Since 1.4rc2, Google SketchUp does not immediately redraw the 3d drawing area, but only after the view has been invalidated another time. That means SketchUp starts with black screen until you force it to update the view (by moving, resizing the window or orbiting or panning the view). This is also noticeable when you click, double-click or triple-click an object in order to select it: The object is not immediately highlighted although it is selected.
