for those designers out there:
http://www.sketchup.com/index.php?id=1451

it's kind of disappointing since I imagine Google will use this for information rendering and not for the design fields out there... let's just hope they maintain their path....

3/14/2006 1:25:19 PM

already posted http://www.thewolfweb.com/message_topic.aspx?topic=277774&page=11

has anyone ever used SketchUp? I tried it once and it seemed to be the most awkward program to use. I drew a deck for my townhouse in it, and it took forever.

3/14/2006 1:27:29 PM

yes, thanks, but this is for those who don't associate this as much with google as they do with sketchup, sorry for the repost, but i'd like to talk about it outside the google thread to see what others have to say about it, rather than just 'an announcement'

and yes, i use this program professionally.

and NO there are no plans for a free version, read the FAQ here:
http://www.sketchup.com/index.php?id=1440

i can really see this as a change of focus for @Last, it's focus was always on the design field for ease of use design/3d/sketching. i find it great that you can use Google Earth in conjunction with Sketchup, but when Google actually OWNS the company i highly doubt that this will remain as design orientated as it has been, most likely this will turn into some sort of information modeling program (aka to beef up Google Earth)

[Edited on March 14, 2006 at 1:35 PM. Reason : .]

3/14/2006 1:29:13 PM

Quote :

"There are currently no plans to change the pricing model of SketchUp or to offer it for free."

I seriously would take that with a grain of salt.
I cannot imagine that Google would continue to charge almost $500 for any piece of software. I would bet you a nickel that by the end of the year there will be a version available for under $50, if not free.

3/14/2006 1:35:44 PM

obviously you haven't used SketchUp. Unlike picasa which is a photo sharing & organization tool, this is a professionally used 3d modeling application in which the ONLY interest Google would have in such software would be directly related to modeling information (which up until this point can only mean some direct link to Google Earth & Maps)

if you've seen Google Earth, which I'm sure you have, you'd notice their latest attempt at modeling major cities in 3d, this is what i predict they are going to use SketchUp for, somehow bringing the two applications together.

but to offer such a robust 3d modelling app for free would be obsurd, unless they had some program for people to model buildings and submit them to be put on Google Earth/Maps... again, a tad scary for such a major focus change for a program that has up until now been solely for designers.

OH, and btw, Google Earth Pro is $400/year, not $500, but pretty darn close...

but you never know, maybe they'll release a SketchUp Viewer for free

[Edited on March 14, 2006 at 4:48 PM. Reason : .]

3/14/2006 4:37:56 PM

^ yeah, something like that.
Google Earth has 3 levels - free, $20, $400
The free or Plus version is good for 95% of users. The $400 version is for News stations, land developers, etc. I can see something similar for SketchUp.
They can make a dumbed down version for everyone else where we can make simple models, maybe try to model or house, or make models to build a new dog house or something.
Then they can sell the pro version like they do now with all the bells and whistles for $300 or $400 or whatever. However they do it, they will sell a hell of a lot more copies than @Last probably does now.

3/14/2006 5:34:43 PM

not going to happen.

SketchUp isn't a "tiered" application. You either have it or not. It would be completely stupid to create multiple versions of it, because it's already such a highly integrated piece of software.

Damn near every architectural firm and architect I know uses it and LOVES it. And $500 bucks for a program like this is a fucking steal compared to other applications in the field.

And the thing that makes sketch SO desireable is the HUGE inventory of free objects already out there. Making the program free would eliminate the only source of revenue for @Last. And very very very few "regular joes" would have any use for the program, much less would want to learn it to make google earth models.

[Edited on March 14, 2006 at 6:17 PM. Reason : .]

3/14/2006 6:15:09 PM

^ they'll just continue buying random apps to embed in their OS to blow away the shitty packaged software with Windows so ppl wont have to buy additional software and they will eat microsoft for lunch when they launch it

3/14/2006 6:17:46 PM

What? You do realize SketchUp is a pretty small market program right?

3/14/2006 6:21:57 PM

our last high rise design came back to us from the architect as a sketchup file. it's fucking amazing the ease it has with rotating, zooming in/out and changing light angles and all on the fly.

very nice program.

