MakeHuman vs SketchUp
MakeHuman
makehumancommunity.org
SketchUp
sketchup.trimble.comSide by side
| Figure | MakeHuman | SketchUp |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $0.90/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 16 |
| Spec score · 3D modeling software | 8.3 (#48) | 9.2 (#6) |
| Animation tools | No | Yes |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Parametric modeling | Yes | Yes |
| Platform access | desktop | Product access includes web, iPad, and desktop; Studio is Windows only. |
| 3D print export | Yes | Yes |
| Render engine | built-in | both |
Plans
SketchUp
- FreeFree
- Go Annual$10.75 a month
- Pro Annual$33.25 a month
- Studio Annual$71.58 a month
- Pro Scan Annual$41.58 a month
- Pro Civil Contractor Annual$41.58 a month
- Pro Advanced Workflows Annual$49.92 a month
- Go$10.75 a year
- Pro$33.25 a year
- Pro Civil Contractor$41.58 a year
In their own words
MakeHuman
MakeHuman creates customizable 3D human characters by blending adjustable features on a base mesh. Character targets let users alter traits from sex and muscle tone to earlobe shape. A built-in downloader provides access to community assets, and the application includes a render engine and parametric modeling. Meshes can be exported in Collada (DAE), FBX, Wavefront OBJ, STL, and Ogre3D formats; projects can also be saved in MHM format. Exporting meshes is one-way: MakeHuman cannot open those exported formats again. BVH is the listed rig format, and the documentation says MakeHuman 1.1.0 does not officially support animation inside the application. For Blender workflows, MPFB can communicate directly with MakeHuman instead of depending on file exports. It runs as desktop software on Linux, macOS, and Windows. The plan is free. The site says core assets including the base mesh, targets, and skins are CC0, with no paywall or email requirement for downloading.
SketchUp
SketchUp is 3D modeling software with parametric modeling, animation tools, rendering, and 3D-print export. It runs on the web, iOS, and Windows, though Studio’s advanced visualization and BIM workflows are Windows-only. A free browser-based plan includes Trimble Connect storage and 3D Warehouse access, but is not for commercial use. SketchUp for Schools is free with an eligible Google Workspace for Education or Microsoft Education account and works on Chromebooks or other internet-connected computers. Its education tier includes lesson plans, 3D printing, community support, and storage through Google Drive or OneDrive. Paid plans add different capabilities: Go includes web and iPad access, Pro includes desktop modeling and 2D documentation, while Studio adds point-cloud modeling and rendered animations. Go Annual costs $10.75 a month billed annually; Pro Annual costs $33.25 a month billed annually. Users can share and collaborate through Trimble Connect, and Extension Warehouse offers more than 600 extensions. SketchUp is part of Trimble and was founded in 2000.