Google sold Sketchup - anyone else think this is really BAD ?

[Santoro]

I don't like where this is going - better go download the latest version while its still free and tuck it away.

http://sketchupdate.blogspot.com/2012/04/new-home-for-sketchup.html

[ShadeValryn]

Good call.  I'm sure people will mirror the latest version somewhere.  But even so, it'll be good to have a copy on hand.  It does suck that it might no longer be free here soon.

[TopJimmyCooks]

I believe that it will remain a free product.  In a sense, it could be better, Trimble is heavy into GIS, while Google is primarily into advertising.  I have some trepidation but:

A.  I'm happy with my license of sketchup pro 6 w/layout, and 8 free if I am using shadows/getting glitches. I can do what I want and I can handle/work around shortcomings.
B.  Google development of the SW was pretty slow and spotty, i.e. large bugs (like the shadow glitch thing) in the SW for 5 years and several major releases.  It could be worse but it could be better.  

Just to be sure make sure you've got anything you really want from the 3d warehouse in the next few months.  maybe someone will mirror the whole thing elsewhere.  Google can and does pull services like that with little notice.  

[SavannahLion]

 

But it has happened that free software has turned in to pay software. Usually I've seen it with "amateur" turned "pro" tools but nothing would stop the new company from quietly dropping the free version. I've been quite happy with sketchup and I've been delighted to see the community developed plugins. Hands down, the 3d manipulation was the most intuitive on release. I hope it continues....

[Woodshop Flunky]

I love Sketchup for one main reason... speed.  I've used many different CAD and 3D modelling tools since the mid 90's, and I can get ideas from my head into 3D faster with this tool than any other.

This tool is GREAT for the home shop.  When I go into my shop to build a bookcase, I don't need 100% detailed CAD drawings for the case.  I can quickly put together a very nice, accurate Sketchup drawing, with major dimensions... and get to work.

I'm hoping the new owners of Sketchup don't miss this point.  When I sit in design meetings at work, the discussions usually try to take, at some point, a very predictable path... "If 12 features are good, then 144 features are just that much better!"  

[Santoro]

More info. 

http://ww2.trimble.com/3d/Trimble_Customers_FAQ_SketchUp_pre-close_FINAL_20120426.pdf

They say a few things that are reassuring, including that there will still be a free version, but the repeated use of the word 'industry' gives me pause.  I don't think they are going to care about hobbyists at all.

[kahlid74]

Well, I'd love to stay positive about this but I'm not getting the warm and fuzzies here.

[Unstupid]

Re: Google sold Sketchup - anyone else think this is really BAD ?

Yes... Sketchup is really BAD!

[compute]

I hope that they keep the free version going, and that the 3D Warehouse stays alive.  I used this program to lay out my basement, and it was pretty great.  There's no way I would have paid to use it, and the warehouse is what pushed me to choose Sketchup, because damn near anything is already modeled well.