Google Sketchup Pro 7 is out

remus

Dacad, id say DCs count as a modelling enhancement and an animation enhancement.

Burkhard

.....
After all this time this looks like a point release rather than a full new version. Sorry Google - Try Harder

this is from the blog and you want more?

Two years in the making and the result of many, many people's hard work, Google SketchUp 7 has arrived. You are cordially invited to visit our website to download a copy for yourself. We can't wait to see what you think.

solo

Guys, lets not under estimate the power of dynamic components, I believe it's an awesome addition that deserves a loud cheer, the endless opertunities it presents to not only our workflow and the way we model but to the ruby guru's that will be able to take this to another level.
The texturing advances (by using an image editor to alter a texture live) are also very welcome and one feature I will be using a lot.

When I first got the beta I thought the same as many here that this is just not enough, but after playing around I found this to be a very stable release (I had less splats and problems with the beta than my SU6 pro, and yet they made it even more stable)and it has many tiny tweaks that one will only notice during normal day to day work. I too wanted higher poly support, UV mapping and 64 bit support but after having a chat with Mr. Bacus at base camp I realised this would take a lot more than just an upgrade and we need to be patient, they are aware of what we want and not ignoring us (but also not talking to us on open forum).
Having used SU7 for several weeks I must say I like it a lot, however the one thing I hope they would fix maybe with a patch or update is the friggin toolbar migration issue ... that still kills me, especially when you have many plugin icons.

ilay7k

@ilay7k said:

i liked previous sketchup-update changelog i think they don't show( ) that small 2-years list.

As
@unknownuser said:

Tasha Danko said...
Thanks for your comment and letting us know about the blank page. This page is part of our new Help Center for SketchUp 7, which will be live by 12pm MT today. Please check back later today and thanks for your patience.

at blog, we can see all list of features. Good...

lewiswadsworth

Ah, the receipt arrived and now I have my license to MOI...

sintra

I think to all the Sketchup team that read these posts we muct all sound like spoilt little children and a little ungrateful. Yes there has been some nice changes in the latest release but it is very difficult to not feel a little deflated by the current release.

To me reading through the posts the general public and customers are very disapointed, with the extended Sketchup family of beta testers defending the release which is what we would expect. In my view nearing two years since the last release we were all expecting big things, maybe expectations were over hyped.

I think what everyone wanted more than anything was better handling of large scale models, and it would appear that this has not changed much at all really.
I think it would be good if google could perhaps give us there views on this:
Can it be done ?
Are they looking into it or is it impossible with the current code ?
Do they have any timescales ?
Anything really just some feedback on 'the holy grail' of sketchup please, the silence of sketchup is increasing peoples frustration on what is the biggest issue with the product. I think if we had some answers even if they were bad news it would put peoples minds at ease a little.

This release feels like an episode of Lost, you are all excited at the start of it for what will happen and come the end you are left confused and asking many questions.

Remember google there is a saying that 'the customer always knows best'

solo

Lewiswadsworth wrote:

@unknownuser said:

Ah, the receipt arrived and now I have my license to MOI...

Hey Lewis, long time no see.

I must say MOI is an awesome app and one that works great with SU, and not as a replacement, as Nurb modeling has it's advantages as does SU's polygonal method, so having many tools in one's arsenal is always a good thing.

emorgan

Ok. Sketchup 7 has some substantial improvements.
What I was really waiting for was real curves. (not faceted) and the ability to export solid models.
I think those features would basically blast a big hole in the MCAD market.
Still Sketchup 7 is worth the upgrade for so many reasons. The dynamic stretching alone is BIG.

dacad

REMUS:
How? explain me or show me how because from what i see there's nothing really new but i could be missing something.

Parametric modeling it's something sketchup didn't need specially if would be the core feature of a new version...What does the DC help me if i'm modeling something unique without components?or a car?or a industrial production object?or a organic shape? and can i animate objects and export that animation with shadows? or that just work for cubes again (or other basic form?)

In my opinion the DC will have the same impact that sandbox tools had, it's fun at the beggining but when you realized it's limits you will use it as much as sand box tools (not much and when used have to correct them to work good...).

