VizTerra vs. SketchUp: Landscape Design Software Compared

Capability	VizTerra	SketchUp
2D and 3D design	Draw in 2D and switch to fully interactive 3D with one click. Both views stay in sync as you revise your design.	Models are built primarily in 3D. Dimensioned 2D plans come from LayOut, included with SketchUp Pro and higher.
Landscape and hardscape library	Built in and organized around the work our Members do: more than 1,700 plants and trees, more than 1,200 HD materials, and more than 1,900 3D objects, ready to use.	Assets come from the 3D Warehouse, from extensions, and from your own models, so you assemble a library that suits your work.
Measurements and quantities	Smart Data calculates square footage, material quantities, and linear footage as you design, then places them on your construction plans.	LayOut formats dimensioned 2D sheets. Plant counts and material volumes are worked out manually or with an extension.
Real-time 3D visualization	Included with your Membership: images up to 8K, video from the built-in storyboard, and lighting from day to dusk to night.	Included with SketchUp Studio. On Go and Pro, you add a separate visualization tool or service.
GIS and 3D terrain data	Available as an add-on, with parcel boundaries, setbacks, the home footprint, and aerial imagery down to one inch per pixel.	Geo-location basics in the core program, extended through extensions.
AutoCAD import (DWG and DXF)	Yes, and imported information can be edited inside the project.	Yes, with enhanced DWG compatibility from the Pro plan up.
SketchUp (.skp) and FBX import	Supported in Vip3D, which includes the capabilities of VizTerra along with SketchUp, FBX, and OBJ import.	Native.
Platform	Windows.	Windows and Mac, plus web and iPad on Go. Studio’s advanced tools are Windows only.
Training and support	Recorded training videos from the fundamentals to advanced techniques, the Help Center, and technical support by phone, email, and chat. Live workshops are included with Pool Studio and Vip3D.	Online documentation, tutorials, community forums, and SketchUp Campus courses. Technical support for eligible paid subscribers, and instructor-led training through independent providers.
Free trial	30 days, full access, no credit card.	Trial available, plus a no-cost web version for non-commercial use.
Price per user	$97 monthly, or $84 monthly on an Annual Membership ($997 a year), plus a one-time $95 setup fee.	Pro at $399 a year. Studio at $71.58 a month on an annual plan, which is $858.96 a year.

What VizTerra and SketchUp Are Built For

Both programs produce 3D models of outdoor spaces. The differences extend beyond 3D modeling to the features, design workflows, and construction documentation each one supports.

If you’re still building a shortlist, our landscape software guide covers the rest of the field.

VizTerra

VizTerra is professional landscape design software from Structure Studios, made for landscapes, hardscapes, outdoor kitchens, decks, and pergolas. We’ve been building software for the outdoor living industry since 2001, and 2026 marks 25 years.

It’s part of a family of three programs. Pool Studio adds custom pools, spas, water features, and ponds, and Vip3D adds advanced drafting, cross sections, and SketchUp, FBX, and OBJ import. The right one depends on the projects you design most, so see what VizTerra covers in detail.

SketchUp

SketchUp is general-purpose 3D modeling software from Trimble, used across architecture, interior design, product design, and landscape work. Its strength is open-ended modeling backed by more than a thousand extensions, which is why it’s often used by firms that model across several disciplines.

For landscape-specific work, that flexibility means choosing the extensions, assets, and documentation setup that suit your projects, rather than working inside tools built for outdoor living from the start.

Learning Curve

SketchUp’s basic modeling tools can be relatively easy to learn, but using the software for professional landscape design may require additional time and training. Depending on your projects, you may also need to learn extensions for specific design features, LayOut for construction documentation, and additional visualization software.

Perhaps the most important question is how long it takes to reach landscape-specific, client-ready output.

VizTerra is designed specifically for landscape and outdoor living professionals, with intuitive tools that let you start designing without prior 3D modeling or drafting experience. You draw in 2D, continue designing in interactive 3D, and prepare immersive presentations and construction plans from the same project.

VizTerra also offers an extensive, regularly updated library of recorded training videos, covering everything from the fundamentals to advanced design techniques, so you can learn at your own pace. You can explore the workflow yourself with a free 30-day trial.

