Can anyone let me know how to go about updating to the latest version of Sketchup? After they switched to the subscription model I’ve had trouble figuring out how to get the latest version every year. When I go on the website I can’t find any place to just update the software to latest version. There’s just options for new plans and pricing. I’m assuming 2025 version is out? Also, I’m wondering how to get the rendering options in sketchup. I purchased the Studio version to get the rendering capability but it’s not readily available on the main screen of sketchup so it must be hidden somewhere.
You can go to Download All | SketchUp | SketchUp and get the latest version.
The new “rendering” options are automatically included with SketchUp 2025. When you run the installer you should get a message box that allows you to opt to download the latest version of Vray which you have with the Studio subscription.
Make sure when you run the installer that you right click on it and choose Run as administrator. Don’t simply double click on it to start the installation.
Got it. Thanks. I’ll try that. I’ve had trouble in the past with conflicts between old and new versions. Do you typically uninstall old version first and then install new version?
What kind of conflicts? I don’t uninstall the previous version until I’ve fully moved into the new one and have used it for a while. I won’t be uninstalling SketchUp 2024, though. They discontinued supplying Style Builder, which I use, so I’ll keep 2024 for that.
The point of the new major version installing as a separate application from the previous versions is to allow users to continue working in the older version with current projects while they are setting up and checking out the new version. Kind of like moving house with a week between closing on the new house and closing on the old one. Gives you time to move your stuff.
By the way, there is a new extension migrator included with SketchUp 2025. It will copy your extensions from 2024 to 2025. Of course it won’t update outdated extensions and if extensions require a normal installation, you’ll still have to chase them down. It may also not carry over licenses for commercial extensions.
The main issue has been if I create or open a file in the new version It’s difficult to open it again in the old version. I’ve also had an issue with it trying to open all files by default in the new or old program. Just general confusion.
You should be able to open the previous version of SketchUp and then open the file. You’ll get a message indicating that you may lose some stuff. That would be expected in cases where you’ve used a feature that doesn’t exist in the previous version. For example if you used AO in SU 2024 and then opened the model in SU2023, you would lose the AO display because 2023 doesn’t do AO.
Got it. Makes sense. Also, what happened to the AI renderer? It added itself to my toolbar after they came out with it. Now it’s gone and I can’t find it in the toolbar menu.