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SketchUp Guide Vicky Google employee  
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  More options Jun 9, 5:13 pm
From: SketchUp Guide Vicky <sketchup-guide-vt...@google.com>
Date: Mon, 9 Jun 2008 14:13:10 -0700 (PDT)
Local: Mon, Jun 9 2008 5:13 pm
Subject: Help improve Google (and get paid too!)
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Hi all,

Just a little plug for the usability folks :)  We're looking for
people to participate in user research studies to help improve Google
SketchUp. If you live in the US or Canada, and you'd like to
volunteer
for the studies, just fill out the sign-up survey:

 https://survey.google.com/wix/p0822776.aspx?referral_code=SKE1

Qualified participants can earn up to $100!


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Mike Moore  
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  More options Jun 10, 8:43 am
From: "Mike Moore" <MMo...@moorehandley.com>
Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2008 07:43:45 -0500
Local: Tues, Jun 10 2008 8:43 am
Subject: RE: Help improve Google (and get paid too!)
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User participation is the best approach to take, since programmers who never use a product go around the world to accomplish a task that they really do not undrstand.  Many times the solution to a problem is worse than the problem itself.  I have been using computers to generate architectural designs since 1978.  I have seen numerous design programs screwed up because the programmers made a user friendly program so complicated that it became a burden to the users.

SketchUp is a wonderful, user friendly, program that is customizable for use by individuals in various design fields.

I have read numerous questions and replies on the forum that indicates that this program is used successfully by: Architects, Interior Designers, Mechanical Designers, Electrical Designers, Illustrators, etc.  The danger of improving the program is that it may become user specific.  That is, it may work well for one of these groups but not for all.
At present, It is adaptable and expandable for all users.

"Please"
If it is not broke.  Do not fix it!

Mike


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Michael Lafleche  
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  More options Jun 10, 2:51 pm
From: Michael Lafleche <basic.woodwo...@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2008 12:51:10 -0600
Local: Tues, Jun 10 2008 2:51 pm
Subject: Re: Help improve Google (and get paid too!)
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I don't agree with Mr. Moore.

As long as the simplicity and ease of use is kept, one should always  
strive for improvement.  Their are a number of add-ons that would  
serve well in numerous fields as well as for the hobbyist.  Lighting,  
for one.  It would be great if plug-ins like LightUp could be  
integrated into the basic download.  Their are so many plug-ins out  
there, that a vast majority of people search for and download, that  
are free anyway.  So why not have them incorporated into the original  
download.

Their can and will always be "job specific" plug-ins.  But the basic  
principal of the rendering is to accomplish it as fast as reasonably  
possible and to try and make it as realistic as possible.

I hate to disagree with you Mike but I think that there has been  
enough posts regarding specific issue (i.e. "3 way" rounded corner,  
etc.) that there is room for improvement.  I think there will always  
be some folks who may not "get it" at first and ask for help so groups  
like this one will always have a place but if the program stays as  
user friendly as it is now, ...wouldn't it be great?

Mike RL
basic.works

On 10-Jun-08, at 6:43 AM, Mike Moore wrote:


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Imagine Studio  
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  More options Jun 11, 5:12 am
From: Imagine Studio <pri...@3dmodelers.net>
Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2008 02:12:03 -0700 (PDT)
Local: Wed, Jun 11 2008 5:12 am
Subject: Re: Help improve Google (and get paid too!)
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Hi,

What if people outside US/canada are interested in doing this. We
could give some real valuable suggestions.

Pritam

On Jun 10, 2:13 am, SketchUp Guide Vicky <sketchup-guide-


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Mike Moore  
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  More options Jun 11, 2:19 pm
From: "Mike Moore" <MMo...@moorehandley.com>
Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2008 13:19:20 -0500
Local: Wed, Jun 11 2008 2:19 pm
Subject: RE: Help improve Google (and get paid too!)
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Hello Michael:
Nice to hear from you.
As I understand it, you are a Mac user who has customized your SketchUp program with pluggins to meet your specific needs.
I am a PC user whose primary design program is AutoCad 2002. It works well with Windows 2000. I also have Photoshop which comes in handy on specific projects.  My ShetchUp Pro is a secondary program that enables me to import my Architectural drawings and produce quick 3D models of my designs.  I will also be customizing my sketchup with plug-ins as needed.
We both agree that SketchUp is "the Best, User friendly 3D modeling program for the money".  We agree that it is upgradeable, customizable and compatible to programs beign utilized in a variety of disciplines.  We agree that the best approach that SketchUp can take is to get input from Users to improve the product. What I was trying to convey in my response to Vicky's post, is that care should be taken to keep the program as efficient and user friendly as we are accustomed too. I fully expect SketchUp to evolve and become even better, however, there is a danger that it could become bogged down with sub programs that are user specific.  As you said "wouldn't it be great if it could do more".  If the program were to contain plug-ins that were not used by a majority of users then it could use up valuable memory and storage space that needs to be dedicated for production purposes within a company.  It would be better, but at what cost!
So, Vicky, if you are reading over my shoulder, please consider the value of any improvements to the majority of users, not the percieved needs of an individual. Leave the discipline specific programs for those who are already customizing their computers to meet their specific needs.
Now I wlll get off my soap box.
Michael Moore  


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Michael Lafleche  
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  More options Jun 11, 7:11 pm
From: Michael Lafleche <basic.woodwo...@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2008 17:11:56 -0600
Local: Wed, Jun 11 2008 7:11 pm
Subject: Re: Help improve Google (and get paid too!)
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Hey Michael Moore

I had a good chuckle at our <<So, Vicky, if you are reading over my  
shoulder,>>.  If you don't mind, Id like to borrow your soap box for a  
moment.

