I have used SketchUp for several years now and “love” the tool. However, since I no longer have a “sponsor”, the price for the subscription has driven me to not renew my license and I am off learning Blender. While Blender is a powerful tool, it is not nearly as easy to use (particularly for things like architecture). Yes, I know there are “free” versions of SketchUp, but they do not support plug-ins and almost everything I do in SketchUp requires a plug-in of some type.
I really wish there was a less expensive version of SketchUp that supported plug-ins.
I feel your pain and this is why I have always argued that SketchUp should not have completely done away with Make. They should have started charging a reasonable price for it, something the non-professional could justify but at the same time limit it in such a way that the professional would want to and need to use Pro.
Of course, you can’t buy a classic license for 2026 (and versions older than 2021), because they are subscription-only.
However, if you have a classic license for 2021 or older (and you have the installer file), you can safely install and activate the classic license - assuming you used Remove Licence… function to release seat, before uninstalling that version in the past.
I use SU2021 in my corporate pc with classic licence, without issue, but some limited function related to online activities; Extension WH, 3D WH… etc. (Extension warehouse and 3D warehouse still can be used from web browser.)
Almost… The 2017 Pro version is not free, but there is a 2017 Make version that is free to use for non-commercial activities. (This is the last of the free Make versions). It is no longer officially available, but you can search for it in the web archives. (There are many topics about it here in this forum)
I have the 2017 Make version installed on my home computer (along with several newer versions -2022, 2023, 2025, 2026) and it works without any major problems.
Once again, I wonder how many others are in my position and would be willing to pay for a subscription for “hobby” usage at a more reasonable cost.
I should say though that I understand that if they offer a lower priced subscription that is aimed at hobbyists and not to be used for commercial purposes that there are those who would violate the rules and use a cheaper version for commercial purposes. I wish there was a way we could achieve this though.
Well, I get it, and I understand your request. But there have been countless threads about this in this forum, and I don’t see things moving in the direction you and others (including me) requested. That’s why I outlined the current options while we wait for the miracle.
I wish Sony would offer me my camera gear at ‘hobby’ prices. I also wish my paragliding gear could be bought at ‘hobby’ prices. I promise never to use either for professional work (fingers crossed, I do sometimes use the images I make with my camera gear for my website and marketing materials).
SketchUp Make did disable some important features like the Solid tools and also Layout but I guess it was not enough and too many potential “Pro” customers opted for the free version instead. I fully understand the concern of a non-professional version cannibalizing the Pro version. However I do believe that this is really SketchUp’s fault and not the user’s fault.
If Layout was a robust and highly usable product then the professional user would be inclined to actually use it and want it. As it is Layout has some deficiencies and I don’t think it offers enough value to make the professional customer want to make that leap. Again, the pro version has to be compelling enough that the professional consumer already has the decision made for them, if the value is there then they will buy it.
I had noticed that many SU professional users were not using Layout.
It is true that there are flaws in the SU + LO workflow, but there are also habits rooted in AutoCAD—particularly in large firms—dating back to before BIM changed the game.
I agree that there was an opportunity to create a clearer distinction between Make and Pro (there were also the limitations regarding DXF/DWG exchange). Or to make it a low-cost paid product.
I also use SketchUp and LayOut for my professional work. In addition, I see a lot of LayOut files from people who have problems. In most cases the problems can be attributed to poor SketchUp file management or incorrect workflow in LayOut.
A lot of people work with Layout and then a lot of people seem like they complain about it.
I think some people may be expecting an aut0cad clone, which it isn’t, but LO could also work better. Sometimes it feels like it’s hiding behind it “SketchUpy” style as an excuse for some missing and strange basic tool operations. The inability to draw one-click continuous running dimensions and the complex workflow to edit labels are my biggest frustrations. I still use LO for all my drawing output though, and wonder why that link back to the 3D model is so undervalued when I receive plans developed in 2D where elevations & plans don’t line up.
Have no fear! voice-to-complete-con-docs coming soon from your neighborhood Chinese Ai model. The only thing licensed professionals will have to do in five years is stamp documents and who knows we may even license Claude to be a an architect and an engineer or all in one!
Completely agree with you! This is so under valued; that link between the 3D model and the 2D drawings in LO where your elevations and sections are always (if you use the software correctly) linked so you will never get an elevation that is not coordinated with a plan in SU. Far superior to Autocad and lots more fun. Forever Sketchup !!
and who knows we may even license Claude to be a an architect and an engineer or all in one!