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Best Plugins and Their Uses in Sketchup

What is Plugin for Sketchup?

SketchUp is software that allows users to create 3D modeling and design. SketchUp users can use different plug-ins to extend and enhance the basic functionality of the program.


SketchUp plug-ins are programs or pieces of code that add features, tools, and functionality to the SketchUp software. These plug-ins offer specialized functionality for specific needs and make SketchUp users' workflows faster and more efficient. SketchUp plugins offer many different functionalities used in various industries such as architecture, interior design, product design, film and animation industry. For example, a plugin can add features such as better rendering, surface modeling, animation and effects, creating models suitable for 3D printing, and more.


SketchUp plug-ins are powerful tools that make SketchUp users' work easier and provide more functionality. Many plugins are available free or paid and the user can choose according to his needs and budget.


We have listed the most used and useful Sketchup plugins and their benefits in our article. In the rest of the article, you can also learn how to download and install these plugins.


Most Useful Sketchup Plugin List

1001bit Tools: This plugin provides useful tools for building design in SketchUp. It contains many ready-made objects that you can use to create building elements such as stairs, doors, windows, roofs and walls.



JHS PowerBar: It is a plugin that accelerates and facilitates the workflows of SketchUp users. This plugin bundles a number of different tools and gives users quick access to the tools they use most often.

Features of the JHS PowerBar include different line types, sizes and colors, surface editing tools, quick grouping and scaling, selection and transformation tools, 3D modeling tools, material properties and camera controls.



True Bend: A plugin that allows SketchUp users to accurately bend selected surfaces. This plugin allows you to bend selected surfaces along an axis, creating more realistic, organic shapes.



Fredo6 Tools: Fredo6 Tools includes a set of plugins developed for SketchUp. These include editing source files, duplicating objects, filling gaps, warping surfaces, and more.

You can download all Fredo plugins by searching on the SketchUcation website.


However, for these plugins to work, you must first download and install the LibFredo6 plugin into your Sketchup software.



After this installation, you can install other plugins one by one by searching on SketchUcation. We have explained some of the most popular and useful plugins developed by Fredo6 for SketchUp users:


FredoScale: This plugin allows you to easily change the size, measurement and proportion of objects. This helps users scale objects faster and more accurately.


FredoTools: This plugin offers a variety of tools and commands. These tools let you easily apply symmetry to selected objects, create planes, distort surfaces and curves, and more.


RoundCorner: It is a plugin that allows SketchUp users to round the edges of objects and smooth corners. This plugin helps users create natural and fluid lines in their 3D models.


Joint Push Pull: This plugin allows you to easily deform surfaces using the extrude tool. This speeds up the modeling process and allows you to create more complex shapes.


BezierSpline: BezierSpline allows you to create curves in SketchUp. This helps you create more complex curves and surfaces.


Curviloft: This plugin allows you to combine surfaces of different shapes. This helps save time in the modeling process and allows you to create more complex surfaces.


Animator: Animator allows you to add animation effects to your SketchUp models. This gives customers, partners, or stakeholders the ability to take a tour of different aspects of your model and provide an interactive experience.


Fredo6's plugins provide solutions for many different needs for SketchUp users. The use of these plugins can speed up the modeling process, optimize your workflow and improve the quality of your design.


Edge Tools: A plugin that makes it easier for SketchUp users to work with edge lines. This plugin allows you to create different curves, surfaces and edges. It also helps you easily separate intersecting surfaces during the modeling process.



Follow Me and Keep: It is a plugin that makes it easier for SketchUp users to bend and rotate surfaces. This plugin allows you to bend or flip surfaces by making a selected surface follow another surface.


Features of Follow Me and Keep include the "Follow Me" tool, which allows the selected surface to be followed along a specific shape, the "Keep" tool, which allows surfaces to be rotated according to a certain angle, and the "Preserve" tool, which allows creating a new surface while preserving the features of the selected surface. Attributes" tool.



Tools on Surface: A plug-in in SketchUp that allows you to create complex shapes using tools on surfaces. Thanks to this plugin, you can place objects quickly and accurately using predefined dimensions and spacing on surfaces.


Tools on Surface provides a set of tools with which you can move objects, rotate, and make measurements using tools on various surfaces. You can also add different objects to surfaces and scale them to fit your surfaces. The plugin is especially useful for architects, interior designers and designers.


Shape Bender: A plugin that allows SketchUp users to bend surfaces along a curve. This plugin allows you to bend the selected surface along a desired curve or path.


Features of Shape Bender include the "Bend" tool, which allows the selected surface to be bent along a certain curve, the ability to bend the surface while preserving its dimensions, the possibility of adjusting the placement of the bent surface, and the ability to minimize possible deformations.



Section Cut Face: It is a plugin that allows SketchUp users to show internal structures by sectioning their 3D models. This plugin allows selected section surfaces to show the interiors of the model.

Features of Section Cut Face include the ability to display selected section surfaces on both sides of the model, the ability to adjust the color and transparency of the section face, the option to change the display mode, and the ability to output selected section surfaces.



CleanUp3: This plugin cleans up excess data used in SketchUp modeling. This optimizes your model, reducing file size and increasing operating speed.



