Thanks for those very kind words!!
You are of course right, Stu.
It's both in the program, aswell as the user. Just cause you have a Spitfire, doesn't mean you are an ace combat pilot, to use a corny analogy.
In theory, Sketchup can prodoce a good enough 3D model to make it into the game. BUT.. a lot of the other steps in the creative proces that leads to a playable ship, will have to be done with 'better' software, still.
Sketchup is free for a reason. It lacks a lot of the necessary tools to do the whole job. It's powerful on some areas, but simply can't match the professional, expensive software. You pay for a reason, there's no free substitute for thousands of Dollars/Euros/Pounds worth of software.
But because Sketchup is free and very easy to use, just about anyone can have a go at modeling now. You will never see beginners buying 3DSMAX just to have a go. And so many more beginners in the user base, means that the output is equally..well.. beginnerish..
90% of models found on the Sketchup 3D Warehouse are just not very good. No disrespect to anyone of course, we all have to start somewhere. And not everyone can do the same stuff as good as the next guy.
Fred