I would like to import the models from sketchup and animate them in maya/3ds max/daz studio etc. Which one of these integrates well with unity? Which one is easy to learn?(total noob with animation). The space shooter I want to build will be 2d but will use 3d models. Obviously, no biped or complex organic animation needed. What do you suggest?
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I would imagine that most (all?) models in a space shooter will be static and won’t require much in terms of animation except the ability to bank, roll, and turn. If that is indeed the case then you don’t need any animation software except Unity and some basic knowledge of maths and physics.
But I should warn you that last time I tried to work with models imported from SketchUp (which I admit was a few years ago), it wasn’t a pleasant experience at all. Models had double faces everywhere and it the amount of work required to clean them up amounted to basically recreating them while by using the SketchUp geometry as reference.
Good look 
Thanks for the reply. The ships will need to bank, roll etc but i also want the ships to be somewhat mechanical, with moving, rotating parts etc. Nothing too complicated. So can I get that done in Unity? I have just started learning C#(4 yrs Java background) so I don’t really know a lot about Unity. I have heard this SketchUp problem pop up quite frequently at lots of forums. Is moving to Maya or 3dsMax anything like Sketchup? Thanks.
By no means. Sketchup is a toy. Max or Maya the machine
There is no really easy 3D app behind the one trick tools. 3D graphics is pretty complex. Learning to make decent graphics is an equal hard and complex learning process than learning to program. I would even say it`s harder.
There is by the way also free software available. Theres not only the big boys. Blender for example. Or the Unity version of Shade 3D - even when this ones a cut down version of a commercial software.
http://www.mirye.net/shade-3d-for-unity-overview
I wonder anyways why the Shade3D move to offer this free version didn`t get more attention here at this board.
If your planning on making this a paid game but don’t want to pay for a big program as 3DS max/Maya (I personally wouldn’t), you should get blender for models. Going to have alot of problems with sketchup. blender is more shortcut oriented but once you learn it I would say it works just as well as the bigger programs.
Imported from sketchup using this video-
Works!
Thanks everyone.
Maybe because its not free ,it is only a one year license according to the PC splash screen.