Multiple Offset : It is a plugin that allows SketchUp users to create multiple parallel offsets on surfaces. This plugin creates offsets parallel to both sides of the selected surface, allowing you to create more complex geometries without changing the shape of the surface.


Features of Multiple Offset include the ability to create multiple parallel offsets, the ability to adjust the offset distance, the option to apply offsets to both sides of the surface, and the ability to preserve the original surface.



Helix Along Curve: A plugin that allows SketchUp users to create a helix-shaped object along a curve or path. This plugin allows you to create a staircase, ramp, or other helix-shaped object along the selected curve or path.



Vertex Tools: It is a plugin that makes SketchUp users' modeling processes more precise and efficient. This plugin makes it easy to work with points, edges and surfaces on 3D models.


Features of Vertex Tools include the ability to change the positions and properties of selected points, edges, and surfaces, tools to move, rotate, or scale selected elements, tools to easily add features to selected elements, and the ability to automatically create connections between selected elements.



SketchUV: SketchUV allows you to create and edit UV maps in SketchUp. This helps you apply your materials realistically and examine the details.



Architect Tools: This plugin offers a set of tools designed for architectural modeling. These tools are designed for creating walls, floor plans, applying materials, and more.


PlaceMaker: PlaceMaker allows you to create realistic city models in SketchUp. This contains more than 350 million buildings data from around the world and allows you to use this data in SketchUp.


Skatter: Skatter allows you to create grass, trees, bushes, and other vegetation in SketchUp. This is useful for landscape design and site planning.


Eneroth Tools: Eneroth Tools is a plugin suite containing a set of tools and utilities for SketchUp. These tools are designed for modeling, markers, layers, measurement and many other operations.


SU Podium: SU Podium is a plugin that allows you to create realistic visualizations in SketchUp models. This is useful for designers working in fields such as architectural visualization, interior design, and product design.


TIG Slicer: This plugin allows you to prepare for 3D prints in SketchUp. TIG Slicer helps you slice your model, customize each slice, and prepare the files for your 3D printer.


Skalp: This plugin allows you to create sections in SketchUp models. This is an essential tool for architectural and construction drawings and makes it easy to create sectioned views.


JointPushPull: This plugin allows you to add thickness by pulling or pushing objects on flat surfaces in SketchUp. This is useful for door and window frames, furniture and many other objects.


Artisan: This plugin allows you to create organic shapes in SketchUp models. This is especially useful for designers who want to create a natural and organic look.


Skimp: This plugin allows you to reduce the file size in SketchUp models. This improves performance and simplifies file management.


ClothWorks: This plugin allows you to create fabric models in SketchUp. This is useful for designers working in fields such as furniture design or clothing design.


SketchUp to LayOut: This plugin shows you how to edit SketchUp models into professional drawings and presentations in LayOut. This plugin accelerates data transfer between SketchUp and LayOut and optimizes workflow.


SketchUp STL: This plugin allows you to convert SketchUp models into STL files suitable for 3D printing. This plugin is very useful for anyone working with a 3D printer.


Solid Inspector: This plugin detects faulty geometries that may occur in SketchUp and allows you to correct these errors. This helps you accurately assign materials to the model, send the model for 3D printing, or tailor it to your job.


Skalp: This plugin is designed to create sections in SketchUp. This is useful for breaking your model into 2D sections and creating plans or diagrams.


TIG Slicer: This plugin allows slicing SketchUp models for 3D printing. This allows you to preview what the model will look like in print.


How to Download Sketchup Plugins?

1-Downloading Plugins with Extension Warehouse

Extension Warehouse is one of the most widely used sources for downloading SketchUp extensions. Extension Warehouse, an online store operated by SketchUp, hosts thousands of add-ons and makes them available to SketchUp users.


Downloading plugins from Extension Warehouse is very easy. You can access the Extension Warehouse by clicking the "Extension Warehouse" option from the "Window" menu in the interface of your SketchUp program. You can then search by typing the plugin name or keyword in the search box and choose from the results. Extension Warehouse has detailed information such as descriptions, features and user reviews of the plugins.


Extension Warehouse is a very useful tool for SketchUp users to discover, download and manage extensions. However, there are some situations where you need to be careful. For example, some plugins have paid versions and you may have to pay for the download. Additionally, it is important to choose the right versions of plugins and download only from trusted sources.


2-Downloading Plug-in from SketchUcation Site

The SketchUcation site is a reliable source for downloading SketchUp plugins, such as Extension Warehouse.

SketchUcation is a community-based website where SketchUp users can access resources such as plugins and scripts. SketchUcation has thousands of plugins and scripts and has free and paid options.


To download plugins from the SketchUcation site, you must first become a member. Once you become a member, you can search and download plugins from the "Plugin Store" section. The plug-in pages include descriptions, features, user comments and download links.


How to Install Sketchup Plugin?

After downloading the plug-in file, you must install it in the SketchUp program. To do this, open SketchUp and select "Extension Manager" from the "Window" menu. In the Extension Manager window, click the "Install Extension" button and select the extension file you downloaded. Once the installation process is complete, the plugin becomes ready to use in the SketchUp interface.


Some plug-ins may require an additional program or plug-in installer for SketchUp. In this case, you can find the necessary instructions on the download page of the plugin or in its user manual.


You can follow the steps in this video to install the plugins:




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