A new home for SketchUp
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Okay, a long time lurker here with “some” input, but not necessarily insight.
Sketchup has become a large part of our company work-flow, primarily through recommendations to external consultants as a software package and, to some degree, in house. We tried (because of simplicity) to adopt SU to our some of our architectural, design, conceptual design and (various) engineering disciplines. For smaller projects it’s . . . okay (layout oddities accepted - grrr). Compared to other packages out there whose five-figure price tag very rarely obtains “full value use,” Sketchup seemed a boon. The “just get it done” aspect of the software is staggering.
A number of firms that we work with have “discovered” Sketchup’s abilities – in no small part thanks to the wonderful and excellent support plug-ins labored over for hours by creative authors throughout these forums. (Off-the-record: we know many that are using SU, but when their firm has invested hundreds of thousands in software and training, SU’s full “utilization” factor may not be fully in the light).
Having said that: A number of years ago we worked closely with a company developing a rather costly vertical add-on package (this for a company’s product “who shall not be named”). All was great until the smaller, vertical add-on company came to the notice of a much larger company. Purchase was made, all smiles, new HQ, etc. (Sound familiar?)
Within a year all the smaller company’s folks were gone and corporate mentality had taken over. When we called the new corporate types “had no record of that person ever working there.” Ya think? Jeez! They created the damn software, you fools. Six layers to get to anybody; we’ll call you back (uh-huh); could you please provide your credit card number?” For what? We just want to talk to somebody. (Okay, but we’ll have to call you back). We gave up and no longer purchase that software package. And, we never did get that call. Still waiting.
In the interest of partial disclosure the vertical is still operating and, so is “the mother ship.” They’re working hard to revit-up, ah – pardon me – stir up interest.
Let’s hope that Sketchup has not been “trimbled” in a similar fashion. We also have experience with Trimble. Like any corporation they’re bottom-line oriented, but their “bottom line” starts somewhere in the stratosphere – several digits above our normal contracts. When dealing with several of our consultants their comment was “so much for Sketchup.” They have far more experience with the monstrosities than we do. Most are taking a “wait-see-but-we-won’t-hold-our-breath” attitude. All have stated (even those with financial agreements with Trimble) that getting information/assistance out of these folks is like pulling teeth – unless of course you have a seven-figure contract with them.
Let’s all hope it works out for the best; the aforementioned is strictly our unfortunate experience. Give up on Sketchup? No, but we, like several others, have put the mother ship back on our radar.
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@kalli said:
In the interest of partial disclosure the vertical is still operating and, so is “the mother ship.” They’re working hard to revit-up, ah – pardon me – stir up interest.
Not quite a 100% sure about what vertical app or the mother desk ...... eerrr .... ship you are talking about but I have a good idea.
If its the vertical app and mother ship I'm thinking of, in my opinion that acquisition has some parallel similarities to Trimble's acquisition of SketchUp but we should not forget that its not simply going to be 'SketchUp a Trimble Company' as there is a tail to the deal, that being that Google is still in the overall picture to some degree.
Maybe the deal has been a natural progression of things that came about over some time via association. This, from what I gather, is how the @Last / Google deal came about. I would not be surprised if the Google SketchUp / Trimble deal came about in much the same way.
My read / take, is that everyone is getting, to some extent, what they want. Google gets an ongoing association with Trimble and its 'resources' in a area that is dear to its heart, beefing up GE, also Team SketchUp's assistance with 3D Warehouse 'house keeping'.
Trimble gets an application that can only help to create more 'friendly' front ends / GUIs to their current rather stiff looking apps. Hey! why shouldn't CAD design be fun? SketchUp can most definitely provide this element.
Trimble also gets a huge user base and a very dedicated community that in some way regard SketchUp as 'their own' as they feel they have been a part of its development over the past twelve years.
This in my opinion is quite rare in the world of software and I think Trimble probably 'gets it' as we have been told by the Team SketchUp guys. I really don't think Google ever fully 'got it', then again they weren't in the design game, they were in that ad game so maybe not to be expected.
