“Trimble has already created the de-facto standard for field data models and project management tools for our key markets. “SketchUp and the corresponding 3D Warehouse provide an important element of our long term strategy by enhancing the integration of our field presence with the wider enterprise,” said Bryn Fosburgh, Trimble vice president. Currently the 3D Warehouse has almost two million user-generated models. The ability for users to submit 3D Buildings for potential acceptance and viewing in Google Earth will be maintained.

For the foreseeable future, Google will host and operate the 3D Warehouse for Trimble and together the companies will continue to offer the same capabilities, functions and services that are offered today. Individual models can be loaded, saved and viewed in 3D from within SketchUp or a web browser.

The site enables users to create collections of models, including 3D Buildings, and share them with fellow modelers around the world. While financial terms are not being disclosed the transaction is not expected to be material to 2012 earnings per share.Īccording to the announcement, as part of the SketchUp platform, Trimble will also partner with Google on running and further developing SketchUp’s 3D Warehouse, an online repository where users can find, share, store and collaborate on 3D models. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2012, subject to customary closing conditions and expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act.

Trimble announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire SketchUp, one of the most popular 3D modeling tools in the world, from Google.

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