Google this week changed direction: from a company that throws dozens of new software applications against the wall (to see what sticks), to one that clarifies its murky existence. This morning's announcement found in Eric Auchard's of Reuters article caught my eye:
"Google Docs..., which securely stores user data on Google's central computers, can in turn export or import any information into a variety of other file formats, including Microsoft's widely used Word word processor or Excel spreadsheet. Users need a password-protected Google account, a modern Web browser, and a Web connection. Documents created with the Google service can be viewed privately by individuals, shared with a limited group in "view" or "edit" mode, or published to the Web for public viewing."
What if Google were to have similar plans for SketchUp? Change a few words in the paragraph to feel the effect:
"Google SketchUp..., which securely stores user data on Google's central computers, can in turn export or import any information into a variety of other file formats, including AutoCAD's widely used DWG drawing editor or DWF viewer. Users need a password-protected Google account, a modern Web browser, and a Web connection. Drawings created with the Google service can be viewed privately by individuals, shared with a limited group in "view" or "edit" mode, or published to the Web for public viewing."
If Google were to work with Adobe (who also hates Microsoft), then they would have access to Adobe's recently acquired 3D translators from TTF.
Interesting to mull over.... just as I'm leaving for the IntelliCAD World Meeting 2006, where I expect to hear about developments such as the ObjectARx clone and reading drawings with ARx-defined objects generated by Architectural Desktop and Mechanical Desktop.
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