Axis Communications, the world leader in network video, today introduces the Axis Camera Extension for SketchUp providing interactive 3D models of Axis Network Cameras to aid in the planning and design of video surveillance systems. Users can place cameras directly into CAD building plans and visualize the areas the cameras will cover.

The new SketchUp extension from Axis allows users to see exactly how the cameras fit into the building layout and to easily spot if camera views are obstructed by columns or walls. This effectively reduces the risk of unexpected blind spots when planning and designing video surveillance systems.

Axis Network Cameras can be conveniently selected from the SketchUp toolbar allowing users to compare and evaluate different camera models as well as to determine the optimal camera mounting positions. Users can pan, tilt and zoom the cameras to adjust the field of view and define the optimal camera settings.

“SketchUp is a popular and easy-to-use 3D CAD software for security system design. With the new Axis Camera Extension, system integrators can use SketchUp to place Axis Network Cameras into virtual buildings to precisely plan camera view angles and coverage,” said Peter Friberg, Director of System and Services, Axis Communications. “As SketchUp integrates with Google Maps it makes it easy when working on city surveillance or critical infrastructure projects to get a good overview of the environment where the cameras are placed. The Axis Camera Extension allows system integrators to find the optimal camera model and settings for a given mounting position and significantly streamlines the overall planning and design process for video surveillance systems.”

Axis’ broad portfolio of video surveillance system design tools also includes Axis Coverage Shapes for Microsoft Visio and Axis Camera Families for Autodesk Revit.

The Axis Camera Extension for SketchUp is available today and can be downloaded free of charge from axis.com/tools. The Axis Camera Extension for SketchUp is initially available in English, more languages (French, Italian, German, Spanish, Russian, Japanese, Korean, Brazilian Portuguese and Chinese) will be added in Q2, 2014.