From 2D Plan to 3D Presentation

In VizTerra, you draw in 2D and switch to fully interactive 3D with one click. Both views stay in sync automatically, so changes made in either view are reflected in the other.

You can continue designing in 3D, adjusting terrain, changing materials, refining planting layouts, and exploring the design with your client. Because everything stays in the same project, you can make changes during a presentation without having to update a separate drawing or model.

SketchUp takes a different approach. Its modeling environment is primarily 3D, with LayOut available in SketchUp Pro and higher for preparing dimensioned 2D plans, drawings, and presentation documents.

For an example of how interactive 3D presentations help clients make decisions, read our Tommy Davis success story.

Construction-Ready Documentation

Handing your crew or your permit office something they can build from is where the two programs diverge most.

Smart Data calculates square footage, material quantities, and linear footage as you design, and those figures go onto your build-ready construction plans. Because the plans come from the same project file as the design, the documents match the current version.

SketchUp handles this through LayOut, which formats dimensioned 2D sheets from a model. Landscape takeoffs such as plant counts and material volumes are worked out by hand or through an extension.

If you prepare estimates from those quantities regularly, it’s worth looking at whether your current process keeps design changes, measurements, and construction plans connected.

Real-Time 3D and Client Presentation

VizTerra offers real-time 3D visualization and immersive presentation tools, included with your Membership. Create high-resolution images up to 8K, produce videos with the built-in storyboard, and explore how your design looks under different lighting conditions.

When you walk a client through their project in interactive 3D, you can shift the view from day to dusk to night, revealing options or making changes as you go.

SketchUp includes visualization on the Studio plan, which costs $71.58 per month on an annual plan and is sold annually only. On Go and Pro, you add a separate visualization tool or service to reach comparable output.

Depending on the level of realism and presentation features you need, additional rendering software may be part of your SketchUp workflow. For landscape and outdoor living professionals, realistic presentations help clients visualize the finished space, explore material choices, and make decisions before construction begins.

Support and Training

All Structure Studios Members have access to technical support by phone, email, and chat, Monday through Friday, as well as the Help Center and a comprehensive library of recorded training videos covering the fundamentals and more advanced design techniques.

Live, instructor-led workshops are included with Pool Studio and Vip3D Memberships, with classes covering topics such as terrain, construction documentation, and advanced design techniques. You can view our upcoming classes on the live training schedule.

SketchUp offers extensive online documentation, tutorials, community forums, and self-paced courses through SketchUp Campus. Technical support is available to eligible paid subscribers, while additional instructor-led training is offered through independent providers.

Who Each One Fits

Neither program suits every professional, and plenty of firms use both. Here’s the split as we’d explain it to someone in the middle of this decision.

Pricing Comparison

SketchUp Pro has a lower annual price than VizTerra, but the cost of a complete professional workflow depends on the features and additional software you need.

SketchUp Pro costs $399 a year, and SketchUp Studio, which adds visualization, costs $71.58 per month on an annual plan. VizTerra costs $97 per user per month, or $84 per user per month on an Annual Membership, which is $997 a year, plus a one-time $95 setup fee. The full Membership pricing covers all three programs.

The following comparison lays out what a complete workflow costs for one designer over a year, including optional extensions and visualization software where applicable.

The right comparison depends on the software and features you already have, along with those you need for your projects. VizTerra brings landscape design, visualization, material calculations, and construction documentation together in one program, while SketchUp offers a customizable workflow that may involve additional software or extensions.

VizTerra is real-time 3D software with published Windows requirements, so check your machine against the Version 4 requirements before you start a trial. Our team is happy to help you choose hardware for your workload.

Switching from SketchUp to VizTerra

If you’re considering moving from SketchUp to VizTerra, it’s worth reviewing which existing drawings and models you’ll need for future projects.

VizTerra supports importing AutoCAD DWG and DXF files, so you can use existing 2D plans as a starting point for your designs. However, it doesn’t support importing SketchUp 3D models directly.

If you regularly work with custom SketchUp models or other imported 3D objects, Vip3D may be a better fit. It includes the capabilities of VizTerra, along with support for importing SketchUp, FBX, and OBJ models.

Before making the switch, consider which existing projects you’ll need to revisit and which files you can continue using as references. You can also use VizTerra’s free 30-day trial to explore the design workflow with a representative project.

