Thanks for the inputs. Yes, I use Google Earth and checked out 3D Warehouse. In fact I asked him specifically about that and his comment was, "Oh it goes way deeper than that". It was at that point that I was beginning to think that the only thing deep was the line of BS I am being fed.

To its credit, 3D Warehouse is pretty cool. Did a few buildings myself somewhere in the wilds of Japan. I went through the entire tutorial on Lynda.com by George Mastri on SketchUp. I did a photo input of my own house and that worked ok, for Google Earth. When I tried to use that particular object for creating a real 3D model of my house, it's inaccuracies come to roost. It's not made for that and I understand. There is no free lunch, you have to do the work, get the dimensions right or nothing lines up. I'm not making construction drawings but they still need to be reasonably accurate. At that point I started in earnest in making a model of my house just to see whats the effort involved. It's not impossible nor is it trivial. There is a lot of fine work that I've already seen in gallery photos of things people have done. That kind of work is not just "knocked off in a weekend". Which in the end gets to my point. I would not mind learning SketchUp, at my own pace and on my own projects. To dive in headlong as a 4th leg of my business work with the pressure of becoming expert on another CAD program with deadlines, commitments, etc. and a very, very sketchy business plan. I don't think so.

From what I can gather, I'm guessing there is a lot of SketchUp work being done for architecture. I can see that. Much like the way Max is being used I suspect. That market has the budget to pay properly for the work. Someone comes to you with the promise of lots of business, especially in this crap economy, it does make you want to take a second look before you dismiss something right off.

Me thinks I'll make a polite retreat but keep looking at sketchup on the side at my own pace.

I'll peruse this board some more and look for some answers to some other questions I have and keep SketchUp in my dock.

Thanks for the help.

I am a n00b to SketchUp but not to 3D. I have a question with regard to business opportunities using SketchUp rendered architectural drawings for use on the web. I have a person who has contacted me to create SketchUp 3D drawings for use on business (Restaurant in particular) web sites. I have listened to his pitch and for the moment, I am not sure I'm buying it. Before I dismiss the idea, however, I thought it would be best to talk to a community of SketchUp users to get their opinions.

What he wants me to do is reverse engineer existing buildings/offices/restaurants and recreate them in SketchUp. His idea (market) is these business can put this model on their respective web sites so visitors can do a virtual walk through of the establishment. I find this interesting .... but. I already work in 3D. I know how long it takes to make a fairly accurate model in a 3D app. I know how long it takes to texture it. I know how long it takes to light it and I know how long it takes to make a photo realistic model. In this case, I'm not even starting with a construction drawing (although there may be cases where that is available) but more the case, I'm first shlepping around a tape measure, pencil and paper and a camera and then starting the model. This is a lot of work. All very possible, obviously in SketchUp or any other sufficiently competent 3D package. Where I'm having extreme difficulty is understanding where some business is going to fork over a few K dollars so they can have a 3D "You are here" drawing on their website. It is just not ringing true to me.

My angst comes from the fact that I know the time that is required to competently learn a 3D package. I've gone through SketchUp and it does have some nice features to it. That being said, my personal bias from already working in other 3D packages has caused me some gnashing of teeth that I'm sure I can overcome should the opportunity be real. This person HAS to have SketchUp, so he says. He wants me to dive in and do a whole bunch of work believing in his idea. Me, I believe in cash as well as opportunity cost. I will make the effort if there really is a market for what he says, but I really don't believe it thus there is a fairly significant opportunity cost in pursuing this avenue should it not pan out. I work currently in Maya, Max and Solidworks. Understand, I'm not knocking SketchUp. At the end of the day, I'm a businessman and I will do that which gives me business. I also, I'm sure like all of you too, do not have infinite hours in the day to pursue 57 things all at the same time. If it really makes sense and I want to pursue it, I'll do it but a little advice from others currently using SketchUp and knowing how/where it is being applied would be appreciated.

So is this guy blowing sunshine up my butt or is there really work in this specific market as I've described?