Bad News for Architects in the next ver. of Google Sketchup
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I get the feeling some people think we Google Sketchup users should all shut up and be happy that Google has even blessed us with a free version of this product. And if you don't fork out the $500 for the pro version you shouldn't have any say in development. As far as I'm concerned they can do what they want with the PRO version of Sketchup. I don't use it and I'm doubtful if I ever will. I am disappointed that, in my mind they are downgrading a part of the free product that I use. Google Sketchup. Google are the ones who decided to make this free version. I like it and want to continue using it they way I'm used to. This change makes that harder. A lot of their other products are free too and if they started ripping out stuff I like in gmail or google earth or whatever, I'd also be upset. I want the features I'm used to and made me choose this program over the others. If they and others don't value the opinion of users like me then fine. I'll move on.
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Guys,
From what I read the only reason some users do not opt for the Pro Version is because of the price. I still don't think the price is any way high but maybe it could be to users that do not operate in the Western World.
I have often thought that maybe a policy software companies could adopt might be to operate different pricing levels that would relate directly to average income levels in various countries around the World.
This idea may not be as daft as is sounds! Once the company has recouped the initial production costs they are in profit. They are limiting their profit levels by having one 'set price'. I think it should be quite possible to structure a sales system that would sell the software at reduced prices in countries that have lesser average income levels than the West.
A move along these lines would definitely eliminate a lot of piracy (big problem) also as I believe many genuine users would be more than willing to buy at a price within their means and be able to avail of backup. Online downloadable software is one commodity area in which this could work well. All it would need is a bit of foresight and planning.
When you think about it, it does not make much sense making something in ones own country and targeting the price at 'local' buyers then also expect buyers in countries with lesser means to pay the same price.
With regard to the $500 price tag on SU Pro, as I said I don't think its that high for most 'local' users. However Google could quite easily offer a 'payment plan' spread over 12 months, say $45 per month via CC and Google even have their own online payment system to make life easier. I don't think any user could seriously complain at paying $10 a week over a year, but again!
Mike
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To me the 500 dollars for the Pro version is very acceptable. Anyone that uses SU in a professional surrounding will agree.
Keeping the free version feature packed would be nice though. It is the free version that made sketchup so well known and widespread.
One of Google's best strategies ever if you ask me. -
I'm just questioning the choice of export option here...
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There is good and bad news (with work-arounds). COLLADA is not a good format for exchanging a CAD file. It doesn't recognize layers, so everything will be on layer 0. It doesn't recognize groups, blocks, or components (I'm pretty sure). And everything becomes triangulated, so a lot of architectural files will need clean-up. But if all you are doing is bringing in a floorplan to kick off a project it isn't too bad (if you have an exporter from you CAD to COLLADA).
The good news is that you can run more than one version of SketchUp on the same PC or Mac. It doesn't force you to uninstall older versions, so you can keep 7 to open a .dwg, save the .skp, then open it in the new version. One extra step in the workflow to keep using a free product.
But it will be interesting to see what workflows people develop here.
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@khai said:
I'm just questioning the choice of export option here...
I think they are going after the gaming, art, and film markets which seem to be gaining share on the original architecture market:
@unknownuser said:
As it turned out, folks wanted to use Google SketchUp models in all kinds of crazy ways. Things that we could never have imagined! We decided that Google SketchUp users should be able to export their models into some easy-to-read and fundamentally hackable file format to make this easier. Your models should be yours to do with as you see fit.
Here are some links if you care to see what other uses Sketchup is being used for:
http://sketchup.google.com/industries/digitalentertainment.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlgtLXhwJSM
http://www.conceptart.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=153
http://www.go-2-school.com/blog_posts/view/7 -
@unknownuser said:
I think they are going after the gaming, art, and film markets which seem to be gaining share on the original architecture market
At the moment at least, there are a lot more architects and 3d designers in the world than there are game and film designers. But anyway, if Google want more cool new friends like Massive Black, limiting the number of file formats in the free version will limit peoples' opportunities to demo the software thoroughly. I'm happy to be a pro user but I just hope that Google do have something really new for the pro version - not just dwg and dxf import and export.
Kwist said
@unknownuser said:still think Blender should get a 'sketchup UI skin
If we keep saying it, one day it might happen
On the same day, I expect the hardcore Blender users will be furious... -
@d12dozr said:
@khai said:
I'm just questioning the choice of export option here...
I think they are going after the gaming, art, and film markets which seem to be gaining share on the original architecture market:
then OBJ would be the format most common to all the apps. seriously, if you take a look, nearly all the apps in use by the big studios down can use OBJ. few can use Collada.
