Igloo Studios and Google SketchUp unveiled “Product Connect” at the 2011 KBIS, a program designed to make it easier for manufacturers and designers to work together to sell products.
“Product Connect gives manufacturers and designers an opportunity to collaborate in the design specification process,” said Alex Oliver, CEO of Igloo Studios. “We anticipate adding more product catalogs to the 3D Warehouse while also developing additional Product Connect features inside of Google SketchUp that will serve to strengthen the designer/manufacturer collaboration over time.”
For manufacturers, Igloo Studios semi-automatically converts product catalogs into Dynamic Component SketchUp models, or “smart” 3D models. These virtual products can be found via a traditional Google search, previewed in the Google 3D Warehouse and downloaded by designers in the context of a project in Google SketchUp. Product Connect can also be used to export product data out of SketchUp and into the next step of the design specification process.
“With Product Connect, design professionals can now use Google SketchUp for product visualization and specification,” said Steve Dapkus, business development, new markets at Google. “We believe Product Connect makes it easier for users to preview a variety of products in their SketchUp models and helps manufacturers reach new customers.”
Product Connect launched with a selection of kitchen and bath product catalogs including KraftMaid Cabinetry, Merillat Cabinetry, QualityCabinets, DeNova countertops, Brizo and Delta faucets, Dacor appliances, Oceanside Glasstile and Mandala tiles and Formica surface materials.
“Google SketchUp has a visual impact on my customers that has allowed me to quickly turn designs into sales,” said Eric Schimelpfenig, AKBD, of Classic Kitchens & Baths in Greenfield, MA. “With Product Connect, I will be able to streamline my design process, reduce errors and make product specification even more efficient.”
Product Connect is free and available for download here.
