Topic: Sketchup aquisition by Trimble

[Stevo]

The news from Google of the aquisition of Sketchup by Trimble has me wondering if Lumion will be say, useless to me. I've wanted to purchase Lumion Ultimate for several months however the price structure seems awfully steep for a small architectural firm. I think the price is really high and my intuition says you would sell a lot more, increase your user base, and get many off the couch and using the software. Is it the exchange rate?

Anyway, the news of Sketchup being sold has me questioning the rational of our buying the software. Don't get me wrong. I really like what Lumion can create, I like the UI, and I like using the free product. I just think somebody should consider the situation carefuly as it relates to cost.

Lastly, I'm also curious about the introduction of Lumion Pro. The added features are nice but really, shouldnt the content of Pro be a product of Ultimate? After all isnt Ultimate suppose to be well, the ultimate.

Sadly I think lumion will stay on the wish list. I just can't get the nerve to approach the suits with a request for huge money when the state of Sketchup is so unknown. If it was more reasonably priced I would swing hard at trying to get it regardless of the fate of Sketchup.

[RAD]

What does sketch-up have to do with Lumion?

[Stevo]

I was introduced to Lumion through my work with Sketchup. Yes, I realize there is other CAD software that exports Collada files. Maybe I'm wrong but I think Lumion was developed with an emphasis on integration with Sketchup. I really like the workflow option of being able to work in Sketchup, export, then work in Lumion, then edit within Sketchup and update geometry within lumion etc. 

My point was simply the cost of Lumion coupled with the fact Sketchup has been aquired by an entity that may close the API and create its own DX option has me worried. $2000-3500 is just way to expensive for a presentation tool. That said, If the option to export the geometry back into Sketchup was an option that may change the situation. I would then be able to render the same scenes in Maxwell or other photo realistic renderers I already own; thus, expanding the work flow options.

I enjoyed working with the free version of Lumion tremendously. I truly wish the firm I work for could afford such fun and productive tools. My wish is that Lumion will consider a different price point or better yet, get bought by Trimble and integrated into SK9.
 

[darbo]

Maybe I'm wrong but I think Lumion was developed with an emphasis on integration with Sketchup.

Yes, I think you're wrong. Lumion is a stand-alone animation program that is designed to work with a large number of programs, which among many includes Sketchup.

The sale of Sketchup to another company should have no impact at all on the Sketchup/Lumion integration. Why do you think that would change?

[Ming Architect]

In fact, this affected Lumion in a good way.
Normally, SketchUp Free user is not the target for Lumion paid version because SketchUp free user are frugal. It's different market.
SketchUp Pro users are.
But Lumion free is very companion to SketchUp free, and sure a lot of people from those millions will converted oneday.


IMHO there're plans to get more professionals from disciplines to SketchUp Pro, SketchUp was target architects for Pro version. I think now the market is open up to Engineers/Land surveyors/Urban too. The age of specialized/specific software have come (App). I believe generic software have to become platform and tailored products for each use, so user don't have to think about functions they don't need for thier work and get thing done fast and fun. Everyone want the work fun like playing Simcity anyway  
http://www.digitalurban.org/