Various extensions are used to speed up SketchUp, the most popular architectural modelling software. Through the help of these extensions, the modelling of architectural elements such as doors, windows, stairs, and facades can be made more practical and precise than ever before.

Profile Builder

By using the Profile Maker, a SketchUp plugin that allows you to quickly create a profile in a short amount of time, you can save yourself a lot of time. There is a wide variety of materials that can be used to design profiles, including wood and steel. You will be able to create a profile for stairways, facades, walls or any other place indoors or outdoors in a very short amount of time. You can download this extension from the SketchUp website and add it to SketchUp:

Profile Builder 3

Instant Stairs

A 2D plan representation of a stair step or a staircase can be created using the Instant Stair extension for SketchUp, where you can provide shapes, lines, or a 2D plan representation of the step to create stairs or ramps.

It is possible to choose from closed, open, stringers, treads only, or even a combination of these options. In the course of the development of the Stair component or afterwards, materials can be added or altered. There is a good alignment between the textures and the components of the staircase.

It is possible to make fences using Instant Stair by creating lines or curves that will go along with another script to create a fence. The user can create their own style libraries, or they can select one of a number of predefined style libraries from the list.

It is possible to use any SketchUp unit, including metric, feet/inches, and others. Menu selections are available for thumbnails as well as larger photographs

You can download this extension from Instant Stair

Artisan

The Artisan extension for SketchUp is another extension that provides a number of features related to advanced organic modelling. This is the perfect tool for designers to use in order to create many items.

You can find a wide variety of items that can be found in a home, including pieces of furniture, custom artwork, abstract art sculptures, fabric, curtains, and cushions. There are a lot of things you can make, such as plants, tree trunks, and rocks. There are also surfaces of subdivision and subdivision algorithms that can be used to handle highly complex geometric shapes.

There are many things you can do with Artisan, such as making hard edges, pressing the edges, creating loops, and subdividing them using a knife. Here is a link to the website where you can download the extension for SketchUp:

Artisan Organic Toolsets

Place Maker

This SketchUp PlaceMaker extension is designed to extend the functionality of SketchUp. With PlaceMaker, you are able to bring a wide variety of 3D data, aerial pictures, and unique geographic features within SketchUp. In addition to being easy to use, PlaceMaker can save a considerable amount of time and money. There are many things which can be achieved in a matter of minutes, rather than taking days or even weeks in the past.

It has the ability to import 3D towns from all over the world, complete with landscapes, roads, paths, buildings, railroads, and trees. If you are interested in using the extension in SketchUp, you can download it from the following link:

SketchUp PlaceMaker

FlexTools

There are many reasons why architects and 3D artists prefer Flex Tools when it comes to designing SketchUp doors, windows, staircases, and other architectural elements quickly and precisely. In order to make your life easier, we have developed an extension that allows you to model a variety of architectural elements such as doors, stairs, and windows quickly and accurately. The SketchUp software allows you to make openings in walls and stair solutions for your home.

You will be able to download the following tool from the following link, Flextools

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The 3D models, we download from the Internet usually have a lot of extra geometry, which adds to the extra burden on our stage. We can see how many lines the object is built when we enable the Hidden Geometry option by Clean Up extension. Some of them are usually not required for the model to appear appropriately, but only add to the size of the file we are working on.

CleanUp is a fantastic plugin that comes in handy while we are importing data. Extra has hidden geometry around in 3d models, only adding to the model’s complexity and making it hard to render. We may want to clean our model with this plugin by removing all those unnecessary segments, hidden geometry, and duplicate faces.

The first step is to download the plugin first. We can do it directly from within Sketchup by entering Window Extension Warehouse or by downloading it from the Extension websites.

CleanUp Extension Features

CleanUp Extension has recently launched its updated version (V3.4.3), making it more smooth, optimized, and user-friendly to use. The primary motive of the CleanUp extension is to provide you with clean models eliminating all unnecessary geometry and hidden resources. The CleanUp Plugins are comparatively easy to install, once the installation is done, you can access it with only one click. To run this latest version of CleanUp Plugins you need to have SketchUp version 7.1 or the latest version.

