yea  sketchup isn't cheap £315.00 which would be about $600 I think, but not as expensive as some other modelers I supose. Then again it hasnt got  a renderer built in as such apart form the sketchy look (which is really good for some stuff) but bryce seems to be the answer to that.

I happend to get it  as I was doing some work on a web site and some other artwork for a structural engineers.  I had a go on it while there and was hooked.  As they had to buy quite a few licenses anyway I had them get me one  as part of my payment for the work (well most of the payment really) because i thought if I got the money id probably never get round to getting it. 

 I notice the upgrade form the last version is £60.00.  I just  hope the upgrade to version 6 when it comes out is affordable.