Bad News for Architects in the next ver. of Google Sketchup

drewpoeppel · 29 Aug 2009, 05:11

http://sketchupdate.blogspot.com/2009/08/coming-soon-in-google-sketchup.html
As an architect I could care less about import export of 3d models. COLLADA? I want to be able to use my working drawings to build my model. A BIG step back for me. I cant justify the price of Sketchup Pro. Now what do I do? No updating for me. Blarg...

kwistenbiebel · 29 Aug 2009, 05:29

First, I am glad that there is still development after a deafening silence from the GSU team.
That should be applauded!

On the other hand, announcements of things being ripped out of sketchup instead of being added is not going to make Google popular.
Adding collade is good (never had a need for it though), but taking out one of the most needed export formats? I don't know.

I rather see some announcements that adress the needs of users.

drewpoeppel · 29 Aug 2009, 05:58

Yeah, I'm all for them adding cool new features and NOT making them free, but why rip out a feature that has always been free? In the post it seems like they see it as if they give away any new features they have to take away others. I'm just worried about what they'll take out next.

linea · 29 Aug 2009, 06:29

First paragraph in the update sums it up

@unknownuser said:

I don't often talk about new things we're building before we nudge them gently out the door... We've been working hard ... and have cooked up a bunch of new stuff that I know you're going to like.

And that is why Google have very little idea about what people want.

I imagine they are removing the dwg/dxf import from the free version for one reason which seems so transparent. They aren't selling pro licenses anymore. At least by doing this they will realise how many architect and design practices use Sketchup.

HPW · 29 Aug 2009, 06:36

Really bad news.
Bad habit to remove features.
Just finished an automated conversion process using autocad and SU in one toolchain to create 3D-content in DWG and SKP format.
So either no upgrading or removing SKP from the offered formats.

dedmin · 29 Aug 2009, 08:40

Seems to me strange to pay a tons to Autodesk for their crappy monopole and complain about Google decision! The problem is ALWAYS closed and proprietary file formats that holds you in companies prison! If thee were open drawing format for years...
Can you open jpgs in any image viewer?

Gaieus · 29 Aug 2009, 09:01

@kwistenbiebel said:

...taking out one of the most needed exportformats? I don't know...

Chris,

They are only talking about the free version and dwg/dxf exporthas always been only part of the Pro version (where dwg/dxf import / export will be kept as I understand).

Gaieus · 29 Aug 2009, 09:14

OK, I see, that's a different point then.

kwistenbiebel · 29 Aug 2009, 09:40

Yes, 'import' I should have said.

In my case, importing a DWG in SU is often the start of a new project.

honoluludesktop · 29 Aug 2009, 10:11

I came to (down graded "free" sketchup when my solid modeler went from hundreds of dollars to thousands between v1.1, and v2.0. Because I use Su primarily to visualize, dxf import is essential to my work flow. I am less concerned with paying for Su, then what this implies for the future of Su as an Architect's tool.

To me, "Unfortunately, this improvement won't come without a cost. Import/export capability is tough for us to maintain and tough for you to use effectively. There are just so many fiddly little settings on both sides of a file exchange that it is always a challenge to get everything working just right. Looking forward, we decided to make a trade-off." suggest that at some point in the future, dxf may be abandoned.

This action implies that the Su database may under go massive change when v8 is released. Perhaps, animation will cease to be "free", as the documantation maintains. Maybe after they fix the shadow bug. Sigh........, I just hope that the cost of "Pro" doesn't jump into the thousands >_<

HPW · 29 Aug 2009, 10:55

@unknownuser said:

Seems to me strange to pay a tons to Autodesk for their crappy monopole and complain about Google decision! The problem is ALWAYS closed and proprietary file formats that holds you in companies prison!

I do not tell that I am happy to pay tons to Autodesk, but when I want to support customers with their prefered data-format, then I have no other chance.
(And I have to accept that they want tons of money every 3 years.)
But Autocad is still a lot better in producing drawings/3D-content in a professional/automated way. (You can not use Ruby for SU-Layout)
Also it has still much more options to customise it for your own needs (LSP/DCL/CUI/VBA).