The Features of the CleanUp extension for SketchUp are as follows

• Fix names of duplicate component definitions when in model scope.
• Exclude unused elements from the stage.
• Eliminate hidden unused geometry.
• Automatically erase extra faces.
• It can also be used to remove unrequired edges.
• Restore separate edges.
• It can also be helpful to soften any edges.
• Sort the edges and faces according to the layers.
• Combine alike objects.
• Combines connected co-planer.

The CleanUp for the SketchUp is an ideal extension for the following companies

• Architectural Firms and companies.
• Construction companies.
• Film Production house.
• Wood designing.
• Interior Designing Firms.

The Advantages of using the CleanUp extension for SketchUp:-

• CleanUp allows us to pick and select which aspects of the programme needs to clean. We have the option of selecting between model and local.
• The cleanUp extension is also in charge of resolving the model’s mistakes and issues.
• CleanUp is a powerful extension that enables you to clean the unnecessary items from your models. That makes your model less complex and enable smooth rendering.

For more information click here to watch the video tutorial

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MeshKit lets you create models in Sketch Up and mesh with a number of quality mesh generators, including Gmsh Netgen TetGen FRGEN3D SnappyHexMesh for Open FOAM (under development – coming soon in version 4.x) Foamy Hex Mesh for Open FOAM (under development – coming soon in version 4.x) Create meshes directly from Sketch Up suitable for use with finite element, finite volume, or other analysis methods.

This makes performing CFD calculations on Sketch Up models extremely simple and efficient. This tool provides a way to very quickly set up models for analysis with any number of numerical methods.

I often use MeshKit with the excellent, free, and open-source multi-physics package, Open FOAM, but it also works great with Fluent, Ansys, LS-DYNA, CFX, Star-CCM+, Elmer Multiphysics, and others.

CLF Camera Recorder

Imagine if your mouse becomes a camera. Don’t worry this software helps to do the unthinkable. Extension records the navigating of a model and turns each frame into a scene to be made into a movie from within Sketch-up.

It exports out as a series of images to be turned into a movie using quick time or any other capable video editor. It is installed in Plug ins > Chris Fullmer Tools > Camera Recorder. Start recording and navigating the model. Then stop recording. Clear the recording if you desire. Or export the animation into scenes, or into an existing folder. Supports jpg and png file types.

SketchUp to Key Shot 6

A Key Shot plug in links Sketch Up 3D modeling software and Key Shot 6 together on Windows or Mac OS X, rather than putting Key Shot inside the modeling application. This plug in adds a menu button to your 3D software that transfers 3D data and other model

Main Features of key shot 6 are maintain colors and textures that Supports Sketch Up physics animations Recognize groups Export file of this software is .bip. Tools Requirements of key shot 6 is Sketch Up 2015 – 2017. Key Shot 6 can run in Windows 7,8,10 32/64-bit or Mac OS X 10.8 or later.

For more information, visit: www.keyshot.com

Keyframe Animation Version 2

Animating objects is straightforward and instinctive. Just click a button to record each object’s position data for the current scene (i.e. key frame). When the scene is selected, the objects will magically translate, rotate, and scale to their recorded values. There is a new way to interpolate objects since version 2.0.

They can be reflected between mirror images. Nested subgroups and subcomponents can be animated at any depth. They move relative to their parent. Version 2.2 has two ways to export the object animation to a movie. One, you can create tweens (in between scenes with the object animation “baked-in”).

Some applications such as Vray, Twilight, and Shaderlight can render the tweens. The tweens now play nice with the sketch up scene properties. Two, you can combine the Sketch Up scene animation with the Key frame object animation, and export it all to a movie, directly from the keyframe model. This new export feature is fast, simple, and efficient.

For more information, visit: regular-polygon.com

Curic Align View

Align view from the current position of the camera to the standard view, from edge or face and lock camera. You can build your design with the help of curic align view.

Different dimension like 2D and 3D Structure with different alignment can be build using this(curic align view).rendering use of this design help camera in different views.

Eneroth Axonometric Projection

Emulate axonometric projection was made by skewing group/component. Typically this can be done on one instance of a component while another is kept as normal to keep drawing in. This can also be applied to a component linking the working model file.

The base of the structure is created using left and right angle 60 degree with the left and right scale factor 1.Vertical scale factor is also 1.Facing direction of Structure is north east just like in this Projection.

