SketchUp Pro Questions
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I'm just about ready to make the plunge and go "pro", but I have a couple questions first.
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If I take advantage of the free 8 hour trial period for "pro", does it disable the older, free version of SU? If so, I'll probably wait until I get my plans further developed on the free version.
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There is a good chance I will be switching from a Windows based PC to a Mac within the next 12 months. If I buy the Windows version of "pro", will I have to purchase the Mac version once I get my new laptop? If so, that's another reason to wait awhile.
I do want to go "pro", but I don't want to make a bad financial decision in the process.
Thanks for the help.
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Response to each question:
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NO, it will not disable the older, free version of SU.
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I vaguely remember this issue being discussed when SU6 was released as free upgrade; that the license number is different, Google have to be contacted, etc. I believe the short answer to your question would be a NO, but I would rather someone more knowledgeable confirms.
Guite
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Hi Goggin,
Re: Question 2 - if you want to change platforms there is a $50 fee for getting your new registration key. It's fast and easy! If you have any problems with the transfer, feel free to send me a PM (private message) and I'll see If I can help you out!
Welcome to the world of SketchUp Pro! Model well!
Cheers,
- CraigD -
Thanks! That's good news on both questions. I was thinking the answers would be different.
For $50, it's worth it to jump in now. I'm not 100% sure I'm going to switch platforms anyway.
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@unknownuser said:
I'm not 100% sure I'm going to switch platforms anyway.
After you switch you'll be 100% glad you did. -
@greentoaster said:
After you switch you'll be 100% glad you did.
Yeah, I know. I've been a Mac user in the past, but had to switch due to work. I'm pretty sure the next one will be a Mac-- it's more an issue of "when" rather than "if". Might be a few more years. I gotta talk to one of my buddies at Apple and see what kind of deal I can get. -
My son recently obtained a refurbished Mac from Apple (I think it was Apple). He loves it and it came with a warranty, so maybe you could get one sooner if you consider a refurb?
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@unknownuser said:
Response to each question:
- NO, it will not disable the older, free version of SU.
I downloaded the trial version of Pro last night, and I am no longer able to access the free version. Maybe I'm missing something on how windows stores these programs, but all my access points now take to me to Pro (the icon on my desktop, and the listing in the "program" list).
Any thoughts on what I'm doing wrong?
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It's to do with the filetype association; now that .skp is associated with SU Pro in your machine, every time you click on a SketchUP file it will open with Pro.
In XP you can right click on a SU file and select "Open with" and browse to the SU free folder on your C drive (could also be another drive, most probably C:\Program Files\Google\Google Sketchup) and click Sketchup.exe. Next time when you right click on an skp file you will have an option of "open with" Google SketchUP.
Otherwise you can entirely change the file type association to SU free.
Guite
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It still send me to SketchUp Pro. I think I did exactly as you recommended, and it even says "SketchUp 6" on the .exe file (not SketchUp Pro), but it sends me to Pro. I went to Windows Explorer, right clicked on a .skp file, and went to the location you recommended, but still ended up in Pro. I no longer seem to have a "free" SketchUp .exe file anywhere. There is only one, and it sends me to Pro.
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Goggin,
Dpn't worry. There is no "free SU" and "pro SU" installed on your computer - there is only one program.
SU Pro has some extra features (mainly just in 3D vector export) but the two programs are the same.
So if now you only "seem t" have SU Pro, it is just because the 8hr trial period has not expired yet. When it does, your "pro" version will silently downgrade "back" to the features of the free version and you'll be able to use that just like before.
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I expected that. But others had said you could access both during the trial period.
I still have lots of pure design work to do, for which I don't need Pro. I'm definitely gong to buy it, but I thought I could use it sparingly in Dec, and then make the expense sometime in Jan. Looks like I'll have to let it expire, and then buy it straight up next month. Not too big a deal, but not what I was hoping for.
OK, so I have another question: When exporting from Pro to AutoCad, do you need to have the whole file visible on the screen? I did some exporting last night, and was surprised to find that the whole file didn't export-- only whatever was visible on my screen. I then made sure the whole file was visible, but that seems like a crazy way to design that function. Is there some way to set it so that it defaults to exporting the entire file? -
Version 5 was running the free and pro together (as they were different programs).
In this case there's just one program - with exttended efatures in pro mode.Well, as for your export, I doubt that it should only export what's on your screen.
What format were you trying to export?
And 2D vector or 3D? -
@gaieus said:
Version 5 was running the free and pro together (as they were different programs). In this case there's just one program - with extended features in pro mode.
Heh! Heh!... I am still on version 5, mostly. Goggin, sorry if I have confused you.
@goggin said:
I did some exporting last night, and was surprised to find that the whole file didn't export-- only whatever was visible on my screen.
That's a 2D Graphic export. You should choose File > Export > 3D Model. Otherwise, if you want 2D export of entire model, zoom extents seem to be the only option.
Guite
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@unknownuser said:
That's a 2D Graphic export. You should choose File > Export > 3D Model. Otherwise, if you want 2D export of entire model, zoom extents seem to be the only option.
Guite
Yeah, that's what I was suspectung, too - thus asked...
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@gaieus said:
What format were you trying to export?
And 2D vector or 3D?I chose 2D, because that was what I wanted. I had parallel camera view, top.
Basically, I was exporting a file to the architect I'm working with, who uses AutoCad in 2D.
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Ah, that's it then! See what Guite wrote above, too.
2D vector export is listed under the image export - thus it also behaves like that.
You will need to zoom extent (still in parallel projection and top view - I guess). -
@unknownuser said:
Heh! Heh!... I am still on version 5, mostly. Goggin, sorry if I have confused you.
No problem. I'll PM you my PayPal account so you can compensate me for the $500 I'll have to spend now.
@unknownuser said:
That's a 2D Graphic export. You should choose File > Export > 3D Model. Otherwise, if you want 2D export of entire model, zoom extents seem to be the only option.
Interesting. So, if I pick 3D Model, it will export the whole file regardless of what is on the screen? Do you know why it's set up that way. Not intuitively obvious to me.
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If you export your 3D model in 3ds, you can select what you want exported, then under export options select single object and whatever was selected will be the only thing exported.
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