3/14/2006 8:32:46 PM

I've played around with it a bit and was impressed as well.

3/14/2006 9:51:27 PM

i also use sketch up professionally as a landscape architect. sketch up is a very useful tool. it is a little trick to get used to, but overall it is a very simple program. once you learn a few basics. most important thing is to organize your model and not let your part get "stuck" together.

simple, powerful and cheep, cant beat it.

3/14/2006 11:08:33 PM

Well to all your naysayers - check this out - SketchUp is now FREE - http://sketchup.google.com/

It looks like they've apparently done the impossible and made it a tiered application. You can get the personal use version for free, while the Professional version is still $495. But the Personal version is hardly crippled. You can still create models, export to Google Earth or upload to Google's 3D Warehouse and print. It looks like the Pro version does various file type imports and exports, high-res printing, and I guess everything that the original sketchup could do.

they've started a "3D warehouse" of searchable, taggable models. They've prepouplated it with hundreds (?) of models, and it looks like you can upload your own into the warehouse. You can download directly as Sketchup files, or as Google Earth KMZ files.
you can even load the entire Warehous into Google Earth at the same time (i wonder how that will scale.....) - http://services.google.com/earth/kmz/3D_Warehouse.kmz
there is now a link on the Google Earth page for that http://earth.google.com/3d.html

via InsideGoogle - http://tinyurl.com/z82rr

4/27/2006 3:33:24 AM

Quote :

"but you never know, maybe they'll release a SketchUp Viewer for free "

FYI: this personal version, although all the tools are there it's MISSING some SIGNIFICANT tools:

Quote :

"Print and export raster images at higher-than-screen resolution. Access to the following 3D export formats: DWG, DXF, 3DS, OBJ, XSI, VRML and FBX. Export animations and walkthroughs as MOV (Mac) or AVI (Windows) files. "

If you can't print higher than screen resolution (72dpi) then really all you're doing is modeling 3D models for the digital realm (read:Google Earth) which is exactly what Google wants you to do.

I have to say 3D warehouse is a brilliant marketing move. They will sell a lot more Pro versions like you stated earlier...

BTW, here's the 3D link: http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/

[Edited on April 27, 2006 at 11:40 AM. Reason : .]

4/27/2006 11:32:35 AM

this program is pretty sweet...i am not good at it yet but it has plenty of potential...i tried to make a little rectangular warehouse and it looks morel like some diagram from an advanced physics class hah

4/27/2006 2:03:11 PM

Is Sketchup made by Sheinz?

4/27/2006 2:13:26 PM

this program is pretty cool, i did my MAE 421 Solar House in that program. I actually found out about it from this thread. it worked out well:

4/27/2006 2:30:20 PM

Those trees look straight out of who-ville.

4/27/2006 3:17:07 PM

Quote :

"I would bet you a nickel that by the end of the year there will be a version available for under $50, if not free."

oh, btw - you all owe me a nickel each

4/27/2006 3:48:35 PM

if you run through those tutorials its pretty easy to get the hang of...pretty sweet program

4/27/2006 4:42:50 PM

damn, this is a pretty nice little program
wish it had a couple more features though

4/27/2006 6:42:36 PM

you tried the "Place Model" option on the Google menu? i guess theres a way to specify coordinates but I made some building and they just stuck it in colorado haha

4/28/2006 9:14:09 AM

I guess we can expect this to eventually be touted as the next great Google "innovation"

4/28/2006 9:48:47 AM

have you heard it "touted" as anything? I don't think google is trying to take credit for any of this - i.e. the idea of sketchup or the original creation. But give credit where credit is due - they're taking a very powerful, yet simple to use program and giving it away free to the masses, and giving them a good platform to make and share some very interesting works of art.

4/28/2006 11:52:57 AM

Somebody make some 3-d models of the buildings in downtown Charlotte already!!

btw its pretty cool how this program interacts with Google Earth...you open Google Earth to where you wanna go, and then download the image overlay into SketchUp and then you adjust the building you made to fit...cool shit!

4/28/2006 1:17:20 PM

not bad, eh?

