[MOD Edits to remove direct link to 3rd party download site. Here we can only recommend download from the manufacturer as well as upholding the Licensing Requirements of the manufacturer. While there are real benefits using older versions of programs any program it still needs to be licensed for commercial use. Keef]
Well I contacted Trimble for this and they say following:
Sketchup 7 and 8 where Always free software if people still like to use them and work with them and even exchange them, they do not encourage it, but they are also not against it. They just stopped supporting those version on technical behalf, so stopped updating them. In my words if people still like to work with them and exchange them, they are free to do so.
As long as they pay for their newer versions. The exporter Neo offers for this only works with version UPTO version 8.[/color] I also asked Trimble about this and again they say it is also one of the smaller minute reasons, they would never want to turn against it. Because IMVU is not a totally professional network it is also mainly a network where people get in contact with 3D and learn their first footsteps on creating. So their future customers are born there.
That does not mean, that I do not want to follow forum guidelines, and only those forum guidelines should be more than enough reason to do this through this forum. So I am totally on your side. If you do not wish it, than I will not do this either. I will be for sure keeping myself to your rules. But I als want to imply the fact is why I react to this part on this ground. And want to imply that these rules and that you call it piracy maybe, was not known to me, I excuse for that. If you like to see it that way, than I will restrict myself to your rules.
But the site I mentioned is what this is about, maybe has programs for download that undermine the law and therefor are piracy cirrcumstance. On this piece of software either, this law does not work. Sketchup will not attack them on the exchange of the older free version, so only the versions that where Always already for free. It is also that version I exchanged. Last but not least even if you buy the newer version or have a slightly newer version, you will need an older version to even use the Neo exporter? So you buy a new version pay for it - can be that you can export it with the latest version, I don't have that one - But I very well know and everyone using Sketchup. If you want to use it..for IMVU. You will need the Neo Exporter.
So weird maybe...but than we can close this whole subject/topic. Than we can't use Sketchup legally in your sence unless you got a new exporter? Please learn to share that newer exporter than, I would sure like to use one, I don't have one, and the one you are sharing, are only working with Setchup version which according to you are illegal to download. So no new Sketchup users than, but only the older creators still having a version of Sketchup 7 or 8 legally from the time it was still legal to download them? I think that is a bit sad for new users wanting to use Sketchup. That is a personal opinion than I like to express here.
I wish everyone good luck with creating! Yet because of not being able to discuss the Sketchup topic legally fully, because I think your impression on it and that of Sketchup differ from eachother, I will not have a need really for this forum. But I do like to encourage people to keep using it. It is a personal reason I will withdraw from this forum. And that is simply because of this issue. Since I want to keep discussing it, and feel restricted to do this by not being able here to also talk to newer users and work with newer users needing older version to upload. I simply have no need for help or exchange of knowledge on the newer versions. It be in my eyes and my feeling hypocrit and poor judgement, so I withdraw.
Be well everyone keep using this lovely forum and have a wonderfull time creating.
By MisterWhite