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I did some test with kmz files: I believe Collada must support components. Otherwise, the filesize would need to multiply after multiplying the Sketchup components.
Obj is quite an old format. But most apps do not dare to ignore it. There is already a good obj-exporter plugin and when I needed to reimport it again, I converted it in other apps into 3ds (most apps have both). It would be good if obj was in SU by standard.
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I think that the reason DWG will be ripped out is Autodesk.
Google tries to keep things open source-ish. Just like android, which is based on open source Linux code.
It is becoming a tradition.I guess, choosing Collada over DWG adds to that strategy...
And off course, Google Earth is using it already so it makes the choice easier. -
@wmanning said:
COLLADA is not a good format for exchanging a CAD file. It doesn't recognize layers, so everything will be on layer 0.
wrong. COLLADA has the <layer> element and you can even have an object on layer "glow" and on layer "light" at the same time
@wmanning said:
It doesn't recognize groups, blocks, or components (I'm pretty sure).
wrong again. they are called instances and you can do even external references (have them stored only in one place)
@wmanning said:
And everything becomes triangulated, so a lot of architectural files will need clean-up.
you can have polygons as well (and much more). it all depends on how the COLLADA specification is implemented. and if Google will have COLLADA as main format I bet it will be properly implemented.
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I know that every change is hard, but we have to try to cut off Autodesk's monopoly! Ask your clients to send you collada files - after all it is your interest! If you want to escape from SketchUP, you will have a bunch of collada files to open easily in any other compatible application! I have jpg's since 1999 and can open them in any viewer - that's freedom!
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@dedmin said:
Collada support is very positive - a lot of companies are improving their support - Blender, SolidWorks, Modo etc.
The real problem is Autodesk's monopoly and arrogance! If dwg is a standard - make it open standard! About Blender - this hype about the difficult interface is nonsense! Actualy it is very easy if YOU READ ABUT IT! There is coming a new version with a lot of improvement in the UI side ! Read this http://www.blender3darchitect.com/I would not dare to say that Blender interface is easy, all the time it feels that different types of items are just cluttered together, reading and knowing key combos wont help. For me it's simply illogical and inconsistent; try to locate all mesh editing tools..., BUT 2.5 seems to be a major change and most likely I'll then drop SU and jump to Blender wagon, but time shows how it goes. SU6 pro is still fine tool for me and if there had not been this community and generous ruby developers... I would be using some other tool.
Collada support sounds good and I have a feeling that many free users will welcome that. It feels a bit like strategic move to only offer dwg import in pro, but I would not complain as long as old SU stays in working condition.
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@dedmin said:
I know that every change is hard, but we have to try to cut off Autodesk's monopoly! Ask your clients to send you collada files - after all it is your interest! If you want to escape from SketchUP, you will have a bunch of collada files to open easily in any other compatible application! I have jpg's since 1999 and can open them in any viewer - that's freedom!
Seeing how most people in my office doesn't know what an PNG file is - and keep asking me if everyone can view it - I doubt Collada would make it into the architectural office I work in. Never has that format been mentioned. People stick to what they know works. Asking clients for collada file will just annoy them.
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Wrong - there were times before SketchUp, before Autodesk and even before Google. Where are the pencil and the papers - changes happen all the times but usually too slow to see them
It is always the same - the first reaction is annoyance, doubt and looking for arguments why the change won't happen
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Can't really see how the digital revolution can be compared to using different file format. Using computers instead of pencils became a requirement - not and option. DWG vs Collada is a matter of choosing flavour.
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@thomthom said:
Can't really see how the digital revolution can be compared to using different file format. Using computers instead of pencils became a requirement - not and option. DWG vs Collada is a matter of choosing flavour.
Not revolution but change, not file format but open file format and yes - more choices! You still have choice to use Pro or any other program. Where is the free version of AutoCAD or 3DS Max?
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From my understanding Autodesk has been a participant in the development of collada, is that not true?
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I hope they add in 64 bit support as well as multicore support. I could care less if they remove the import export features of the free version. I know that is a massive downgrade but the program is free after all. All you would need is to find a program that can convert dwg -> collada and you would be back in business.
The free version of sketchup has been too good of a deal for far too long. Put it back in it's place in the product line up and maybe they will start to get some more income from sales.
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SolidWorks Lab:
@unknownuser said:
By exporting your SolidWorks assembly in the Collada format, your design is now defined by an open standard for 3D applications. This enables you to leverage other 3D authoring applications which may not import native SolidWorks files, including applications on different operating systems. Not only is your model geometry preserved in the export, but colors, textures and motion are available as well.
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