Thanks Rich- Compiling images into an animation is definitely a better workflow than letting Sketchup handle the codec settings with defaults, and I'm used to using Quicktime Pro for just that. However, I just changed employers, and the mantra here is 'quick 'n' dirty', so it's hard to justify buying new software (even a measly $30), when Sketchup can export animations all by itself.
And I appreciate the grassroot efforts of VirtualDub, but I've been trying to get away from .avi's, mainly for the reduction in file size (2000 Mb vs. 60 Mb for the same animation). I used to use QT Pro, and compress a 20 second/ 720p animation down to less than 5 Mb. The results were palatable, yet emailable. Thanks though for the suggestion!