SketchUP 8
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We shouldn't expect anything from new software releases - except that the version number increases.
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The Google Motto, "Don't be evil"...
In v8 they, "Do a few good things"...
We hope, they "Do some more good stuff too..."
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I don't understand why everyone is so down on the new version. Before I go on, though, let me say that I haven't yet used it, just watched the new features video.
Solid tools! I don't know how well bool tools works (congrats to Whaat for another awesome plugin either way) but integrated boolean operations and automatically created solids is a VERY good thing. I hope that 3rd party rendering software (here's looking at you, Thea) finds a way to import the solid property for calculating density (fog, SSS, dispersion, etc.)
Google Earth integration: we know that Google is focused on this and we would be getting improvements here no matter what, but these look actually useful. Normally I would have to remap a color image over the imported topo -- so this will save time and might be a little more accurate. Increased triangulation will be good as it used to get kind of dicey for closeups. As for making buildings (I know this already existed at some level) might be useful but I'd have to try it before really commenting on it. Still, overall this is a nice improvement.
Layout. I hated layout when it was first introduced and honestly haven't used it since. The new version does look nice, though -- specifically the examples they show. If sketchup can produce decent detail drawings (depends on the work-flow, though) then I'd be excited, especially as it can export (cleanly?) to autocad.
As for the "missing" items, how many of these really matter?
The shadow bug would have been nice to have fixed, but I never use SU output -- it's just so easy to get an unaltered "clay model" type image from Thea or whatever.64bit support? Would have been nice, I suppose, but how much would it have improved anything? Being able to load more into memory doesn't help because it's the inference engine that slows it down (and that makes SU so good -- a pharmakon, I suppose) and more loaded into the model would make it worse, not better.
Multi-core support? I would rather them spend time on openCL (screw CUDA and it's required hardware) since almost the entire SU user base probably has a decent graphics card not to mention that a proper GPU can be vastly more powerful than an extra core or two (try smallluxgpu to see an impressive, real-world comparison).
Animation? At some point it's better to have multiple programs than one that does everything -- especially when blender is free, easy to import to, and already has powerful animation (3ds for you rich people, I suppose
Basic other light sources would have been nice, as would proper UV mapping but as with the previous comment, they're are other programs that doe that -- I would like them to get integrated sometime soon, though.
One thing I haven't heard people mention that I am disappointed with is that they didn't clean up dynamic blocks. That seemed like it had potential but had been awkwardly implemented so that it made it easier (most of the time) to continue doing without it.
I had pretty low expectations and am VERY glad they didn't waste their time improving styles (does ANYONE use styles? With one or two exceptions they look unprofessional -- and those exceptions are people gifted enough to come up with awesome product with whatever tool -- NOT because they had 'styles'). This looks like a quality release -- although it might turn out to be unfinished when I actually get to try it. I have to say, though, at this point I'm pleasantly surprised. I'm done with my rant.
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(I posted this in the SU v9 wishlist but I'll post it here also since it probably belongs here better)
I'm curious of what the Google team says at basecamp.
Are they proud of this version 8 release?
I mean, what have they been doing each day since last release?
The list of new features and bug fixes is very short.No 64 bit.
No UV enhancements.
No animation enhancements.
No shadow bug fix.
No multiple lights or shadow enhancements.
No Open GL enhancements (like reflective shaders and such).I didnt expect animation to get improved or even the shadow bug for that matter but I find this release very disappointing. So far the only reason for me to consider upgrading would be better speed for third party rubies. Oh, and not to forget...Tadaa!...fixing the toolbar madness.
It's like they havent listened to their customers at all.
Google SU Team customer relations
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@dsarchs 64-bit support is specially important for SU integrated renderer. Now in 32 bit environment you will quickly run out of memory. Well... there is always a option to use a standalone studion for rendering.
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@ notareal
I hadn't considered integrated rendering -- thanks for the info. That still wouldn't affect Thea or other stand-alone engines, though, would it?
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@pixero said:
It's like they havent listened to their customers at all.
And that's why they started again the Product ideas, because they believe they need new ideas. Oh, let's all copy paste exactly the same ideas from last year!
No, I don't mean that serious. Actually I have much respect how thoroughly John B. responded to many popular requests and it's really worth to read that.
But I get the suspicion that those product ideas make people have false expectations.The way how SketchUp development advances, I would seriously recommend to care only about the core and let the ruby scripters make the features. But therefore we need a seamless integration of Rubies, means Plugin Manager (and AutoUpdater) and improve the Ruby API for unlimited or at least more powerful access to the core functions and GUI.
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FYI --- I transfered my ruby collection and everything seems to work. Have not actually TRIED everything yet, but at least no error messages on startup. All the tool bars come up etc. EXCEPT the IRender Plus. My Podium works, but Al Hart just notified me they have to issue an upgrade to the renderer so it works with V8.
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@dsarchs... You cover things very well...
I agree with you on most parts, however, IMO it's still not a major release as the change in version number suggest...
However, with exception of Blender (which I personally can't get my head around) I still feel I get A LOT...
Yes - I would have liked to see better UV-mapping tools and other bells and whistles, but I continue to be happy with SU...
Just like you I don't give sh*t about the shadow problem... (to me it is as if it's just something some users continue to pick on, just because it hasn't worked properly since ver. 5)@dsarchs said:
That still wouldn't affect Thea or other stand-alone engines, though, would it?
