When you’re using SketchUp Pro for professional design work, having access to your tools across multiple devices is crucial. Whether you’re working in an office on your desktop or presenting ideas to a client on your laptop, SketchUp Pro’s licensing options are designed to accommodate your mobility. However, knowing how many devices you can use and understanding SketchUp’s licensing terms can be tricky, especially with recent shifts to subscription-based models.
In this post, we’ll break down the essentials of SketchUp Pro’s device limits, help you understand different licensing models, and offer practical advice to make the most of your SketchUp Pro license across multiple devices.
Understanding SketchUp Pro’s Licensing Model
SketchUp Pro is available in a few different licensing models, each with unique features and limitations tailored to different kinds of users. Here’s a quick overview of the main types:
- Individual Licenses: Most designers and small business users opt for the individual license, a subscription that’s tied to a single user. With this model, you get full access to SketchUp’s tools and can install the software on multiple devices (up to two), though only one device can be used at a time.
- Network Licenses: Intended for multi-user environments, network licenses allow access across multiple devices within an organization. This can be beneficial for companies that need multiple users working simultaneously, as the license manager distributes access dynamically among team members.
- Enterprise Solutions: For larger companies or extensive design teams, SketchUp offers enterprise solutions that provide greater flexibility. Enterprise licenses come with advanced management tools, allowing companies to control access to software across many devices, and often include dedicated support.
Understanding your license type will help you make the best use of SketchUp Pro across different devices without running into issues.
Device Limits for Standard Licenses
For individual licenses, the rule is fairly straightforward: SketchUp Pro allows installation on up to two devices per user. This is ideal if you use a primary computer (like a desktop) for your main work and have a secondary device (like a laptop) for working on the go. However, keep in mind that only one of these installations can be used at a time.
How to Manage Your License When Switching Devices
If you need to switch from one device to another (such as when upgrading to a new computer or replacing a broken one), you’ll need to manage your license allocation. Here’s how:
- Deauthorize: Open SketchUp on the device you’re replacing and go to Help > Manage License. Select the option to deauthorize, which frees up the license for a new installation.
- Install on New Device: Download and install SketchUp on your new device, sign in, and activate your license. Now, you’ll have access on the new device while still keeping your main one available.
- License Manager: For added convenience, SketchUp provides an online license manager. This lets you manage all active licenses from a web-based dashboard, making it easy to switch between devices whenever necessary.
By deauthorizing devices as needed, you can make the most of your two-device limit without needing to purchase an additional license.
What If You Need More Flexibility?
If you’re a team, an organization, or a power user who needs more flexibility, you might find that an enterprise license or network license better suits your workflow. These licenses allow for a more dynamic allocation of SketchUp access across multiple devices, helping larger teams stay efficient.
- Network Licenses: Available for businesses and teams, a network license allows simultaneous access for multiple users but requires all users to be connected to the same network. This option is ideal for companies needing to share licenses without buying individual copies for each user.
- Enterprise Solutions: Enterprise licenses take flexibility a step further. With access to a license manager, support, and sometimes tailored features, enterprise solutions are excellent for large-scale environments where SketchUp is used on a range of devices and by various teams.
These options are more cost-effective for groups that need frequent access to SketchUp Pro without the need to constantly manage device activations and deactivations.
Conclusion
In summary, SketchUp Pro’s licensing allows individual users to install the software on two devices but limits usage to one active instance at a time. If you often switch devices, use the deauthorization feature to manage your license and ensure you’re always able to work on the device of your choice. For businesses or teams with greater flexibility needs, network and enterprise licenses offer advanced options to ensure smooth, multi-user access to SketchUp Pro.
By understanding and maximizing the capabilities of your SketchUp Pro license, you can enjoy uninterrupted access to your projects—wherever your work takes you!