And again for the ones defending the new super released: did i said any lie in my previous post? And better yet: if you could choose between this "new" version 7 and a version 6 that suported multicore and heavier models what would you choose?i have to be honest, i don't know what you guys model with sketchup but i could survive with this software without this "new" features, but can't say the same thing about not using the full power of today's technology...

dale

Just a question. I'm in the middle of a fairly complex project, and I'm a little hesitant to download 7 Pro in case I have problems in translation etc from Pro 6. Any noticeable problems in this regard? What about plugins such as Renditioner, Podium, or Kerkythea (I know, not really a plug in, but the exporter is) which I use quite often, any problems with them?

From my point of view, I am an old guy who started in this field hand rendering, and I don't think most of you understand just how you have been empowered by the SketchUp software. In fact people are always talking about a SketchUp challenge, for your next serious project, don't do it in SketchUp, hand render it first,( no not napkin sketches, reasonable presentation renders) then submit it, and we will come up with a list of revisions, then revise your rendering. When this is complete do it in SketchUp and look at the differences not only in the professionalism and quality of the presentation in the SketchUp version but give us a time comparison.
I am certainly not pushing the boundaries of this software like silvershadow and others, but I know that it is by far the most enjoyable software on my computer. It never feels like work, and I get the feeling that outside of a few irritations that are founded, mostly people just want it to do everything for them, and I don't think this will ever happen.
Oh I'm attaching a few hand renderings by some of the greats, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Antonio Sant'Ellia, and Lebbeus Woods. There are other that are worthy of having a look at, like Steve Oles (who is actually now using SketchUp) and Hugh Ferris, the list goes on.

And I thank the folks on the SketchUp Team, and all the Ruby Scripters, I haven't had this much fun at work in years. (now back to work on SU 7.5 )

Antonio Saint Elia D.jpg

Lebbeus Woods 2.jpg

dacad

And now a litle story: Some years ago there was a rumor that autodesk was going to buy @last sketchup. Everyone, back then revolted against it and after a while everyone was pleased to know google bought sketchup and save it from autodesk. Now i don't know if this was for the best of this software.

Google owning sketchup means if they can just implement one new feature and have to choose between new modeling tools or better google earth integration guess what's gonna be choose...

If Autodesk had been able to bought sketchup at least nowdays we would have better integration with all the major 3d Softwares and decent import/export of 3d models (i'm sorry but just beeing able to import absolete 3d formats and lose data in the process like textures and polygons it's something unaceptable for me but maybe i'm just to demanding for finished 3d products...)

Other things that let me thinking something it's wrong in this realeased it's things like user suport (does no one from the skechup team have time to talk to us and explain and discuss this new version with us?and i talked bad from autodesk suport), how was the software realeased (this is the best way to realeased the software?) other softwares that done incredible evolutions and updates and in lesser time that sketchup (photoshop CS4, Modo 302, Silo 2, Zbrush 3...) and using the same engine since version 5 and knowing a hardware|software revolution as passed (64 bits OS and multi core processor)

P.S.:And i hate Autodesk...

solo

DacaD wrote:

@unknownuser said:

In my opinion the DC will have the same impact that sandbox tools had, it's fun at the beggining but when you realized it's limits you will use it as much as sand box tools

Well I use it Sandbox almost daily, it's got a couple glitches but an awesome plugin it is none the less.

Once you get using DC in your daily workflow you will wonder what you did without it, just like we do with all major plugins. DC makes things just a little easier and gives us more control, however it takes the initial learning phase like everything else.

jstanton8869

@burkhard said:

@jstanton8869 said:

.....
After all this time this looks like a point release rather than a full new version. Sorry Google - Try Harder

this is from the blog and you want more?

Two years in the making and the result of many, many people's hard work, Google SketchUp 7 has arrived. You are cordially invited to visit our website to download a copy for yourself. We can't wait to see what you think.

I think that's the point - what have they been doing for 2 years? There are a large number of improvements many of which are covered (sometimes supported) ad hoc by ruby scripts that could have been properly integrated into native Sketchup and just arent there. The UI could be massively improved

Basic stuff like customisable toolbars, better arc drawing etc etc etc. A lot of this stuff (especially the Arc tool which is stone age) has needed improving since before version 5. The Dynamic components look great but my point is that it seems crazy you can draw lines and curves more easily and flexibly now in Layout than you can in Sketchup. What am I supposed to do, draw my model in 2D in Layout. Use the new Export as JPEG to transfer my drawing to Sketchup. Trace over the lines and then work it up in 3D??? It'd be like working in Vectorworks all over again!

