@mike lucey said:
But again we are not captive in any way as the door is wide open to walk through if the desire is there.
Is not just that simple... All of sketchUp users had some strong reasons to go with SketchUp in the first place. And most of us did this because SU is DIFFERENT, and by different I say easy to learn, easy to use, not cluttered ... so you can do your thing fast and easy, with no need of hundreds of toolbars, scrolling menus, buttons, extensive learning... and why not, a very nice interface... unconventional icons (why so serious?).
And all this encouraged a "think out of the box" community... original people turned to it, not that generation of AutoCAD users that were so stiff. And also... neither the "3SD users", who are so "fancy and sophisticated" π (ok, now I was mean, but I'm sure you understand my point).
So, if SU will cease to be what it has been, I'm starting to think where it will go? Ok, you are saying that if I won't like it, I am free to go... And probably I will... to SU8 again π . But that's not the point here. The point is that WE ARE A STRONG COMMUNITY and despite the fact that Trimble bought Sketchup, Sketchup is still ours. Without us, the users, Trimble may very well whash their hair with SU... so to speak. So, first of all, Trimble shall listen of what users want/need. Because, believe or not, the users know best π (because they are using it).
All we can hope is that Trimble will eventually understand this and will go in the right direction.