PaulMarcel Posted May 22, 2013 Report Share Posted May 22, 2013 From the news release: SUNNYVALE, Calif., May 22, 2013—Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) today introduced SketchUp 2013, the latest version of the popular 3D modeling platform used by millions around the world, including architects, engineers, building and design professionals and members of the fast-growing maker community. Featuring new capabilities for professional users, an Extension Warehouse for add-on tools and a rebranding of the software’s free version as SketchUp Make, the new release marks the first major update since Trimble’s acquisition of SketchUp from Google in April 2012. The enhancements underscore SketchUp’s strategic value as part ofTrimble Buildings, a group formed in 2012 to offer hardware, software and service offerings for streamlined communication throughout the Design-Build-Operate (DBO) lifecycle of construction. “Trimble has always recognized that one of the biggest challenges facing the construction industry today is ensuring effective, clear and consistent collaboration between professionals involved in all phases of a construction project,” said Chris Keating, director of Trimble Buildings’ Architecture Division. “SketchUp is an important tool to address this industry need. That’s why Trimble has already implemented several SketchUp integrations with Trimble’s data modeling and project management tools. SketchUp 2013 marks the first step in a continuous technology investment that will benefit SketchUp’s existing user community and other Trimble customers across the construction industry.” 3D for Professionals and Hobbyists SketchUp Pro 2013 provides professional users with more powerful tools to easily explore, modify and share design ideas in 3D. As in previous versions, users can quickly design and visualize in 3D, import CAD plans, photos, aerial imagery, and then use SketchUp Pro’s documentation tools to develop communication and planning deliverables. For example, architects can quickly evolve design ideas and document modeling work to reflect changing project requirements. SketchUp Pro also enables engineers, general contractors and building owners to drive design discussions and generate commercial deliverables such as conceptual estimates, construction drawings, RFI’s and full-screen digital presentations. The new release includes several improvements to SketchUp Pro’s 2D documentation capabilities, including enhanced vector drawing tools, faster rendering and zooming, and customizable hatching styles. These updates make SketchUp Pro more powerful, precise and customizable for detailing, dimensioning and organizing models in professional documents. In addition to serving the commercial market with SketchUp Pro, Trimble will continue to provide a free, entry-level, 3D drawing tool—now named SketchUp Make—enabling makers and hobbyists of all kinds to bring their ideas to life. New Extension Warehouse Provides Easy Access to Customized SketchUp Tools Since 2004, third-party developers have been using SketchUp’s open and free API to build custom tools for SketchUp users. This plugin ecosystem grew throughout SketchUp’s years at Google and now—in Trimble’s first update—dedicated developers and their valuable modeling tools finally have a home within SketchUp. The Extension Warehouse makes it easier than ever for users to search, find and install SketchUp extensions. As developers begin using the Extension Warehouse to manage, market and support their extensions, SketchUp users can expect to have easy access to more and more task-specific tools. “We may have changed companies, but our commitment to delivering smart and efficient design tools is stronger than ever,” said John Bacus, director of SketchUp product management at Trimble. “We noticed that a big percentage of our professional users were using plugins, so part of making SketchUp more efficient is making it easier for them to find the tools they need, when they need them. We often say that SketchUp is better off because of the work done by our developer community—now, SketchUp users are better off too.” SketchUp Pro and SketchUp Make are available now. Additional information and downloads are available at: www.sketchup.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thewoodwhisperer Posted May 22, 2013 Report Share Posted May 22, 2013 Just to compare notes, it looks like there is only one version to download which is Pro. You then have an 8 hr preview window to use the pro version after which you either purchase a license or you stay with SketchUp Make. This wasn't immediately clear to me so I'm curious if anyone else had a different experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulMarcel Posted May 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 22, 2013 Oh, didn't know that. I just got the press release and thought to post it. I scribble on cocktail napkins then wonder why things go terribly wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryMcK Posted May 23, 2013 Report Share Posted May 23, 2013 Just trying it out on Windows version and it is definitely quicker to load. I need to have a full look at it before I ditch my Sketchup 8. Incidently if you save in the new version you will NOT be able to load those models in any of the older versions so beware. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STL Woodguy Posted May 23, 2013 Report Share Posted May 23, 2013 When Google had it, even though it worked well, it always had the feeling of being a clunky 'when-we-have-time' side project. Even though it looks similar on the hood, the new Sketchup really feels more like a first-class citizen, does feel faster, and I like the Extensions manager. Looking forward to good things under Trimble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thewoodwhisperer Posted May 23, 2013 Report Share Posted May 23, 2013 So wait. Google has side projects that they don't pay attention to and eventually abandon?! Say it ain't so!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan S Posted May 23, 2013 Report Share Posted May 23, 2013 the first thing I noticed, was that the follow meet tool works better. Even in 8, if you made a cube and then tried to round over the corners, it would always fail at corners, and make the 1/8th of a sphere that is the corner would disappear, and that doesn't happen in the new version. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryMcK Posted May 30, 2013 Report Share Posted May 30, 2013 The Style Builder module freezes my Windows 7 64 bit machines. You have to reboot with the power switch - not good. Not even been able to look at it so don;t know what it does. Tried it on several different machines and still the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thewoodwhisperer Posted May 30, 2013 Report Share Posted May 30, 2013 I also get lockups but when exiting on a mac, usually when viewing a model made with an old version of SketchUp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CessnaPilotBarry Posted May 31, 2013 Report Share Posted May 31, 2013 Aside from different icons, so far, I haven't noticed any huge differences, on either my Win7x64 desktop, or my older Vista 17" shop laptop. I haven't tried it yet on the little Win7 Netbook I take on business trips. I've tried opening, modifying, and saving/closing past projects, the PopWood 21st Century Workbench, with no issues noted... I'm NOT a user who normally draws to distribution level detail, so I may miss issues others notice. I normally draw to a working drawing level of detail, as I would with paper. I did have to recreate my template, with toolbars, and my "window stack" (Components, Styles, etc...), but I could still save it as Barry's Woodworking Template. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Countryside Workshop Posted September 28, 2013 Report Share Posted September 28, 2013 Well my Mac crashed and I was forced to download sketchup 2013. It looks like you cant import .skm files for new materials in the free version anyway. Does anyone know a work around? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobcrosley Posted October 2, 2013 Report Share Posted October 2, 2013 Looks like the materials browser for Mac is a little useless. Here are some things that might help. There doesn't seem to be an import feature, just a manual process. http://help.sketchup.com/en/article/142374 http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=463122#p463122 http://help.sketchup.com/en/article/114966 Hope it helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmaichel Posted October 7, 2013 Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 I am using 8 for my current project do I need to download 2013? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Pritchard Posted October 7, 2013 Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 I am using 8 for my current project do I need to download 2013? I have heard there are some issues with 2013 saving files that aren't then backwards compatible. So if you collaborate with others online, then you would all need to upgrade to the latest version. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmaichel Posted October 7, 2013 Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 I went to download the free version of Sketchup 2013 and may have run into a problem. I don't think I can you use the free version if I plan on including a project drawing as a downloadable file in the my magazine. Is there an alternative to sketchup, 2D is fine does not have to be 3D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryMcK Posted October 7, 2013 Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 James you can still share models via the Google Warehouse so just put a link to it in the magazine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmaichel Posted October 7, 2013 Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 James you can still share models via the Google Warehouse so just put a link to it in the magazine. I didn't think about that, thanks Terry! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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