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Publishing Protocol

Coding

Develop an innovative idea that enables SketchUp users to get the most out of the program. Implement the idea with programming. Ensure that your code performs as you expect. According to the Technical Requirements outlined here, build the release-ready RBZ.

Upload to Extension Warehouse

Describe what your extension does and whether it would be useful for prospective users by filling out the upload form. Make sure that you have crossed all your information, then click on the Submit for Review button.

Reviewing by SketchUp Team

The SketchUp Extension Review Team will check and validate your submission against SketchUp’s set of review and approval criteria. A message will be sent to you if something isn’t working so you can fix it before your extension goes live.

Publishing

After passing Review, your extension is now ready to be published. Once your application has been approved, the SketchUp team will email you the good news. The next step is to publish your extension from the My Extensions page. When you publish your extension, it will be visible to everyone.

Technical Requirements

All extensions must comply with these minimum technical requirements. If you want your Extension to behave well and run efficiently within the SketchUp client application, you must stay between these lines.

Unique Name for Extension

You need to choose an extension name that is unique. Your extension file names should begin with your company’s name or initials. Protect your code from conflicts with other developers’ scripts by wrapping it in a developer namespace.

Packaging

Only RBZ packages accept at the Extension Warehouse. An RBZ is simply a ZIP file with another extension. Your RBZ must meet some requirements. A single ruby file loaded by your extension, with a folder containing the rest of the extension files, may be contained in the root of your RBZ package.

Key Reasons to reject your Extension

SketchUp’s review process might not allow your extension to approve. It hopes that the reason for that will be something minor and simple to resolve. You may cite the following reasons for rejecting an extension. You can use it as a guide to increase your chances of getting your extension approve.

1. SketchUp is crashed every time when using your extension or it poorly performs when loaded.
2. Your extension is useless if it crashes all the time.
3. It crashes or performs poorly on another extension due to your extension. As part of participating in the Extension Warehouse, you acknowledge that you are not acting alone.
4. There are bugs in your extension, which prevent it from being used in the way its advertising. Bad code is annoying for both you, and SketchUp suffers as a result. Make sure your code works as expected before submitting it.
5. The extension doesn’t work as advertised. Do not fool your users. Your extension should describe what it does, then provide that functionality.
6. SketchUp’s APIs are undocumented in your extension. Undocumented APIs are unsafe to use since they are subject to change at any time and probably haven’t been tested well. That is, they might stop working in the future. Someone else already has the same extension as yours. You should not claim ownership of an extension by just copying the work of someone else. In the case of a derivative work, make it unique.

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To provide additional features bits of code are added into Sketchup, these bits of codes are called plugins and these can be installed after the initial installation. These are usually developed by 3rd parties. In SketchUp, plugins have the suffix of .rb file.

How to Install

Method 1: Automatic

In case you have Sketchup 2013 or newer, you will be able to access to the extension warehouse.

Just by clicking download you can get the latest version of Sketchup. To be able to access the extension warehouse go to Window > Extension Warehouse.

After opening the Extension Warehouse window, you have to make sure that you are signed in to your account. You will find the ‘Sign in’ button in the top right. Without the sign in process you will not be able to download or install the extensions this way.

You must navigate around for an extension that entices you. After you are able to find an extension click the red download button in the upper right corner.

Method 2: Manual

This method is in case you have found an extension on the web which is perfectly fine. You must make sure that the .rbz file is saved somewhere which you can easily get access to and receive. You can assign a folder naming it Sketchup/Tools folder where you can store it. In older versions you might want to use the Sketchup/Plugin folder.

Now, you have to go to Window > Preferences

On the left make sure you have Extensions selected

After which you have to click Install Extension at the bottom left This will lead to installation of extensions

Where to Find Plugins and Extensions

Listed below are the resources from where you can install SketchUp plugins and extensions

• Sketchup Extension Warehouse – It is truly the best place to get extensions. One of the safest and easiest places to go to find what you need.
• Smustard – This used to be a good place to find resources but the problem now is that most plugins are paid. Paid plugins are equally important and can be used by those who can afford it.
• Ruby Library Depot – In this site you will find a long list of free plugins and extensions to sort through. and it is a great site but can be difficult to navigate.
• SketchUcation – You can find a number of plugins here. It is a great site as well. You can find paid plugins here as well.

