Even 3D veterans will love this application for low poly 3d modelling. I am totally amazed that I have never heard before about this application.
The way you can manage edge smoothing and project textures is just jaw dropping! This has got to be the smartest way of modelling solid geometry.
Also, I haven’t managed yet to create single non-planar poly. Not a single one!
How the heck did I manage without this before?
Is there any way to sum up what the process is like in this app?
Do you draw three views and then show the program how they line up with some anchored vertices or something?
-Jon
The last time I tried a demo it was pretty awesome, must be even better now.
Boxy
The process is more like extruding faces with N-Gons on steroids.
But most importantly, it integrates edge manipulation and stencil/drill functionality in a way that I have never seen before.
It’s so powerful that you can actually stop using reference images because you can tweak proportions super efficiently even after having gone very far down the modelling process.
You can download a fully functionial demo and watch the online video to get an idea.
P.S.: I won’t even mention the cut paste functionality. That’s a really mad part of the application. I nearly dropped coffee on my lap the first time I saw it in the online video.
Here’s an (unfinished) example of Sketchup’s abilities. While I haven’t yet finished the roof above the second floor bay bedroom windows, this was done in 12 minutes using Sketchup 5. Showing shadows. I still need to test exporting a model an using it in Unity though (I’m home sick with a bad cold).
I guess this is why the makers of sketchup are starting to realise how powerful a tool this could be in the hands of game developers - it really is dead easy to use.
I have often wanted to do more of my own modelling but simply don’t have the time to devote to learning something like cinema 4d or Maya - but I think Sketchup is the answer - you really can knock up buildings in no time at all.
PLUS Whilst the product is $500 if you look in the resources on their website they offer for download literally thousands of pre-built 3d components for you to add to your architecture designs. This could save huge amounts of time.
Within 30 mins I had designed an indoor scene with a window, coffee desk, spiral staircase, laptop computer and even a toilet 
and imported it into Unity with no problems.
@Davey - Did you get everything to export okay? What about textures?
Has anybody here purchased Sketchup after demoing it?
Heh, I just got it today, not really knowing what it was. Turns out that if you work for a certain fruit company many companies, esp. those w/ lesser-known products provide licenses for employees. I haven’t fired it up yet (home machine just barely meets min. requirements, and I don’t have access to work network from home yet) but if there’s some full-version feature anyone wants me to try (maybe file export or somesuch?) I’ll do what I can. Note I don’t have a unity license. Yet. (Have had job less than a month, and have more pressing needs - “unfortunately” my 6/7 year-old G4/400 keeps going…)
$20 for an OS X native archetectual modeling application?
Sounds good.
downloads
Hope you haven’t gotten too excited yet - that’s $20 for the demo CD. The app is $500…
If you’re a student (even in grade school) @Last has an education price where you pay $99/year for four consecutive years (obviously intended at four-year university programs) then $99 when you graduate and then you own a full license. Contact them for details.
Upon second inspection, the modeling features seem actually harder to use than that of a more familiar app such as blender.
Plus its fortified with export and redraw errors.
I change my vote.