Unlike the completely rebuilt "Trimble Connect" geolocation system in SketchUp 2023 and beyond, SketchUp 2021 relies on the classic tool powered by legacy Google Maps and USGS topography data.

Large terrain imports contain thousands of polygons. Use the Sandbox Tools extension to simplify the imported mesh if your viewport performance slows down.

However, the utility of geolocation extends into the collaborative and communicative aspects of design. By geolocating a model, designers can provide stakeholders with a "sense of place" that is difficult to achieve with standard backgrounds. Whether it is showing how a new building will look relative to existing landmarks or verifying that a porch will receive adequate afternoon sunlight, the spatial data adds a layer of objective truth to the presentation. For those who need to remove this data, SketchUp provides a straightforward Clear Location option within the Model Info settings, maintaining flexibility throughout the design process.

Perhaps the most impactful application of geolocation in SketchUp 2021 is its native integration with Shadow Analysis. Once a model is geolocated, SketchUp automatically sets the latitude and longitude for the model. This enables the Shadow Settings dialog to display accurate shadow studies for any time of the year.

: You can toggle between a flat 2D snapshot and a 3D terrain mesh, allowing you to see how your design interacts with slopes and elevation changes.

A frequent challenge arises when a user models a house, then geolocates it, only to find that their front-facing scenes no longer align with the standard Front view in SketchUp.

In SketchUp 2021, geolocating a model allows you to place your design within its real-world context using accurate geographic data and terrain

When you click "Import," SketchUp 2021 gives you a choice:

Once geo-located, the model inherits specific latitude, longitude, and orientation data. This links directly to SketchUp’s Shadow Engine. Designers can simulate accurate shadow casting for any time of day and year, critical for solar studies and regulatory compliance regarding overshadowing neighbors.

Click . SketchUp will download the data and place it at the origin point (0,0,0) of your modeling workspace. Managing Imported Data: Imagery vs. Terrain