If you poke around SketchUp.com today, you’ll notice a few things are different. For one, a new version of SketchUp is available for download in ten languages. You’ll also find that we’ve completely rebuilt 3D Warehouse, our online repository for the millions of models shared by SketchUp users worldwide. SketchUp 2014 is here, and there’s quite a bit to explore.
A new look for 3D Warehouse
Every day, 7,000 people search for a “sofa” on 3D Warehouse, and then find around 10,000 sofa models to choose from. That is an incredible amount of choice -- probably the most you’ll find on the web. Today, we’re giving the millions of models in 3D Warehouse a facelift at 3dwarehouse.sketchup.com. As you poke around the new 3D Warehouse, you may notice that you can now navigate 3D models on the web as you do in SketchUp (using a WebGL enabled browser). Have a look for yourself:
Bringing a SketchUp viewer to the web is a big deal to us. We spent a lot of time tuning our WebGL Viewer so that your models operate smoothly and retain their SketchUp feel. We’re also thrilled that SketchUp users can now share orbitable 3D projects (in full screen, if you like) on their own webpages using the 3D Warehouse embed gadget.
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| Want to share your 3D models on the web? The 3D Warehouse embed gadget has you covered. |
As you read this, our 3D Warehouse render robots are churning through tens of thousands of models a day, converting raw .skp files into a 3D streaming format dialed for SketchUp models. In the meantime, any newly uploaded models published to 3D Warehouse will render after just a few minutes, so you can start orbiting your new models pronto.
While this new Viewer turns any webpage into a 3D stage, we also wanted to point a spotlight on the most useful models in 3D Warehouse. So, working with product manufacturers, we’ve started curating the highest quality collections of real world models into their own category: Product Catalogs. Now, when you need a particular faucet, sliding door, window arrangement, or office chair, 3D Warehouse helps you choose a component that can actually be specified.
There’s quite a bit more to discover in the new 3D Warehouse -- new upload options, increased file size limits, a refreshed UI -- you can learn more about it all here.
A closer look at information modeling
In a world of ever-evolving CAD acronyms, people often ask “Is SketchUp Pro BIM?”
BIM is short for building information modeling, and the fact is, we’ve always considered SketchUp Pro to be a highly capable and inclusive information modeler. But what does that mean?
As we see it, the foundation of information modeling is an association between information of any kind and the graphical geometry in a model. And SketchUp’s core tools -- groups, components, the Ruby API -- have always enabled users to make this association and use the data embedded in models. BIM professionals may use information models for clash detection and quantity takeoffs; woodworkers may use them for joinery design and cut lists. In fact, a quick scan of Extension Warehouse shows that SketchUp users have been modeling, specifying, scheduling, analyzing, and reporting with information for some time now.
Building on this open and flexible information modeling capability, SketchUp Pro 2014 includes a feature called Classifier that lets you tag objects with standard classifications or types. We’ve preloaded this release with IFC 2x3 classifications (a standard for building information modelers), but you’re free to use any classification system you want. If you’re wondering if this tool is for you, we’d encourage you to learn more about it here.
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| A duct segment by any other name... |
And because data embedded in information models is often used by other software programs (especially in BIM), we’re adding the IFC file type, another BIM standard, to our roster of supported exports. So go ahead, try out your BI in any M you like.
But wait, there's more...
Of course, the best way to explore SketchUp 2014 is to try it out yourself. The team working on LayOut delivered on one of our top documentation requests with a feature we call Auto-Text; we’ve also made some important tweaks to the the core SketchUp modeler; and our API has been updated to Ruby 2.0 standards. If you’ve purchased SketchUp Pro 2013, you’re already qualified for a free upgrade to this latest version. And if you use SketchUp Make, go ahead and update here for free.
Posted by Mark Harrison, on behalf of the SketchUp Team
31 comments :
Are you considering having a seperate service where one could post models for easy viewing in any WebGL compatible browser even though the models would be of little to no use to others, thus one would not want to clutter 3dwarehouse with it? I could see uses for this ie in urban planning where an entire site could be posted easily and quickly without having the need of additional software.
How to install VRay in SketchUp 2014?
I don't know about you guys, but sharing site models for urban planning sounds like a pretty useful thing to do. You may want to check out the work that ZNO are doing down in Christchurch. http://goo.gl/6Xb5zh
john
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So is it possible to install 2013 extensions in 2014?
Just tried dragging over my plugins from 2013 and none of them are showing up....
@Joel: if you installed extensions from Extension Warehouse, you should be able to log-in to the EW from SketchUp 2014 and "Install All" under "My Extensions." This will install all the extensions you have that are compatible with SketchUp 2014. (As more of your tools become 2014 compatible, you can update them for here).
For non EW-installed extensions, here's an article that should help: http://help.sketchup.com/en/article/3000029
BIM? Are you serious? You mention BIM and Sketchup in the same sentence, are you nuts?
@Tue: I guess it depends on what your definition of BIM is. We're focused on helping SketchUp modelers deploy and use information in their models, and then, ultimately, make smart decisions about whatever it is they're building. A bit more on that idea:
http://sketchupdate.blogspot.com/2014/02/information-modeling-in-sketchup.html
Can 2013 and 2014 be installed on the same machine?
