Question-and-Answer Resource for the Building Energy Modeling Community
Get started with the Help page
Ask Your Question
2

Do I need to buy SketchUpPro for use with OpenStudio?

asked 2017-02-21 17:40:06 -0600

geo's avatar

updated 2017-02-22 08:52:46 -0600

When I downloaded OpenStudio SketchUp was not included so I went to the SketchUp link which said I could try SketchUpPro for 30 days and then need to pay ~$695

Is this true?

edit retag flag offensive close merge delete

4 Answers

Sort by ยป oldest newest most voted
4

answered 2017-02-22 07:34:49 -0600

Adam Hilton's avatar

It's more of a legal issue as to whether or not you need to purchase SketchUp Pro. The license agreement for SketchUp Make says...

Trimble Navigation Limited and/or its affiliates ("Trimble") gives you a personal, worldwide, royalty-free, non-assignable and non-exclusive license to use the executable version of the Software for non-commercial use only. Non-commercial use means: you may not sell, rent, lease or lend the output of the Software or the Services. If you are a for-profit organization of any kind, or an employee of a for-profit organization using the Software or Services in that capacity, you are engaged in commercial activity; therefore, in order to use the Software and Services, you must purchase a SketchUp Pro license.

So if you're creating energy models in OpenStudio with the aid of SketchUp in any capacity for-profit, you need to purchase SketchUp Pro to not be in violation of the SketchUp Make license agreement. At least that's how I read it.

edit flag offensive delete link more
1

answered 2017-02-22 23:42:54 -0600

SKG's avatar

You do not need to buy it, the default download is SketchUp Pro and as you said it gets downgraded to SketchUp after 1-month wich is enough to use with OpenStudio, for non-profit purposes.

edit flag offensive delete link more
1

answered 2017-02-22 10:57:51 -0600

Importing DWGs is a feature that is only available in SketchUp Pro. This can be a differentiator depending on your workflow to create geometry.

edit flag offensive delete link more
0

answered 2017-02-22 07:11:16 -0600

Dustin's avatar

No you do not need SketchUpPro to use with OpenStudio. The free version of SketchUp works with it just fine.

edit flag offensive delete link more

Comments

So for a hobbyist is it better to get the Pro and let it downgrade itself (to???) or start with the free "Make" version?

rahzan's avatar rahzan  ( 2017-05-23 17:59:44 -0600 )edit

Apparently the free download of "MAKE" version, is the same 30 day trial of the "pro". I presume it will continue to work with openstudio, subject to the License Agreement.

rahzan's avatar rahzan  ( 2017-05-24 20:04:35 -0600 )edit

Your Answer

Please start posting anonymously - your entry will be published after you log in or create a new account.

Add Answer

Training Workshops

Careers

Question Tools

Stats

Asked: 2017-02-21 17:40:06 -0600

Seen: 1,612 times

Last updated: Feb 22 '17