No it wouldn't... As you mention Thea Render is a stand-alone studio and it's available in 64-bit...
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Are they doing just enough to justify calling it a new release and no more than that?.....yes. Do I care?....Nope. I don't use Sketchup because of Google. I use it because it fits. I use it because I can tailor my toolset to what I need. I use it because of Fredo6, TIG, ThomThom, Chris Fullmer, Gosch and the rest of the great contributors that make modeling fun! If you don't want to upgrade, don't upgrade. If you want a better sketchup, then take the $95 and give it to the ruby writers whose tools you use most.....or buy a small pickup load full of cookies for ThomThom and we'll have plugins galore!
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@dsarchs said:
@ notareal
I hadn't considered integrated rendering -- thanks for the info. That still wouldn't affect Thea or other stand-alone engines, though, would it?
No it does not affect on those.
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@frederik said:
Just like you I don't give sh*t about the shadow problem...
Well, I do care about the shadow bug.
It makes animation in SU worthless without rendering.
Why should I exept a known fault in a "pro" app?
And show me one single other software that uses Open GL that has this bug.
I surely havent heard of any._______________
Grumpy old man. -
i thought this was sort of funny from the 'what's new in 8 video'
that's almost impossible (well, definitely not impossible but a major pita) to draw in vanilla sketchup.. followme can't make corners like that (a true 1/8th sphere).. 99% sure they used fredo's plugin for it. [or even TIG's lathe would make it much easier than vanilla sketchup]
[edit -- the reason i find it funny is because if you tried to do that in regular sketchup without going to extraordinary lengths, it would not be recognized as a solid yet they're using it for an example of solids]
[edit2.. the two easiest and/or fastest ways i can think of to draw a corner like that in sketchup without plugins are these..]
[flash=660,405:3263zlv3]http://www.youtube.com/v/Hn7HIr8zt4E?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1[/flash:3263zlv3]
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@pixero said:
@frederik said:
Just like you I don't give sh*t about the shadow problem...
Well, I do care about the shadow bug.
It makes animation in SU worthless without rendering.
Why should I exept a known fault in a "pro" app?
And show me one single other software that uses Open GL that has this bug.
I surely havent heard of any._______________
Grumpy old man.I realize that the following is not a solution and the problem should be corrected, but it is a process that I have used successfully. Typically I record at 30 fps, edit, and convert to wav. In the process I edit out the flickering frames, and get a usable video.
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Don't get me wrong, Jan...
I just don't export SU animations...
I prefer rendered animations, hence I have no need for SU shadows...
But I acknowledge that others might have the need...
(The debate about the shadow bug and why they can't fix it easily has been dealt with ever since ver. 5... I recall a loooooong debate back in the old @Last SU forum...) -
i installed Sketchup 8 free. I copied all my plugins and found four Rubies with Syntax errors.
Error Loading File balustrade_components.rb
C:/Program Files (x86)/Google/Google SketchUp 8/Plugins/balustrade_components.rb:228: syntax error, unexpected ',', expecting ')'
if (n1.between? (n2 - interval), (n2 + interval))
^Error Loading File C:/Program Files (x86)/Google/Google SketchUp 8/Plugins/cd_power_m.rb
(eval):6094: compile error
(eval):4921: syntax error, unexpected ',', expecting ')'
if (n1.between? (n2 - interval), (n2 + interval))
^Error Loading File cd_power_extension_m.rb
(eval):6094: compile error
(eval):4921: syntax error, unexpected ',', expecting ')'
if (n1.between? (n2 - interval), (n2 + interval))
^Error Loading File cd_power_m.rb
(eval):6094: compile error
(eval):4921: syntax error, unexpected ',', expecting ')'
if (n1.between? (n2 - interval), (n2 + interval))
^Error Loading File cutting_windows.rb
(eval):719: compile error
(eval):610: syntax error, unexpected ',', expecting kEND
faces_and_heights[0].pushpull (faces_and_heights[1]), false
^Error Loading File point.rb
C:/Program Files (x86)/Google/Google SketchUp 8/Plugins/point.rb:41: syntax error, unexpected ',', expecting kEND
Sketchup::set_status_text ("Specify first Point:"), SB_PROMPT
^
C:/Program Files (x86)/Google/Google SketchUp 8/Plugins/point.rb:83: syntax error, unexpected ',', expecting kEND
Sketchup::set_status_text ("Click for next point:"), SB_PROMPT
^
C:/Program Files (x86)/Google/Google SketchUp 8/Plugins/point.rb:84: syntax error, unexpected ',', expecting kEND
Sketchup::set_status_text ("Length"), SB_VCB_LABEL
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quick question, I'll save my comments for later...
THEY TOOK OUT INTERSECT IN FREE?!?!
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Hi,
I miss the "Google Earth Tool > Get current view". I found only "Toggle Terrain" in the Google toolbar. Any Idea where it could be?
Charly
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@kxi system said:
quick question, I'll save my comments for later...
THEY TOOK OUT INTERSECT IN FREE?!?!
No they didn't, don't start rumours
I at least still see the option in the free version 8. -
@kxi system said:
quick question, I'll save my comments for later...
THEY TOOK OUT INTERSECT IN FREE?!?!
not sure as i'm using pro but come on.. i highly doubt that
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