SketchUp AI Tools: A Practical Guide for SA Designers
SketchUp has always been about speed — getting from idea to 3D model as quickly as possible. With the 2026.1 update, Trimble has added a suite of AI-powered tools that take that speed to a new level. AI Render turns your model viewport into a photorealistic concept image in seconds. Generate Object creates 3D assets […]
How SA Kitchen & Bathroom Designers Use SketchUp to Win Clients
Winning a kitchen or bathroom project in South Africa increasingly comes down to one thing: the presentation. Clients spending R150,000 to R500,000 on a renovation don’t want to imagine what their space will look like — they want to see it. The designers who can show a photorealistic 3D walkthrough of the finished kitchen, with […]
3D Warehouse Beginner’s Guide for South African Designers
If you’ve got a SketchUp subscription, you already have access to one of the most powerful time-saving resources in 3D design — and most South African users barely scratch the surface of it. The 3D Warehouse is a free, searchable library of over five million pre-made 3D models and materials that plug straight into your […]
SketchUp Pro vs SketchUp Studio: When Does the V-Ray and Scan Upgrade Make Sense?
SketchUp Pro vs SketchUp Studio: When Does the V-Ray and Scan Upgrade Make Sense? Every year when SketchUp subscription renewals come around, the same question lands in our inbox: “Should I stick with Pro, or is it time to move up to Studio?” It’s a fair question — Studio costs roughly double — and the […]
Trimble Connect Tutorial: How to Set Up SketchUp Pro Cloud Collaboration (South African Guide)
By iRender | Published 10 April 2026 | Reading time: ~6 minutes If you run or work in a South African architecture, interior design, or engineering practice, you’ve almost certainly felt the friction of SketchUp project sharing and team workflow chaos. Emailed SKP files. WeTransfer links that expire the moment your client tries to open […]
SketchUp vs Revit: Which Is Right for Your South African Practice?
SketchUp vs Revit: Which Is Right for Your South African Practice? If you’re running an architecture or interior design practice in South Africa, you’ve almost certainly had the SketchUp-vs-Revit conversation. Both are industry-standard tools, but they serve different needs, at very different price points. This guide cuts through the noise and helps you make the […]
What’s New in SketchUp 2026: Collaboration, AI & Faster Workflows
What’s New in SketchUp 2026: Collaboration, AI & Faster Workflows SketchUp 2026 has landed — and it’s the most significant update in years. Whether you’re modelling a new build in Johannesburg or refining a kitchen layout in Cape Town, the 2026 release is built around three themes that matter to South African design professionals: real-time […]
Visions Revealed: an interview with Taryn Echeverry
The power of a soundboard Creatives everywhere know that the best work emerges when people work together. Taryn believes having a soundboard—a person to bounce ideas off—is the foundation of her design success. This speaks to the heart of her creative process, which is fundamentally collaborative. As one half of The Curator LA, a studio based […]
Will AI enhance the design process?
‘I hope that Artificial Intelligence will mean that architects will have to pull fewer all-nighters,’ says AI and XR Product Manager at Trimble SketchUp, Aris Komninos. He says this jokingly, but the truth behind the comment is sobering. For decades, architects have pushed through exhaustion, navigating bloated workflows and an ever-growing stack of software. One […]
Visions Revealed: an interview with Kailey Smith
The creative process: observation and practicality Kailey’s creative process is rooted in observation. Her interest in photography has shaped the way she approaches design, teaching her to slow down and pay attention to the built environment and how it quietly shapes everyday experiences. This habit of looking closely informs how she understands space, material, and […]