digitalglobe imagery is terrible compared to google satellite.
Image is blurry, typically older.
But at least Trimble didn't wait until the last minute to address this issue.

@tyler miller said:

Hey guys -

Nothing to fear here in regards to SketchUp's Add Location feature. SketchUp uses the Google Maps API, not the Google Earth API. Google Earth the application is not going away.

Google's announcement that they are ending the Google Earth browser plugin ("Google Earth API") is a natural consequence of tightening browser security models. Most modern browsers are dropping support for any form of plugins over the next couple years.

Fortunately, much of the functionality of the Google Earth plugin has now been incorporated into Google Maps using more modern browser capabilities like WebGL. This is the same technology we use to do 3D views of SketchUp models on the 3D Warehouse, and it does not require a browser plugin.

So, nothing to fear here and it is all a natural progression of technology.

Thanks,
Tyler

Seems that we should have been worried. You guys knew about a 5year grace period, but didn't mention that to the users until 2 months before the change.
Upcoming Change to Add Location
https://forums.sketchup.com/t/upcoming-change-to-add-location/40953
Tyler thanks for the misdirection,
Glenn

thanks, I'll contact trimble & post here.
Glenn

Hello,
Can someone please clarify the below statement from Trimble/Sketchup as far as how it will apply if I wipe my system drive to do a clean install of windows 10?
To clarify, I currently have Windows 10 & 2015pro. If I activate 2016pro now, but can't do the W10 clean install for 61+days, will that mean I can't reinstall/activate 2015pro?
Thank you,
Glenn

"….Important! 60 days after you authorize SketchUp Pro 2016, your 2015 license will deactivate. Once your old license deactivates, you can keep using SketchUp Pro 2015 on any machines you’ve already authorized, but you won’t be able to use the 2015 license to authorize any new machines."

ok, dug through my notes from the last time this happened (with a 15.x update), and did this workaround Option 5: Open Windows Explorer and navigate to C:\Program Files\SketchUp\SketchUp 2015. Right-click on the file “ThumbsUp.dll” and select Rename. Rename the file to “ThumbsUp.old”. This will disable the drawing of SketchUp thumbnails in Explorer.
Did it to both 2015 & 2016.
Rebooted, hopefully this will fix it going forward.
If any Trimble employees are here, PLEASE FIX THIS
Thanks,
Glenn

Hi,
W10 current build, all patches installed. Sketchup 2015 was running great. Yesterday I installed 2016 to begin the transition. Today I jumped back to 2015 to continue with a paying project and noticed several .skb files. I closed 2015, checked 2016 (autosave or backup isn’t checked), closed 2016, started 2015 and now get the dreaded "file is locked by a current user".
How to fix this?
Thank you in advance,
Glenn

Fixed.
Just tried geo-locating & it works as normal.
Glenn

Hi,
Trying to geo locate for a project and getting the following (& see attached) There is a problem with this websites security certificate. The security certificate presented by this website is not secure….
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Glenn
Windows 10 (all current updates), Sketchup Pro 15.3.331 64bit

Hi,
I was just heading over to http://www.entouragearts.com to pickup a few landscape items, their site is down. I haven't been there in a long time.
Is it temporary or permanent shut down?
Thanks,
Glenn

I too am not happy with the price increase, without getting something in return. I'm self-employed and when (actually if) I raise prices, my clients always expect more.
I may be off base here, but why not get all the people who use Sketchup Make (free version?) for business to pay something, even if it's a small fee.
I don't think it is fair that I should have to pay (for Pro) and someone else gets to use Make for free to earn a living (or a little extra cash on the side).
Also, in my opinion, Sketchup is getting away from it's original purpose: quick & easy 3d modeling tool to set up perspective views (anyone that's done it by hand knows how much of a time saver SU is). A lot of the extra features, Layout especially, have no value to me.
Perhaps Trimble should explore pricing different Pro versions, or have add-ons for additional features at additional fees?
Just my opinions,
Glenn

Thanks for the link,
Sorry for not being clear, usually there are discussion threads here for updates.
Not being mentioned, was what I found strange.
Glenn

Thanks,
Ran the update, now version 15.3.331.
Rather strange that there wasn't any postings about it here?
Is there a list of bug fixes?
Glenn

Hi,
I'm running Pro 15.2.685 64 bit and earlier today received dialog box about newer version available.
Any one install it?
Thanks,
Glenn

Thanks Tyler. It would have been nice if Google clearly stated that in the article I referenced.
Glenn

"...end of the World...." that's what I was afraid of!! time to step up collecting fees from my clients.
Dave R. thanks for the info, huge relief!!! I think some of google earth is being rolled into maps, depending on what version & platform is being used. Looks like maps (or future variant) is their $$$ making machine, so it's safe for now.
Google Sets End Date for Google Earth API
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2473630,00.asp

Hello,
What will happen with geo-locate when google earth is discontinued next year?
Will the stand alone google earth program (outside of maps) still function?
Thanks,
Glenn

Thank you Trimble Sketchup team.
2015 Pro is working well for me. It’s stable & fast, not sure if that has to do with bug fixes (from 2014) or 64bit?
Also, thanks for not messing with the UI. I use sizer to set the window to specific size for post-processing in Photoshop. I was able to on the fly change from 2014 to 2015. Which worked out great since I had a couple of large SU files that needed exporting to png.
Thanks,
Glenn

Thank you for the link.
Glenn

Thanks,
but I think something is wrong with SU 2014. I spent some time working in pro 2013, that problem didn't occur.
Opened pro 2014 and black line and long save time randomly occurs.
I've also read a lot of posts here about 2014 issues.
Does anyone know how I can get in touch with Trimble about this?
If they are going to force us to pay yearly maintenance or face fines to reinstate, I think they should be held accountable with their releases.
Glenn

Thanks for the reply.
But why does this happen in SU 2014 and not prior versions?
Glenn