Given below is the list of some of the most important plugins that you can use in SketchUp:

1001bit Tools – Helps Modelling Architecture

The 1001bit tool is a SketchUp plugin that is a must-have. Several architectural elements can be created using this tool as it works as a collection of tools. The architectural elements range from roofs to railings, windows, staircases, and roof design. This plugin provides some tools which can be used for drawing/editing geometry such as fillet, extend and chamfer which are missing in the native Sketchup.

After the installation of the plugin, SketchUp can take time to open as it takes time to load the plugin. The reason why it takes time to load is that it checks the license status before loading. The basic tools of 1001bit are the ones regarding distance which includes Information Between 2 Points, Point on Face, Center Point of Arc, and Circles.

For creating complex objects, the most efficient tool is the Divide tool where the selected edge can be divided.

The 1001bit provides a better layer management system than Sketchup provides originally. Switching layers using 1001bit will seem a lot easier than the SketchUp workflow.

Best Fit Face is a useful tool for creating organic shapes. Using this tool you can after creating non-coplanar points pick the series of points for double-clicking so that you can create a face that will contain those points as part of the edges of that face. If you want to create structural models in SketchUp then the Edges to 3D Profiles tool can be of immense help, it can also be used for making bridges. Given below is the procedure:

• At first, have to select the edges you want to work with and then run the tool.
• You have to then choose your desired profile and enter the parameters. You can choose the default steel profiles which you can apply.
• Create profiles

The Array tool comes with several settings that you can apply, the Polar Array is the most useful one, as it helps you to create a spiral staircase with minimum parameters.

The wall tools are a simple-step solution than trying to build a wall with the SketchUp way. This tool helps you to draw a wall by simply choosing a type of wall instead of drawing and extruding planes. Also, you can apply details to your walls by using this, for example, baseboards.

In the case of wall openings and columns, the parameters work in a similar way. By using a dialog box you can select the type and apply parameters and simply create.

One of the tools for Structural Models is to create Foundations. It is extremely helpful as you can quickly be made anything from pad footing to strip footing.

To create stairs, use the stair tool, which will allow you to create 12 different kinds of stairs whereas the Escalator is meant for creating mechanical stairs. and, to create windows and door Frame use the tool with the same name, here you have to create a face at the opening prior to being able to apply the command to it. The skin for the façade can be made by using a Perforated Screen, this can be an important part of some projects.

The other important tools that are present are Louvres, Joist, and the Roofing tools, the alternative for Joist and roofing tools is the Vali-Plugins which will be explained later.

Instant Roof – Plugin to Model Complex Roofs

Part of the Vali plugin the Instant Roof is extremely useful to create a wide variety of architectural elements.

In the Vali plugin, the focus is on making roofs from selected faces and edges. There are infinite possibilities, as it depends on both, the kind of roof you want to make along with how the geometry looks like for what you created for hosting that roof. and to create a roof using the Craftsman-style roof, you have to create in Sketchup a figure where two shapes are joined is up to you how you decide to create the geometry but you must remember that if you don’t want to be change parameters and use the default method then the geometry group must be a bit large in scale for the roof so that it is able to adapt.

Selectedges+faces

Leave one edge unselected as it will determine the direction of the slope.

Go to Plugins → Instant Roof → Make Roof

Select the roof type and adjust parameters if you like after which you have to hit OK.

Instant Road – Creating roads and pathways

This other plugin part of the Vali Plugins helps in creating roads, pathways, and waterways on terrains.

The elements that are required for creating the necessary geometry are lines, curves, and faces. You can create a road from a centerline, or even create a road from faces and also make islands inside the created roads. and first, you have to create a Terrain mesh by using the Sandbox tools of Sketchup. After which you have to draw connected lines or curves within our terrain.

After that, you have to group the lines and select both the group and the terrain.

Plugins → Instant Road → Road from Centerline

After this you have to apply the parameters needed for the road, such as its Width, depending on if it is curved or if additional parameters are required to be applied. After it is created make sure to double click the road group to open it for editing. You must then apply the changes you want. Close the group and select it as well as the terrain.

Plugins → Instant Road → Road from Face

And it is created!

Artisan – Create Organic Shapes in Sketchup

To create organic shapes, you can use the Artisan plugin. Using this plugin you can then “sculpt” your 3D model in a much more friendly way than what Sketchup originally will help you to achieve.

The Artisan plugin is mostly useful for creating complex architectural buildings and also for furniture modelling as it can help you achieve perfect rounded edges and faces, SketchUp is unable to provide this feature while subdividing elements. and understand more about how the Artisan plugin works you can also refer to videos available on the internet to understand better.

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Use of SketchUp Plugin

1. At first, users have to select the window option and then the extension manager option in SketchUp.
2. After that users have to click the install extension option.
3. After that when SketchUp tells users to install extensions only from trusted links then they have to click yes option to install the desired extension.

Front face tool

If any face of any objects is facing backwards generally users have to select and choose the reverse faces option. It takes a lot of time but by using this tool users have to click the button and then drag the mouse over all the backside faces.

