Google 3D Tile import is a feature available for active SketchUp PlaceMaker subscribers only and will not work for Pay-As-You-Go customers or if your subscription license has expired.  This feature also requires SketchUp Pro Desktop version 2022 or newer.

To upgrade from Pay-as-you-Go to subscription or renew an expired subscription, please contact us or your reseller.

To use Google 3D tile import, you need the following:

• Google account
• Google API key
• Valid credit card (or bank payment method)

Google provides a generous free tier for their data, but a payment method is required in case you consume data in excess of the free tier.

In this article, we’ll walk through the steps to get this set up. We highly recommend using  the Google Chrome browser when you go through the steps yourself..

Step 1 - Create a Google Account

If you don’t already have a Google account, you can create one at myaccount.google.com. Click Create an account, then go through the process of setting up your username and password.

Step 2 - Sign into the Google Cloud Console

The next step is to access the Google Cloud Console.

Sign in with your Google account username and password. Agree to the terms of service, then click Agree and Continue.

Step 3 - Create a Project

Click the Select a project drop down at the top left.

This opens the Select a project window. Click New Project.

You can accept the default project name or change it, and keep No organization if you don’t have a folder structure set up. Then click Create. 

At the top right, click the link in the notification to select the project.

Your new project is now open, and is listed in the My Project drop down.

Step 4 - Create an API Key

To create an API key, you need to be on the project’s Credentials page. An easy way to find this page is to enter “credentials" in the search field at the top, and open the Keys and Credentials (Google Maps Platform) link.

Open Keys and Credentials from the left menu.

This is where you need to enter payment information and answer a few questions. Click Agree and Continue, and under payment method, choose an existing card or open the drop down and add a new card or bank account. Then click Start Free.

You won’t be charged unless you exceed the free tier data, and you will be notified by Google prior to any charges. 

Google will then ask a few questions about your organization - answer each question and click Continue until finished. Then click Submit.

This generates your API key, which has a copy icon. Click this icon so that you can paste the key into the PlaceMaker window. Then click Go to Google Maps Platform.

Now you’ll see the Protect Your API key window. We recommend not applying any API restrictions at the time, as this could prevent your key from working with PlaceMaker. Click Maybe Later.

If you need to find your key again, click Keys & Credentials on the left, and under API Keys click Show Key. 

Step 5 - Enable Map Tiles API for the new Key

In order that your API key will work in PlaceMaker, it needs to be enabled specifically for Map Tiles. Enter “map tiles” in the search field, and open Map Tiles API.

Click Enable.

Step 6 - Use your API Key in PlaceMaker

The last step is to return to SketchUp and the PlaceMaker window. In the API key field, paste in the API key you copied before.

Now that the API key is activated, you are ready to import Google Earth 3D Tiles!

Clicking Show Google API Info on the PlaceMaker window will display your key.

If your model isn’t already geo-located, click Import 3D Earth to choose your location and select the area to import. 

Then with the geolocated surface selected, click Import 3D Earth again.

This brings in the Google Earth terrain and 3D models.

After bringing in map tiles, you can refine their level of detail by clicking the button "Refine Selected 3D Tiles".