I've been having way too much fun playing around with Sketchup, the 3D design software that was recently acquired by Google. Sketchup used to be prohibitively expensive, but today the Googlers released a free version that makes instant 3D modelling a piece of cake. They're also hooking it up to Google Earth and allowing users to share their creations in a "3D Warehouse". Here's the lowdown:
Google SketchUp (free) is an easy-to-learn 3D modeling program that enables you to explore the world in 3D. With just a few simple tools, you can create 3D models of houses, sheds, decks, home additions, woodworking projects - even space ships. And once you've built your models, you can place them in Google Earth, post them to the 3D Warehouse, or print hard copies.
Why is this 2.0? Because it puts the tools of content creation within the grasp of everyone. Think about the way that cheap hardware and ubiquitous broadband have enabled an unprecedented outpouring of user-generated text, photos and videos, blurring the line between amateurs and professionals. Now extend that vision into the third dimension, and imagine the radical shakeup in product design, game development and architecture that's just around the corner. It's a hugely significant advance.