What will SketchUp Free and Pro look like in 2013?
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Scary thought that is if they take away features we already have in the free version, if it weren't for google making a free version the sketchup community wouldn't be so big as it is today, in fairness why fork out hundreds for a 3D modelling software when you have the free version of sketchup, taking away features from the free version would be a bad move in my opinion, Trimble cant benefit from it and make free users pay more, they must realise that there are other free 3D modelling software's out there like blender and what not, and there are cheaper Pro 3D modelling software's for example silo is i think just over $100, To be honest if features are taken away in the free version sketchup will become a part of the past for me and ill pick up something else, free or cheaper, and i believe im not the only person who will walk, Trimble need to realise this and take into account that the community of plugin developers are who really made sketchup what it is today, in all honestly a risk assessment by Trimble would have to be put in place and im sure it already has and they would of had to ponder on these same questions too, taking away from the free version would be a case of bad management in my opinion, and the community increase of sketchup users would stop growing.
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I'm watching the Basecamp videos (which were just posted on Youtube!!
) and Bryn says there may be different versions of Sketchup available.I think that's great! For example, there could be a totally free version, a Pro hobbyist version for ~$100, and a Pro architectural version for $500...or some similar scheme.
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One mode of advancement would be to do nothing to the free version and put all of the advancements into the pro version with specialty modules (rather than whole versions) that can be purchased separately.
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I'd imagine that Trimble's priority would be to integrate SketchUp with their existing construction/GIS/Mapping products and this, possibly is the direction their 'Pro' version will take. I can see great potential for SketchUP with 3D scanning and Digital Terrain Modeling but this would require the software being able to cope with very large datasets and such an overhaul may be a bit ambitious for 2013, so probably no big changes in their first year. Imagine bringing a raw survey file from a Total Station or Scanner into SketchUP and getting a 3D SketchUp model of a building or interior out the other end! I’m sure Trimble’s own software for their hardware products claims to give a similar solution but is restricted to those who have invested heavily in Trimble equipment already. SketchUp could give others (architects, designers, Joe Blogs) the potential to use various Trimble data formats to produce final drawings/models. At present their customer base is Engineering/ Surveying companies but I’d bet they’d like to extend that to include architects, designers and even Joe Blogs.
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@bob james said:
One mode of advancement would be to do nothing to the free version and put all of the advancements into the pro version with specialty modules (rather than whole versions) that can be purchased separately.
This is what I expect to see -- wasting time on any free version new features is pointless -- as far as I'm concerned any and all new features should only be available via a paid license.
That said, if they don't make the new features substantially compelling enough they may lose both the established Pro users and the free users as well.
I have lost my faith in the SketchUp development process -- it's been so long since they've done anything substantial that I feel like they may have to relearn how to be a dynamic developing team... maybe even new leadership is needed to get back on a track to a "Pro" product.
Best,
Jason. -
@bob james said:
One mode of advancement would be to do nothing to the free version and put all of the advancements into the pro version with specialty modules (rather than whole versions) that can be purchased separately.
Do nothing? I hope not. Sketchup has to more powerful, faster, and more stable.
I don't think it'll be cost effective to develop a version with a weak, crippled core, alongside an improved version. The features wouldn't have to be changed much on the free version, but I can't see SU Pro being worthwhile if it is just more gizmos added to SU 8.
(OK sure, somer renderers have a free low res version--perhaps SU free would be hobbled to handle fewer polygons somehow.)
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@unknownuser said:
perhaps SU free would be hobbled to handle fewer polygons somehow.
I think I remember they confirmed they would keep one core, and maintaining several cores would be wasting resources of the small team.
I agree that removing the free version would be unfeasible for Trimble – they would hurt SketchUp's reputation more than they'd earn. Having a wide free user base (of 30 million, I don't know how many of them are Pro users) is maybe crucial for SketchUp, especially as the costs of ~500$ are intended for Pro users, such a price is not attractive for hobbiests who can't finance the license from SketchUp work.
There are professional 2d graphic softwares with far more features than SketchUp and only in the price range of 100$ (ok, SketchUp is 3d and it's inference engine is more worth than 1000 features). It might indeed be a solution to offer a reduced price and get more licensees. -
@jason_maranto said:
I have lost my faith in the SketchUp development process...
That's unfortunate but I do believe the development team is working on the right track. I think Google created a bit of a mess but I believe the SketchUp team itself is going down the right path now.
I do recall Bryn saying there would probably be more than one "pro" version of SketchUp. I got the impression they would use these versions to target different disciplines. That could be a good move for them to make packages or as someone described it, different modules. I would also expect we'll see more development on the LayOut side and I'm looking for some big improvements.
Price increase? Sure, why not? It's the same price now as it was when I bought V3 from @Last. If you consider inflation and the improvements that have been made it's actually a better value now than it was then. And while $500 isn't anything to sneeze at, compared to a lot of other options out there, it's cheap.
