Geolocation Sketchup 2021 [better] Jun 2026

Your model will now contain a georeferenced rectangle (or mesh) with the satellite texture. In the "Model Info" window ( Window > Model Info > Geolocation ), you will see your exact latitude, longitude, and time zone.

The Solar North direction is misaligned. Fix: Go to Tools > Solar North > Set North Tool . Draw a line along a known edge (e.g., a street that true north-south). SketchUp will recalculate all shadows instantly.

Even as software evolves, the principles of geolocation remain constant. Mastering the tools in teaches you the fundamentals of coordinate systems, solar geometry, and terrain modeling that translate to any 3D environment (Blender, Rhino, Revit).

In the search bar at the top of the map window, type in the specific street address, city, or GPS coordinates of your site. Click . 3. Select the Region geolocation sketchup 2021

The Role of Geolocation in SketchUp 2021: Bridging the Digital and Physical Worlds

Simulate real shadow patterns for any specific day and time of year.

This is the most common method for importing imagery and terrain. Your model will now contain a georeferenced rectangle

While SketchUp 2021 introduced stability and performance improvements, later updates and "SketchUp Labs" versions have expanded these capabilities:

At the top of the map, you’ll see an arrow representing . SketchUp automatically orients your model relative to this direction. However, you can fine‑tune the offset:

Geolocated models can be exported via .DXF or .IFC to software like or Sefaira (now part of SketchUp Studio). The coordinate data embedded in the SketchUp 2021 file tells the energy software exactly how much solar radiation your facade will receive. Fix: Go to Tools > Solar North > Set North Tool

: Click Select Region to bring up selection pins. Adjust these pins to define the specific area you want to import.

Make sure you're signed into a Trimble account and your system date is correct (SSL certificate issues can break geolocation in older versions).

This article explores the "Add Location" feature in SketchUp 2021, guiding you through the process, best practices, and the benefits of integrating geolocation into your workflow. What is Geolocation in SketchUp?