This could have been the future of sketchup?....
-
I think the core problem is that SketchUp is only owned by Google because it provided an easy and cheap (free!) way to populate Goggle Earth. Google Earth is an important aspect of the Google Empire. SketchUp is just a handy little tool for them, nothing more. Google will work only on those aspects of it that help make Google Earth more popular.
It simply isn't in Googles interest to focus on developing the software in a way that will provide benefits to Architects, Woodworkers or any of the other minority interest users.
Google only wants tools that the masses can use. Adding more features, particularly powerful features, nearly always makes a program more complicated to use. This is the exact opposite of what Google wants. Google is well aware that people who want more powerful 3D solutions can find plenty of alternatives elsewhere. It will be more than happy for them to do so because these people are not its customer base. SketchUp does not make its owners any money so there is no real incentive to invest in its future. It does the job thats required of it now and if something else is required in the future then Google will simply buy the company (like @last) when needed.
Google has the money, people and resources available to improve SketchUp in ways that @last could only of dreamed of. Why haven't why the simple bugs been solved. Why hasn't DirectX been considered as an alternative to OpenGL? (Sorry, Mac owners!). I have seen many good suggestions made for improvements by other users.
Why haven't these things happened?
Mainly because, despite a fantastic and dedicated small team at Google (mostly the @last people?) and a loyal and passionate user base, there is no serious money to be made.As usual, it's all about the money.
Like a previous poster mentioned I was also a part of the Amiga community in its heyday.
That was supported by many great third party companies and the efforts of many individuals who created great software for free just like the Ruby scripters of today.
Despite all this the Amiga failed. There were many other different factors involved in that failure. But the main one was that the parent company failed to make money.Hopefully, I'm wrong. Maybe Google really does believe in "Don't be evil". Maybe they will want to make a great program a fantastic one. But the cynic in me doesn't really believe it.
In the same way that I loved and still have happy memories of the Amiga, I intend to use and enjoy SketchUp for as long as possible.
Regards
Mr S -
Ho-hum.
As Mark Twain once said "The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated." -
@alan fraser said:
Ho-hum.
As Mark Twain once said "The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated."Some people only need one sentence to make themself clear.
Great post Alan
...and hopefully true. -
If SU7 were already tested as the (non-public) beta release, beta testers couldn't tell anything about it due to the NDA they have signed.
But this is not beta testing issue and is not disclosed as a breach of the DNA: I read posts about files accidentally uploaded to the public WareHouse that couldn't be opened by SU 6 because the file was "created with a newer version of SU" (or what).
as it turned out, someone of the development team made a mistake. I notified the SU Team over here and elsewhere (and probably they got other notifications, too) so they deleted the public files.
Now this is a long and boring story but at least you can be sure that it is being developed and it's not just something Craig for instance is telling us.
Yet of course we cannot be sure which direction SU is taking. We've been hearing stories of "fat faces" since v5 (though we have learnt to live with the thin ones), about "unprecedented geographical details", whatever it means (maybe strengthening the GE side) but that would also involve the ability of handling poly count better) in one of the newsletters etc.
So I still believe that it won't just become a simple plugin for GE but also developed in other fields, too.
-
I sure hope so, Gaieus.
FWIW, I sent a long letter to support a few weeks ago. I basically wrote a dissertation on what is not working in the Mac ver 6. I used many examples, offered to send them files and or corrupted animations, offered to be a beta tester for the new version, and basically said that I was very interested in fixing SU and would be delighted to be of assistance.
I never heard one word back, not even a confirmation that they had received it.
Now, in my business, if someone gives me a tip for improvement, or offers advice to improve workability, or efficiency, or compatibility, I am incredibly grateful. Google, at the least, should not squander unsolicited input. One of my favorite things about SU is the fantastic community. You guys definitely play a huge role in my enjoyment of all things SU. But, I fear the day that we start to feel that we are putting lipstick on a pig, so to speak.
-
@unknownuser said:
...I fear the day that we start to feel that we are putting lipstick on a pig, so to speak.
-
Chuck, i suppose thats one of the problems involved with being part of a large corporaton, it's very easy for customer input to jsut be anonymised by a central section of the organisation and then sent on to the appropriate team or department or whatever. I think if you could get directly in contact with the development team, theyd be very pleased to hear your suggestions.
More generally, i think people are just gettign anxious because of the lack of news. I think we can be reasonably sure that a new version of SU is coming and people just need to wait for it, and with any luck there'll be some big new features/fixes that we'll be able to enjoy.
-
FWIW, I would gladly pay for a real, meaty update.
I would pay $100's for an update that really helped my workflow out. Heck, I would pay money just to not have to do all my animation exports in SU5.
I would never pay a cent for styles...
-
Hmm, even though i have the pro version, i would still like to see the export functions be a standard feature available to the free users. I hear alot of poeple who create custom content for games, and they drool over useing sketchup to do so, however, because of the fact that you need to drop some serious cash to get that option of exporting in Sketchup, most don't. I think what would open up sketchup to more poeple, especially the gaming community would be to at least have the option to buy some of the features from the pro version like the 3DS and exports.
I use the export function to send my files to games, and i love it. Others would love it too, if it was more in reach for them.
As i have said before, adding more features and tools will require more than just relying on official releases and updates.
just my .02
-
But if there was effectively no difference between the Pro version and the Free version, who would bother to buy the product at all. And if it wasn't generating any income, what would fund further development...especially in the direction of its core user base of AEC professionals, as opposed to the Google Earth and gaming community?
