Google SketchUp - An AutoCad Alternative?

Which program is the 'big boss' in CAD world? Needless to say, it's AutoCAD from AutoDesk Inc. From landscaping to 3D modeling, AutoCAD did the best to suite most of the user needs but its price is high up to the hill. The Google SketchUp could be the AutoCad alternative in this 'freebies world'. Google SketchUp is a free CAD program for personal use and its easy to create or modifying your 3D model. It provide basic tools to built your 3D model like drag to modify a shape directly, coloring and texturing, real-time shadow casting and choose from thousands of samples for a quick 'construction'.

Meanwhile, Google SketchUp Pro version is more suitable for professional user. Some of the advance feature in Pro version such as:
- Print and export raster images at higher-than-screen resolution.
- Access to the following 3D export formats: DWG, DXF, 3DS, OBJ, XSI, VRML and FBX.
- Export animations and walkthroughs as MOV (Mac) or AVI (Windows) files.
- Sandbox Tools (for organic modeling of terrain, etc) and the Film & Stage Tools (for pre-viz work).
- Access to free email tech support for two years after they buy SketchUp Pro.

The Google SketchUp Pro is ready for commercial use and it cost US$495.