How to Boost SketchUp Productivity with These 10 Extensions
SketchUp comes with a lot of functionality right out of the box. Its features are enhanced by the ability to customize it with extensions based on the unique workflow of each user. The tools in SketchUp are similar to those found in similar programs, but they work much faster. Plug-in allows users to expand SketchUp's capabilities and improve productivity by loading scripts in the program. Your workflow when working with SketchUp has significantly improved with the following plug-ins.
1. Lumion LiveSync for SketchUp
You can model and render simultaneously with Lumion Live Sync using a live connection. A real-life building can be pushed and pulled like this. Models at smaller scales require this.
To learn more, watch the following video tutorial.
For more information, visit: lumion.com
2. V-Ray for SketchUp
A professional renderer that has long establish within arch-viz circles, V-Ray delivers smooth, photo-real renders to both newbie and professional. With V-Ray, you have easy access to a variety of render options, an interactive viewing window during modeling in SketchUp, and the option to use cloud rendering to give you more computing power. It's easiest to use presets for those new to rendering. But if you want to experiment, you can change specific input values.
To learn more, watch the following video tutorial.
For more information, visit: chaosgroup.com
3. Fredo6: Beizer Spline Tool
Users can also use Fredo6's Poly lines, Beziers, and Spline tools to draw a variety of shapes. Curves can edit by adjusting a curve's control points after they have been drawn. Run road profiles and road assemblies using the Bezier Spline tool and Profile Builder together.
The extension contains various tools for inspecting and manipulating data. Particularly useful for checking edge connections is Edge Inspector. This feature allows you to use the push-pull command on curved surfaces. The process may seem straightforward, but manually performing it is time-consuming as well as liable to error which can create a lot of headaches later.
To learn more, watch the following video tutorial.
For more information, visit: sketchucation.com
4. CleanUp3
With CleanUp3, SketchUp models will be cleaned and optimized like the native Purge feature. The unused items can be removed. Hidden geometry, duplicate faces, and lonely edges can obliterate, or identical materials and connecting coplanar faces can merge.
To learn more, watch the following video tutorial.
For more information, visit: sketchucation.com
5. Unreal Engine
Unreal Engine is a rendering engine developed by Epic Games that was previously used for video game production. It permits easy navigation and super-fast renders to create. SketchUp users can also export seamlessly to Unreal Engine using the Unreal Data-smith Plug-in.
To learn more, watch the following video tutorial.
For more information, visit: unrealengine.com
6. Profile Builder 3
It makes repetitive tasks a piece of cake so that it dramatically speeds up modeling time. You can make simple or complex profiles in SketchUp using faces and poly lines. Create profile members by extending these profiles along paths and parametrically define assemblies by combining profile members.
To learn more, watch the following video tutorial.
For more information, visit: profilebuilder4sketchup.com
7. Datum
When modeling or during stakeholder meetings, you need to refer to heights then this extension is for you. This extension identifies the important levels in your design and references them throughout the design process for greater accuracy.
To learn more, watch the following video tutorial.
For more information, visit: sketchucation.com
8. Windowizer
Line drawings are automatically filled with faces when you use Make Face. A plug-in called Windowizer transforms a face into a window. You can do this by simply highlighting the face, right-clicking, and selecting Windowizer. You can select your options and build the best window by selecting them from a popup menu.
To learn more, watch the following video tutorial.
For more information, visit: sketchucation.com
9. Solid Inspector 2
An issue such as reversed faces within modeled solids can inspect and highlight with this stress-relieving extension. It takes just a few clicks to export files for 3D printing.
To learn more, watch the following video tutorial.
For more information, visit: sketchucation.com
10. Shape Bender
A group or component can be bent into a long curve using this extension. A plug-in such as this is incredibly useful for modeling 3D text that conforms to curved walls.
This plug-in can be used for curved walls where a flat wall fully models.
To learn more, watch the following video tutorial.
For more information, visit: sketchucation.com
Conclusion
Its potential as a presentation tool for clients in the gaming community is immense. With head tracking, the headset shows exactly what your head is pointing at on the screen. These extensions allow designers to truly immerse their clients in the project by allowing potential customers to virtually walk around and look around a new building. Any game engine that is compatible with SketchUp or BIM can convert 3D models. As of now, it is only available as a development kit. You can expect a fully integrated solution around the time of its official launch.
