A new home for SketchUp

mitcorb · 13 Jun 2012, 00:25

Well, this is getting off topic, but if you look at Athens in GE right now, you will see 3d buildings with photo textures already, unless they removed it? But I understand that your comment is for possibly a different technology.

ilovesu · 22 Jun 2012, 21:26

@krisidious said:

that being said, some of our founding members are not around anymore for this reason or that... and that makes me sad.

Oh c'mon Kris, you know I'm still around. I'm just in hiding now.

kingsi · 25 Jun 2012, 23:50

50 pages of major catching up. How this happened without me noticing, geez, slaps himself in the face .

Heres what I think will happen. Sketchup 9 will be called "Sketchup 2013" then Trimble will be releasing new versions every year just like Autodesk. Provided they keep adding useful stuff and NOT crank up the price we will buy it. Hopefully the great guys and Gals that have provided us with wonderful pluggins will actually get to make some decent money out of this by having their plugins bought by Trimble.

Trimble would be mad to do away with the free version because it lets kids get in on the software and once you are hooked your are in.

Ditching the "google" out of the name will actually enhance the credibility of the software with the snobby Autodesk gang.

EscapeArtist · 26 Jun 2012, 00:00

@kingsi said:

Ditching the "google" out of the name will actually enhance the credibility of the software with the snobby Autodesk gang.

LOL, you mean there might be a "SketchUp" sub-forum over at CGTalk?

thomthom · 26 Jun 2012, 07:23

@kingsi said:

Heres what I think will happen. Sketchup 9 will be called "Sketchup 2013" then Trimble will be releasing new versions every year just like Autodesk.

Statement based on what exactly?

kingsi · 26 Jun 2012, 14:09

@unknownuser said:

Statement based on what exactly?

Pure Speculation

kingsi · 26 Jun 2012, 21:57

@unknownuser said:

LOL, you mean there might be a "SketchUp" sub-forum over at CGTalk?

Now that is just going too far

On a serious note, my next door neighbour owns a plumbing business and he uses Autocad. When I told him that I use Google Sketchup he could not even hide his amusement. Now I don't care about stuff like that because I am too old (and hes really dull so Autocad is perfect for him), however kids do care about that. A bit of rebranding would not be a bad thing in my humble opinion. Not to mention that the more new punters buying and or using Sketchup the stronger and better developed it becomes for everyone.

Disclaimer: I really am purely just guessing based on zero credible information

chrisglasier · 26 Jun 2012, 22:23

@kingsi said:

... When I told him that I use Google Sketchup he could not even hide his amusement. ...

This reminded me of an aspiring Captain of Industry telling me in 1995 in no uncertain terms that the City considered the Internet a joke, a plaything, a passing fad.

I think it will not be too long before "Still using Autocad" will be derogative de rigeur. Re-branding may get Sketchup to help along the path but inevitably HTML5 and all that becomes the norm - which of course has no brand at all.

Technical Ben · 27 Jun 2012, 23:13

I'll shed a tear when Sketchup is no more. Trimble does not sound "right" right now. Something that Google had (and was committed to) is missing. I feel quite angry Google passed on the project really.

thomthom · 28 Jun 2012, 07:26

@technical ben said:

I'll shed a tear when Sketchup is no more. Trimble does not sound "right" right now. Something that Google had (and was committed to) is missing. I feel quite angry Google passed on the project really.

Committed to? They hardly did anything to it - mostly implemented connections with Google services. SketchUp development was much more pronounced pre-Google.

Gaieus · 28 Jun 2012, 09:31

@technical ben said:

...I feel quite angry Google passed on the project really.

Much better this way than if they'd shelved SU and stopped development forever without letting anyone else do it. At least the future is open now (which means that there is also future at least)

Marian · 28 Jun 2012, 11:29

So...any news on concrete direction changes or new features planned? It's been a while since they were bought.

sketch3d.de · 28 Jun 2012, 11:37

@marian said:

It's been a while since they were bought.

<kidding mode>already 4 long weeks and no results... seems that development stalls</kidding mode>

scnr

Rich O Brien · 28 Jun 2012, 11:49

A Maintenance release

A WebGL viewer

A new office

A new Gallery

yes, things are pretty static alright

If you were moving house would you have time for anything else? But SU team seem to be burning the candle at both ends. Also if you follow they're twitter and JBacus Google+ you get other info. Like a recent trip to Helsinki for example which is also the home of Tekla. So, read into that as you want.

I think it's unfair to say things are static when they are in a state of flux.

Marian · 28 Jun 2012, 11:54

Well it's been announced in April. Although the acquisition was completed a month ago, they had plenty of time to think, no?

I didn't say they should have already rolled out a new version of SU, I asked for something sensible, news on any orientation changes, not a detailed plan on taking over the world...
It's been months since this "thing" happened and we still don't have many certainties.

I didn't say things were static, I asked for more iinformation on the direction they are going. If you're satisfied with what you know, that's fine.

I'm a bit anxious, but mostly curious.

Rich O Brien · 28 Jun 2012, 12:33

@Marian

My comment wasn't meant for you. I agree more news is needed. Did you read the interview in catchup with John? He gave some snippets about where they are headed.

My personal opinion is that SketchUp will remain as it always has. Fun and free to those who want to enjoy it. The Pro version will get more bells and whistles for the AEC industry.

thomthom · 28 Jun 2012, 12:36

@rich o brien said:

The Pro version will get more bells and whistles for the AEC industry.

My impression is that it will be more in the form of extensions.

Rich O Brien · 28 Jun 2012, 12:46

@thomthom said:

My impression is that it will be more in the form of extensions.

Looks like I'll be learning ruby then. I've this idea for a Bezier Surface plugin that turns SU meshes into Rhino-esque NURBS

Marian · 28 Jun 2012, 12:54

Sorry Rich.
Yeah, I read the interview. I have a similar opinion as yours, but would still be nice to know a little a more. I'm not as worried as I was at first and I know SU will not die in the near future.
To be honest I want to feel excited that my favourite program is becoming something cooler,better,etc.