Comments

1. 
   kaschimer | Apr 26, 2012 03:21pm | #1

   So it's nice that they say that the free version will continue to be free... however, I am a .NET software developer, and there is a *great* tool that was free for the longest time.

   The developer who created it sold it to a company called Red Gate, who also said the same thing, that the free version would remain free forever... that is until they found out how much effort goes into maintaining it. So they did what every good software company does for good tools. They started charging for it.

   I promptly abandoned the tool, even though it was by far the best of its kind out there.

   So the moral of the story is, buyer beware. It's in the hands of another company now. Expect to pay for it. Maybe not this year, maybe not next year, but expect it, regardless of what the company says.

2. 
   hbowern | Apr 27, 2012 10:39am | #2

   So as to have a plan B, is there something else on the free or modestly priced range that a small woodworking shop could be reviewing that may be a replacement of SketchUp?

3. 
   DaveRichards | Apr 27, 2012 11:43am | #3

   I don't think there's any need to worry about a replacement for SketchUp. Trimble has said they are committed to continuing the free version. No point in abandoning the program. Actually I think it'll be interesting to see what the SketchUp team is able to do with it once they have the chance.

   SU8 won't just quit working even if they do discontinue free versions in the future. You would be able to continue using it.

   -Dave

4. 
   missingWa | Apr 28, 2012 01:13am | #4

   Any time I see a beloved application change hands like this I am a little wary but I am with you on this Dave.

   I don't get why people gets so caught up in upgrading to the latest version of everything. I bet 98% of the woodworkers out there don't use the current one to even close to its max potential. Why do they even care about new hypothetical functionalities then?

   I consider myself a very advanced user and I don't feel I need to upgrade for the foreseeable future. Actually, I am running a previous version as my usual go to because my current Mac is too old for the newest and, even the newest is installed on my wife's iMac, I can't recall the last time I opened it.

   That said, let's wait and see before start panicking (but keep a backup of the current installer just in case!). Thank you for the info, much appreciated as are all your articles.

5. 
   MaryEtta | Apr 28, 2012 11:52pm | #5

   I love Fine Woodworking. And I'd love to win the Sketch Up DVD being given away. Consider this an entry.

6. 
   vbdcb | Apr 30, 2012 05:38pm | #6

   Like anything else out there, if I get value out of it, then I have no problem paying for it.

7. 
   pwonion | Apr 30, 2012 10:56pm | #7

   It's getting harder and harder to believe in "progress!" Missing WA said it: why does everything in computerland have to be cranked up to the "highest and most sophisticated" level? Maybe we have too many computer engineers, who all seem to love adding gizmos only because they can.