Geolocation in SketchUp 2021 is a mature, reliable tool essential for site analysis and environmental studies. While it lost some Google integration features, the Trimble-powered system offers stability and accuracy, ensuring your designs respond correctly to the real world — from sun path to topography.
Last updated for SketchUp 2021 (Classic license or Subscription).
In SketchUp 2021, geolocating a model and developing a report on its attributes are two distinct but complementary workflows. Geolocation provides the physical context—such as accurate shadows and terrain—while the Generate Report tool extracts data like coordinates, quantities, and component attributes into a structured document. Part 1: Geolocation Workflow in SketchUp 2021
To establish the spatial data for your report, follow these steps:
Add Location: Navigate to File > Geo-location > Add Location.... In the dialog, search for an address or enter latitude/longitude.
Capture Imagery: Select the region you need and click Grab. SketchUp will import a 2D snapshot and a 3D terrain mesh.
Review Model Info: Verify the data under Window > Model Info > Geo-location. This section confirms if the model is geolocated and lists the specific coordinates. Part 2: Developing an Attribute Report
Once geolocated, you can generate a report to export this metadata: Access the Tool: Go to File > Generate Report.
Create a Template: Click Create New Template to define what data to include.
Select Attributes: To include geolocation-specific data, look for Latitude, Longitude, or Location in the "Model Attributes" or "Component Attributes" sections.
Run and Export: Click Run Report to see a preview. You can then download this as a CSV file to use in Excel or another reporting tool. Best Practices for Professional Reports
Visual Context: Use SketchUp LayOut to combine your 3D views with the exported attribute report for a comprehensive site analysis.
Coordinate Accuracy: If your report requires high precision, ensure you have used the "High accuracy" location modes if prompted by your system settings.
Site Context: For better reporting on site impact, toggle the Terrain layer to show how your model interacts with actual hilly or sloped ground.
These tutorials provide visual guidance on setting up geolocation and extracting data reports within SketchUp: How To Use SketchUp Geolocation | Complete SketchUp Guide 26K views · 4 years ago YouTube · iamthestudio The ULTIMATE GUIDE To Reports in SketchUp! 8K views · 2 years ago YouTube · TheSketchUpEssentials
Sometimes you don’t need the satellite image—you just need the sun to be accurate. In SketchUp 2021, you can manually input coordinates.
Now, when you open Window > Shadows, the sun angle will be perfectly accurate for that location.
Once you select an area, click Import. SketchUp will bring in:
Note: Terrain quality varies by region. Dense urban areas have good data; remote areas may have only the image.
SketchUp 2021 marked a significant transition. Prior versions relied on Google Maps or a dedicated "Add Location" tool powered by Google Earth. Starting with SketchUp 2021, the classic "Add Location" workflow was officially replaced by a new system integrated with Trimble’s own mapping services.
Understanding this distinction is crucial. In SketchUp 2020 and 2021, the Add Location tool uses static map tiles. The data does not auto-update. If the trees on the site are cut down in real life, your SketchUp texture won’t change.
In SketchUp 2022 and later, Trimble replaced this with a dynamic, subscription-based service that streams higher-resolution 3D mesh data. However, many professionals stick with SketchUp 2021 because:
Step 1: Access the Tool
Navigate to the menu bar: File > Geolocation > Add Location.
Step 2: Search for Your Site A dialogue window will open with a standard map interface. You can:
Step 3: Adjust the Import Area SketchUp 2021 allows you to select a rectangular area for import. Pro tip: Keep the area reasonably small (a few city blocks maximum). Importing a 10-square-mile area will generate an enormous texture file and slow down your model significantly.
Step 4: Select Terrain Type When you click "Import," SketchUp 2021 gives you a choice:
Recommendation: For architectural design, start with "Snapshot" to keep file sizes low. Later, you can toggle on terrain contours for grading and site planning.
Step 5: The Result
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.
If you are an architect, urban planner, or landscape designer using SketchUp 2021, you already know that a 3D model is only as good as its context. Placing your design in the real world is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. That’s where geolocation in SketchUp 2021 comes into play.
But there’s a catch: The geolocation tools in SketchUp have changed dramatically over the years. If you are coming from SketchUp 2018 or earlier, you might be frustrated trying to find the classic "Add Location" feature.
Don’t worry. In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know about geolocation in SketchUp 2021, including how to import terrain, satellite imagery, and why the workflow is different from older versions.