SU 7 vs SU 8. Any advantage to either?
-
I have both SU v7 and v8 on my computer, but I only use 7 to be able to run some plugins that crash on 8. My question is this - is there a real advantage to using v8, does it have useful features that 7 doesn't have? Because I use 7 only to run some plugins, I don't have a lot of experience with it, the one thing that I have noticed that bothers me (a lot) is that I am unable to create keyboard shortcuts for two of the most used features - orbit and pan. They just aren't listed in the shortcuts menu in windows. At least that I could find.
It would simplify things to just use 7, but would like some input on whether or not I would be losing some features that I would miss down the road, and then find myself switching back and forth again to use those features when needed.
Of course, if there is no way to create keyboard shortcuts for orbit and pan the question is moot. I need those shortcuts.
And one last question - the plugins that consistently produce "bug splats" (God how I hate that cutesy name) are all Fredo's, such as radial bending. I'm not knocking his work, like a lot of people I couldn't imagine using SU without his amazing contributions, but does anybody know of a workaround for this, is he working on an update to make his plugins more compatible with 8?
Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions. -
All Fredo's plugins work for me on SU 8.
-
The top reasons to use SU 8:
-to open files made in SU8
-better Google Earth integration
-New Solid Tools and enhancements in Layout (Pro version)If the above reasons don't apply to you, then just use SU 7
..maybe keep SU8 around just to save down files made in SU8 -
IMO, in the long run, it's best to upgrade. While a early version may be OK for a while, you will not benefit from new features, and eventually find incompatibilities with other applications (perhaps like a render app). The problems with the plugin's have (in part) to do with older plugin coding conventions that current SU versions no longer have tolerance for. As ruby is upgraded, the problem with old plugins becomes worst. Again in the long run, it may be better to upgrade, and find new plugins.
After 30+ years, been there, done that, resulting in in-correctable situations with my system:-(
-
Running 8 on a Mac I find the shortcuts listed in the usual place (O and H for Camera/Orbit and Camera/Pan). I normally only every use my middle mouse button however for this pair.
-
I find the new axis functionality in SU8 to be a good one.
-
I know they are assigned keyboard shortcuts of H and O. What I meant was that I cannot reassign them to the keys I want to, the keys that I am used to using in SU 8.
-
@hellnbak said:
I know they are assigned keyboard shortcuts of H and O. What I meant was that I cannot reassign them to the keys I want to, the keys that I am used to using in SU 8.
?
I'm not experiencing that... -
I have been unable to find these shortcuts in the Shortcuts folder under Windows, to reassign them. I suppose I could be overlooking them somehow, my eyes ain't what they usta was
-
Window > Preferences > Shorcuts
Ue Filter Box to find the action and use Add Shortcut to choose Key for that action. Click + to add/overwrite. click OK
Or Import...
-
On the Mac, I can reassign those keys
-
SketchUp 7.1 has the advantage if you need to use dxf/dwg files. There is a free installer to enable it. You can install and use both 7 and 8 together.
-
SU 8.1 or 8.xx will be something to look out for. The developer admits that su8 was released too soon.
The biggest drawback to SU is that it works well with 1990's hardware and gains little merit from
hardware made in the last couple of years.Once the SU team get the approval from upper management to stop creating additional tools
already available for DL or purchase, and focus solely on developing a 3D CAD program that
can utilise newer tech, the chance of SU becoming the Apple for the CAD world increases.If not, Blender might become far more superior than SU in 1 to 3 years.
-
@unknownuser said:
If not, Blender might become far more superior than SU in 1 to 3 years.
Blender already is by far more superior than SU, always has been and always will be. The difference is that SU is easier to use, quicker to learn and Sketchucation forum rocks.
Ever tried modeling a home in Blender? can be done, but OMG it will take some fiddling, ever tried modeling a human in SU? also can be done and just like the house in Blender it too will take some serious fiddling...until you pop the poly ceiling.
You cannot compare the two, they never were meant to rival each other, they can be used to compliment one another, see Michalis's awesome works as a great example.
-
Hmmmn......Put to a vote, I elect to maintain a Architectural product. But that's my occupational bias speaking. 99% of construction in the real world is non-organic in form. If SUs ease of use is compromised by organic modeling, then my bias votes against moving in that direction. Like my vote matters:-)
-
Let's also not forget about the ability to import .dae/.kmz files now. The improvements to texture position editing. The ability to import Photo Textures using Street View. I use all of these features on a regular basis, making SketchUp 8 a necessity for me.
Cheers,
- CraigD -
-
@craigd said:
Let's also not forget about the ability to import .dae/.kmz files now...
SU 7 can also import .dae/.kmz (at least the pro version can, not sure on Free version)
-Brodie
-
Yeah, the free version also can. It's since version 7.1 (and of course, now in v.8 as well).
-
@fuzzion said:
The developer admits that su8 was released too soon.
Huh, that's weird; I wonder why none of my colleagues let me in on that admission. There are multiple SketchUp developers, by the way. Got any sources to cite so I can be sure to tune them up?
@fuzzion said:
Once the SU team get the approval from upper management to stop creating additional tools already available for DL or purchase, and focus solely on developing a 3D CAD program that can utilise newer tech, the chance of SU becoming the Apple for the CAD world increases.
You're right; we really have waited far too long already for those upper management folks to remove the clause "never stop reinventing the wheel" from our mission statement. We've really got to start pushing on that one!
SketchUp could be more like Apple? I get where you're going, but be careful what you wish for, because we could be a lot more like Apple. Can you imagine? What if we didn't concentrate so much on liberating our users' data and providing it in a completely open format, or if we strictly locked down the Ruby interface so you could only run pre-approved plugins? Maybe then we could tie the 3D Warehouse to a single ISP's network and make everyone else jealous while charging our ISP's users out the nose for the exclusivity of it. Just for good measure, we could re-write the GUI to look like it's wrapped in aluminum and charge 3x more for it than what you'd expect to pay for any competitor's program.
Of course, I did type up this message on my MacBook Pro.
Advertisement