In a significant move towards enhancing digital transformation in the construction industry, Living CG announced on November 19, 2025, its strategic partnership with Trimble to become an authorized retailer for the renowned 3D modeling software, SketchUp. Based in Tokyo's Minato Ward, Living CG's mission since its inception in 2004 has been to promote digital transformation (DX) in construction, making advanced visualization and spatial measurement solutions accessible even to individual users.
SketchUp is widely recognized for its intuitive interface and functionality across various sectors, including architecture, construction, and manufacturing. The software utilizes essential features like push/pull, inference snapping, and group/component management, allowing users to create precise shapes effortlessly. With an extensive library of models available through the 3D Warehouse and additional functionalities via the Extension Warehouse, SketchUp caters to diverse needs. Users can choose between the web version (Free/Go) and the desktop versions (Pro/Studio), further facilitated by LayOut for documentation and Styles for expression adjustments.
Living CG's integration of SketchUp into its offerings will significantly enhance the company's ability to support Building Information Modeling (BIM) in the construction sector. The latest version, SketchUp 2026, boasts substantial improvements, including enhanced collaboration features, the ability to incorporate real-world buildings and terrains directly, and substantially improved visual modeling capabilities. These updates aim to expedite the utilization of 3D modeling from planning through to construction, ultimately driving DX forward.
Key Features of SketchUp 2026
SketchUp 2026 introduces a range of updates designed to bolster collaboration and productivity:
1.
Enhanced Collaboration Features: The new version allows users to collect feedback directly within the SketchUp platform. Users can share designs easily, view comments, and streamline design decisions with a centralized feedback system, thus improving the process of collaboration among team members.
2.
Real-time Collaboration Enhancements: Stakeholders can now edit models together in real time, allowing for immediate updates and facilitating smooth consensus during the design phase. This feature cultivates efficient visual communication, enabling users to comment and interact precisely over 3D models.
3.
Improved Site Context Awareness: Users can now import real-world structures and terrains directly into SketchUp, facilitating more informed design considerations in light of existing geographic conditions. Scan Essentials make it easier to create meshes from point cloud data, allowing quick integration of site-scanned data into the models, ensuring that designs reflect real-world constraints more accurately.
4.
Visual and Precision Enhancements: The software has added sophisticated style and material controls, along with new AI-generated image functionalities that offer heightened expressiveness in visual presentations. Users can now showcase projects more effectively with accurate aesthetic representation.
Supporting Excellence in BIM Implementation
Living CG is committed to integrating SketchUp with its existing solutions, such as Matterport's 3D laser scanner and FJD Trion's handheld scanners, to facilitate the creation of BIM models from accurate point cloud and coordinate data. This integration supports the entire process—from design validation to onsite verification—through continuous data sharing and interaction with tools like Trimble Connect.
Conclusion
The launch of SketchUp as an official product by Living CG marks a pivotal moment for Japanese construction firms aiming for digital transformation. With its powerful tools and ease of use, SketchUp empowers users not only to visualize but also to realize their projects with unprecedented precision and efficiency. For further details, visit Living CG's official SketchUp site.
Company Overview
Company Name: Living CG, Inc.
Location: 2-33-4 Nishishinbashi, Toranomon Playade 801, Minato, Tokyo, Japan
Representative: Ryohei Seki, President
Founded: June 22, 2004
Business Activities: 3D visualization, BIM support, and selling and supporting spatial scanning technologies for construction, real estate, education, and tourism industries.
Official Website: https://www.livingcg.jp
Contact Information
Living CG, Inc
Public Relations Email:
[email protected]
Phone: 03-6842-5660
This announcement is based on information available as of the time of publication.