or objects are to be acted upon, all of them should be able selected and edited at the same time.
Enable pasting objects from the Windows clipboard.
Pasting objects from the Windows clipboard would save a lot of time, as opposed to importing, should be an option.
Add a tool to shape objects, groups, and components, which should include the ability to add nodes to the shaping window.
The ability to easily edit the shape of an object would be valuable asset that, in addition to adding a great deal of versatility, could save a lot of time.
When the axes have been changed, a more efficient method of resetting the axes to the default axes is needed.
Who hasn’t struggled with that one, over and over?
Different modelling systems can exist side by side, as in Rhino. I have often said that I would love to see what the SketchUp UI could do to NURBS modelling. Today, the easiest to use NURBS modellers do not come close to SketchUp, at best they resemble something like the Curviloft extension, and most are quite too CAD-like.
You can’t make a Chevrolet into a Cadillac.
But what happens if a large corporate customers switch from Chevy’s to Fords?
I don’t know how that applies to SketchUp. I understand that the core of SketchUp’s customer base are smaller firms and the behemoths use Autodesk.
Please name these large corporate customers you are so worried about.
Me, never.
Have you tried right clicking on the axis and choosing reset?
Some of your requests are unrealistic, some would be good many have already been handled by extensions and some would be giant steps backwards. Layout and SketchUp combined?? Please god no, the system works great to keep productivity moving as two separate programs.
Non variable distance zoom? The fact that zoom adjusts to the relative distance of the thing under your curser is an incredibly powerful and intuitive innovation, it’s great! It’s the only thing that makes it possible to work at large and small scale simultaneously.
I’m no SketchUp apologist, there are plenty of improvements and fixes that would be great to see, it’s not perfect but it’s pretty great and some of your suggestions would make me very sad.
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What? No one I know or teach. You right click and select reset. Why is that difficult?
If you have models with angled portions you can also set scenes where the only thing that changes is the axis location and orientation - so you can easily work ‘at angle’. And if you use scenes to expedite modeling you could have one at any angle you want, and one that is ‘reset’.
This isn’t rocket science.
I have a rotate tool, a move tool, a push pull tool, a mirror (flip) tool, and a scale tool. I can modify any object any way I need. What are you on about?
Can you not copy / paste components : groups / geometry from one model to another using Windows? I do this all day everyday using macOS SketchUp.
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I have read through the list and will start by saying that you for the list of thoughts! Hopefully you are not hearing anyone say you should not ask for changes or additional capabilities. We really do like hearing from users and knowing what people want out of SketchUp.
Having said that, several of your requests seem like just things that you don’t understand or like the way that SKetchUp works… I have not problem right clicking and choosing Reset to set the axis back to the original location… Right clicking and setting an edge’s length seems less intuitive compared to editing it in the Entity Info panel…
I say this to let you know that this forum is primarily a learning resource and you may be hearing back from your list that there are already ways to do what you are asking, and that some of your requests seem to be in conflict with the core of how SKetchUp works.
Trimble company policy prevents us from telling you anything outside of what is publicly shared. We have had issues in the past with showing material before it was ready and would like to avoid future problems. As TheOnlyAaron said in his post earlier:
“I can say anything is possible. Is there a plan to rewrite the core of SketchUp to make it a NURBS modeler. While we cannot publicly tell you exactly what we will be doing in the future, I can say that work is not happening right now.”
I’ll close out this post by saying that while we all have different workflows and different ideas on what is best for SketchUp, please remember that (hopefully) we are all here because we want SketchUp to be the best it can be. Tempers can run high when you love something enough to post online about it. Please keep this thread civil.
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I and many others are quite happy with SketchUp at the price point it is at. If I were to want the features that Jim Clark wants, I would be looking at a package that had said features and would GLADLY PAY FOR THEM!
CorelDraw creates Bezier curves.
I’ve used CorelDRAW extensively since1989. It does a lot.
Perpendicular to an object has no meaning.
Drawing an edge (or guide) perpendicular to a face is already implemented.
Moreover, drawing an edge perpendicular to another edge in a certain plane (on face) is also already there.
Resetting axes and copy to clipboard > ‘Paste (in place)’ as possible.
‘Angle’ dimension tool wanted… yes, +1
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I have to apologize for not stating my request clearly enough. My suggestion comes from my years with AutoCAD. With their OSNAP you can choose a specific method, or snap. So what I’m requesting is that specific enhancement. For instance, if I want to snap only to intersections, that would greatly speed up my work.
Paste in Place is one of my most used tools. What I’m looking for is the ability to paste from the Windows clipboard. That’s fairly standard in most applications. I’d like to be able to paste an image, without going through the Import process. Obviously, if you’re going to use an image as a Texture, the Import method has to be used.
Drag and Drop.
Hi Jim Clark & all,
That Google Gemini AI on-line tool always has an answer for everything…so I’m told… 
Google Gemini notes the following:-
Introducing NURBS into SketchUp would indeed be a significant undertaking and would fundamentally affect the core of the program. Here’s why:
Core Architecture:
SketchUp’s current architecture is deeply rooted in polygonal modeling. Integrating NURBS would require a major overhaul of the program’s underlying geometry engine. This is not a simple “add-on” feature. The way SketchUp handles data, displays objects, and performs calculations would need to be significantly modified.
Performance Implications:
NURBS calculations are generally more computationally intensive than polygonal calculations. This could potentially slow down SketchUp’s performance, especially when dealing with complex models. SketchUp is known for its speed and responsiveness, and maintaining this while adding NURBS would be a major challenge.
User Interface and Workflow:
SketchUp’s user interface is designed around its polygonal workflow. Introducing NURBS would require significant changes to the tools and how users interact with the program. It would also affect the overall simplicity of the program, which is one of its key strengths.
Compatibility and File Formats:
Integrating NURBS would also raise compatibility issues with existing SketchUp files and other programs. File export and import would need to be carefully handled to ensure that NURBS data is accurately transferred.
Development Effort:
The development effort required to implement NURBS would be substantial. It would involve a significant investment of time and resources.
In essence:
While technically possible, introducing NURBS into SketchUp would be a very complex and disruptive task. It would likely change the fundamental nature of the program, potentially affecting its performance, simplicity, and ease of use.
Sketchups core strength is its speed, and ease of use. Adding NURBS would have a high chance of negatively impacting these strengths. Therefore, it’s understandable why SketchUp has maintained its focus on polygonal modeling.
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