As to the free version of SketchUp, it is perfectly reasonable to expect a wider gulf between the two. I see the point about turning off potential buyers of the pro version if the free version doesn't get developed along with it but Even if the free version didn't change from the current free version, what would it hurt? It wouldn't be going backward.
I remember reading a comment on a woodworking forum from someone who said he had just downloaded the free version just before the sale to Trimble was announced. He had decided not to learn to use it until he found out what Trimble was going to do with it. In my mind that's like saying you're not going to use the bandsaw you bought last week because the manufacturer was sold to another company. That doesn't change the tool you just bought any.
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Some good insight here, thanks.
Jason you say you have lost faith in the SketchUp development process. I can understand that as I imagine the 'soft and comfy' 6 or so years at Google must have taken their tole on the team. I still however feel that much of the original @Last ethos still resides in the core development team. I think its just a case of them digging deep and finding it again.
SketchUp v1 broke the mould! I still remember the say I stumbled across it and then took to it like a 'duck to water'. I would hope that SketchUp 2013 would again break a mould.
I must say that I was somewhat disappointed with 3DBC 2012. I thought an opportunity was lost to give the SketchUp community a glimpse of what might be in store for us. Even if the 'road map' was not fully laid out, I think we could have been shown some 'dreams'!
This was done at at earlier 3DBC, the second I think. At that 3DBC we were show lots of possible new features, some we got and more we didn't. If I remember correctly it was John Bacas that made that particular presentation.
2013 is only 19 days away but again there are 365 days in 2013
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There are only one thing I really want right now, 64 bit support or a way to handle more poly's, I'm sure Trimble also wants this as their business is based on topography, something SU does not do too well due to it's limitations.
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If the actual free version can works in the future, that will be yet a very good thing!
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As far as you did not sale your Minitel, you can run the V6.
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Hi free world!
excuse me in advance, here is to come a long post for my bad English.I wonder if the issue is properly raised.
As I see it, I think the real question is: Is SketchUP can be a real professional software.SketchUP is brilliant, full of talent, but it is constrained by its architecture at least on two unavoidable points.
First, SketchUp is unable to handle very large volumes of data. Yet it is the norm in today's industrial world.
Secondly, in today's world every creation comes through with curves. SketchUp can't do other than curves composed with straight lines. That generates unacceptable errors when carrying out the plans.
Would that for these two reasons, SketchUp can not hope to claim a truly professional status and have its place in the big league.
To overcome this handicap I fear SketchUP achitecture have to be completely rethinked and thus the entire code completely rewrited.On the other hand, the main (and only) significant SketchUP advances have always come from the volunteer developers in the invention and development of new tools. What would SketchUp Pro look like today without them? Let there be no mistake, this is because of the use of tools developped by free developpers of the free side that the paid version is capable of displaying a wingspan of Pro.
Widen the gap between the versions! Does it not mean "stealing code" to free developers to integrate their tools in the pro version?
Is "widen the gap" is not going to push the developers to leave the scene? Indeed, why give for free when Trimble turns it into cash?I do not know what will happen in SketchUp. But I think that before the idea of driving people to pay, Trimble team should roll up their sleeves and work for free, and show us what they are capable of such feats they earn our respect. Then we can actually revisit.
simonlebon
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@simon le bon said:
But I think that before the idea of driving people to pay, Trimble team should roll up their sleeves and work for free, and show us what they are capable of such feats they earn our respect. Then we can actually revisit.
simonlebon
So Simon, I wonder if you would be willing to do your job without pay. You ask that of the SketchUp team. You must be willing to do the same.
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Somon, I understand where you are coming from but the point you raise that the SU Team would use and cash in on others work might happen in 'widening the gap'. I very much doubt this would occur.
John Bacus, from my memory, mentioned at 3DBC that if they saw plugins that they thought should be brought into SU they would be willing to do business with the developers. This might not be exactly what he said but I think its the gist of what was intended.
Whatever way one cuts it, Sketchup has always appreciated its community of users and has maintained contact and ongoing collaboration. I very much doubt ACad users are on a first name basis with the developers and that the developers enter the 'lion's den' on occasion to be inflicted some bites and bruses
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@d12dozr said:
...I used SU free for about a year until I needed Layout, when I happily purchased. I am grateful for the (nearly) full use of the program and may never have learned and eventually purchased it if not for the opportunity...
Exactly the same with me (although my "free time" was only about half a year and back then there was no LayOut yet).
@iichiversii said:
...if it weren't for google making a free version the sketchup community wouldn't be so big as it is today...
True. I had not even heard of SketchUp before the free version came out.
@d12dozr said:
I'm watching the Basecamp videos (which were just posted on Youtube!!
) and Bryn says there may be different versions of Sketchup available.I think that's great! For example, there could be a totally free version, a Pro hobbyist version for ~$100, and a Pro architectural version for $500...or some similar scheme.
