SketchUp 7 is out

[Eduardo Rolon]

sketchup

Now with "BIM" capabilities.

[Karl Ottenstein]

TomWaltz wrote:
Somehow I doubt any patent Graphisoft filed would have caused another software company to have to pay them to use it.

You seem unaware about what software and technology patents do and can do, Tom. There is a reason that Microsoft, Apple and IBM have huge patent revenues, trading and large legal departments.

Yes, Oreopolis, unfortunately beginning in around the 1970's or maybe it was 1980's, the patent office began permitting the patenting of what to most programmers were totally obvious and even trivial techniques and concepts including UI and "look and feel" issues. It is a real shame ... but unfortunately, that is the legal game today - and big players have to play it.

Cheers,
Karl

[Anonymous]

My implementation barrier is that I simply know Archicad too well and like anyone earning a living, there's precious little time to experiment with the novel.

How about just the short story?

How's the Artlantis book coming?

[TomWaltz]

Karl wrote:

TomWaltz wrote:
Somehow I doubt any patent Graphisoft filed would have caused another software company to have to pay them to use it.

You seem unaware about what software and technology patents do and can do, Tom. There is a reason that Microsoft, Apple and IBM have huge patent revenues, trading and large legal departments.

OK.... then educate us. I'm sure I'm not the only one. Give us some examples. This might be basic to you, but it's probably not something everyone knows.

[Anonymous]

I really can't see what is new with Sketchup's new stretch method and configure in a spreadsheet that could give them a patent. There are smaller cad-softwares around the world that are specially configured for building industry rather than architecture and consultants where you configure your objects in a system similar to spreadsheets. So it should be very hard for Google to point exactly what is revolutionary with their product.

[Chazz]

I maintain that SU7 is a big deal.

We just hired a new gal here and after evaluating AC12 and SU7 we decided to go with Google. It was so much easier to learn (even with me as a trainer on staff) and was much more flexible. On top of that, it is half the cost of upgrading one of the fallow AC10 licenses we have sitting around. She is not doing traditional Architecture ('course neither am I or the rest of the folks on my team) but still.....

The power of SU7 --or any tool-- is not so much about what it can do now as about the vision and momentum behind it. On that score, SU7 is massive winner.

[Djordje]

TurboGlider wrote:
I really can't see what is new with Sketchup's new stretch method and configure in a spreadsheet that could give them a patent. There are smaller cad-softwares around the world that are specially configured for building industry rather than architecture and consultants where you configure your objects in a system similar to spreadsheets. So it should be very hard for Google to point exactly what is revolutionary with their product.

Did they check Generative Components maybe?

[Djordje]

Chazz wrote:
The power of SU7 --or any tool-- is not so much about what it can do now as about the vision and momentum behind it. On that score, SU7 is massive winner.

Yep. You should also use it for what it is meant for.

Any SUV is great on the road, often better than a LandCruiser or a Land Rover. Then the road stops.

And the weakest point, always between the chair and the monitor (no, not the keyboard) shows. Or not ...

Not to rain on your parade, but I have done 3D models in AutoCAD in the late 80s and have tried all of their architectural AddOns - yes, full 3D, sections, etc ... but it is NOT IT.

[Chazz]

Djordje wrote:
Not to rain on your parade, but I have done 3D models in AutoCAD in the late 80s and have tried all of their architectural AddOns - yes, full 3D, sections, etc ... but it is NOT IT.

Agreed. SU is not yet ready to take over the production work of most traditional architectural offices, though some optimists might try. My point is simply that this release has, at the margins, made an inroad into what might have been a safe ArchiCAD sale. We do retail design. The gal we hired does fixture design (for our stores) which, granted, is not something AC is perfect for but up till now has been done quite well with ArchiCAD. SU is fast, fluid and cheep and has the backing of the only player bigger than Autodesk.

I think SU is going places.

[Djordje]

Chazz wrote:
Agreed. SU is not yet ready to take over the production work of most traditional architectural offices, though some optimists might try. My point is simply that this release has, at the margins, made an inroad into what might have been a safe ArchiCAD sale. We do retail design. The gal we hired does fixture design (for our stores) which, granted, is not something AC is perfect for but up till now has been done quite well with ArchiCAD. SU is fast, fluid and cheep and has the backing of the only player bigger than Autodesk.

I think SU is going places.

It definitely is.

However, if it grows to become "serious" (for example, how do you do the joinery details for your retail fixtures?) it will lose the fluidity and the playfulness. The same way that ArchiCAD did after 7. 6.o to 7 were the best versions where you could do everything you needed, while having fun. Since 8.0 (brrrrr ...) there is no fun.

LET'S BRING THE FUN BACK!!!

[Anonymous]

Djordje wrote:
there is no fun.

LET'S BRING THE FUN BACK!!!

I agree partly. I really disliked versions 8 and 9 (new working methods > insufficient - nuisance - no real goal for me). They changed the ease of working I used to have in 6.5. Having AC10(+!) workenvironment and all it's settings brought full 3D documentation and direct input a lot closer to me as end user.

To be honest, I'm glad to have had my AC introduction in the good old days. For new starters I agree, all rings and bells are hard to overlook, not near the simplicity of SU. But who can blame GS if I see the all the - mostly relevant - wishes from us users?