A new home for SketchUp
-
Google is the bad guy here. They are the owner and if they don't want Sketchup any more, it is their responsibility to make sure it all works out good. Especially if your company motto is "Don't be evil".
It is likely the SketchUp team in Boulder have been very active in this process - but this doesn't remove the responsibility from Google's shoulders.
I agree this cannot have been a money issue - so - Be honest with yourself - does anyone really thing Trimble is the right solution - can't you think up a better scenario?The only peace of information we have been granted is the Trimble press release - 2 weeks and 600 comments later, we are still speculating.
And you know what - I guess its ALL the info we are going get - next thing we are going to hear is "There is going to be no SketchUp 9", and after saying that I really REALLY hope someone from Sketchup or Trimble will come tell me to shout-up - and tell me I don't know what I'm talking about! Really I hope.So do we roll over and play dead or do we tell Google: "Sorry guys - just not good enough - its an undo, you made the mess - try again" or can we put our support somewhere else. In this case moi3d.com seems like a good really good option to me. Or can we start an open-source project via kickstarter?
I almost joined the wagon "Ahh - it will be OK - who would want mess up all the good SketchUp things", that was until I read BIMMER and realized he is properly way closer to the truth than anyone would like admit.
2 weeks later - what do we have - a press release "Really sorry Chaps - Game over - All the best to everyone"
The only thing ANYONE commits to is that you will be able to download Sketchup 8 fra free - which in 3 years will be as useful as a windows 95 download is today. Is that good enough!!
You don't believe me? Read the press release carefully - Here it is - with my "almost" un-biased plain english translation:
Plain English translations of the Trimble press release:
SUNNYVALE, Calif., April 26, 2012āTrimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire SketchUp
, one of the most popular 3D modeling tools in the world, from Google (NASDAQ: GOOG). The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2012, subject to customary closing conditions and expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act. While financial terms are not being disclosed the transaction is not expected to be material to 2012 earnings per share.Translation: We make this press release because we have to by law, and we paid so little that we that it will have no influence on our profits, and therefore don't have to say how much we paid.
SketchUp is currently used by millions of users annuallyāranging from architects to engineering and construction firms to building and design professionalsāfor designing, modeling and visualizing projects. The SketchUp product and its vision of "3D modeling for everyone" has allowed modelers worldwide, across a wide range of industries, to express design concepts easily, accurately and efficiently. Additionally, SketchUp users benefit from its extensive third-party developer community that provides industry-specific solutions for a variety of customers.
Translation: We have understood perfectly what SketchUp is all about, but we make no commitment to maintaining this vision in any way.
As part of the SketchUp platform, Trimble will also partner with Google on running and further developing SketchUp's 3D Warehouse, an online repository where users can find, share, store and collaborate on 3D models. The site enables users to create collections of models, including 3D Buildings, and share them with fellow modelers around the world. Individual models can be loaded, saved and viewed in 3D from within SketchUp or a web browser. For the foreseeable future, Google will host and operate the 3D Warehouse for Trimble and together the companies will continue to offer the same capabilities, functions and services that are offered today. The ability for users to submit 3D Buildings for potential acceptance and viewing in Google Earth will be maintained. Currently the 3D Warehouse has almost two million user-generated models.
Translation: We at Trimble have also understood perfectly what 3D warehouse is all about, but we don't want anything to do with it. Google, however, can host and operate 3D warehouse until whenever "foreseeable future" expires.
"SketchUp and the corresponding 3D Warehouse provide an important element of our long term strategy by enhancing the integration of our field presence with the wider enterprise," said Bryn Fosburgh, Trimble vice president. "Trimble has already created the de-facto standard for field data models and project management tools for our key markets. SketchUp, together with these existing capabilities, will provide a stand-alone and enterprise solution that will enable an integrated and seamless workflow to reduce rework and improve productivity for the customer. Users will be able to collect data, design, model, and collaborate on one platform. The combined capability will enhance our ability to extend our existing market applications including the cadastral, heavy civil, and building and construction industries. In addition, the SketchUp platform will enable Trimble, third-party developers and our distribution partners to efficiently develop new applications."
Translation: Sketchup is important to us and its a brilliant platform we can use to integrate our other software, so OUR customer in cadastral, heavy civil and construction can be more productive. On top of this we and our partners can use it to develop new stuff (for our customers).
"Since its inception, the SketchUp team has been committed to providing a robust, user-centric solution to its community and we look forward to engaging their talent and expertise. Beyond extending the reach of the product into Trimble's commercial markets, we are committed to continuing to provide SketchUp as a free version to millions of users. Trimble and Google will also continue to collaborate on utilizing other Google tools for Trimble's markets that, along with SketchUp, will provide our customers innovative and productive tools that transform their work," concluded Fosburgh.