Why can I not access the 3D Warehouse and my own work that was uploaded to the 3D Warehouse? Why is your wait time to speak with a customer service representative so long? What has Trimble done with my 3D models at the 3D Warehouse? Why am I getting the following error message when I try to access my 3D models page at the 3D Warehouse?:
Error
An error occurred loading the model. OBJECT_DOES_NOT_EXIST: CollectionElementType with id '190f15bc8c6dc13fbd3a32d19' does not exist
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Pleased, I am not.
any chance to "download a google earth" link? Or preview on Earth map?
I noticed that the Plugins folder no longer exists and is installed with the App Data. What does this mean for folders and files outside of the Extensions Warehouse such as the AMS library which still need to be manually installed?
Yup!
BRING BACK REVIEWS!
The 3D warehouse no longer allows you to see what other 3D models are in the same area via the map. I've also noticed a significant reduction in downloadable .kmz files which means an increased time in trying to create site context models. In my opinion this is a major step back from the 3D warehouse! Bring back the old features!
SketchUp still doesn't support the Commodore 64?? Say it isn't so!
@Diana Bowman: Yes, SU2013 and SU2014 can be installed side-by-side on the same machine.
@Jeffry Fontaine: All your models are still on 3D Warehouse- you're just having trouble seeing them. Most likely the problem is that you're using an old build of SketchUp. Upgrading SketchUp will fix the bugs you're seeing.
@Jacek Strzembkowski: SketchUp is no longer a Google product, and the user-generated Geo-Modeling pipeline has been closed by Google.
@Darren Pringle: The plugins folder has been moved to resolve permissions-related trouble in new Windows versions. Here's the full story: http://goo.gl/oW4smA
@lilmac024: All the models which were previously available for use as site context are still available. Have you tried the "Nearby models..." search in COmponent Browser?
@Peter: I know for certain you have never had anything more than a Commodore 32.
Great comments- keep 'em coming!
john
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John,
Thanks for your response. I have tried the nearby models, and it shows me the name of the models that are nearby, but it doesn't show me their location on a map in the similar way that the previous versions had done. It is much more cumbersome to try to quickly develop a high quality context model using user uploaded content.
Also, if I am understanding this all correctly, when I geo-locate my project and begin importing context, it's importing the SKP file (often much larger in file size) which in an urban context bogs down the working model. The previous version of being able to download a .dae or .kmz file helped with this significantly!
I really enjoyed the simplicity and speed of the old "nearby models" that had the blue, grey dots to show on a map where models were located. I'd recently done a video tutorial of how to do an entire urban area this way in about an hour...now that same process would take me almost 4 times as long and has a much larger file size!
I just upgraded to the new version, and am rather disappointed. Not a single plugin is compatible with the new version. The new 'center + 2-point' arc doesn't work consistently for me (with ends of arcs not where they are supposed to be). The file format was changed so I can't go back and forth from 2013 to 2014 (why? it doesn't seem huge changes were made and the same thing was done with v8). There doesn't seem to be any actual 'bug reporting' functionality (even though this is now a commercial product I paid hundreds of dollars for). The only good thing seems to be I can still use the 2013 version.
I cant edit myu models in warehouse with previous Su version. Trying to update to su make and edit the models in my warehouse. The model statistic completely gone, as if the models is a new uploaded models.
Has anything been done to resolve the issues that SU2013 had with OSX.9 Mavericks?
Who's the new 2D scale figure, Sophie?
How do I rate the models in the new 3DWarehouse ? Or is this function no longer available ?
Shaderlight charges fee for Trimble's work on SU 2014???
Profiteering like this at the user's expense is audacious at best.
http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=80&t=56629
How do I get a viewer like this in my blog? I've already embedded the viewer that the warehouse links to, but I would like one where you can orbit around a model, not just rotate in a circle.
Sketchup 64 bits? When? We need this. Thanks.
SU 2014 Pro has some issues when a model exported as dwg. It exports all the lines behind scene. Anyone experienced same issues? SU 2013 Pro was perfect.
Add Location button doesn't work in SketchUp 2014. It freezes every time I try to use it. I also have SketchUp 8 and it freezes in that too.
"John,
Thanks for your response. I have tried the nearby models, and it shows me the name of the models that are nearby, but it doesn't show me their location on a map in the similar way that the previous versions had done. It is much more cumbersome to try to quickly develop a high quality context model using user uploaded content.
Also, if I am understanding this all correctly, when I geo-locate my project and begin importing context, it's importing the SKP file (often much larger in file size) which in an urban context bogs down the working model. The previous version of being able to download a .dae or .kmz file helped with this significantly!
I really enjoyed the simplicity and speed of the old "nearby models" that had the blue, grey dots to show on a map where models were located. I'd recently done a video tutorial of how to do an entire urban area this way in about an hour...now that same process would take me almost 4 times as long and has a much larger file size!"
Any response to this comment?
Since 2010, Andersen Window's Window Studio software has been designed to work as a plugin for SketchUp. The release of 2014 and the Rubyscript update to 2.0 has broken the integration temporarily. We are working on an update for both the Revit 2015 and SketchUp 2014 recent releases. For questions, please email windowstudio@twgi.com.
Chris Oace
Andersen Window Studio Support
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