Questions Worth Asking Before You Decide

Before choosing between VizTerra and SketchUp, consider how each program fits your projects, your team, and the way you work.

• What types of projects do you design most often? Do you need software built specifically for landscape and outdoor living design, or a general-purpose modeling application?
• How do you prepare construction documents? Look at whether your current process keeps design changes, measurements, and construction plans connected.
• What do you need for client presentations? Consider the visualization features you use regularly and whether they require additional software or time.
• Does your computer meet the software’s system requirements? Check hardware compatibility before making a decision.
• What training and support will you need? Compare the learning resources available, and see if they fit how you and your team prefer to learn.
• Will you need to reuse existing projects or models? Review which files can be imported and whether any work would need to be recreated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Import SketchUp Files Into VizTerra?

VizTerra doesn’t support importing SketchUp 3D models directly. However, you can import AutoCAD DWG and DXF drawings to use as a starting point for your designs.

If you need to import custom 3D models, Vip3D supports SketchUp, FBX, and OBJ files, along with the landscape design capabilities available in VizTerra.

How Do VizTerra and SketchUp Compare on Cost?

On annual price, SketchUp Pro is lower at $399 a year, and SketchUp Studio costs $71.58 per month on an annual plan. VizTerra runs $97 per user monthly, or $84 monthly on an Annual Membership ($997 a year), plus a one-time $95 setup fee.

When comparing costs, consider the design, visualization, and construction documentation capabilities you need. VizTerra includes features developed specifically for landscape and outdoor living professionals, while some specialized workflows in SketchUp may require additional software or extensions.

Does VizTerra Include Real-Time 3D Visualization?

Yes. VizTerra includes real-time 3D visualization tools with every Membership. You can create high-resolution images up to 8K, produce videos using the built-in storyboard, and present your projects in interactive 3D.

SketchUp includes visualization on the Studio plan. On Go and Pro, you add a separate visualization tool or service.

Can I Use VizTerra on a Mac?

VizTerra is designed for Windows PCs and doesn’t run natively on macOS. For the best performance, we recommend using a Windows computer that meets our system requirements.

SketchUp runs natively on both Windows and Mac, making it an option for professionals who prefer Apple computers.

Is Live Training Included With VizTerra?

Live, instructor-led workshops are included with Pool Studio and Vip3D Memberships, but not VizTerra.

VizTerra Members have access to a comprehensive library of recorded training videos, the Help Center, and live technical support by phone, email, and chat during business hours.

Is VizTerra Easier to Learn Than SketchUp for Landscape Work?

VizTerra is built specifically for landscape and outdoor living professionals, with intuitive design tools, extensive plant and material libraries, and the ability to work in both 2D and interactive 3D. No previous experience with AutoCAD or 3D modeling is required.

SketchUp’s basic modeling tools are approachable, but learning to use them for landscape-specific projects may also involve working with additional extensions and documentation software.

Does VizTerra Produce Construction Plans the Way SketchUp With LayOut Does?

Not in the same way. VizTerra produces build-ready plans, material quantities, and measurements from the same project file as the 3D design, with no separate step.

LayOut, included with SketchUp Pro and higher, formats 2D sheets from a model. Landscape takeoffs such as plant counts or material volumes are worked out by hand, or through an extension.

Can VizTerra Design Swimming Pools?

VizTerra covers landscapes, hardscapes, outdoor kitchens, decks, and pergolas. Pools, spas, and water features are designed in Pool Studio or Vip3D, both of which include everything VizTerra offers.

If your projects include swimming pools, Pool Studio or Vip3D may be a better fit.

Choosing Between VizTerra and SketchUp

SketchUp offers the flexibility of a general-purpose 3D modeling application, while VizTerra brings the design, visualization, and construction documentation capabilities landscape and outdoor living professionals need into one program.

If your work focuses on outdoor living spaces, VizTerra lets you move from initial design to interactive 3D presentations and build-ready construction plans without relying on separate software for each stage.

For scale, more than 2 million projects were designed in Structure Studios software in 2025 alone, and top builders across the industry rely on it.

See how VizTerra fits the way you work. Start your free 30-day trial. No credit card required.