Translation: We are happy that the SketchUp team is clever and engaged and we look forward to them coming working for us. We also like Google and we also look forward to using all their other tools.
We DO commit to millions of SketchUp users that they can always download SketchUp 8 for FREE."In Trimble, we found a partner that will grow SketchUp in a way that best supports the SketchUp team and our users," said Brian McClendon, Google's vice president of engineering. "While at Google, the SketchUp community grew significantly because the team put users first, and we are confident they will continue to do so at Trimble. We at Google look forward to a continued partnership with Trimble and the SketchUp team."
Translation: At Google we know that SketchUp grew because they put the users first, and we really hope Trimble will do the same.
SketchUp
As a part of Google, SketchUp's charter was to empower a worldwide community of users to create 3D models for whatever their imagination could envision. Examples range from household furniture to famous stadiums and other buildings. These users come from a variety of backgrounds, with a large part of SketchUp's user community coming from a professional architectural or engineering and construction background. As a part of Trimble, SketchUp will continue to support all of its current users through its Web site at:Ā http://sketchup.google.com. Concurrently, the SketchUp engine will be integrated into Trimble's current solutions in its Engineering and Construction, Field Solutions and Mobile Solutions segments.
Ā Ā Ā
Translation: Okey, we get what SketchUp is all about, a waste number of different people using it for different things ā And we promise to keep the SketchUp website up so you can always download Sketchup 8. In the future, however, the Sketchup engine will integrated into all our other software. (right ...)About TrimbleĀ
Trimble applies technology to make field and mobile workers in businesses and government significantly more productive. Solutions are focused on applications requiring position or locationāincluding surveying, construction, agriculture, fleet and asset management, public safety and mapping. In addition to utilizing positioning technologies, such as GPS, lasers and optics, Trimble solutions may include software content specific to the needs of the user. Wireless technologies are utilized to deliver the solution to the user and to ensure a tight coupling of the field and the back office. Founded in 1978, Trimble is headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif.Translation: At Trimble we focus on stuff that actually has nothing to do with what SketchUp is all about, and sometimes we actually include some customer specific software ā¦.
For more information, visit:Ā Ā http://3md.trimble.co.
Translation: If you don't believe me ā check out our website ...
-
All this - pretty much the entire thread - is speculations, speculations, speculations.
-
@kwistenbiebel said:
@sketch3d.de said:
@findthong said:
I'm convinced that I should plan for some options, just in case.
You left out ViaCAD 2D/3D! That's a direct NURBS surface & volume modeler with new push/pull modeling, 2D drafting, SU import and all common 3D CAD interfaces (STEP, IGES, Acis SAT etc.) available under OSX & Win for pocket money.
Norbert
Looks interesting. I couldn't find a demo on their website
I don't believe they have a demo.
The prices are not bad, but.. 2 strikes:
1) No skp export for any ViaCAD (import only.)
I never have anything to do with software that limits workflow to import only.
2) No scripting or plugin API of any kind (that I can see.)
-
This looks interesting, it has a Javascript-like scripting language with a built-in compiler:
-
Read your*'Plain English translations of the Trimble press release'* with interest. Seeing as the SketchUp Team / Trimble are not yet ready to 'spill the beans' on what the plans for SU are, I wonder would it make more sense to possibly look at things from another perspective.
One possible reason for the SU Team / Trimble not divulging further information may be because they are in the middle of actually working out a concrete development plan for SU.
Rather than us being negative, would it make not make more sense for us to possibly take the initiative and offer constructive suggestions as to how WE would like to see SketchUp moving.
I have been part of the SU community since 2000 and can assure you that the Dev Team have indeed listened to what the user base wanted and they have delivered much of what was sought and some nice surprises to boot
-
@kwistenbiebel said:
Looks interesting. I couldn't find a demo on their website
is avail at their Labs site, registering for the newsletter will bring you some coupon codes
Norbert
-
@dan rathbun said:
1) No skp export for any ViaCAD (import only.)
I never have anything to do with software that limits workflow to import only.
which probably limits you to a small amount of apps able to write the native SKP format... 3DS/OBJ export is included.
-
This topic is flying off in different directions, ViaCAD for example! While its fine to discuss peripheral issues, I think we should try and stick to the main topic otherwise there will be far too much cross-talking and the thread will be just too difficult to follow
I've put a proposition up! Should we be voicing opinions on how WE would like to see SU possibly 'morphing'. Any thoughts on this?
At least it may be something that John B and the team could hopefully comment on
After all, this is what most of us would like to get some reassurance on 
-
Reminds me of the Y2K issue, everyone speculating, fear and panic and ended up a total let down as life went on as usual.
No point in speculation or fear, lets wait and see.