AFAIK what they mentioned there was not different versions like what you suppose above but what Bob is writing:
@bob james said:
One mode of advancement would be to do nothing to the free version and put all of the advancements into the pro version with specialty modules (rather than whole versions) that can be purchased separately.
@mike lucey said:
...John Bacus, from my memory, mentioned at 3DBC that if they saw plugins that they thought should be brought into SU they would be willing to do business with the developers. This might not be exactly what he said but I think its the gist of what was intended...
And they did that already for the stl exporter in the latest maintenance release (used ideas from two 3rd party plugins - one was that of Jim actually)
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Good morning to all
@dave r said:
So Simon, I wonder if you would be willing to do your job without pay. You ask that of the SketchUp team. You must be willing to do the same.
Dear Dave,
What I mean is that SketchUp software need greatly first to "reduce the wide gap" between itself and the leading business solutions.Somehow it is also true that the SketchUp development process must "regain our faith".
Anyway SketchUp Pro is currently a paid solution and therefore represents already seems to me a source of income that allowed the team to be paid for his work@mike lucey said:
Simon, I understand where you are coming from but the point you raise that the SU Team would use and cash in on others work might happen in 'widening the gap'. I very much doubt this would occur.
John Bacus, from my memory, mentioned at 3DBC that if they saw plugins that they thought should be brought into SU they would be willing to do business with the developers. This might not be exactly what he said but I think its the gist of what was intended.
Dear Mike,
How many essential tools perfectly designed should be implemented in SketchUp, often in replacement of existing tools? 15, .., 25? I can't imagine that Trimble will pay for such a large amount of ultra talented code which is actually "given for nothing", nor they will waste their time to "reinvent" the same tools! ...It is therefore predictable that it is with these free stuff that Trimble will make runing an expensive paid version.
On the other hand, the idea to develop specific paid modules seems however, quite acceptable. And this is something that is already developed nicely by many third parties
@mike lucey said:
Whatever way one cuts it, Sketchup has always appreciated its community of users and has maintained contact and ongoing collaboration. I very much doubt ACad users are on a first name basis with the developers and that the developers enter the 'lion's den' on occasion to be inflicted some bites and bruses
I agree with you on that essential point. The close collaboration between development team and the community of users is a main richness of SketchUp. This is why (imo) it is essential for Trimble to be finely careful to keep this alive.
@gaieus said:
@bob james said:
One mode of advancement would be to do nothing to the free version and put all of the advancements into the pro version with specialty modules (rather than whole versions) that can be purchased separately.
@mike lucey said:
...John Bacus, from my memory, mentioned at 3DBC that if they saw plugins that they thought should be brought into SU they would be willing to do business with the developers. This might not be exactly what he said but I think its the gist of what was intended...
And they did that already for the stl exporter in the latest maintenance release (used ideas from two 3rd party plugins - one was that of Jim actually)
Dear Gaieus,
I like your dispassionate synthesis.
I'm confident that SketchUp team and John Bacus in the first place under the Google coverage before that of Trimble right now has always worked in a good spirit. And they have done and actually do what they can with what they are given.I hope the best for the futur of SketchUp,
I would like to still have my place as a passionate hobbyist in that futur...with my sympathy,
Simon
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@d12dozr said:
...new users may just migrate to other free alternatives (of which there are many!).
because I'm not aware of just one alternative app I'd love to hear all of them? ... Blender, you're kiddin'
doing maintenance for the current SU free version only should be the way, new functionality for the pro version only please.
if recent SU free users are willing to switch to "alternatives" easily, they are obviously not very much worth for Trimble in the sense of developing sales of the pro version... community is not everything, sometimes you need to pay for the work of others.
jm2cts,
Norbert -
On a hard commercial footing the free version is just an open ended trial. It needs to be sweet enough to convince users that it is worth the upgrade to the Pro version. If the user doesn't like the program or walks because he has seen something more suitable then it isn't really a problem for Trimble they didn't make any money from the user anyway. Google's business model was very different, get used to the idea that SU will no longer be subsidised by advertising revenues and Trimble will need to make a profit. If you are making money out of the free version maybe it's payback time if you want SU to survive.
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It would be fun to see stats on how many free users end up purchasing Pro in the end.
But that aside, Trimble already has a customer base which has successfully made them profitable, so I would think it is quite substantial. If Trimble's aim is to have a kind or vertical integration throughout its product range, then this customer base all become potential customers. I have a feeling that the free version will not be a viable tool within this product range, therefore if the version of SketchUp that does allow you to have this integration will be an asset to your business, you will purchase it. In most businesses it is recognized that your best customer is the one you already have, to me, this model makes quite good sense. I also think what Simon said made good sense too. If SketchUp were to be upgraded to the point it could handle very high poly, and nurbs, they would once again be really expanding their client base.
That said, given my experiments with modelers that can handle these, I think there would be a high price in ease of use.
May be a case of "Careful what you wish for".
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