SketchUp 2013 ;)
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My two pence worth. They COULD have built some bridges here and just released the 'upgrade' free. Not exactly something bean counters would like but coming from the viewpoint of a user, the problems in the program that have been ignored for so long could have been smoothed over with a bit of confidence inspiring publicity.
I think they missed a seriously good opportunity to start fresh without the prior bad blood being part of the mix, that and a little more information.Sketchup has good points as well as bad and having looked around I will acknowledge this. Why some problems have survived as long as they have confuses me but, bean counters industry wide STILL have too much influence over the fix bugs or bring in shiny new features arguement. My prime premise still stands, why point out the simplicity of sketchup and then struggle to fit new applications within it? Why when there are basic items that require fixing? The change to the extentions is worthwhile imho, I know that independent ruby scripters kept things rolling for some time but frankly this might be a mechanism for proper control, removing scripts that are not worth the download time and ease stability problems.
If you want me to list all the issues you obviously missed the last few years here at sketchucation, we all know the things that could and should be simply done to improve the program. My two pence worth.
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@tomasz said:
Right. The "extension warehouse" will reach much broader audience... but it doesn't work in SU8 ((free) for commercial use)
Now when I think about it, there can be more reasons for this: financial, summer holidays coming in the northern hemisphere... I know well that a middle of a summer is not the best time for a release.
The Extension Warehouse wiindow in SU is just a web dialog box. It works anywhere. You can get to it by merely typing the URL into any browser address bar.
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@alan fraser said:
@tomasz said:
Right. The "extension warehouse" will reach much broader audience... but it doesn't work in SU8 ((free) for commercial use)
Now when I think about it, there can be more reasons for this: financial, summer holidays coming in the northern hemisphere... I know well that a middle of a summer is not the best time for a release.
The Extension Warehouse wiindow in SU is just a web dialog box. It works anywhere. You can get to it by merely typing the URL into any browser address bar.
Am I reading this right and does Trimble actually consider Sketchucation as a competitor?
If so.....OMG ! Lol -
@kwistenbiebel said:
Ooooh, what an amusing thread lol
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Don't you miss the @Last era ? When all was fresh with a fragrance of pioneering ?
Each new version of @Last was a new breath of fresh air.
You could actually feel the passion in the work of the developers.
Good timesI remember similar debates and discussions over the past years...
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@tomasz said:
Right. The "extension warehouse" will reach much broader audience... but it doesn't work in SU8 ((free) for commercial use)
Really? Wow... That's a mistake.
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For the record form.z is (and always was) an architectural modeler first and foremost -- however due to it's fine modelling tools it can do almost anything... however it would not be my first choice for figure work. It is also currently 64-bit... I do wish people would check facts before posting false statements just to try to prop up SketchUp.
As I said before, it(form.z) has it's faults... and it's not even my likely replacement for SketchUp. For my needs Modo is likely the software I will move to, however I acknowledge that Modo is a bit more powerful and complex than the average SketchUp user would want or need.
I was asked what software I though could easily replace SketchUp for architectural work, and form.z (or bonzai3d) would be my pick if coming from that POV.
Obviously, if you are very tied into SketchUp via paid plugins then it will be hard to move. However if you are one of the many former free-version users who are now looking to pay $595 for a software that really isn't worth it, and want an alternate option I would recommend checking bonzai3d (and form.z). At $100 less it has more power and the company is growing the tool at a much faster rate than Trimble is growing SketchUp. The workflow is very similar, and the modeling tools are much more powerful... so I think that is a valid recommendation.
If you are really open to new options I would also recommend checking Rhino, MoI3D and Blender. Each have great strengths and all are more worthwhile to invest your time and money into if you are now looking at a $595 (+ $95 each year) bill just to use the same SketchUp you were using for free.
If you are really tied to keeping your workflow free then you should absolutely make the switch to Blender and never look back.
Best,
Jason. -
@notareal said:
@bbrown said:
Sounds like "Zoom In More" is the thing for me... cannot remember how often I have been frustrated with the broken zoom. But if trimble will now release a new version yearly (as paid upgrade), maybe I'll wait the next one that actually offers more than some bug fixes. Sure, LayOut did get a proper update (or so it sounds), but I never use it... and with sketchucation plugin store, I hardly find Extension Warehouse interesting.
Not much here for free users, user that don't use layout or improvements. IMO
Think this is a new platform to start separating free & pro. -
@jpalm32 said:
@notareal said:
@bbrown said:
Sounds like "Zoom In More" is the thing for me... cannot remember how often I have been frustrated with the broken zoom. But if trimble will now release a new version yearly (as paid upgrade), maybe I'll wait the next one that actually offers more than some bug fixes. Sure, LayOut did get a proper update (or so it sounds), but I never use it... and with sketchucation plugin store, I hardly find Extension Warehouse interesting.
Not much here for free users, user that don't use layout or improvements. IMO
Think this is a new platform to start separating free & pro.I think the new toolbar system and the overall program development in the background of the software are all you get with Make and you can't use it for Professional use, a huge mistake in my opinion.
