Google is the bad guy here. They are the owner and if they don't want Sketchup any more, it is their responsibility to make sure it all works out good. Especially if your company motto is "Don't be evil".
It is likely the SketchUp team in Boulder have been very active in this process - but this doesn't remove the responsibility from Google's shoulders.
I agree this cannot have been a money issue - so - Be honest with yourself - does anyone really thing Trimble is the right solution - can't you think up a better scenario?
The only peace of information we have been granted is the Trimble press release - 2 weeks and 600 comments later, we are still speculating.
And you know what - I guess its ALL the info we are going get - next thing we are going to hear is "There is going to be no SketchUp 9", and after saying that I really REALLY hope someone from Sketchup or Trimble will come tell me to shout-up - and tell me I don't know what I'm talking about! Really I hope.
So do we roll over and play dead or do we tell Google: "Sorry guys - just not good enough - its an undo, you made the mess - try again" or can we put our support somewhere else. In this case moi3d.com seems like a good really good option to me. Or can we start an open-source project via kickstarter?
I almost joined the wagon "Ahh - it will be OK - who would want mess up all the good SketchUp things", that was until I read BIMMER and realized he is properly way closer to the truth than anyone would like admit.
2 weeks later - what do we have - a press release "Really sorry Chaps - Game over - All the best to everyone"
The only thing ANYONE commits to is that you will be able to download Sketchup 8 fra free - which in 3 years will be as useful as a windows 95 download is today. Is that good enough!!
You don't believe me? Read the press release carefully - Here it is - with my "almost" un-biased plain english translation:
Plain English translations of the Trimble press release:
SUNNYVALE, Calif., April 26, 2012—Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire SketchUp
, one of the most popular 3D modeling tools in the world, from Google (NASDAQ: GOOG). The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2012, subject to customary closing conditions and expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act. While financial terms are not being disclosed the transaction is not expected to be material to 2012 earnings per share.
Translation: We make this press release because we have to by law, and we paid so little that we that it will have no influence on our profits, and therefore don't have to say how much we paid.
SketchUp is currently used by millions of users annually—ranging from architects to engineering and construction firms to building and design professionals—for designing, modeling and visualizing projects. The SketchUp product and its vision of "3D modeling for everyone" has allowed modelers worldwide, across a wide range of industries, to express design concepts easily, accurately and efficiently. Additionally, SketchUp users benefit from its extensive third-party developer community that provides industry-specific solutions for a variety of customers.
Translation: We have understood perfectly what SketchUp is all about, but we make no commitment to maintaining this vision in any way.
As part of the SketchUp platform, Trimble will also partner with Google on running and further developing SketchUp's 3D Warehouse, an online repository where users can find, share, store and collaborate on 3D models. The site enables users to create collections of models, including 3D Buildings, and share them with fellow modelers around the world. Individual models can be loaded, saved and viewed in 3D from within SketchUp or a web browser. For the foreseeable future, Google will host and operate the 3D Warehouse for Trimble and together the companies will continue to offer the same capabilities, functions and services that are offered today. The ability for users to submit 3D Buildings for potential acceptance and viewing in Google Earth will be maintained. Currently the 3D Warehouse has almost two million user-generated models.
Translation: We at Trimble have also understood perfectly what 3D warehouse is all about, but we don't want anything to do with it. Google, however, can host and operate 3D warehouse until whenever "foreseeable future" expires.
"SketchUp and the corresponding 3D Warehouse provide an important element of our long term strategy by enhancing the integration of our field presence with the wider enterprise," said Bryn Fosburgh, Trimble vice president. "Trimble has already created the de-facto standard for field data models and project management tools for our key markets. SketchUp, together with these existing capabilities, will provide a stand-alone and enterprise solution that will enable an integrated and seamless workflow to reduce rework and improve productivity for the customer. Users will be able to collect data, design, model, and collaborate on one platform. The combined capability will enhance our ability to extend our existing market applications including the cadastral, heavy civil, and building and construction industries. In addition, the SketchUp platform will enable Trimble, third-party developers and our distribution partners to efficiently develop new applications."
Translation: Sketchup is important to us and its a brilliant platform we can use to integrate our other software, so OUR customer in cadastral, heavy civil and construction can be more productive. On top of this we and our partners can use it to develop new stuff (for our customers).
"Since its inception, the SketchUp team has been committed to providing a robust, user-centric solution to its community and we look forward to engaging their talent and expertise. Beyond extending the reach of the product into Trimble's commercial markets, we are committed to continuing to provide SketchUp as a free version to millions of users. Trimble and Google will also continue to collaborate on utilizing other Google tools for Trimble's markets that, along with SketchUp, will provide our customers innovative and productive tools that transform their work," concluded Fosburgh.
Translation: We are happy that the SketchUp team is clever and engaged and we look forward to them coming working for us. We also like Google and we also look forward to using all their other tools.
We DO commit to millions of SketchUp users that they can always download SketchUp 8 for FREE.
"In Trimble, we found a partner that will grow SketchUp in a way that best supports the SketchUp team and our users," said Brian McClendon, Google's vice president of engineering. "While at Google, the SketchUp community grew significantly because the team put users first, and we are confident they will continue to do so at Trimble. We at Google look forward to a continued partnership with Trimble and the SketchUp team."
Translation: At Google we know that SketchUp grew because they put the users first, and we really hope Trimble will do the same.
SketchUp
As a part of Google, SketchUp's charter was to empower a worldwide community of users to create 3D models for whatever their imagination could envision. Examples range from household furniture to famous stadiums and other buildings. These users come from a variety of backgrounds, with a large part of SketchUp's user community coming from a professional architectural or engineering and construction background. As a part of Trimble, SketchUp will continue to support all of its current users through its Web site at: http://sketchup.google.com. Concurrently, the SketchUp engine will be integrated into Trimble's current solutions in its Engineering and Construction, Field Solutions and Mobile Solutions segments.
Translation: Okey, we get what SketchUp is all about, a waste number of different people using it for different things – And we promise to keep the SketchUp website up so you can always download Sketchup 8. In the future, however, the Sketchup engine will integrated into all our other software. (right ...)
About Trimble
Trimble applies technology to make field and mobile workers in businesses and government significantly more productive. Solutions are focused on applications requiring position or location—including surveying, construction, agriculture, fleet and asset management, public safety and mapping. In addition to utilizing positioning technologies, such as GPS, lasers and optics, Trimble solutions may include software content specific to the needs of the user. Wireless technologies are utilized to deliver the solution to the user and to ensure a tight coupling of the field and the back office. Founded in 1978, Trimble is headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif.
Translation: At Trimble we focus on stuff that actually has nothing to do with what SketchUp is all about, and sometimes we actually include some customer specific software ….
For more information, visit: http://3md.trimble.co.
Translation: If you don't believe me – check out our website ...
... yeah - I do admit the translation could be a bit over the top, but its easier to spot highlighted orange than small grey print.
