Should i go pro?
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If you dont need layout or the exporters there is no difference (that i can think of) between the versions, so save your cash and buy yourself a beer (or 2.)
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Hi Tekkybot
A lot of us use SU without professional features. LayOut and export capabilities lead to professional World. Plugins made by Ruby's Masters enhance SU in such a way, we dont need theses specific links most of the time.
MALAISE
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And frankly unless you need layout the Pro version is not necessary as the 3d exporters are pretty lacking. Even though I use the Pro version I do not use the exporters or layout, so if the next version is not geared to our needs I will not get the pro version unless it's a free upgrade.
There really is not enough 'meat' on the Pro version to make it a $500 option IMO.
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What everyone else says.
As you already stated you do not require Layout or the export features, the Pro version would be a complete waste of money offering you no real benefits to SU Free.
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In a legal plan normally you don't right use free version for commercial purpose!
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I believe that was changed in version 6 Pilou.
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@unknownuser said:
Google SketchUp 6 is made available to you for personal or commercial use, and includes support via our SketchUp Help Center. You can also find answers, ask questions, and share your expertise on the Google SketchUp Help Group.
from here
If so, that is a big gift!
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do you think sketchup pro will be discontinued at v7 and made free to compete with microsofts buy out of caligari truespace?
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No. It wouldn't surprise me if there were greater differences between the Pro and free versions in V7 than there are now.
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I agree Alan. Afterall, the free version is what has helped Earth become what is its, yeah?
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@alan fraser said:
No. It wouldn't surprise me if there were greater differences between the Pro and free versions in V7 than there are now.
I think the Pro version will either cease to exist with v7 or there simply has to be a huge difference between the free and Pro version. They simply cannot get away with charging around $500 for the very limited offerings they have given for v6 Pro.
I could see a massively enhanced SU Pro, with most of the features people whine and whine about not having, while the free version just has minor tweaks done to it.
But I do think it's possible that Google could scrap the Pro version altogether. I cannot imagine the Pro version brings in very much money and that money is probably a tiny amount compared to all the SU and GE development.
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Actually I don't think that Google will drop the 'Pro' thing. They have the same sort of arrangement with Google Earth. Also, lots of large corporations don't like to rely on free software for core functionality. I may be wrong, but I believe that the principle was that professionals would want export options for use with other applications - I'm thinking renderers in particular. Hobbyists and enthusiasts would just use the core modelling features, but professionals need interoperability with other apps.
It's obvious that there isn't enough difference between the free and pro versions to justify the price difference. Like Alan, I think the Pro version for SU7 will have a lot more features for the money rather than abandon the principle altogether.
Personally, if I were Google, I would just have retained the previous version as the free application, but just added support for the latest file format.
However, we won't have too long to wait for SU7 5 guess.
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I suspect we may have a program with 'discipline specifc extensions'
Like vectorworks...
SU 7.0 Free
SU 7.0 Pro Architectural
SU 7.0 Pro Landcsape
Su 7.0 Pro GIS
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I would like to see the Pro version loaded with features, that actually belong in a pro software, but are not needed for simple modelling.
Im thinking about tools like a proper referencing-option, with referencing of files several levels deep. makes perfect sense for a huge project, but is not necessary if you model an extension for your garage or focus on product design.
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I think what's being overlooked here is that there is one very important feature besides Layout and 3d exporters that comes w/ the pro version of SU. I think of SkethUp Pro as a statement about myself. It tells people I'm important and affluent. My friends find me to be more cool after learning that I have the Pro version of SU. SU Pro heaps burning coals upon the heads of my enemies.
It's the same reason people buy big diamond rings, Nike shirts, and scuba gear.
-Brodie
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Well, they'll certainly need to do something substantial with the Pro version of SU7. The absence of 3D export options is no limitation whatsoever.
There are free programs like Vivaty Studio that will import kmz/kml (exportable from the free version) and export them in more 3D formats than you can shake a stick at, including Truespace, SoftImage, Lightwave and even stl.There's virtually no incentive at the moment to cough up any money at all.
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Isn't Sandbox only in the Pro version?
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@johnsenior1973 said:
@dale said:
Isn't Sandbox only in the Pro version?
It's in the free version as well.
Yeah, I think that went free w/ version 6 but I could be wrong on that one.
-Brodie
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What went free with v6 are basically
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sandbox
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print to scale (and other print) options - in v5 it was limited to "fit to page"
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2d graphic export optiions - in v5 it was limited to screen resolution
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animation export
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(afaik) the ability to use rbs plugins
What is still "missing": -
Export models in 3DS, DWG, DXF, OBJ, XSI, VRML, and FBX file formats
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LayOut (and lately StyleBuilder)
Location tab in the Model info (Win only - funnily the Mac version has it - but Jim wrote a plugin for that already)
The little
image however appears all over in the SU Guide according to v5. Google forgot to update this part of the guide (and a whole lot of things are also missing there - just think about intersect with selected or intersect with context which came with SU6).
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