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If you are a 3D artist then you don’t need to make all of 3D models and textures from scratch.

You will be able to download or buy them by visiting the following web platforms which already has stock 3D models:

• TurboSquid.
• Evermotion.
• 3DSky.org.

There will obviously be a chance of you not being able to find specific 3D models for furniture, accessories or something similar, on a 3D stock platform. In such situations, you have to individually create a 3D model of the objects individually.

For example:

.If your project involves working on interior 3D renderings of a living room. Then there is an option to download or purchase 3D models of a TV and interior accessories on stock platforms instead of spending hours with 3d modeling of the objects.
.When you have to work with exterior 3D rendering. Then it is advisable to not care about creating 3D models of trees and exterior plants with every single leaf and branch. You also should also not care about creating 3D models of cars, exterior furniture. You will be able to find all of these 3D models on stock platforms.

A number of times3D artists require texture in their projects for which they use various image editing software and spend their time and effort into it. With the help of these texture stock platforms getting such textures will not be a long process anymore.

In case of a client, the client can select textures from the stock platforms and can ask for their choice of texture to the 3D artists to use them in the 3D renderings.

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However, this magical installation process comes with a few caveats:

• We must access the Extension Warehouse from SketchUp (as opposed to a browser). If we access the Extension Warehouse from a web browser, we see a Download button instead of an Install button, and then need to install the downloaded .RBZ file manually through SketchUp Preferences.
• The extension is a free extension. Many extensions on the Extension Warehouse are free for us to download and use. Developers also have the option of selling extensions for a one-time fee or a subscription. When an extension is available for purchase, where we did normally see the Install button, we instead see a Purchase button and sometimes an Install Trial button, as shown in the following figure. A trial extension is free to use for a limited time. In some cases, an extension is available for purchase, but we need to buy the extension from the developer’s website and install the extension manually.

Tip: Installing and managing extensions is easiest if we access the Extension Warehouse from SketchUp by selecting Window > Extension Warehouse.

We might need to check on an extension or handle an issue once in a while. For example, here’s when the tips and steps in this article come in handy:

• A developer adds a feature, fixes a bug, or otherwise updates an extension.
• Our SketchUp interface has become cluttered with extensions, and we did like to clear up the extensions you don’t use often.

Note: If you’re not familiar with the features on the extension details page, check out the introduction to the Extension Warehouse interface in Getting Started. If you’re wondering how to uninstall, update, or otherwise manage your extensions, see Managing Extensions.

Installing extensions manually in SketchUp Preferences

If we download an extension from the Extension Warehouse via a web browser

1. In SketchUp, select Window > Extension Manager. The Extension Manager window appears.
2. Click the Install Extension button.
3. In the Open dialog box that appears, navigate to the .rbz file saved to your computer, select the file, and click OK (Microsoft Windows) or Open (Mac OS X).
4. When SketchUp warns us about installing only extensions from trusted sources, click Yes to proceed and install your extension. (This assumes you do, in fact, trust the source of your extension.)

Finding and using an extension after it’s installed

Sometimes, an extension appears on an Extensions menu. Simply select an extension from the menu to start using it. The extension may also add a toolbar for using the extension’s features, such as the Curve Maker toolbar shown in the figure. Other times, an extension is on the Draw menu, the Tools menu, or a context menu.

Enabling and disabling extensions

Disabling an extension unloads it from SketchUp. We might want to disable an extension in the following circumstances:

• An extension can take up resources even when you’re not using it, so disabling unneeded extensions can help SketchUp run as fast as possible.
• Disabling extensions can declutter SketchUp’s menus and toolbars. If we rarely use an extension, we can disable it so that it’s out of the way until we need it.

To disable an extension in the Extension Warehouse:

1. In SketchUp, select Window > Extension Warehouse and sign in to the Extension Warehouse.
2. Select My Extensions from the user menu. The Extension Warehouse opens to the My Extensions tab.
3. Disable any extension by clicking its Disable option. After we disable an extension, it becomes grayed out, moves to the bottom of My Extensions tab, and has an Enable option, which can click to re-enable the extension.

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