[chedda]

I just upgraded to sketchup 2013, i noticed the plugin window doesn't launch correctly it just stays black. I'm on osx 10.8.3 .Hopefully you guys will launch a new non silverlight plugin soon !

[JDHill]

Yes, SU2013 on OSX had problems with not only Silverlight 5, but with any version of Silverlight, and the solution was to disable it entirely. So replacement of this has now become the top priority.

[chedda]

Thanks for the prompt reply, that's super news. I have been running silverlight 4 as recommended but i've always found it unresponsive and slow. There appears to be some under the hood enhancements in the SDK so this lack lustre update may yet prove fruitfull ?

[JDHill]

If you're referring to the C++ SDK, yes, this has been changed, requiring changes to the Render Suite's MXS exporter, but I don't think it will affect its performance much. Regarding the UI, the main goal with this has been to shift to HTML, while attempting to keep the experience as similar to the current UI as possible, to avoid disorienting people in their workflows. I've mentioned before that the Maxwell Grass dialog already uses the new system, but that is a relatively simple UI compared to the Scene Manager, so I would not mind if you took a look at this, to make sure it is working fine on your machine (you would want to use Safari on OSX, and Internet Explorer on Windows). You will see that it is not completely finished, but this is basically what you should expect to see when the plugin is switched over

[Half Life]

No point in looking for a silver lining -- after nearly 3 years of development this is the best they could do... the writing is on the wall.

Best,
Jason.

[chedda]

I know your quite passionate on this subject Jason. On surface value it seems a very small upgrade coupled with a new subscription license. Perhaps your right, i'll give them a little benefit until i've tested it out properly.I've been with sketchup since v3 and i've toyed with the idea of other software, this may lead me to migrate eventually. I was eyeing C4D, Maya & Modo but none seem overly archviz centric.I've invested a lot of time creating sketchup libraries luckily my .mxs libraries are future proof.

[Half Life]

Maxwell itself has made this decision easy for me since my license moves with me to any new package (that Maxwell supports) at no extra cost -- and all my Maxwell materials and assets are just as good there as they would be in SketchUp (if not better).

My one and only regret is leaving JD's excellent plugin behind -- but I have given extra consideration to Rhino for just that reason. Obviously there is no real rush since SketchUp Pro 8 will be good to use for quite some time to come... but my future is elsewhere.

Best,
Jason.

[fv]

Jason, your not going anywere of course ....
a bit pissed of course. So am I. Sketchup could have gone skyhigh....

I am sometimes suprised that people can write software that simulates light in the most realistic way and still nobody can get alongside Sketchup. The efforts of Vectorworks are ridiculous, Revit gets some of it all right but on the whole its nowhere near as friendly to use, Modo is great but for architecture like a screwdriver in the kitchen and the list goes on.

Design software hasn't been worked out yet. Photographers have options in abundance, so have graphic designers. Architects need to manage with engeneering packages programmed by and for engineers or at least for other professions. Engineering seems very alike design but it is not. Designers & achitects work with other kind of clients and need to sell ideas or at least be able to commicate ideas as clear and attractive as possible. And constantly changing everything on the shortest possible notice.

But Jason, if you see anything as handy for designing as Sketchup currently is please inform us here. As far as you think of Rhino, I don't think it has potential to replace Sketchup. I would love to work with Rhino as well thought.
Francois

[Half Life]

I agree, Maxwell is always even more amazing to me after watching debacles like SketchUp 2013 happen.

For myself, I am leaning heavily toward Modo as architecture is really only a very small part of what I do, and Modo looks like it will be supporting Substances soon which is important to me.

If I was looking from a SketchUp-style Architecture modeller POV I would choose the new form.z -- and I very well may get it anyway, but I haven't made any final decisions yet.

Whatever I choose, once I make the commitment, SketchUp will no longer be my main Maxwell host app -- and without Maxwell, SketchUp is not very attractive to me... so I don't see myself using it much. My decision will be made largely by whether Substance support comes through for Modo or not... I'm waiting to see how that works out before pulling the trigger on a purchase.

Best,
Jason.

[fv]

Modo is just wonderful. I don't really use it but my collegue Dennis loves it. Modo also feels very modern and a good investment in time considering future developments. I think with Modo you can't go wrong.

But... were is Maxwell here or am I overlooking the plugin
http://extensions.sketchup.com/en/searc ... egory%3A12

Francois

[Half Life]

Yeah I saw that as well -- I'm not sure Maxwell will ever list their plugin on that "warehouse" anyway... nor would I expect many other commercial suppliers to use it.

Best,
Jason.

[Fernando Tella]

If I was looking from a SketchUp-style Architecture modeller POV I would choose the new form.z -- and I very well may get it anyway, but I haven't made any final decisions yet.

On the paper FormZ has the best modeling tools for architecture IMO but every time I try it I crash with their old and terrible toolbar and window system. At least in windows 7 x64 it's just unbearable. It's also kind of slow in viewport.

I am sometimes suprised that people can write software that simulates light in the most realistic way and still nobody can get alongside Sketchup. The efforts of Vectorworks are ridiculous, Revit gets some of it all right but on the whole its nowhere near as friendly to use, Modo is great but for architecture like a screwdriver in the kitchen and the list goes on.

I feel your pain.

Lately I'm looking into Blender. It feels super light and swift when moving big polycounts, it has a flexible interface, big community and lots of addons, super price... It also has a Maxwell exporter although it's not officially supported by Next Limit.

[fv]

I have no clue Jason why Maxwell would not list their plugin on the extension warehouse. Vay is all over the place..

[JDHill]

The Extension Warehouse feature is not capable of installing the Render Suite plugin (since it includes a native 3D Exporter), so it will not appear there, but we will list the Standalone, once it is compatible with SU2013.

[fv]

don't want to rush you but any idea when you will have a 2013 edition ?
The preview you linked to looked already ok to me.
One comment. I don't know if you really need the little info button in the UI. Its seems to me adding to your workload without much need.

I notice that when doing renders I often flip through the settings to see if I have set all the important settings. Not being sure if anything has changed because of the change of scene. I double check a lot waisting time. Especially for the focus distance, the camera shift, resolution, rotation /intensity of the envir. hdri, a maybe a few others I am forgetting.
There are some settings that seem to change for each scene and other settings that don't seem to change much for a series of (test)renders of different scenes. Maybe a preset menu that works accross the hiarchy of the menu's (camera/environment etc) would be perfect.

Francois