Attached Link: http://sketchup.google.com/index.html

...In case you don't know- Google now owns Sketch-Up and is giving a LITE version away for FREE...

There are a number of FREE models of world Landmarks (which you can use to populate a Google Map) and/or Google Sketch-Up can also EXPORT files in 3DS, DWG, DXF, OBJ, XSI, VRML, and FBX file formats...

Attached Link: http://sketchup.google.com/vtutorials.html

...One of the BEST things about Google Sketch-Up is that there is a TON of Free On-Line Video Tutorials on how to use it!...It's almost like a FREE Community College Course on using a 3D modeling program- Primarily for Computer Aided Design of Buildings (which you can populate your Vue scenes with if you need to create villages, towns or cities...)

Attached Link: http://download.sketchup.com/sketchuphelp/gsu6_win/gsuwin.html

...There is also a FREE On-Line manual (Windows and MAC versions)- which makes it pretty easy and convient as well as you are learning the program...

...Of course...Google HOPES you like the FREE version so much that you will BUY the PRO version- but, HEY, what a GREAT MARKETING CONCEPT!...(Wouldn't it be nice if other software was available like this?)

Quote - ....Of course...Google HOPES you like the FREE version so much that you will BUY the PRO version- but, HEY, what a GREAT MARKETING CONCEPT!...(Wouldn't it be nice if other software was available like this?)

Yep, when you don't have to actually make a bottom-line with your 'free' product, then it's easy to wear a white hat. Just like Microsoft did with Explorer-- which ended up killing other great products like Netscape and Mosaic. In fact, look what MS has done to the software tools market, and so many other markets they've destroyed by giving away free product. It's a sweet deal, give it away free, get people hooked on it, then kill all your competition...the grand old Walmart way.

I've owned Sketchup since it was first released. It's a very nice product, and kudos to them for getting themselves purchased. Still, it's difficult for companies like e-on to give away and support free products, when their primary means of generating revenue is only through product sales. Same can't be said about Google.

BTW, Just in case you didn't know, this is pretty old news. Sketchup has been free since last May.

best,
Chipp

Hi ! I downloaded and installed the free google-sketchup. Without explanation, it tried to connect to internet, I intecepted that, and threw away google-sketchup. Some months ago, I scratched google earth, because the licence says that they can do ev'rything they want with the information they gather about me. Not nice. We know that everything that goes on the web leaves traces, is filed and analyzed somewhere. Well, I've got nothing to hide :-) But google is too much a giant big brother now, it seems that no government can control them anymore, nor know, where on the globe they store their data. I can live without google, for the instant. Protection of information is an illusion, I know, - I hope rendero won't sell to google !

I thought Google Sketchup was very limited in export file formats therefore quit useless to Vue or Bryce users....

What file format do you export to? Am I missing something....???

The free version can not export.  BUT, you can download the demo of the full version.  It's good for 8 hours of use.  That's a lot of time to just open it up and export something.  I like the program, just can't justify getting the full version for a hobby.  They do offer a great discount for students. 

So what are the other differences between the two versions of Sketchup?

The full version allows exports and has the ability to adjust the land so it matches the building.  Forgot what they call it, but for an architect, this would be a must have feature.  They have a comparison chart on their web site. 

I bought v4 several years ago and when Google bought SU it was in v5.  I thought about buying the $99 upgrade but decided not too.  Low and behold it was a great decision because Google SU is now in v6 and Google is upgrading all Pro users of any past version to v6 for FREE!  God Bless you Google...

If you look on the content downloads page, Google is scheduling a lot of new content for the near future.  As mentioned, you can't export, but you can create some nice BMP's and other bitmap formats, which would look good in PS, AI, or other 2D progs.  Maybe even Vue.

The Pro version allows import and exporting of models to a fair amount to file formats.  The obj file format comes to mind.  I know Luxology (Modo) was asking around if users would be interested in a import/export plug-in for SketchUp.