SketchUp 7.1?

Chris Fullmer · 22 Sept 2009, 18:13

Handles large models better
Re-implemented the back button in the comp. browser
Dimensions in Layout
A couple of new Ruby methods
Photo textureing from Google Street View.
Collada support

Sure collada leans towards Google Earth, but collada was not developed for Google Earth. Google Earth just happens to use it. And the other features are not really related to Google earth, except maybe the street view mapping. But that could come in handy for lots of urban designers/planners, just for use inside of SU.

Overall, I think its a great "point" update. Plus they have promised to support dwg in the free version through the end of 7.x.

Chris

DavidBoulder · 22 Sept 2009, 18:15

Dimensioning in Layout was also added in 7.1, I expect it was added largely because of the input on this forum (Ok on the LayOut forum).

Also as an architect creating many site/context models in SU, being able to easy find existing 3DWH/GE buildings is a really nice tool. And making texturing/modeling easier when I have to make my own context is also nice. Even just pulling up StreetView as a visual aid to examine the neighborhood and distant views is nice.

drewpoeppel · 22 Sept 2009, 18:20

@chris fullmer said:

Plus they have promised to support dwg in the free version through the end of 7.x.[Chris

Really? I didn't see this anywhere. I assumed this was the release they were talking about last month in regards to deleting the dwg/dfx support. If you look at the features list it looks like dfx/dwg is out.http://sketchup.google.com/product/whygopro.html I'm holding off on upgrading until I know for sure.
Can you install 7.1 along side of 7.0?

Anssi · 22 Sept 2009, 18:25

@agrazdi said:

@Lastsoftware -- we need you back, urgent !!!

Do you mean the free version should be discontinued? A free version was totally a Google innovation. Otherwise, yes, I liked @Last quite well.

Anssi

Chris Fullmer · 22 Sept 2009, 18:29

In the blog statement they made a few weeks ago here:

Coming Soon in Google SketchUp...

Follow the SketchUpdate blog for SketchUp news, modeling tips and tricks, user stories and more.

(sketchupdate.blogspot.com)

They said this, towards the end (3rd to last paragraph)

@unknownuser said:

For those of you who depend on the importers we plan to remove, we'll be providing an optional download that enables them again. But remember! This installer will only be available for a limited time, and it will not be supported at all in our next major release.

So they will support .dwg and .dxf for SketchUp FREE through the end of 7. But it will not be supported in SketchUp Free 8. It will continue to be supported in SketchUp Pro.

Chris

ark · 22 Sept 2009, 19:16

Hurry Google!

Just gave the free version a spin with old heavy model, and it's just much faster to update!

It's a shame with the missing dwg/dxf import as I use it every time I start a project in sketchup, but now that Google takes this fine software seriously, I just might by the pro version

fossa · 22 Sept 2009, 19:32

@unknownuser said:

Hurry Google!

Just gave the free version a spin with old heavy model, and it's just much faster to update!

It's a shame with the missing dwg/dxf import as I use it every time I start a project in sketchup, but now that Google takes this fine software seriously, I just might by the pro version

Careful about that "taking it seriously" comment. IMO they have a long way to go before they even approach serious, when it comes to SU. Although this sure seems like a step in the right direction.

Thank you SU team, let's keep things moving this way.

Gaieus · 22 Sept 2009, 20:00

Ehm...

It seems that Google itself spilled out the beans a bit earlier than they were planning (good job IMO BTW - and I can still use some of nthese abbreviations more )

Has any of you looked seriously into our "hardware test " down in the Corner Bar?

OK, here are my results with SU 7.0 (shadows on):

And here are the results with SU 7.1 (again, with shadows on)

4.1 per seconds against 63.1 frames per seconds should speak for itself.

Performance improvement? I can consider it to be.

dcauldwell · 22 Sept 2009, 20:19

Gaieus

Amazing results - must update right away!
Thanks Google.

Stinkie · 22 Sept 2009, 20:22

Just tried the new release on my gf's iMac - there's a definite performance improvement.

RonanR · 22 Sept 2009, 20:24

All my models just orbit and zoom so much better.
For me the increase of performance alone makes this release a success...

dedmin · 22 Sept 2009, 20:31

@ronanr said:

All my models just orbit and zoom so much better.
For me the increase of performance alone makes this release a success...

Agree 200%!!!! Sooo much smooth!!

ericschimel · 22 Sept 2009, 20:39

Don't forget dimensioning in LayOut! This is a HUGE feature for those of us that make construction drawings...

They really did a nice job with the dimension tool...

drewpoeppel · 22 Sept 2009, 20:44

Here is the link to turn on dwg/dfx import for the free version of 7.1. Like they said "only for a limited time"
http://sketchup.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=161784

jwlyon1 · 22 Sept 2009, 20:47

Even though I have a pro license... I downloaded these just in case!!!

But otherwise, seems like a wonderful improvement.

Bert · 22 Sept 2009, 20:54

I also noted that loading Scenes from Layout is much much faster

Chris Fullmer · 22 Sept 2009, 21:09

And to answer Drew's question from earlier, yes you can sort of install 7.0 and 7.1 separately. Well, you really make of copy of 7.0 before installing 7.1. I tried to write up how to do it here:

http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=22158&start=0&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

Chris

paulside · 22 Sept 2009, 21:12

Dimensioning in Layout!
Its so much more useful now - thanks Google,
If you could now just give Layout: an offset line tool, a hatch pattern fill option and a parallel line tool (Maybe SketchUp 8 ?) I can ditch all my other CAD software.

It orbits so much more smoothly as well,

Thanks SketchUp Team

matteo · 22 Sept 2009, 21:21

I've noticed that sketchup uses both cores of my processor when i change view (pan, zoom & rotate).
I'm running it on windows xp 32 bit sp3.

Does it explain all (or partially) that gain of speed, or was it the some before the 7.1 release?

/matteo

Gaieus · 22 Sept 2009, 21:41

@matteo said:

I've noticed that sketchup uses both cores of my processor when i change view (pan, zoom & rotate).
I'm running it on windows xp 32 bit sp3.

Does it explain all (or partially) that gain of speed, or was it the some before the 7.1 release?

/matteo

Hm... Lucky you then - I don't think SU would (natively) make use of multicore yet.
But of course, I might be wrong.