A new home for SketchUp

sorgesu · 26 Apr 2012, 21:10

"Trimble has been the North American entity that has been gobbling up a huge string of geospatial companies, alongside Sweden-based Hexagon. The fact that SketchUp is in Boulder, and that Trimble is close by in Westminster, Colo., likely had something to do with the deal. The proximity, certainly has meant a series of existing partnerships between the companies, although according to a recent conversation, Google uses Topcon technology for StreetView data collection."

from this link: http://www.vector1media.com/spatialsustain/why-did-trimble-buy-sketchup-and-why-did-google-sell.html
the author describes SketchUp modelling and learning curve in a way that makes it clear that he has never really attempted to use SketchUp. However, he does seem to have a lot of inside industry info.

bigstick · 26 Apr 2012, 21:18

I've spent a little more time looking at Trimble. You can't get any information on their software. You can't even find out whether the software runs on Mac. Tekla doesn't, and it doesn't look like any of their software does. How is this going to work with integration with other Trimble apps? Quite simply if they don't have any Mac apps, what is the point in spending money on upgrading the app to have the same features as the Windows versions, if there is no Mac version of their other software to integrate with?

And try finding Tekla BIMsight on the Trimble website!

One could reasonably infer that Trimble would seek to implement BIM features into SU. I don't have a problem with this per se, because BIM is complex and cumbersome, and SU is the opposite. If SU could remain substantially as it is but implement BIM functions in a simple and straightforward way, it doesn't seem so bad. In fact if it means we can all still use SU and not have to pour thousands into AutoDesk and Bentley's coffers, that's not so bad either!

However it would most likely need a faster 3d engine. We all know that SU performs poorly with complex high polygon models. I would also hope that they don't screw around with the interface.

Charlie__V · 26 Apr 2012, 21:24

Maybe Trimble simply had a look under the hood of V9 and just HAD TO HAVE IT!

Charlie

jbacus · 26 Apr 2012, 21:27

@bigstick said:

We've had no-one from Trimble here to say anything about the application they have just spent a lot on, with millions of users. Why?

Since this deal hasn't yet closed, there are specific legal restrictions that control what Trimble can say. That's why you don't see them here. Until then, you'll have to be satisfied with what's said on this site . You should expect to see more information added there as things progress.

john
.

andybot · 26 Apr 2012, 21:28

@arv0d0g said:

Get your wallets out....whenever this sort of thing happens, the losers are the users.

hmm, shades of chaosgroup swallowing asgvis? I don't see how free will continue, I see it as something only Google could do. Glad I've gotten a start in learning Blender.

SnowTiger · 26 Apr 2012, 21:32

Well only time will tell whether this is good for us SU Users.
I just don't know if I'll like the "ring" to it if Google also chooses to sell off Google Earth. I mean really "Trimble Earth" ? Sounds like feminine earthquake.

Like many others, I am skeptical about Change until I have a chance to see it in action. However, my experience is usually that of Disappointment. Hopefully, this will prove to be otherwise. But I will give Trimble a fair shot before making final judgement. I'm sure there will be a few humps and hurdles before it's all honky-dory.

PS> I guess I better update to v8 Pro Now while I still might get a discount (currently using v7 Pro).

d12dozr · 26 Apr 2012, 21:38

I thought this was an interesting headline that provides a clue into why Trimble wants Sketchup. I'm not familiar with their "Office-to-Field Platform" to know what it means though. (From http://ww2.trimble.com/3d/ )

IdahoJ · 26 Apr 2012, 21:57

I will wait things out and I hope this transition to Trimble is positive for everyone involved. I still have SU8 and that will suffice for a long time. OTOH, I'm rounding up my Blender tutorials and learning materials, etc.

Fortune favors the prepared.

Cheers.

BTW, Trimble also acquired PeopleNET last July as well: http://www.trimble.com/news/release.aspx?id=072011a

jeff hammond · 26 Apr 2012, 22:05

awesome

jeff hammond · 26 Apr 2012, 22:07

@fossa said:

I too question Trimbles commitment to communities like ArchVis and woodworking. I hope I'm proven wrong.

as opposed to, say, google

.\

jeff hammond · 26 Apr 2012, 22:14

@lapx said:

It would have felt better if they said Apple was buying Sketchup. Trimble is a foreign company to most of us. Oh, well like someone said if there is a silver lining they didnt get bought buy autocad. I guess change is inevitable but whether its good or bad time will tell.

ha.. i don't know about that.. OS X has some awesome features in place for developers to tap into and i don't feel any cad/modeling app has fully exploited these features but as far as apple themselves handling the development… hmmm..

tald311 · 26 Apr 2012, 22:14

@unknownuser said:

@fossa said:

I too question Trimbles commitment to communities like ArchVis and woodworking. I hope I'm proven wrong.

as opposed to, say, google

.\

+1

Al Hart · 26 Apr 2012, 22:21

@idahoj said:

I will wait things out and I hope this transition to Trimble is positive for everyone involved.

I have to agree. We all have gotten to see what kind of things were important to the Google/SketchUp team. It will be interesting to see what is important to the Trimble/SketchUp team and how that is reflected in future versions.

Rich O Brien · 26 Apr 2012, 22:24

@unknownuser said:

@gaieus said:

@mitcorb said:

Although that Boulder is not a bad place.

new york city > boulder

I've been to both and gotta say Boulder rocks.

mitcorb · 26 Apr 2012, 22:25

@Jeff:
Wait. What? I don't think that was me. I think Gaieus made the comment on Boulder.

jeff hammond · 26 Apr 2012, 22:26

@charly2008 said:

. I am afraid it might end in a Autodesk like package.

honestly, i wouldn't mind if sketchup got all bloated like an autodesk product.. lots of features that i'd probably never use but also a lot of features that i would use..
(but i'm saying this from a standpoint of using sketchup for 8 years now.. it wouldn't be too hard to figure out.. a new user however might have a harder time but.. whatever )