Personally, I think that would sign the death warrant for the program, beyond its use as a GE adjunct or a level-builder. -
I t was SketchUp for Googlewhen they sold it.
Now the question is : Google for SketchUp ?
Still a mystery.Does anybody know if Google develops any software ?
a similar case ? -
Personally I believe Google needs to keep the free version as it is and upgrade the pro version with all the meaty bits, that way there can be a free version for populating GE and possibly have a gmax export facility for game modders. And the pro version will then be more enticing for folks who are serious users to take the leap, with the increased sales of the pro version they can develop SU even further and better.
-
Yes, Google Earthers may well outnumber architects/designers these days. I'm not decrying Google Earth...if I saw a business opportunity in there for FormFonts, we'd be in there quick as a shot, just like yourself. (We've already looked at and dismissed Second Life)
But I don't think the demands placed on the program for modelling comparatively simple meshes for GE and games levels would be sufficient to drive it much beyond where it is right now. I don't mean people like yourself who use GE as a kind of 3D portfolio or billboard to generate "real" design work...if I can put it that way. I mean people who's output never gets beyond a relatively simple GE model. How many of them are driving for extra features or developing Ruby scripts etc?
I expect to see the two versions actually getting further apart in terms of operability and output.
-
I certainly hope that there develops a large difference between the free and pro versions.
A free software doesn't really pay for its own development. $500 for the pro version is steal, as far as I am concerned, especially when you factor in all of the free rubys, components, and help you get, too.
That being said, I would have complained bitterly if Google had charged for V6, as it is not a fully functional release, at least on the Mac side of things. Especially when looking at the complete lack of development of Layout after its release, it is pretty obvious that Google just pushed out whatever they happened to have somewhat ready, without much of a commitment to finishing what they started.
Out of sight, out of mind?
I hope not, and I would be the first to admit my misinterpretation of the circumstances, should that be necessary.
-
I think the only thing we want is sincerity.
Say the truth and compromise.It has not been achieved here yet.
Next time they come they should have it clear.
-
@alan fraser said:
But if there was effectively no difference between the Pro version and the Free version, who would bother to buy the product at all. ...as opposed to the Google Earth and gaming community?...
Personally, I think that would sign the death warrant for the program, beyond its use as a GE adjunct or a level-builder.Hmmm, interesting observation, considering that many free sketchup users move on up to the pro version. Myself started off in the basic version, and after a while i moved up to the pro version. Right now, i am offering up an export service for those who cannot afford the pro version, which is okay and all, and a good way to earn some money possibly.
However, i am not too keen on being inundated with models other people expect me to export other programs for further use, when it could be simply done by themselves at the click of mouse.
Yes Sketchup free and pro should remain separate, but at the same time, let some of the options like exporting features be made purchasable, at least.
-
@unknownuser said:
Yes, Google Earthers may well outnumber architects/designers these days. I'm not decrying Google Earth...if I saw a business opportunity in there for FormFonts, we'd be in there quick as a shot, just like yourself. (We've already looked at and dismissed Second Life)
@unknownuser said:
Personally I believe Google needs to keep the free version as it is and upgrade the pro version with all the meaty bits, that way there can be a free version for populating GE and possibly have a gmax export facility for game modders. And the pro version will then be more enticing for folks who are serious users to take the leap, with the increased sales of the pro version they can develop SU even further and better.
I agree with Pete. There needs to be a clear distinction between free SU and the pro version. It is quite annoying to me (and I'm sure others) that having bought a pro license for commercial work there seems to be little development by Google of the pro app.
On the Google earth side, yes I am interested in the virtual worlds market, I have some Google Earth clients, but as a regular reader of this blog by phd students who do research in this field I think that Google Earth and Second life are likely to be overtaken by the competition such as Twinity.
http://digitalurban.blogspot.com/
Google's policies and restrictions on Google Earth make it very difficult to offer a commercial modelling service but that is the only practical way to populate it!SU could become irrelevant if its focus becomes all about Google Earth.
-
You can already get a mesh from the free version to 3ds via Media Machines.
It imports kmz and exports 3ds and Maya. However, the question remains, why should Pro users both pay for the software and drive its development for the benefit of people who do neither?
The huge Poser community is of a similar nature to the gaming community. In fact there is probably a great deal of overlap. Like any other modders they generally don't do it on a commercial basis...but they still don't expect to get the software for free.
GMax is not really a valid comparison. It's the free...and considerably scaled down version of a very expensive piece of software. SketchUp Pro, on the other hand, is not only very reasonably priced, it is already little different from the free version...without any further concessions. -
@alan fraser said:
You can already get a mesh from the free version to 3ds via Media Machines.
It imports kmz and exports 3ds and Maya. However, the question remains, why should Pro users both pay for the software and drive its development for the benefit of people who do neither?
The huge Poser community is of a similar nature to the gaming community. In fact there is probably a great deal of overlap. Like any other modders they generally don't do it on a commercial basis...but they still don't expect to get the software for free.
GMax is not really a valid comparison. It's the free...and considerably scaled down version of a very expensive piece of software. SketchUp Pro, on the other hand, is not only very reasonably priced, it is already little different from the free version...without any further concessions.Some good points, and i agree, there is overlap. Hopefully, these issues can get resolved one day, seeing that sketchup is too good of a program to overlook. At anyrate, it has come to my attention that i will need to gather some people with knowledge with programming, and see if we can close this gap in one form or another.
BTW, thank you for providing the link, this will be very useful if it can perform all the functions as sketchups 3DS exporting option can do.
-
But MY LORD that photo-realistic modelling video looked HOT.
Just saying.
Advertisement