Alternatives to Sketchup?

I

Innerdreamrecords

0
Messages
1,102
Alternatives to Sketchup?

I can't justify 495 US right now. I've been using the demo's but that's going to run out soon.

I just want to make Architecture to scale to import into Cheetah.

Thanks in advance.
 
Innerdreamrecords said:
I can't justify 495 US right now. I've been using the demo's but that's going to run out soon.

I just want to make Architecture to scale to import into Cheetah.

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

I don't have an alternative to offer to SketchUp but it has been extremely helpful in my 3D work and it has paid for itself time and time again. It is well worth it if you can justify the cost in the future.
Tim
 
Innerdreamrecords said:
I can't justify 495 US right now. I've been using the demo's but that's going to run out soon.

I just want to make Architecture to scale to import into Cheetah.

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...


Dear IDR

There really is no alternative to the way sketchup works , unless you go down the vectorworks route, which I think is more expensive and harder to get your head round it ?

Regards

Luke
 
Thanks guys.

Anyone try Microspot? Microspot.com, I'm going to get the demo and see about exporting.

Edit: No export as model in Microspot.
 
Last edited:
IDR--

I take it you need Pro for the export capabilities?

There is a way of getting stuff out of the free SU version into Blender (also free) and then out again via a Google Earth file, but I'm not sure how reliable it is...
 
TimD said:
IDR--

I take it you need Pro for the export capabilities?

There is a way of getting stuff out of the free SU version into Blender (also free) and then out again via a Google Earth file, but I'm not sure how reliable it is...
Click to expand...

Thanks Tim. Yes, I need to build Architecture to scale and bring into Cheetah for the final render. It's hard to beat SU for that. I'll look into the SU/Blender option.
 
I did a bit of researching for a a CAD app a while ago (not specifically for architecture) and basically it looked as though Sketchup is at the cheaper end of the market (as well as being pretty unique in is usability). Most of the others I looked at you'd need to add another "0" to the end of that figure. :wink: There were a couple of 2d drafting apps, but I assume you are after 3d?
 
squareitround said:
I did a bit of researching for a a CAD app a while ago (not specifically for architecture) and basically it looked as though Sketchup is at the cheaper end of the market (as well as being pretty unique in is usability). Most of the others I looked at you'd need to add another "0" to the end of that figure. :wink: There were a couple of 2d drafting apps, but I assume you are after 3d?
Click to expand...

Thanks, yes 3d. I guess I'll start cutting lawns for the summer. :wink:
 
Innerdreamrecords said:
Thanks, yes 3d. I guess I'll start cutting lawns for the summer. :wink:
Click to expand...

My office actually began 3D with FormZ, big bucks, and while it can do any and everything you would want, it was not intuitive and had a really high learning curve. SketchUp is easier to use, more than powerful enough for our needs and much cheaper. $500 is a lot to me personally but dollar for dollar, in my opinion, SU blows the competitors away.
 
TimM said:
My office actually began 3D with FormZ, big bucks, and while it can do any and everything you would want, it was not intuitive and had a really high learning curve. SketchUp is easier to use, more than powerful enough for our needs and much cheaper. $500 is a lot to me personally but dollar for dollar, in my opinion, SU blows the competitors away.
Click to expand...

SU is great, I think it's worth about $200.00 though. Whatever...
 
My only other suggestion would be to perhaps look at Amapi and see if they still have the deal on I took advantage of. It's probably best just to save up for SU in the long run tho. It's an expensive business this 3d lark. :wink:
 
Cheaper SketchUp alternatives

You can take a look at ViaCAD from Punch! (makers of Home Design Studio)

It costs $99 and has some interesting features. There is not a specific demo version available, but their forums say to download the Concepts3D ($495) demo for a good feel of the interface and features.

http://punchcad.com/products/viacad2d3d.htm

Mac and PC versions.
 
The only thing vaguely similar to Sketchup in usability I've seen was an old program called Modelshop (Modelshop II was good too but incredibly buggy). I think Sketchup may be related in some way to Modelshop, but it's even nicer than Modelshop in many ways (as you'd expect; Modelshop and Modelshop II were pre-PowerPC Mac programs).

One of the sample documents that came with Modelshop (remember -- 1991 software) was a massing model of Boston; pretty darn impressive at the time.

Oh, and Modelshop was more expensive than Sketchup :)
 
Costly as 3D software is today, it has gotten so much cheaper since I first got into it. Power Animator (precursor to Maya) used to cost $10,000 for the base version. Stratavision 3D 1.4 cost me $500 in 1990 (it was the first serious 3D package that I could afford -- the same package was used to create MYST).
 
podperson said:
Costly as 3D software is today, it has gotten so much cheaper since I first got into it. Power Animator (precursor to Maya) used to cost $10,000 for the base version. Stratavision 3D 1.4 cost me $500 in 1990 (it was the first serious 3D package that I could afford -- the same package was used to create MYST).
Click to expand...

I remember those first boxes that were being sold to the Architecture profession - they had some modeling I think. Anyhow they probably seem like calculators by todays standards at they were at least 10k. So, good thing there is Cheetah and Sketchup etc. today I agree.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top