Google this week acquired three-dimensional design program specialist @Last Software, which has been led by CEO and former Bedford resident Mark Sawyer and funded in part by Hanover-based Borealis Ventures.

Boulder, Colo.-based @Last Software is now known simply as Google. The company developed SketchUp, which allows users such as architects, game developers and graphic artists, to push and pull their flat designs into three-dimensions. SketchUp retails for $495.

@Last Software has 70 employees and offices in Boulder, Munich and London. It has an installed base of about 40,000 SketchUp commercial users worldwide.

Terms of Google's acquisition of @Last Software, which closed Tuesday, were undisclosed.

Concord-based registered architect Duene Cowan of DC Designs Architects PLLC, said, "Having something like SketchUp really allows you to compete with larger firms and makes the client feel like he's hired someone who is technologically savvy and can give them the kind of things they see on TV."

The Google acquisition grew out of the @Last Software engineering team's work with Google Earth engineers to integrate the program with Google's aerial mapping tool.

"The advantage in coming together is the worldwide reach and scope with Google," Sawyer said. "It's a worldwide platform for us to launch a 3D product to people who would otherwise not have heard of us."

NH-based Borealis Ventures typically invests in Northern New England, but Borealis co-founder and managing director Jesse Devitte began talking with @Last in 2003 because he had previously worked with @Last founders Brad Schell and Joe Esch at Autodesk Inc.

Devitte joined @Last's board of directors and introduced the company to former Bedford resident Mark Sawyer, who also previously had worked with Devitte at Autodesk.

Borealis invested in @Last in 2004 and brought in as co-investors its strategic partners and affiliates Village Ventures Inc. of Williamstown, Mass., and Highway 12 Ventures of Boise, Idaho.

"@Last's joining the Google team proves that the American entrepreneurial dream is still alive," Devitte said.