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> Sketchup ... was a very intuitive 3d modelling program aimed at architects, it was very easy to learn, but once you've got the hang of it you start running in

> Sketchup ... was a very intuitive 3d modelling program aimed at architects, it was very easy to learn, but once you've got the hang of it you start running into all sorts of limitations I'm not sure Sketchup was really aimed at architects. Few real licensed architect rely on Sketchup (although they may use it occasionally). It's a great piece of software to get the uninitiated into modeling (it worked for you) and it can handle many non-professional tasks pretty well (e.g., light home renovation). Also (and this is big) sketchup is free. The professional tools cost thousands a year, if I remember correctly 3DSMax is ~$400/month. No 3D modeling newbie is going to drop that cash just to get their feet wet with the profession. Sketchup is not the end-all, but it has its place. And lets take the analogy further: easy-to-use starter kits in every field are incredibly helpful. They allow you to learn a field without a huge commitment and then to decide whether you want to invest more of your time. If someone did indeed start with 3DSMax without using sketchup, there's a strong likelihood that they'd get frustrated and give up. More generally, if you have to tackle a difficult problem, start small and break off a piece rather than trying to conquer the whole.

everyone 7y ago
It definitely was aimed at architects (among others) when it came out in 2000. I had just started architecture college then, we did everything on paper, I only learned Autocad during my 1st summer job. 'Computers' were more the realm of architectural technicians back then, I didnt know any architects who could use any 3d modelling software at all. Architects were generally quite computer illiterate, Sketchup was a program simple enough for a computer illiterate person to begin using. Also quote from wikipedia about its intended purpose. " SketchUp debuted in August 2000 as a general-purpose 3D content creation tool and was envisioned as a software program "that would allow design professionals to draw the way they want by emulating the feel and freedom of working with pen and paper in a simple and elegant interface, that would be fun to use and easy to learn and that would be used by designers to play with their designs in a way that is not possible with traditional design software. It also has user friendly buttons to make it easier to use." "
TeMPOraL 7y ago
> The professional tools cost thousands a year, if I remember correctly 3DSMax is ~$400/month. No 3D modeling newbie is going to drop that cash just to get their feet wet with the profession. Sketchup is not the end-all, but it has its place. There's also an educational 3-year free license and regular 30-day trial, plus the usual way to learn pro software that companies unofficially accept: piracy. > If someone did indeed start with 3DSMax without using sketchup, there's a strong likelihood that they'd get frustrated and give up. More generally, if you have to tackle a difficult problem, start small and break off a piece rather than trying to conquer the whole. Depends on what they're trying to achieve. It has to be contrasted with awareness that for some users, learning Sketchup first is a waste of time. I notice people seem to have an alergy for learning these days. 3DSMax isn't hard to get hang of once you pick up a book that starts by guiding you through the UI and basic concepts (Source: I'm teaching 3DSMax to someone right now, even though I know little of it myself - but I'm not afraid of opening a book or official help pages). > More generally, if you have to tackle a difficult problem, start small and break off a piece rather than trying to conquer the whole. That's true, but this applies to conceptual level; it does not necessarily mean you have to simplify tooling for it.

everyone 7y ago

It definitely was aimed at architects (among others) when it came out in 2000. I had just started architecture college then, we did everything on paper, I only learned Autocad during my 1st summer job. 'Computers' were more the realm of architectural technicians back then, I didnt know any architects who could use any 3d modelling software at all. Architects were generally quite computer illiterate, Sketchup was a program simple enough for a computer illiterate person to begin using. Also quote from wikipedia about its intended purpose. " SketchUp debuted in August 2000 as a general-purpose 3D content creation tool and was envisioned as a software program "that would allow design professionals to draw the way they want by emulating the feel and freedom of working with pen and paper in a simple and elegant interface, that would be fun to use and easy to learn and that would be used by designers to play with their designs in a way that is not possible with traditional design software. It also has user friendly buttons to make it easier to use." "

TeMPOraL 7y ago

> The professional tools cost thousands a year, if I remember correctly 3DSMax is ~$400/month. No 3D modeling newbie is going to drop that cash just to get their feet wet with the profession. Sketchup is not the end-all, but it has its place. There's also an educational 3-year free license and regular 30-day trial, plus the usual way to learn pro software that companies unofficially accept: piracy. > If someone did indeed start with 3DSMax without using sketchup, there's a strong likelihood that they'd get frustrated and give up. More generally, if you have to tackle a difficult problem, start small and break off a piece rather than trying to conquer the whole. Depends on what they're trying to achieve. It has to be contrasted with awareness that for some users, learning Sketchup first is a waste of time. I notice people seem to have an alergy for learning these days. 3DSMax isn't hard to get hang of once you pick up a book that starts by guiding you through the UI and basic concepts (Source: I'm teaching 3DSMax to someone right now, even though I know little of it myself - but I'm not afraid of opening a book or official help pages). > More generally, if you have to tackle a difficult problem, start small and break off a piece rather than trying to conquer the whole. That's true, but this applies to conceptual level; it does not necessarily mean you have to simplify tooling for it.