Shape bender

1. Users first have to mimic the curve of the desired bend by copying or drawing the line.
2. Then they have to draw a line along the length of the object users want to bend.
3. Then users have to select the object and then they have to click the tool button.
4. After that users can see the instruction tool at bottom left on the SketchUp window.
5. After that users have to select the curve.

This takes a few minutes. Users can use the up option to toggle the curve and use the down arrow to toggle the line. Users have to press enter to draw the new object. This tool is very helpful to bend any shape of lines.

Round corner tool

If any objects in the design are sharp in real life then they will cause injury so by using this tool users can make edges of the object smooth. So that it will give a polish look of the object in the entire model.

Solid inspector

This plug in is very helpful. By using this tool users are able to inspect every object so that those objects can not make any mistakes like lag, crash or corrupt the SketchUp files. This plugin helps to fix the problems and also tells the users about fixing some problems manually.

This tool highlights the errors in red so that the users can orbit and flip the object to see the problem. This tool is a very time saver tool. This tool also helps the user by saving progress before importing complex things in the model.

Sketchy FFD

Users can control the cage to an object by using this software. Users can create complex curves. This tool also helps to create domes and free flowing shapes constructed from mesh elements. C Philips created this plug-in for SketchUp users.

1001 bit tools

This extension has 39 tools to get better qualities while doing SketchUp. This is the freeware version.

Memory copy

Users can copy and transform geometry by using this tool. This tool also remembers the last move of the users. Adam Billyard created this plug-in for SketchUp users.

Follow me and rotate

Users created rope, twine, and ornate balusters by using this plug in. This tool helps the users by rotating to produce twisting geometry. Wiki created this follow me and rotate plugin for SketchUp.

Multiple offsets

Sam D Mitch created this helpful plugin to help the SketchUp users. Users can offset many faces of the particular object. Users can create complex forms by using this tool.

Edge tools2

ThomThom created this plugin for SketchUp. This tool also helps the users to save their precious times. This tool also simplifies the imported DWG site plans, split a face into different planes and highlight the problems or imperfect models so that users can easily clean up the model very easily.

Section cut face

TIG created this plugin to create a better SketchUp experience. Users are also able to add a face to the required section plane. Users also modify the faces very fast and also change the colors for the purposes of presentation. This tool can be updated automatically when the users edit the models.

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To do so, the following plugins will help you enhance your design to the limits of flawlessness:

Dynamic Components

When performing association and alteration to components of a similar classification, parts are a helpful instrument for the planners. Be that as it may, a supernatural module called Dynamic Components expands the usefulness of those segments. It adds additional tasks to segments that change when you scale or size them. Get it free here

Solid Inspector

When printing a finished plan, the exact opposite thing a creator or an engineer would need is to see unpredictable holes or openings in their plan. Not to stress on the grounds that the Solid Inspector module does the work for you by making a point to eliminate any undesirable holes, openings, or breaks in the 3D model. It reviews the model and delivers a 100% strong one by making fundamental fixes. Get it free here

V-Ray

V-Ray is the most darling delivering administration of the fashioner world. The blend of SketchUp and V-Ray is with the end goal that it helps the planners and engineers outstand their rivals and change their customer’s thoughts into the real world. V-Ray permits the originators utilizing SketchUp to get the inventive position they want without trading off the expert brilliance of their work. Read more

1001Bit Tools

1001Bit Tool is a module that is valuable for originators and engineers that need to make an ideal structural incitement of steps, windows, entryways, and guardrails. 1001Bit Tools might be a test to use for amateurs however bringing it into your training has its own awards of rapid demonstrating and uniform UI that are somewhat hard to accomplish utilizing SketchUp as it were. Get it for free

BIM Bundle

BIM Bundle is another useful asset for architects and designers since it permits fast production of savvy objects like stud outlines, stepping stool rungs, fence posts, and so forth Its profile developer is the most ideal alternative on the lookout for fashioners who wish to demonstrate building materials. Likewise, the quantifier favorable to the property of the BIM Bundle permits you to make precise expense assessments.

Keyframe Animation

Sometimes a static 3D model does not do justice to your amazing design. It is in times like these when designers require a plugin that will give an animated touch to their design. Keyframe animation is the solution as it provides animation of the 3D model with various camera angles, materials, and lightings. It is free to download

CleanUp³

By the time you reach the top of your perfect 3D model, things around it get really messy. Not everyone has an eye fixed for discipline to arrange and manage the model from the beginning. However, for the messy designers in the industry, CleanUp³ is a piece of digital wonder that can bring out the beauty from your chaotic designs. It is free to download

PlaceMaker

Creating an accurate 3D model isn’t a simple task. There are several geographical details that will slip from the attention of a designer. However, the PlaceMaker for SketchUp makes bound to import all necessary geographical data into your SketchUp model. It saves tons of time and money by importing real details like roads, walkways, buildings, and trees from your design site. It is fast and straightforward to use and straightforward to find out.

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