Google Sketchup Pro 7 is out

thomthom

This must be a joke...
For the ones saying this was a good release:

New modeling tools: NO
new animation tools: NO
new uv maping tools: NO
new engine that suport more heavy scenes: NO
new engine that do better images and shadows: NO
new (even very basic) ways to simulate diferent light sources from the sun: NO

Now even photoshop with the CS4 version can handle better 3D models and do better renders that sketchup (for the ones not seeing how serious this is i remember we're talking about a 2D image software...)

But hey at least we have something that could be done with a ruby script called dynamic components...oh and we can link textures to a 2D software because in version 6 we just didn´t already did that in one way or another...and layout now doesn't has beta in the name, still it won't do much (with heavier stuff specially) but hey at least now after 2 years it's not beta...

They just didn't listen to the users because they think they know better what we need...they could be a litle bit more humble...

Don't update and make them see this is wrong or we're never gonna be heard...

That's a nice breakdown. UV mapping was one of my top wish-for features.

Gaieus

Now it's officilly out and announced:
http://sketchupdate.blogspot.com/

jstanton8869

I share the disappointment that's been expressed here about v7. There are some nice features and to me it appears marginally faster but nothing amazing considering the wealth of ideas out there that could have been included.

It does seem however that I'm unusual in that I do use Layout and the improvements here have been great - the frustration is now that the arc tool, line tool and editing functions in Layout are BETTER than that in Sketchup. This seems ridiculous.

Have a look at the Line tool and Editing, Scaling and Rotating in Layout - you'll see what I mean.

After all this time this looks like a point release rather than a full new version. Sorry Google - Try Harder

solo

[flash=425,344:3e3iif7n]http://www.youtube.com/v/azFbj5hK9o4[/flash:3e3iif7n]

ilay7k

@unknownuser said:

Once to learn about what's new, and once more to see what programmers do when they're told to "just stand there" in front of a video camera.

7 developers played with ruby-games or gems, and we have? ... many answers

i liked previous sketchup-update changelog i think they don't show( ) that small 2-years list.
Csaba i don't like this presentation, sorry Aidan

remus

Dacad, id say DCs count as a modelling enhancement and an animation enhancement.

Burkhard

@jstanton8869 said:

.....
After all this time this looks like a point release rather than a full new version. Sorry Google - Try Harder

this is from the blog and you want more?

Two years in the making and the result of many, many people's hard work, Google SketchUp 7 has arrived. You are cordially invited to visit our website to download a copy for yourself. We can't wait to see what you think.

solo

Guys, lets not under estimate the power of dynamic components, I believe it's an awesome addition that deserves a loud cheer, the endless opertunities it presents to not only our workflow and the way we model but to the ruby guru's that will be able to take this to another level.
The texturing advances (by using an image editor to alter a texture live) are also very welcome and one feature I will be using a lot.

When I first got the beta I thought the same as many here that this is just not enough, but after playing around I found this to be a very stable release (I had less splats and problems with the beta than my SU6 pro, and yet they made it even more stable)and it has many tiny tweaks that one will only notice during normal day to day work. I too wanted higher poly support, UV mapping and 64 bit support but after having a chat with Mr. Bacus at base camp I realised this would take a lot more than just an upgrade and we need to be patient, they are aware of what we want and not ignoring us (but also not talking to us on open forum).
Having used SU7 for several weeks I must say I like it a lot, however the one thing I hope they would fix maybe with a patch or update is the friggin toolbar migration issue ... that still kills me, especially when you have many plugin icons.

ilay7k

@ilay7k said:

i liked previous sketchup-update changelog i think they don't show( ) that small 2-years list.

As
@unknownuser said:

Tasha Danko said...
Thanks for your comment and letting us know about the blank page. This page is part of our new Help Center for SketchUp 7, which will be live by 12pm MT today. Please check back later today and thanks for your patience.

at blog, we can see all list of features. Good...

lewiswadsworth

Ah, the receipt arrived and now I have my license to MOI...

sintra

I think to all the Sketchup team that read these posts we muct all sound like spoilt little children and a little ungrateful. Yes there has been some nice changes in the latest release but it is very difficult to not feel a little deflated by the current release.

To me reading through the posts the general public and customers are very disapointed, with the extended Sketchup family of beta testers defending the release which is what we would expect. In my view nearing two years since the last release we were all expecting big things, maybe expectations were over hyped.

I think what everyone wanted more than anything was better handling of large scale models, and it would appear that this has not changed much at all really.
I think it would be good if google could perhaps give us there views on this:
Can it be done ?
Are they looking into it or is it impossible with the current code ?
Do they have any timescales ?
Anything really just some feedback on 'the holy grail' of sketchup please, the silence of sketchup is increasing peoples frustration on what is the biggest issue with the product. I think if we had some answers even if they were bad news it would put peoples minds at ease a little.

This release feels like an episode of Lost, you are all excited at the start of it for what will happen and come the end you are left confused and asking many questions.

Remember google there is a saying that 'the customer always knows best'

solo

Lewiswadsworth wrote:

@unknownuser said:

Ah, the receipt arrived and now I have my license to MOI...

Hey Lewis, long time no see.

I must say MOI is an awesome app and one that works great with SU, and not as a replacement, as Nurb modeling has it's advantages as does SU's polygonal method, so having many tools in one's arsenal is always a good thing.

emorgan

Ok. Sketchup 7 has some substantial improvements.
What I was really waiting for was real curves. (not faceted) and the ability to export solid models.
I think those features would basically blast a big hole in the MCAD market.
Still Sketchup 7 is worth the upgrade for so many reasons. The dynamic stretching alone is BIG.

dacad

REMUS:
How? explain me or show me how because from what i see there's nothing really new but i could be missing something.