@unknownuser said:
I've put a proposition up! Should we be voicing opinions on how WE would like to see SU possibly 'morphing'. Any thoughts on this?
I'd rather it improve to handle more poly's, give the necessary tools to coders, etc than morphing into something else.
-
in that case... my main hopes are improved dynamic components (something that would allow us to change the shape of a component other than via scaling (ie- an equilateral triangle into a right triangle -- for instance)
and another old wish of mine.. allow plugin icons to appear in the Mac toolbar upon launching (instead of closing the first window then making a new one)
(fwiw- I hardly ever bump into poly count problems etc.. but of course, performance upgrades are always welcome
... but personally, I'd rather see other improvements first) -
I want a gizmo.
-
-
I knew you'd poke me with that.
Just let me test it for hour or so. PPPPPPPPPLLLLLLLLLEEEEEEEEAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSEEEEEEEEEE
-
This has been an interesting thread to follow.
I really would like to see SketchUp allowed to continue down the path it is on, after all that is why it is so unique amongst its peers.
So I can see the point of Trimble's integration into it's other software, but let the base engine develop as it has.
After all without the contribution of the Ruby masters, and the community in general sharing the methods of how they push the boundaries of this software, It would only be a quaint toy.
Why fix what ain't broken. -
I don't see any justification for all the negativity, myself. Those of us that have actually met and talked with the Dev team...there are quite a few of us; and in some cases that relationship goes back years...can attest to the fact that you're unlikely to meet a more dedicated bunch with a greater enthusiasm for their software or in their relationship with their user base.
They haven't even concluded the deal yet, much less are in any position to release further information on how that relationship will move forward. To all the doomsayers, it might be worth recalling what John wrote on the SU blog:-
'For the folks worried that we'll stop offering SketchUp for free, "The free version of SketchUp is an important part of our world as well, and that isnāt changing in the least."
For the folks worried that we'll only pay attention to the AEC industry, "If youāre one of the many, many people who use SketchUp for something elseāfrom education to woodworking, geo-modeling to movie-makingārest assured that there will be a SketchUp for you, too."
If you're just worried because you don't like Trimble's website, don't judge a book by its cover.'
Are you accusing him of telling outright lies?So I'm hoping that the core program remains essentially the same and continues to do what it does...but better.
I'm hoping that its usability and popularity can be increased much further by the continued efforts of 3rd party developers like those on this forum...and that Trimble finds a way of facilitating and coordinating that development by working more closely with those 3rd parties to produce a more capable and even more diversified product than it is already....oh! and while you are gluing Trimble together, do you think you could spare a bit for the toolbars. -
@solo said:
No point in speculation or fear, lets wait and see.
wise words, pete.
what is the point of agonizing about something over which we have no control whatsoever?
-
Alan.
you're obviously not reading those statements via google.translate.almost_unbiased_english.com
-
When I first adopted SketchUp (v1), I was delighted with my new found ability to explain my building ideas to clients in understandable 3D. I never had any difficulty getting the design ideas across to co-workers with the use of 2D plans and some quick sections. Their brains automatically formed the 3D pictures.
My design work-flow was, get the idea, do some very rough freehand (mostly plan) sketches, then move on to tracing paper over a 300 x 300 mm grid and draft up (again freehand) the plans, sections, and elevations. For presentation of house design, I used to do quick and dirty single point perspectives which showed front gardens etc and the front elevation with some perspective 'cheats'.
Ideally for me, it would have been better if SketchUp had a SIMPLE 2D drawing front end. I know with the various plugins, this is possible but its not quite a simple process as I was used to with the tracing paper over my 300 x 300mm grid. Layout, is just that, a good layout process.
So my question is, could there be a companion front end to SketchUp that would allow the designer to 'draft up' the initial floor plans quickly and accurately? Maybe I should just start talking to the 3rd party developers that have produced all the great 2D drafting plugins and see what could be combined to create what I have in mind.
I think the ingredients are there, it maybe just a matter of mixing them into something to get what I want
-
I agree. Why be negative? It's all very interesting anyway. I keep thinking is v9 coming when the dust settles?
As for corporations, there is nothing really to expect but that they will act as corporations. The closest I got to that was working at a small firm that had corporate clients. The people with whom I would work were wonderful, fun, and professional; but the corporate bosses (and mind-set that everyone kow-towed to) were, as usual, a different matter. I never want to be that close to the corporate work world again. It stinks. I find it silly that people go to work at such a place then whine on the internet.
Doesn't mean SU will go one way or the other.
-
@unknownuser said:
Alan.
you're obviously not reading those statements via google.translate.almost_unbiased_english.com
Oh yes I am, Jeff. I just left the Add Unwarranted Cynicism box unchecked.
Advertisement