Trimble may well be a 'bottom line' company, what serious company isn't? Maybe they currently do deal with large customers! From what I see, most of their apps / products are high end, so this would not be too surprising.
Maybe they are now, like AutoDesk with its 1,2,3, looking at sections of the 'everyman' market! If so, SketchUp is an ideal foundation to build such a business model on. We mustn't forget fun appeal! Maybe they also want to join in on the fun aspect of SketchUp? Everybody deserves a bit of fun even large $1.6B turnover companies!
It looks like Team SketchUp in turn gets what they want, backing and resources from a company that is in the 'same game' as them, 'making things' and one that will allow them to again further develop along the lines they were heading in before the Google acquisition, which was not GE enhancement if memory serves me correctly!
I also notice that there is a tendency for folks to use words like *'Trimbled', 'Trimbles', 'Trimbler'*etc. This surely is a Google 'thing' whereby the 'Google' brand took precedence over all other divisions! I see no evidence that Trimble does this. Looking at current Trimble companies it is obvious to me that we probably will be seeing, 'SketchUp' in large letters followed by 'a Trimble Company' in smaller letters. Proper order to my way of thinking. SketchUp has come of age and is now a recognised brand in itself!
Mike
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After reading all what has been said hear.
I see it up to us to fix sketchup 8 bottle necks
That what my plugin were all about so far.
I will continue
I love this Sketch Ucation forum.Two programs I use the most:
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MS note pad
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Shetchup "the 3D entities design pad"
Both will always be, because of their speed and simplicity of use
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@unknownuser said:
'SketchUp' in large letters followed by 'a Trimble Company' in smaller letters. Proper order to my way of thinking. SketchUp has come of age and is now a recognised brand in itself!
Oh, is SketchUp an actual company? Not just a Trimble product division?
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Peter, From my recollection Google purchased @Last Inc and it became a subsidiary. I imagine they sold the actual old @Last Inc to Trimble Inc. I note that now Team SketchUp members are using ?????@sketchup.com as their emails not such and such @sketchup.trimble.com.
So yes, I would imagine that SketchUp is an actual company or a subsidiary and not a division of Trimble
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This has been a very interesting, and informative discussion.
But...
Let's cut to the quick, and the proof of Trimble's commitment to its core users.
When is Basecamp -
@dale said:
Let's cut to the quick, and the proof of Trimble's commitment to its core users.
When is BasecampI little 'dickie bird' told me that we can expect to start hearing more once the SketchUp Team have settled into their new home ........ they are still wondering around finding their bearings!
As for Basecamp! I have no idea
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@mike lucey said:
As for Basecamp! I have no idea
Pretty sure it will be in Norway this year. [Citation Needed]
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@thomthom said:
Pretty sure it will be in Norway this year. [Citation Needed]
Looks like a great place to meet
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..... or Vegas on 5th - 7th Nov ? http://www.trimbledimensions.com/
I think I could be persuaded to attend it
I have been to Reno but never Vegas ..... so far! Looks like a fun place. Could be good for the SketchUp Team as they probably would not have to do a whole load of organising 
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@dan rathbun said:
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OMG... never saw a Euro before.. that's obscene!Couldn't they have added a bit more detail ??
Probably pointless now as its 50 / 50 to whether or not it will be around for too much longer
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Also that's Scandinavia with**out** Norway (as they are not in the EU)
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@gaieus said:
Also that's Scandinavia with**out** Norway (as they are not in the EU)
Had to go spoil a good joke
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Ah well, next time, Rich. Still had a good laugh.
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@gaieus said:
Also that's Scandinavia with**out** Norway (as they are not in the EU)
Yea, we're not in the EU - now see how y'all look!
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It will be a good thing for London that a Base Camp wont be a happinin' during the Olympics as tickets sales would worsen even more than they are presently.
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Ran across a very interesting article, "Here's Why Google Got Rid of Sketchup". It's not a huge surprise to most of us but the technology illustrated looks incredible.
http://worldcadaccess.typepad.com/blog/2012/06/heres-why-google-got-rid-of-sketchup.html
-Brodie
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