I agree with you whole heartedly.  I do think that certain plug-ins,  
say "create sphere" or "drop" or "LightUp" and many others could be  
integrated into the basic program.  Almost everyone will ask about  
more realistic rendering and hoe o create them.  A common reply has  
been multiple light sources.  Oh so many times there has been multiple  
inquiries where the answer was a plug in.  There are a lot of plug-ins  
out there that all experienced user have and that we all had to find  
out for ourselves that there was an easier way to do the task (i.e.  
Make_Faces).  Some of us took much longer then other to figure that  
one out.

Also, there are little things that could make life easier.  One  
thought I had once was it would be nice if I'd realized I'd changed  
layer BEFORE I spend an hour drawing in ALL those new details.  I  
curious as to how hard it would be to have a little pop-up telling  
you:  << huh, excuse me but, did you know you changed layer?  and do  
you want to stay there or choose the one you really want??>>  Now that  
would be an improvement.

I guess that Like Jesus and whether or not man really walked on the  
moon, we could discuss this forever both having good points and both  
having disagreements on other aspects.

So... if anyone else is reading over our shoulders, what's your  
input.  I'm guessing this is another part of the process they were  
hoping for.  Do we want improvements or not?  If not, ..why not?  if  
yes.. what would you consider/like for an improvement.

My best to all. Ciao.

Mike RL

On 11-Jun-08, at 12:19 PM, Mike Moore wrote:


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Donald E  
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  More options Jun 13, 12:41 pm
From: Donald E <Skippe...@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:41:29 -0700 (PDT)
Local: Fri, Jun 13 2008 12:41 pm
Subject: Re: Help improve Google (and get paid too!)
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Michelle,

I think a survey of usage of fundamental usability plugins may be
helpful for low-impact upgrades.  Extensive, detailed plugins that are
targeted to specific tasks should still remain plugins.

For example, there are some basic maneuverability plugins that I use
that would be great as part of the mother ship.  One is Nudge.  In the
absence of the ability to disable inferencing (or control snap modes)
this gives a great deal of control without having to orbit or
otherwise manipulate the model.

One current feature that frustrates and stymies me is the action (or
lack thereof)  of the context sensitive zoom when the cursor is not on
geometry.  Possibly using the extents of the model as a basis, or
having an option key that allows fixed increment zooming.

In other words, I would like to see features added or modified to
enable more efficient/accurate manipulation of the view and the
geometry.

Don E.


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Gaieus  
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  More options Jun 18, 7:37 am
From: Gaieus <gai...@gaieus.hu>
Date: Wed, 18 Jun 2008 04:37:36 -0700 (PDT)
Local: Wed, Jun 18 2008 7:37 am
Subject: Re: Help improve Google (and get paid too!)
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Hi Vicky,

Not for the money actually but why can only US/Canadian residents
participate? Could I participate without being paid?

Gai...

p.s. Glad to have met you at BaseCamp - it makes a whole lot of
difference to post to somebody I personally know!
;)

On Jun 13, 6:41 pm, Donald E <Skippe...@gmail.com> wrote:


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aaronparr  
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  More options Jun 18, 5:36 pm
From: aaronparr <aaronmfp...@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:36:34 -0700 (PDT)
Local: Wed, Jun 18 2008 5:36 pm
Subject: Re: Help improve Google (and get paid too!)
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I am glad that Google is working on improving this product. I want to
second what others have said, that SketchUps amazing UI must be
preserved. Given the other amazing and more fully featured modeling
programs out there, SketchUp is only positioned the way it is due to
its amazingly intuitive user interface.

However I have moved on to other packages because I have noticed
issues and inconsistencies with the geometry that SketchUp produces.
Other problems have also been in how messy many of the exports appear
when imported into other modelling packages. Sometimes Normals are
unexpectedly reversed etc...

My number one wish is for Google to clean up the system under the
hood. I would like seamless integration with the presently supported
software packages and very clean exports of the file formats it
already provides. A clean FBX and 3DS export would bring me back into
the fold. The file structure of SketchUps exports are odd to say the
least. I discovered this while importing models into the Unity game
engine. Since that time I have moved onto Cheetah3D which does not
have these problems. Files exported from Cheetah in whatever format
are very clean.

If SketchUp can work in this way as well, I'll return to using it to
generate geometry. Until then I only see it useful for producing quick
prototypes to illustrate 3D relationships as 2D jpgs.


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