Google have just announced their release of SketchUp Pro 7.1. So what does that mean to me? Surely a “point release” as opposed to a full release won’t change much?
You might be a long way off the mark there. Here’s my quick analysis of the changes:
Dimensioning
Ever since SketchUp was born Architects and Engineers have been crying out – nay screaming for dimensioning of 2D views. We’ve been ignored and ignored for five years. Suddenly it’s here. I’m mind-boggled and reeling from this I must say. We always thought the reason for Google not releasing dimensioning tools was because they had a secret little agreement with you-know-who so that designers still had to buy 2D CAD. This appears to have been un-founded, especially in view of the next paragraph…
Collada in. DWG out
Google have announced their intention to support Collada as their main open file format (the one you can use to transfer CAD files from one app to another). This is a major blow for dwg and dxf (AutoCAD’s file formats) especially when you consider SketchUp Free won’t be supporting them any more. Anyone for Autodesk shares? Anyone?
Handling large models
Along with dimensioning and flickering shadows in animations, handling large models has been at the top of the wish-list for years. Thank you Google. Thankyou!
Get Photo Texture / Nearby Models
Driving ever forward the integration of Google Earth with SketchUp, these two functions are a major, major leap. It means that SketchUp is the only 3D Modelling application with full 2-way sharing between Google Earth at the click of a button.
Analysis of Google’s intentions
What seems clear from this release is that Google wants there to be a larger distinction between Free and Pro versions. This would be to drive up sales of Pro from an already massive Free user base. They are doing this by offering further enhancements to Pro, especially in terms of CAD dimensioning capability within Layout 7.1. Furthermore, closing down DWG/DXF capability in Free and moving to Collada breaks Autodesk’s hold on the CAD market, allowing other CAD applications to jump into the breach.
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