SketchUP 8
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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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Hi,
i found it! It is now "Add Location"
Charly
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@charly2008 said:
I miss the "Google Earth Tool > Get current view". I found only "Toggle Terrain" in the Google toolbar. Any Idea where it could be?
Guten Abend,
they streamlined the geo-positioning. It is now not anymore done via the Google Earth client, but via integrated Google Maps. This allows to get colored satellite image as well as more detailed terrain. You can find on the Google toolbar a new "Add Location" icon.
Unfortunately removing the "Get current View" added some new incompatibilities. -
I'll be honest here. I am extremely displeased with Google's lack of response to user requests in their development of this release. Most especially, I find the fact that they REMOVED the ability to set the north angle in free version highly inconvenient, and a bit of a slap in the face; as has been said previously, you don't remove features. This is a tool I use frequently, but in all honesty, I cannot afford (or justify) the nearly $500 pricetag for the Pro version, just to keep ONE tool, and that is what it would cost me to go Pro edition with things. Solid Tools only available in Pro? Well, they would have been nice, and should have been in SU for years. Upgrading the push pull tool? good work. This is something that needed to be done for a long time. Supposedly increased support for animation, I. Don't. Need. It. I honestly could care less about animation. Not something I use. Several of my plugins being b0rkd at start up? Why am I not surprised? Further, the fact that Google has failed to get with the program and accomodate multi-core processing, and also failed to fix the poly-count issue really is ridiculous.
At this point, I highly doubt that I will be using SUv8, either free, or Pro, until plugins become available to make up the deficiencies, notably the north angle setting. I am NOT asking for super high-end performance, I am just asking for something that works right, and has all the features I have come to expect from previous editions. I could not care less than I already do about Google Earth modeling, and frankly, the idea of retrieving components from 3dw is repulsive, considering the garbage quality of quite a few of the models, and the widespread use of the scramble plugin. Hint, folks; If you don't want other people using your models, don't upload them to a place like 3dwarehouse. Common sense here.What it comes down to in the end?
"Don't be evil..."?
Google=EPIC FAIL
-10,000
Translation: Don't be evil? Google; you have failed completely and utterly!Edit:Oh, and a simple rearrangement of the icons on the toolbars does NOT help qualify this as a new release, either.
Yes I will still be using this program, until something better comes along, because there are not many other choices available. I did want to make my opinion known, however. Not that Google gives a rip what I as a user and potential customer want...
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