kuboa

You can use scripted expressions in drivers, and if the expression is complex it uses the Python interpreter, but drivers are an entirely separate system than GN. They always (afaik) put out a single value, so while you can use them to control a value of a socket or channel inside GN, they wouldn't be evaluated dynamically for every element of a geometry so they wouldn't be a "field".

Technically, but you need to copy and maintain that modifier for all objects. Even if you did that, usability is non-existent. Just to turn it off for a moment you'd have to select the objects with the right modifier and disable them using an obscure shortcut (holding Alt) and even then it's notoriously slow and finicky anyways--not even in the same universe as SketchUp's section tool.

As I said I'm not a programmer and I'm only familiar with GN so take anything I say with a grain of salt but: Google/YouTube is telling me that VEX is an expression language. We don't have that in GN yet. No scripting of any kind, actually. Everything is done visually, on the nodes themselves, there's no "properties" window for nodes where you do the actual work, everything's sockets and noodles. Shape and color of the sockets tell you the data type (geometry, float, vector...). Scripting support is a common request, but devs usually respond with "it'll come but we need to nail the fundamentals first". It's still a very young system.

There's no Python (like the add-ons), all nodes are C/C++.

I looked into what "variables" are, it says stuff like "position", "current animation frame" etc. Those would be called "input fields" in GN. In addition to default attributes like position, normal, rotation etc you can also capture, store and recall custom attributes, either anonymously or as named ones (always written on geometry in a particular domain--point, edge, face corner etc).

Taking a look at an Entagma video on GN would be much more helpful I'm sure (they also have a course).

@erindale_xyz (probably the most well known member of the GN community, fantastic YouTube channel as well)

@JacquesLucke (creator of Animation nodes, who was then hired by Blender)

@FreyaHolmer (not necessarily Blender stuff, but great game-dev geometry/math content)

Tinkerers: @higgsasxyz @cmzw_ @artofriaz3d @WannesMalfait @JesseMiettinen @Bbbn192 @Mrdodobird @cgonfire @Sanctus_Art

In terms of ability, sure, Blender can replace SketchUp (and more), but I don't think it'd be worth the learning hassle just for that. The free SketchUp web version should suffice for small DIY stuff. You can always bring your model into Blender for further refining/rendering anyways (there's a good import addon).

Depends on what you're doing with it. I'm an architect who have been using SketchUp professionally for 20 years now, and I use Blender for hobby (Geometry Nodes stuff). For architecture work, Blender absolutely can NOT replace SketchUp, unfortunately (it doesn't even have a universal Section tool, for example), even though it's an incomparably more powerful program in every other area.

It's optional and Apple didn't want to be listed. Their logo has never been displayed on the page. They collaborated with devs from Apple quite closely though, they used to put the meeting notes and updates on devtalk.blender.org

The file browser interface is one of my least favorite things about Blender too, but apparently they're working on a big "Assets" update (a brand new interface for browsing and managing not only files but any kind of asset, like Materials etc) which will come after the release of 2.8, so, fingers crossed.

In Turkey, too.

> I can upload my own music (20,000 songs) for free

That has been upped to 50,000 songs early this year, FYI. As an Enka and J-Pop listener, it's the defining feature for me too.

> also now google seems to index any photos and videos inside of google drive into photos

It's optional, I personally love and benefit from it. You can turn it off in the settings.