Why I have to say goodbye

[tjrob]

I started developing a rather large and complex plugin to use SketchUp 8 as a 3-d user interface for designing accelerator systems. The license agreement for SketchUp 8 was acceptable, and most of my users could use the free version.

SketchUp 2013 has a new and very different license. Because of its prohibition on using SketchUp Make for commercial purposes, all of my potential users (except students) will need to purchase SketchUp Pro. That reduces my potential user base to essentially zero, because my users are not going to spend $600 for this.

I feel somewhat the victim of a "bait and switch". But I do understand the commercial realities for Trimble. I was rather surprised that such a marvelous program was available for free (which I ascribed to Google's legacy).

So I have to re-assess how to implement my program. I will probably base it on Open Inventor and C++ (I am expert in the latter, and somewhat experienced in the former). It remains to be seen whether to give it a Ruby API, or to translate my Ruby into C++. Or possibly use Java instead of C++ (at which I am also expert). Fortunately I am using only a small fraction of SketchUp's capabilities.

Ah well, at least I now have a working prototype with all major features. I would not be nearly as far along had I needed to start with Open Inventor and C++ (which was my original plan before I discovered SketchUp).

So I have to say goodbye. Good luck to you all.

[Rich O Brien]

Bye, enjoy the new journey.

[Krisidious]

Sad that Trimble is wrecking a working business model... Big mistake with "Make".

[hermannausowl]

I also understand that Trimble has to earn money.
I know many companies who use "make" a way.
They are not interested in "Layout" and other extensions.
These companies would be willing to pay a reasonable amount but not $ 500th
Why Trimble provides no corresponding model?

[honkinberry]

I personally felt the license agreement, and more so the language on the web site and download links, was always quite clear regarding commercial use. But more-so, I do agree with you, that it is a rather unfortunate change of course. My biggest fear, is that it will destroy the bulk of the creative efforts going into the 3D Warehouse. I personally get a great thrill out of downloading various space ships and crazy vehicle creations -- almost certainly the efforts of a 14 year-old boy somewhere out there on the internets. And there's no way they will be plopping down $500 to continue such endeavors.
So if I may, I'd like to offer my suggestion -- perhaps a $199 price point for Make? Or go even further, and offer something integrated with the 3D Warehouse -- so as long as you upload at least 1 model a month to the Warehouse, you can continue using Make for free.
More on the subject of your post, I feel it was a little naive of you to pursue a commercial business model off of the free software that Google was offering. I would recommend you stay with Sketchup, and contact their bulk sales department, to see if you could get some funding, and negotiate a good price to continue what sounds like an otherwise great business model.

--J