Inglobe Technologies released a couple of tools today which will take Augmented Reality with Google SketchUp a step further: the AR-media™ Exporter and the AR-media™ Player. The AR-media Exporter is an add-on for the previously released AR-media™ Plugin for SketchUp which allows users to autonomously create and publish augmented reality files in the “*.armedia” format. Users can now create their own SketchUp Augmented Reality (AR) models and distribute them as independent, stand-alone files thus letting other people experience such AR models in a click. In other words, files created by the Exporter can be visualized on any computer with the freely available AR-media™ Player, without the need of having SketchUp and the ARplugin installed.

With the latest development in Google’s 3D Warehouse, you can already embed a 3D view (AKA “swivel”) or even 3D map view (this latter one requires the GE Plugin on the end user’s end however) in your website with iFrames (see below – the above is only an image).

Read more.

A certainly interesting field SketchUp is used – to visualize factory layouts. SketchUcation Community Forum member “jaycephus” (Jay) is posting some interesting images and insight about his work here.

Abvent just released a new series of Media CD’s which can be used to enhance interior scenes, product designs and technical illustrations.

The new version of LightUp has been out for a while and unfortunately it has slipped our coverage of it. We had an interview lined up with LightUp’s author about the new version, but both Adam and TDC have been so busy that it has been pushed back until later.
Regardless, for those of you who haven’t seen the new version yet, be sure to check out some of the new features.

The attached image was posted in the SCF Gallery forum by princedragoncok.

Render Plus’ recently released NprTools contains a feature called Soft Shadows, which allows you to make realistic softer shadows than what Google SketchUp natively creates.
The Soft Shadow technique can also be reversed, something like a reverse Fog effect in Google SketchUp.
Soft Sun will be in the next version of NprTools. Head over to the Render Plus blog for details.

UPDATE: The new version has just been released.

An update to NprTools is scheduled for next Monday, according to this post by Al Hart in the SCF.
Check the post for some clues.

NprTools has been launched as beta and is requesting beta testers.

A Mac version is on the way.