Anybody out there been confronted with the new SketchUp- The web based, free app that is now called “SketchUp for web”.
My first time having to use it. Its so frustrating because of the changes and apparent lack of usability.
Will it get better? Is this just the cycle of relearning how to manipulate the new product?
I’ve been using it for more than 18 years, a couple projects a year- So I’m not going to pay for pro. Any suggestions for another designing, drawing program?
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I've been using SketchUp for Web since the beginning although I mostly use the desktop client version. There are some differences with the web-based version. The interface is different for one thing. There's no way to implement Ruby scripting for extensions so you are limited to the tools they provide. SketchUp Shop has more tools available along with additional importers and exporters.
The web based versions of SketchUp were designed to meet needs expressed by certain user groups. Since it runs in a browser the operating system doesn't matter. This means it runs on Windows, Mac, Linux and even the Chrome OS. Many schools can't afford full blown PC notebooks or Macbooks for their students so they've gone to Chromebooks which will run SketchUp for Web just fine.
For the developers the web version has some benefits. Every time you open a session you are getting the most up to date version they have. Sometimes they will push three or four updates in a week depending on what they are doing. This is all behind the scenes though so the user never sees it.
For woodworkers I think the web based version has a lot of benefits. If you want access to your models while you are working in the shop, you could use a cheap chrome instead of bringing your good higher end computer into the shop.
With a Trimble Connect account, which is free, you get some cloud storage included. This is useful if you want to access your files from a computer in your shop or at the library. Recently I did some SketchUp modeling for our local First Robotics group. Instead of trying to rewire the projector in the classroom to my computer, I uploaded the file to my Trimble Connect account. Then I opened SketchUp for Web on the school computer to show the group.
If you prefer the desktop client version of SketchUp, you can get SketchUp 2017 Make which is still available free for non-commercial use. You can find it at sketchup.com/download/all Trimble has committed to keeping that version available for the foreseeable future.
Don't write off the web version, though. They are continuing to add features to it all the time and it keeps getting better.
FWIW, although you need an internet connection to get SketchUp for Web open, save files, and access the 3D Warehouse, you don't need a constant connection just for modeling.
The version Sketchup I believe you are asking about frustrated me when it first came out and I haven't tried it since. It just didn't run well and didn't seem to have all the features I required. Don't know what the current version is like. I am currently still able to use the last version of Sketchup which can be downloaded for free, 2017, until it cannot be used again. I am currently looking for a reasonably priced alternative to SketchUp. The problem with all alternatives is the learning curve and, to some degree, the fact that not all really work all that well for woodworking. SketchList, which can be purchased online or from Rockler, is OK for square cabinet type projects with doors and drawers, which are most of my projects that I require a drawing for. Curves, etc. can be drawn but they aren't as easily drawn as with SketchUp. You can download a trial version for 30 days and try it but it is not completely intuitive so it will take some time to get used to. I am considering returning to my 2D program DeltaCad, which requires drawing various views to get all parts sized, but it is actually a lot easier to use than any of the 3d programs.
The web based version has changed a lot since it first came out.
Thanks for comments, and Dave thanks for the work you've submitted at Fine Woodworking- I've often referred to it.
So what happened is I used the icon for 'Sketchup Make 2017 that I've had on the dock for a while. The "Start Using Sketchup" link didn't work on the opening window but the "Try SketchUp for free" link did- and took me down the road to the Web version. After your note I opened again from the icon and this time got a "version not authorized" or some such warning. Then after about 20 minutes the icon worked fine from the dock going to the 2017 version.
So I don't know what was up, maybe I have to periodically refresh the account.
Thanks again
Correction: Its probably more like 9 years ago I started using SketchUp. Bad math on my part.
Thank you!
That's odd. Are you on Mac? I wonder what version you actually installed. At least it seems to be working now.
Hi Dave. Yes an Imac with Mojave ver.10.14.6 and SketchUp Make 17.3.116.
Its still running fine.
Good deal. It's at least worth knowing that Sketchup 2017, being released long before Mojave, does not support Mojave. Of course that doesn't mean it won't work but you could have odd behaviors. There have been a lot of reports of various applications that Mojave broke so you'll want to keep an eye open.
Hey, Dave! Glad to see you are still looking at the FWW forum since you are so knowledgeable and, I can attest, helpful.
I suggest we all pay attention to his adevice.
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