4/28/2006 2:19:39 PM

damn this program is cool

4/28/2006 3:21:02 PM

damn you're good at that

4/28/2006 3:30:09 PM

i havent tried to make one look like a sketch like that yet

4/28/2006 3:37:55 PM

i did a crude model of our office building and saved some snapshots from the right angles, compared to photos

this program is more addicting than crack!!

4/28/2006 3:40:55 PM

haven't played with it much

but can you place an image in the workspace and then design from there? cause your perspectives are perfect between the two pictures

4/28/2006 3:50:03 PM

i need a picture of a building to do

4/28/2006 3:52:26 PM

^^dunno...what i did was take a couple existing pictures and try to zoom/scroll around to that angle in SketchUp, and then update some surfaces where need be...course I've worked in this building for years and have a decent idea of all sides of it

Also I went on Google Earth originally and found the building (2-d)...I got the approximate length and width measurements of the building footprint, then I drew my first rectangle to approximately those specs...i would recommend anyone doing the three tutorials to figure out the program, they are pretty easy to run and learn...just go to Help, Self Paced Tutorials, and then start with part 1!

4/28/2006 3:59:14 PM

how did you get approx dimensions with google earth?

4/28/2006 4:02:54 PM

i used the Measure Tool (Ctrl + 6)...got close measurements...then when I did my first rectangle I tried to make it as close to the Google #'s as possible

i ended up making the .kmz file too and i figured since I wanted to make the .kmz file and put it into Google Earth, i might as well go to Google Earth first and get those dimensions instead of using blueprint dimensions or whatever

honestly one of the trickiest things about those comparison pics I posted was finding the right angle and viewpoint

4/28/2006 4:05:21 PM

cool, someone tell me a building they want done
i cant decide

4/28/2006 4:07:45 PM

but you start off with Google Earth open to the site/property/land you want to make your 3-d model for

with Google Earth looking at the right plot of land, go to SketchUp and select "Get Current View" from the Google menu...that SHOULD inlay the Google Earth 2-d image in your SketchUp workspace...then you might have to Toggle Terrain on the Google menu

the reason I say it SHOULD inlay is because I had to update to the latest version of Google Earth...also had to start it with the "googleearth.exe /regserver" extension

I found out all that shit from the SketchUp help center though...Help menu, Help Center

^do a skyscraper in downtown charlotte

or wahtever<]

4/28/2006 4:08:26 PM

im deciding between the university tower (pickle building) and the ccb building in durham

4/28/2006 4:14:11 PM

somebody already did all the state campus buildings? i bet harrelson wouldnt be too bad...draw a circle...lift it up...shade...done

4/28/2006 4:15:09 PM

im having trouble with dimensions. i know how to dimension the rectangle but if i need a 35' where both ends are 20' from a corner i dont know how to do that

4/28/2006 4:44:36 PM

yeah its kinda tricky...i had to guess a few things...plus the building i did was only like 160' x 65'

4/28/2006 5:10:34 PM

well i can get it by just displaying a measurement and dragging points, but there has to be a real way to do it

4/28/2006 5:11:15 PM

hmmm...yeah i dont really know...learned a few things about the program but still have plenty to learn

4/28/2006 5:15:27 PM

draw lines 20 feet from the corners, then place your rectangle on the endpoint of those lines

4/28/2006 5:52:22 PM

basically i am trying to make an octagon shape by cutting off the corners
the primary sides are 60' long

4/28/2006 6:10:43 PM

any luck with your progress Jon?

4/29/2006 12:20:55 PM

ahahahaha



MARIO WILLIAMS BABY!

4/29/2006 12:37:43 PM

Quote :

"any luck with your progress Jon?"

nah i started working on some solidworks stuff that i actually needed to do

but i think i figured out a way to make the exact octagon

4/29/2006 12:54:29 PM

I sketched out a nice little villa design I'd been carrying around in my head in about 15 minutes. Very intuitive program.

4/29/2006 5:18:13 PM

i'm trying to figure out how to design my room for the apt i'm moving into (i.e., desk placement and possible loft creation)

could i use this to do that?

i'm moving into a much smaller space so i'm gonna have to visualize this shit

5/2/2006 11:07:12 AM