MacDraft is still around, still owned by the original developers Microspot in the UK and enjoying a lot of improvement at the moment, inc 64 bit support. Has a sensible license arrangement as well.
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IDD were the original developers (I worked there for many years).
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I see. There is no forced subscriptionā¦ 
My CAD or 3D programs :
- 1990-1997 : I was an architecture student
- 1992 : I buy a book and copy the basic code for 3D structural strength calculation program using the displacement method. I made a 3d interface. I translate this basic code to Python during the COVID19 to calculate structuresā¦
-1994 to 2001: I learn Pascal, then C, then C++ and worked on a personal 3D application, after I made the interface 3D in 1992. I discovered by myself several key algorithm of 3D app and focused on interface. During this period, I work as student and architect. - 1996 to 2002 : I worked with MacDraw/ClarisDraw to produce floorplan and elevations.
- 1997 : I lean and buy Strata3D (3d modeleur and rendering app)
- 2000 : I lean and buy Cinema4D but banish it for not cool licence : )
- 2002 to 2020 (probably 2022) : SketchUp. I learn Ruby and SU API.
- 2007 to 2018 : I work a lot with Dynamic Component that save time in my workflow, provide to me advance use as engineering simulation and thermal calculation, for example. More than 700. Despite no development in 10 years by Trimble on DCā¦
- 2018 toā¦ ? : Grasshopper. I learn Python.
- 2018 : I participate to develop algorithm with Grasshopper on some industrial projects- - 2020 toā¦ ? : Iām discovering Blender
- 2016 toā¦ ? : I start to document 3D algorithm in Ruby for an extension project on SketchUp with a new parametric method. I have a prototype. I abandoned the project after discovering Grasshopper and see Trimble policy about SketchUp. This collection of 3D algorithm is now translated in Python (probably in C++ after) for a new project. I have a prototype of Grasshopper like made in Swift.
Iām developing a lot in python in Grasshopper, because I now have architectural solutions that could be reused elsewhere.
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Sorry, yes, youāre right - Microspot have been around forever in the UK, were Apple dealers and were distributors for MacPlot amongst other software. They bought MacDraft from IDD in 1996.
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When we bought our āperpetualā licenses, our deal with Trimble was that we would be able to upgrade them in the future perpetually. Now Trimble has decided not to honor our deal. This is a classic example of fraudulent business practice. Shame on the liars at Trimble.
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Show us where THAT stands. I donāt think the EULA has much if anything about upgrades.
If you were right, it would make it very easy: When your M&S has ended and a new SketchUp version is released, sue Trimble. Winning would be guaranteed.
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If you subscribe, you basically have a perpetual upgrade.
Am I missing something here?
Fortunately ! There is so poor new features in updates !
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Absolutely
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While not defending their actions I am sure there was language in the EULA that said that Trimble had the right to change policy at any time. Just sayingā¦
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Kinda. A perpetual upgrade used to be $120 a year, vs the subscription, which is $300 per year.
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My understanding was that one could use the purchased edition forever, not that one could count on upgrades.
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Doesnāt the EULA call for arbitration in lieu of lawsuits?
So in the end, Autodesk didnāt buy SketchUp and kill it. SketchUp hired ex-Autodesk employees and moved the team to the same place. It was nice while it lasted.
Apple announces they are exiting the PC market the same week. Your perpetual license is perpetual as your current hardware.
This iMac and SketchUp 20.1 is my forever computer.
2020 worst year ever.
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Apple is exiting the PC market? I googled and this is from the first and most recent article I found. " Both Apple and Microsoft want to reverse the steady decline in PC shipments and see PC growth again. Both want to sell additional software and services to the Arm-based PC, though both platforms will be supporting x86 PCs for a long time."
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I havenāt the slightest idea. I am no lawyer. @AAD and @presence-architecture are accusing Trimble of breach of contract and I ask them for proof.
I have a classic license. What I do when my M&S expires I keep to myself. Donāt even know yet.
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Iām not claiming Trimble was obligated to create upgrades. Iām not claiming they were obligated to provide upgrades for free. And I admit Trimble has the right to āend of lifeā their software. But changing the business model is not the same as ending the life of the product. And when we bought this software, part of the purchase decision was based on Timpleās business model at that time (the implied promise that we could upgrade for a fee when new releases became available). Therefore, I am absolutely claiming their customers had a right to assume that their purchase would be grandfathered in the event of a change in business model like this. That is true whether itās explicitly stated in their terms of service or not.
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Prove this. I have not seen any promise of the kind whatsoever.
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To be clear, the claim we have always made with perpetual licenses was that the license you buy was yours with no claims about future versions based on the version you were buying. If you bought SketchUp 8, it is yours foreverā¦ sadly we have no control over computer/software manufacturers that make old versions of software obsolete. That being the case, we could hardly make any claim that weāll make our old software work with all future versions of an operating system. As it stands, if you buy/bought a SketchUp 2020 perpetual license, it is still yours for life. We are simply no longer making perpetual licenses for which to authorize or upgrade to.
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