Anyway I complain about Google that they are on the way to get the same behaviour like Autodesk.
And isn't SKP also a closed and proprietary file format?

dedmin · 29 Aug 2009, 11:36

@hpw said:

@unknownuser said:

Seems to me strange to pay a tons to Autodesk for their crappy monopole and complain about Google decision! The problem is ALWAYS closed and proprietary file formats that holds you in companies prison!

I do not tell that I am happy to pay tons to Autodesk, but when I want to support customers with their prefered data-format, then I have no other chance.
(And I have to accept that they want tons of money every 3 years.)
But Autocad is still a lot better in producing drawings/3D-content in a professional/automated way. (You can not use Ruby for SU-Layout)
Also it has still much more options to customise it for your own needs (LSP/DCL/CUI/VBA).

Anyway I complain about Google that they are on the way to get the same behaviour like Autodesk.
And isn't SKP also a closed and proprietary file format?

@unknownuser said:

We originally assumed that our free Google SketchUp users would never really need to export models into other tools. As it turned out, folks wanted to use Google SketchUp models in all kinds of crazy ways. Things that we could never have imagined! We decided that Google SketchUp users should be able to export their models into some easy-to-read and fundamentally hackable file format to make this easier. Your models should be yours to do with as you see fit.
In our next release, we're going to make COLLADA an official first-class format for all modelers. You'll be able to import and export COLLADA models, as well as COLLADA models wrapped up in the KMZ format for Google Earth, with any version of SketchUp.

We are not talking about software capabilities, but data formats and data exchange! You have to own your files and exchange them freely with others. Draw with AutoCAD, save the files in an open file format and send to anybody even without AutoCAD licence.

Edson · 29 Aug 2009, 11:57

this is really odd. to my knowledge most modelling in sketchup starts with a dwg/dxf import whereas i never heard of anyone importing anything in collada format.

so why would google do this? to boost sketchup pro sales?

a question: can you export in collada from autocad? and would it be the same importing a plan in collada as it is today in dwg/dxf?

dedmin · 29 Aug 2009, 12:42

http://labs.autodesk.com/utilities/google_earth_extension_beta/updates/

HPW · 29 Aug 2009, 12:43

@unknownuser said:

Draw with AutoCAD, save the files in an open file format and send to anybody even without AutoCAD licence.

First autocad would have to support this open file format!
(And it is not sure that any other data-format transport the datat exactly as DWG.)

@unknownuser said:

a question: can you export in collada from autocad? and would it be the same importing a plan in collada as it is today in dwg/dxf?

The Google Earth plugin from the autodesk labs seems to support this!
One drawback is that only Autocad 2007 and up are supported.
(I have currently Autocad 2006 running)

dedmin · 29 Aug 2009, 13:40

@unknownuser said:

First autocad would have to support this open file format!
(And it is not sure that any other data-format transport the datat exactly as DWG.)

Then ask Autodesk to fully support collada export - you are paying for their softwarae, not for the free SketchUP! Or to fully open dwg file format! Big boys always try to kill the small fishes - here in East Europe multinational companies are doing this since democracy!

tomsdesk · 29 Aug 2009, 13:47

I suspect this is the beginning of the end of the pro version: way to see how many dedicated pro users really exist before dumping the rowdy bunch we are.

solo · 29 Aug 2009, 14:03

Let's not jump to negative conclusions just yet, remember he also said "I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by many of the changes we've made", , I would trust him on this one.

linea · 29 Aug 2009, 14:40

I'm hoping you know something we don't Pete!

ely862me · 29 Aug 2009, 14:43

If i remember well when i had skp 5 i was hoping for great improvements to skp6 and when comes out.. it was almost the same...same happened with skp7 which i almost find slower than 6 and i even don t use it..
To believe they made great improvements I have to see first..
My most wanted improvement is supporting high polys models...if this is fixed i almost don t need anything else..of course an integrated render engine will be high5,but that s something more difficult and much expensive .
My 0.002$!

Elisei