SketchUp 8
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Well you can run both SU8 and 7, so there's no harm if you decide to install. There are other features like thumbnails in scenes, back edges (variation on X-ray mode), save toolbar locations, new push/pull method, slight engine improvement and the scripters say there's issues that have been addressed.
Give it a go
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Tom, I think Rich has covered most of it.
If I remember correctly, the ability to import DXF/DWG files is not there in the free version and I think the plugin they had made available for V7/7.1 was not supposed to work in V8. I don't have personal experience with that, though.
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This is subjective, but I don't see compelling reasons to upgrade my Pro version. It's a bit disappointing that it took so long to add Angle Dimensions, but this is a Pro feature and it's only available in Layout (a Pro feature, too). For most of the other woodworking stuff I do, I don't see anything I can't already do efficiently in SU 7.
It's no cost to install the free SU 8, so I'll do that to play with it. Just remember not to save in SU 8 format if you want to be able to edit in SU 7.
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David, you may not find a compelling reason to upgrade. Or, you might when you try the Solid Tools. As you say, it's subjective.
FWIW, if you decide not to upgrade to Pro 8, your install will revert to the free version after 8 hours of use. You'll still be able to open models you've saved. And of course you can save them as V7 models instead of V8 if you want.
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There is quite some amount of improvement as far as handling larger models. I just finished up a model that was over 2.6M is size and it was getting real sluggish moving it around in SU7. I'm still running an older laptop with only 1G memory. Downloaded and installed SU8 last night, loaded the model in and saved it to v8 and now I have smooth scrolling and motion.
Tried getting at some DWGs with no luck, so apparently the add for 7 doesn't work in 8.
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no, the DWG/DXF importer plugin does not work in version 8 but that announced back when the plugin was made available for version 7.1.
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I tried importing some dwgs into 7.1 after installing 8, and 7.1 wouldn't recognize them. I even reloaded the plug in for 7.1 and it still doesn't recognize them. Wonder if 8 changes some setting in 7 to make the plug in not work.
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Probably a registry thing.
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I just downloaded free Ver.8, and I think that I'll also try the Pro version. Actually I find my methods quite satisfactory and quick without using solid tools but they must be tried before saying anything about. Only Dave tried them out there?
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Hi Luca,
I should probably update my remarks on the Solid Tools. I find more and more things for which they work more easily than the methods I've had to use in the past. I'll still draw joinery as I've done though.
I think you'll like some of the new stuff in LayOut like angular dimensioning.
I hope you are doing well. I've looked for you on Skype when I've been on.
D
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You're probably right Dave. People often tend to be conservative on things they know and think they can handle easily. So, why changing should be better than remaining on what we already know? But I'm also convinced that once learned a new method this could help us on working better.
I'll be there on sunday.
Cheers.
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Luca, you are right.
I'll look for you on Sunday.
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