SketchUp (formerly a Google product, recently sold to Trimble) is a great program for creating 3D models to use in maps and online portfolios. The SketchUp Showcase is a new site that was launched yesterday for the purpose of highlighting the most impressive uses of SketchUp. Each model is accompanied by a short story about the model.

The showcase also highlights a new technology, the SketchUp Online 3D Model Viewer. The model viewer uses WebGL technology to allow zoom and rotate models 360 degrees.

Applications for Education
Rather than re-write much of my past posts about SketchUp, I’ll encourage you to watch this short video about SketchUp in the classroom.