Sketchup now a free program!

[bigben2k]

Sketchup is now a free program (20 mb download), unless you buy the Pro version:
http://www.sketchup.com/

What's the difference between Google SketchUp (free) and SketchUp Pro 5?

* Pro users are able to print and export raster images at higher-than-screen resolution.
* Pro users have access to the following 3D export formats: DWG, DXF, 3DS, OBJ, XSI, VRML and FBX.
* Pro users are able to export animations and walkthroughs as MOV (Mac) or AVI (Windows) files.
* Pro users get the Sandbox Tools (for organic modeling of terrain, etc) and the Film & Stage Tools (for pre-viz work).
* Pro users have access to the Pro Users' Forum
* Pro users have access to free email tech support for two years after they buy SketchUp Pro
* Finally, only SketchUp Pro is approved for commercial use; the Free version is licensed for personal use only.

[davidzo]

sounds like the free version has alle features of sketchup4 and all the new features for release5 are only for pro-users.
so sketchup 4 is free version 5 costs 469€

[bobo5195]

Does it actually do any proper 3d formats (i dont consider dwg as a proper 3d format but i guess it will do)

IGES?
STL?
parasolid?
ACIS?

This is going to be fun if i still keep using solidworks

[bigben2k]

More details here:
http://www.sketchup.com/index.php?id=1439
(the full announcement)

That's a negative on all the formats you listed.