A new home for SketchUp

Ecuadorian

I'll condense my feelings in a single phrase:

I'm worried because Trimble does not seem to be about design at all, but only boring engineering stuff like GPS and such.

nomeradona

my first reaction i trembled with trimble... is it a gamble? trouble? i hope 32 bit will double...

ericschimel

Well, in my opinion, I think this is going to be OK. I mean, Google aquired Sketchup to enhance it's geo products, and since this company is a geo company as well, I think this might be a good fit. Only time will tell. PS, if anyone's interested, I've got a blog post up, with a SketchUCation shoutout. With any luck there will be some comments from users other then this community. It might be interested to see what others have to say:

http://sketchthis.net/breaking-sketchup-has-a-new-home/

fossa

I too question Trimbles commitment to communities like ArchVis and woodworking. I hope I'm proven wrong.

SketchUpNoobie

After reading through all the posts made by the SketchUp team, I feel a lot better about this move than I originally did.

However, why are some people 'freaking out' about having to learn another piece of software. Am I mistaken or could you-at the very worst-keep using the version of SketchUp that you have installed, minus support from Google. For example, plugins would still be able to be developed for Google SketchUp Version 8 that we have now, right?

I guess I'm just a little confused as to the way some people are/were taking this move. Could someone please enlighten me?

notareal

@unknownuser said:

@jbacus said:

(ps: just so you guys know, there are 64-bit (and multithreaded) members of the SketchUp team sitting together in a room reading these posts.)

I'm already liking the move...

EarthMover

Wow! Speechless! I think we should refrain from too much speculation and just wait and see. I feel I've settled in to a very comfortable workflow and well adapted set of plugins for what I need. As long as the geolocation is going to still be functional and the 3D warehouse only improves, then there is nothing to lose. I can stay with version 8 until something proves to be worth the upgrade. From a marketing standpoint, the folks at Trimble must certainly understand they are not just acquiring software, but the 30 million users that come with it. I think they are looking to integrate some core functionality from the engine into other softwares, but as a stand alone, Sketchup will fundamentally remain the same or get better. They don't have to do much, other than put the right people on payroll and allow John and his team the resources they need to start beefing up the infrastructure. My point is they know what software they are acquiring. One would not purchase Maya from Autodesk and turn it into a CAD program...it would be easier to just create a new program. Why buy Sketchup and completely change it? As they are not competing with it on any level, it would be an asinine business strategy. I'm hopeful for good things in the future. Google is too big and has their hands in too many other pots. Trimble sounds like a good fit with goals that are geared toward better GPS based terrain information and BIM tools. Two things that will take Sketchup to the next level.

Rich O Brien

You're SU8 is fine as is. No different than Instagram being bought by FaceBook.

Think of it as grandfather rights. What you have is yours as long as you don't remove it.

Looking closely at the companies Trimble has acquired over time it seems SketchUp is on a bit of a homecoming. As a Pro user I'm really excited to see where the team take it. Although Google has a wider audience it can also dilute products somewhat. A more focused industry can only bring sweeter rewards.

I'll still be here regardless

mitcorb

Well:
I'm floored. But, all I can do is be hopeful that many of the speculations and forward thinking wishlist postings over the years may come to fruition in due time. I am glad to see that the Sketchup Team from Google will be moving with the product, because I believe this continuity is key to maintain quality and improvement.

sonder

Big news! I've been so busy on projects over the past couple weeks I haven't been on here. Since it is out of my hands, I will remain very optimistic since the whole development team is staying along for the ride. That says a lot to me about the direction.

My personal concern only stems from what will happen with LayOut. Will it be further developed or replaced entirely. I have converted all my standards and only use SU/Layout for production of all my CD's now. Feedback from agencies and contractors has been very positive. Heck my first two sets got through the building department with no comments and permits ready to be issued in less than a week (very unheard of here).

I can see Trimbles involvement really focused on the construction industry and really pushing sketchup in the direction I would like with BIM capabilities.

So at this point, I am happy for the change.

tallbridgeguy

How will this affect other software?

Ie

Maxwell for sketchup
Thea for sketchup

Etc

I love the kickstarter idea for developing a new sketchup!

fionmacool

I am hopeful this will be a good move. Construction is such an important agenda for SketchUp. Since being bought by Google It has not been their main agenda- understandably so, because It is not a core competency of theirs. However, the Google brand did wonders for growing the user base. I think SketchUp is now a standalone brand that has instilled itself in the consciousness of millions worldwide, just like the Google brand did.

I hope that Trimble will give stronger marketing support to Authorised Training Centres. It really needs more muscle (investment) to be successful.

Now if Trimble would just sponsor some humorous SketchUp videos to help push their new acquisition.... I wonder who they could get to do that.......

CadFather

Open source has always been a great sketchup dream - one foot was already there, since we got this far thanks to the ruby masters after all.. just imagine..

if trimble is planning to be a big player in the cad wars to come (why would they move so otherwise?), there are no options but to answer the demands of the market (with civil engineering doing most of the asking), and improve.

things got too slow anyway.. something had to happen - good to know the x64 team is on board..

tallbridgeguy

Will sketchucation go to Trimble? Usually forums are handled by the software owner.

lapx

It would have felt better if they said Apple was buying Sketchup. Trimble is a foreign company to most of us. Oh, well like someone said if there is a silver lining they didnt get bought buy autocad. I guess change is inevitable but whether its good or bad time will tell.

Rich O Brien

@tallbridgeguy said:

Will sketchucation go to Trimble? Usually forums are handled by the software owner.

No, but I just registered trimbucation.com

Edson

I must say I was stunned by the news. sort of like hearing your dad or mom say they are splitting and you will be on your own.

however, on second thoughts, it always seemed to me that google was not allowing the sketchup team to develop it as far as it should go or, rather, as we wished it to go. for one thing, many of us have hoped LayOut could be further developed to allow us to abandon whatever CAD app we are using at the moment.

thus I am mildly optimistic about it. let's hope sketchup becomes stronger, faster and better after this.