Internet search top dog Google Inc. has bought @Last, a company that makes tools to add three-dimensional figures into computer-aided designs.

Financial details were not disclosed. The deal was a announced on March 14.

This and other recent Google acquisitions are part of a broader strategy to fatten up Google's array of features to fare better against chief rival Microsoft Corp., which offers competing online services for consumers and businesses.

For example, last week Google purchased the makers of Writely, a Web-based word processing feature. The move added a missing piece – word processing -- to Google's line-up of Internet-based features for enterprises.

It seems certain that @Last will fall in line with Google Earth, Google's online searchable satellite imagery feature. Sketchup, already makes free software that plugs into Google Earth,

Read more here about Google Earth.

But the six-year-old company also is known for its premium product, now used by hundreds of architects, builders and woodworkers, The price tag is now around $500. But that may change. Google's been known to buy a company, and either significantly cut product prices or begin offering the goods for free.

Discuss Google Buys A 3D Graphics Company   >>> Be the FIRST to comment on this article!

>>> More Graphics Tools Articles          >>> More By Ben Charny