Parametric modeling it's something sketchup didn't need specially if would be the core feature of a new version...What does the DC help me if i'm modeling something unique without components?or a car?or a industrial production object?or a organic shape? and can i animate objects and export that animation with shadows? or that just work for cubes again (or other basic form?)

In my opinion the DC will have the same impact that sandbox tools had, it's fun at the beggining but when you realized it's limits you will use it as much as sand box tools (not much and when used have to correct them to work good...).

And again for the ones defending the new super released: did i said any lie in my previous post? And better yet: if you could choose between this "new" version 7 and a version 6 that suported multicore and heavier models what would you choose?i have to be honest, i don't know what you guys model with sketchup but i could survive with this software without this "new" features, but can't say the same thing about not using the full power of today's technology...

dale

Just a question. I'm in the middle of a fairly complex project, and I'm a little hesitant to download 7 Pro in case I have problems in translation etc from Pro 6. Any noticeable problems in this regard? What about plugins such as Renditioner, Podium, or Kerkythea (I know, not really a plug in, but the exporter is) which I use quite often, any problems with them?

From my point of view, I am an old guy who started in this field hand rendering, and I don't think most of you understand just how you have been empowered by the SketchUp software. In fact people are always talking about a SketchUp challenge, for your next serious project, don't do it in SketchUp, hand render it first,( no not napkin sketches, reasonable presentation renders) then submit it, and we will come up with a list of revisions, then revise your rendering. When this is complete do it in SketchUp and look at the differences not only in the professionalism and quality of the presentation in the SketchUp version but give us a time comparison.
I am certainly not pushing the boundaries of this software like silvershadow and others, but I know that it is by far the most enjoyable software on my computer. It never feels like work, and I get the feeling that outside of a few irritations that are founded, mostly people just want it to do everything for them, and I don't think this will ever happen.
Oh I'm attaching a few hand renderings by some of the greats, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Antonio Sant'Ellia, and Lebbeus Woods. There are other that are worthy of having a look at, like Steve Oles (who is actually now using SketchUp) and Hugh Ferris, the list goes on.

And I thank the folks on the SketchUp Team, and all the Ruby Scripters, I haven't had this much fun at work in years. (now back to work on SU 7.5 )

Antonio Saint Elia D.jpg

Lebbeus Woods 2.jpg

dacad

And now a litle story: Some years ago there was a rumor that autodesk was going to buy @last sketchup. Everyone, back then revolted against it and after a while everyone was pleased to know google bought sketchup and save it from autodesk. Now i don't know if this was for the best of this software.

Google owning sketchup means if they can just implement one new feature and have to choose between new modeling tools or better google earth integration guess what's gonna be choose...

If Autodesk had been able to bought sketchup at least nowdays we would have better integration with all the major 3d Softwares and decent import/export of 3d models (i'm sorry but just beeing able to import absolete 3d formats and lose data in the process like textures and polygons it's something unaceptable for me but maybe i'm just to demanding for finished 3d products...)

Other things that let me thinking something it's wrong in this realeased it's things like user suport (does no one from the skechup team have time to talk to us and explain and discuss this new version with us?and i talked bad from autodesk suport), how was the software realeased (this is the best way to realeased the software?) other softwares that done incredible evolutions and updates and in lesser time that sketchup (photoshop CS4, Modo 302, Silo 2, Zbrush 3...) and using the same engine since version 5 and knowing a hardware|software revolution as passed (64 bits OS and multi core processor)

P.S.:And i hate Autodesk...

solo

DacaD wrote:

@unknownuser said:

In my opinion the DC will have the same impact that sandbox tools had, it's fun at the beggining but when you realized it's limits you will use it as much as sand box tools

Well I use it Sandbox almost daily, it's got a couple glitches but an awesome plugin it is none the less.

Once you get using DC in your daily workflow you will wonder what you did without it, just like we do with all major plugins. DC makes things just a little easier and gives us more control, however it takes the initial learning phase like everything else.

jstanton8869

@burkhard said:

@jstanton8869 said:

.....
After all this time this looks like a point release rather than a full new version. Sorry Google - Try Harder

this is from the blog and you want more?

Two years in the making and the result of many, many people's hard work, Google SketchUp 7 has arrived. You are cordially invited to visit our website to download a copy for yourself. We can't wait to see what you think.

I think that's the point - what have they been doing for 2 years? There are a large number of improvements many of which are covered (sometimes supported) ad hoc by ruby scripts that could have been properly integrated into native Sketchup and just arent there. The UI could be massively improved

Basic stuff like customisable toolbars, better arc drawing etc etc etc. A lot of this stuff (especially the Arc tool which is stone age) has needed improving since before version 5. The Dynamic components look great but my point is that it seems crazy you can draw lines and curves more easily and flexibly now in Layout than you can in Sketchup. What am I supposed to do, draw my model in 2D in Layout. Use the new Export as JPEG to transfer my drawing to Sketchup. Trace over the lines and then work it up in 3D??? It'd be like working in Vectorworks all over again!

Oh,and while I'm up on my horse - the full list of changes link on the google website gets you a blank page so I'm still waiting to see what I've missed.

http://sketchup.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=115424

JuanV.Soler

Beware to run as an administrator if you are in Vista¡
otherwise it wont let you license.

ELYSIUM

Coen, it's hard not to be a critic when not even the toolbars where fixed.....