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@kwistenbiebel said:
@alan fraser said:
@tomasz said:
Right. The "extension warehouse" will reach much broader audience... but it doesn't work in SU8 ((free) for commercial use)
Now when I think about it, there can be more reasons for this: financial, summer holidays coming in the northern hemisphere... I know well that a middle of a summer is not the best time for a release.
The Extension Warehouse wiindow in SU is just a web dialog box. It works anywhere. You can get to it by merely typing the URL into any browser address bar.
Am I reading this right and does Trimble actually consider Sketchucation as a competitor?
If so.....OMG ! LolHow could you possibly infer that from anything I’ve written…especially when I stated earlier that there is no ‘competition’. The SU userbase is orders of magnitude greater than Sketchucation’s.
I’m quite sure the dev team look upon Sketchucation as they have always done…a useful point of contact between a good many of their most avid users and talented 3rd party developers…very useful for almost instant feedback and a source of ideas for future development.As for the complaint by Tomasz that the Extension Warehouse doesn't work in V8, which software company has EVER rolled out a new version of its software with new features that could be used in earlier versions...especially a version that was released under different ownership, with perhaps all manner of conflicting revenue and royalty implications. That's plain crazy. Isn't that what a new version is all about? And as I said earlier, it does actually work anywhere...just not in the program itself.
While I'm not personally convinced of the advisability of actually charging for this release, it does mark a new direction after the wilderness years with Google. Overdosing on negativity isn't particularly helpful.
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I remember when Google acquired SketchUp from @Last and made a free version...
Back then users were very upset that there was going to be a free version...
Please remember that the first free version was also limited to non-commercial work...
When Google decided to accept commercial work when using the free version, with only a few limitations (i.e. no import/export of various formats), users were again upset and discussions went on...Now Trimble have acquired SU from Google and they're taking a step back and once again the free version can't be used for commercial work...
Once again the debate is raging... -
@alan fraser said:
I don't think it's any coincidence that the Sketchucation version appeared on the very same day as the Beta trials started...and certain people here got to see what was coming.
Check the start date of the Beta Testing.
Now check this...
...so please don't suggest that anyone here used any type of insider knowledge to beat SketchUp to the punch.
A working solution for installing plugins was in our hands since last December. Prior to that SketchUp were well aware we were developing a plugin solution for members.
Just so the members here are very clear on the FACT that those involved in developing the PluginStore were NOT using insider info at any point.
An incredible amount of work went into this and it's a great tool for community members.
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New 2013 reminds me release of ad's softimage 2013 or 2014. Softimage team slightly change and 2014 was weak release. Heh...
Hi Chris(Kwistenbiebel), there was wonderful time with @last
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@alan fraser said:
As for the complaint by Tomasz that the Extension Warehouse doesn't work in V8
It was not a complaint! I have just stated the fact in favor of SCF plugin shop.
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@rich o brien said:
An incredible amount of work went into this and it's a great tool for community members.
( about PluginStore )
And much more now for the people who have not upgraded to 2.013 version .
Indeed it isSo please keep it up
Cheers
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I'm not suggesting any kind of sneaky insider knowledge, Rich...just the SketchUp dev team and a 3rd party working on similar ideas simultaneously. Apologies if it is taken any other way. Need I mention the 3D Warehouse opening shortly after FormFonts? I'm quite well aware that months (if not years) of development work go into such things...so a difference of a few days in a public release is neither here nor there.
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The SCF Plugin Store and the Extension Warehouse both have their strengths and weaknesses. Favour and competition don't enter into it.
The EW will reach a much greater userbase of SU users than SCF can hope to reach (ie. every single person that uses SU2013 Pro or Make)
On the other hand, despite its ability to give developers a great shop window to display their wares...complete with extensive Description, links to websites and blogs, Comment section etc. it does not offer the intensive back and forth dialogue between developers and users that is possible here on SCF...the ability to beta or fine-tune a plugin to perfection.
The two facilities complement each other; they are not in competition. In fact, if anything, via its links, I suspect the Extension warehouse may well drive more users to SCF than ever before. -
My biggest problem with Sketchup is the materials palette under OSX. Its a major slowdown. I have been hoping for years that this palette would get a makeover.
Imagine hovering your mouse over colored blocks, waiting to see what the materials names are to figure out what is what. Or the extremely slow behaviors of this palette even with a few materials added. Or importing a few warehouse models completely rendering the palette useless with a horrendous overflow in the amount of materials and no way to organize them. Dozens of greys and white making it impossible to see what is what. Or the fact that its not possible to see what material is active because the slightly blue frame around the material does not show or is very hard to detect. Or having to delete dozens of materials one by one in a painstakingly slow manor.
Bluntly ignoring a major flaw like the material palette (under OSX) does not add to a warm welcome for a new release. Haven't checked the new release yet so maybe I am all wrong....
I am aware of plugins working with materials that partly make up for the lack of proper material management in Sketchup. But this is definitely something that should properly work in Sketchup itself.But I like the look of the new website with the extension warehouse. Seems to browse fast and quick to find things there. Also the website looks well taken care off and fits Sketchup very well.
Francois -
If I had to make a wish list for Sketchup it would be.
- Able to handle 10x more geometry without dying
That's it. Does the new version offer potential for larger more complex models?
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