Oh,and while I'm up on my horse - the full list of changes link on the google website gets you a blank page so I'm still waiting to see what I've missed.

http://sketchup.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=115424

JuanV.Soler

Beware to run as an administrator if you are in Vista¡
otherwise it wont let you license.

ELYSIUM

Coen, it's hard not to be a critic when not even the toolbars where fixed.....

lapx

My Top 5 prority list PLEASE! For get about anything else until these are met.

speed, speed, speed.
consistent clean up with lines and faces with less trial n error.
handle high poly count.
moi like functions for making irregular curvy shapes.
fix shadow problem.

dacad

Coen Naninck:

Coen please don't seem me as someone who is atacking you or others that are defending this version 7. I'm just trying to make a point and see the two sides of this discussion. I'm really interested in the article about V7 you're gonna do because has i always say the strongest thing about sketchup it's not the software but their comunity of users an i believe that i will learn more about this version with you and others than with sketchup team or website/suport (waht's happening with info about V7 in their site?). The last thing i wanted was making you think i was beeing disrespectfull with you or others.

But i also have to say to please don't see me as a newbie to sketchup or someone that don't understand the full power of their tools. 2 years ago i did this project http://www.pushpullbar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5800&highlight=car+design and then share some tips and tricks how i did it in here http://www.pushpullbar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5844&highlight=tips+tricks
This was 2 years ago...you can see that using sandbox tools "out of the box" and pushing the limitis of this software it's something i've been doing for some time now. So i now above all how it work and how it doesn't (when was the last time we used the "from contours" tool that didn't need to use after the "flip edge" tool?)

This version 7 for me it's aimed for new users, people that start using sketchup like 1 year ago or so. They will love the new features and the new layout. For the pro users and hardcore modelers this a completly fail (for now) because none of the bugs and limitations of the software have been adressed. we just got a tool worth mentioning (the DC) that in some time from now we will find their limitations (and probably bugs) and will be another thing we will want to be fixed or updated...
So yes, i feel forgotten by the sketchup team...

And now when we think that we'll probably have to wait another 2 years for the new version that it's not even sure that this problems will be coreected this time it starts to get scary...

ScottPara

Coen, to say you would (n)EVER switch might want to be left as an open statement. If the development of Sketchup keeps going at this pace (2 years for a sorry attempt at a full release) there may no longer be support enough for Sketchup to continue! That was a joke so go easy!:)

In all reality, I think the only people who should complain are pro (paying) users. Not to say free version users should not have a voice but to demand things that are already your way free is wrong.

The fact that it can not handle high poly models is just wrong. Google gives us Sandbox which can get high poly on its own only to have sandbox choke ones pc to a halt. As an architectural modeler, my models get high poly quick and to have to separate out my model in chunks only because SU can not handle high poly is a joke. Every other modeler worth its weight is handling millions and millions of poly's and maybe choking, not SU........it chokes on hundreds of thousands! Come on!

Here is my idea for google.......hire Whaat and Fredo6 and lock them in a room for 12 months and see what sketchup would become! I have a good feeling it would be far better than what we are staring at now!!!

Will I buy the upgrade? Yes, only because I have to, not because I am excited to.

DONE!!!

CadFather

unfortunately, i find one cannot but agree with all the negative feedback, from the rational and balanced, to the emotional and upset. still one should also not fail to see the positives for what they are - and will be.

but for some users, sketchup is not just a modeller, or even a program - dare i say it is a LOVE relationship.

i am sure i'm not just speaking for long time users, remember? for many, it was love at first sight!
sketchup is special because it has somehow become an integral part of many lives and has made them better.

i am not saying "the old days were better" - but there is this slight sense of betrayal - that the lover has not been considered, and that though the ruby masters have been a fantastic blessing for all of us (around the world) and google has also been making some amazing additions - one more bit of love is gone.....

let's hope some of this feedback will do just that - this program is a heck of a program! love

remus

Dacad,

Well imagine you have to model a few houses in SU. You model the shell of the house then whack in a few dynamic windows and doors, then whack a dynamic fence around the house. Compare that to having to individually model/adapt a window component for each window, and have to draw in a fencepost for each fences, id say thats a substantial amount of time saved in modelling.

In terms of usefulness when doing organic stuff, no it isnt useful, but then is subsmooth useful when your modelling a warehouse? It is just a tool, and you wont need to use it all the time.

When considering this feature i think its also important to consider Su's primary market of architects. The majority of whom will make extensive use of reusable components.