Sketchup......really?

[rob2218]

I'm starting this thread as an information gathering discussion.
I like sketchup. don't misunderstand me. I don't use it that much...just plucked and picked at it a bit.
But.....really? what's the fascination with it?
I mean...you see these design firms using sketchup...doing some amazing design work...and for what? then you have to THROW IT ALL AWAY cause, well the SKP file is garbage other than a pretty picture....
No converting the sketchup model information to walls, doors, windows..etc...no usable parts or pieces...just ONE GIANT object when translating into Archicad.....so...folks. for those of you who 'LOVE' sketchup...what's the fascination?
I can't see any use to a software where you can't continue the workflow into SD, DD, CD's and beyond? Yeah...I've seen the dude who only uses sketchup to do his CD's....Sonders I think is his name. Nice stuff.....but....that's one in a million....and he even admits that the level of details he puts in his MANY HUGE different SKP files would crash the system if they were all in ONE database file.

[Anonymous]

DGSketcher wrote:
Back to the OP... The best thing about Sketchup is it's simple 3D modelling capability which is so easy to use. It completely shames AC's morphs which seem so difficult to edit. I hope GS give the morph editing tools a usability make over soon.

Other than that I have been badly let down by the capabilities of the PRO version which in a team environment are far from PRO.

True...but I think their main focus has been on SU and field hardware intergration (buyouts and patents). they strike me as the next apple!
They have introduced MEP & Electrical?