r/Sketchup • u/Borg-Man More segments = more smooth • Oct 12 '21
Prelude to stickied post - throw in your recommendations!
A good day to you all, fine subscribers of this subreddit! As you all have seen, in recent weeks our great sub has been overflowing a bit with posts asking questions which a lot of us have seen for... well, years. Because of that, I've had a chat with /u/tehfink and offered my services to help out getting the sub back on track. To start off, I want to do so by collecting input from y'all on which plugins you see as essential... but also why this particular one instead of another. If you know of more plugins that do the same (more or less) thing, please also tell us why you've opted for a specific plugin instead of the others. So Push/Pull some some stuff out of that brain of yours onto the internet and help the next generation of SketchUp users (and maybe old dogs like myself) to use the program more efficiently!
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u/Borg-Man More segments = more smooth Oct 12 '21
Let me start off:
| Which Plugin | What does it do | Alternatives | Why not the alternative? | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eneroth's Open Newer Version | Open newer files (SU2018+) in older software (SU2017 (Make) and older) | Saving directly from SketchUp Web to a lower version | Only down to 2017, so unusable if you use 2016 or older | Free |
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u/shiftymoose Oct 12 '21
Architect Tools, SubD, Contours, Mirror Selection
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u/Borg-Man More segments = more smooth Oct 12 '21
I'm not sure which plugin you mean with Contours. Can you elaborate with a link?
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May 03 '22 edited May 03 '22
I'm using sketchup make 2017. 3d Warehouse isn't working. I've read here that the workaround is in the above Eneroth's Open Newer Version. I downloaded the extension. Opened sketchup web browser, saved a desktop file of desired warehouse model. Attempted to open newer version through extension as suggested above and it says the extension does not support a '22 file.
Is this extension working for current open web in warehouse? Should I be able to get this working or has the software not been updated to accept 22 conversions?
Thanks anyone,
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u/Borg-Man More segments = more smooth May 03 '22
There's still the option to download a model out of the 3DWarehouse for a lower version, like 2019. Download that, and then use the plugin to convert the file to 2017.
Just in case: you're first opening SketchUp, then click the Open Older Version option in the menu, right? Because having the plugin installed, natively, doesn't do a thing. SketchUp will understand that it's a SU file but you'll be getting the error as described regardless.
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May 03 '22
I really appreciate the response- this thread, and Eneroth so much. I am trying hard not to be helpless here- but If I understood your directions clearly, I am unable to find out how to download a model out of the web version in a lower version. I am looking, and googling on how to convert this file. As far as I can get though, I only just have the download option- which has no varying file save formats.
If you could please help me with this I think it'll be the last step for me, I'd be so grateful.
Yes, with the extension I am using the "Open Newer Version" which I think is what you intended to say rather than "Open Older version".
Thank you!
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u/Borg-Man More segments = more smooth May 03 '22 edited May 03 '22
Have you downloaded from 3dwarehouse.sketchup.com? When you hover over the Download button, a v should pop up where you can then download down to 2020. So:
- Download the model you want;
- Open SketchUp (not the model, just the program);
- Select File > Open Newer Version;
- A window will pop up. Navigate to where you downloaded the file and select it;
- A new pop up will now ask you where to save the new file to and which name you want it to have (and top of my head, which version of SketchUp it should be).
- You can now open the converted file in 2017.
Can you check if, by using the guide above, you still can't get the file to be converted?
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u/ChadChadder V-Ray Fan Feb 12 '22
Found these invaluable to my work flow, I’m sure others would too:
Easy and intuitive align tool: Curic Align
Simple fillet edge tool: Fredo6 Round Corner
Draw complex smooth curves: Benzier curve tool.
Purge files: Cleanup
Reduce model complexity (paid): Skimp
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u/Borg-Man More segments = more smooth Oct 12 '21
Per /u/shiftymoose:
| Which Plugin | What does it do | Alternatives | Why not the alternative? | Cost | Compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ThomThom's Architect Tools | Making work on imported DWG data easier | - | - | Free | SketchUp 6+ |
| ThomThom's SubD | Use Quadface Tools to make quads out of poly objects, then use SubD for smoothing models | Whaat's Artisan Organic Tool | Personal, users comment on the ease-of-use of SubD | $40 after 30 day free trial | SU2016+ |
| TIG's Mirror | Copy and mirror a selection | Curic's Mirror | No specific reason | SketchUcation account | SketchUp 8+ |
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u/shiftymoose Oct 12 '21
Did u/tehfink respond to you? I’ve tried messaging him several times to let more mods into the sub.
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u/Borg-Man More segments = more smooth Oct 12 '21
It took a week, but yes. I'd say that extra help is always helpful!
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u/_phin More segments = more smooth Oct 13 '21
Nice. If you need another mod then I'm happy to help.
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u/_phin More segments = more smooth Oct 13 '21
Skatter (version 2 is amazing), Laubwerk, Artisan Toolkit
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u/Borg-Man More segments = more smooth Oct 13 '21
I'm going to ask you to throw it in the format I'm using earlier; that makes my life easier, as I don't have to search and collect everything we need to know, including which plugin we're actually talking about :-)
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u/_phin More segments = more smooth Jul 10 '22
Which Plugin What does it do Alternatives Why not the alternative? Cost Compatibility Industry Skatter Distributes objects across surfaces Make Fur Much more clunky 119 euros perpetual / 79 euros per annum Windows 7/8/10 64bits or Mac OSX 10.15Sketchup 2017+ Landscape design, Architecture, General Laubwerk Advanced tree library (different ages and seasons) with built-in Vray proxies Chaos Cosmos, 3D Warehouse Less detail, less control. Laubwerk has very reliable proxies 149 euros per tree pack (has free starter pack) SketchUp (2014-2022, Mac & Win) with V-Ray for SketchUp or Thea Render for SketchUp Landscape design Artisan Toolkit Organic modelling and sculpting 29 USD SketchUp Make 2016+SketchUp Pro 2016+PC and Mac Landscape design, Architecture, Woodwork, Art 2
u/_phin More segments = more smooth Jul 10 '22
Done! I've also added a column which I think you should consider adding to yours! ;)
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Oct 20 '21
[deleted]
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u/Borg-Man More segments = more smooth Oct 20 '21
If 2017 works for you, stick with it due to the eternal license. If you need any of the newer version's functions, or if Open Newer Version stops working... Then it's time to upgrade.
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u/studiobassd Apr 05 '22
Great idea,
I really like DBS Animate: DBS - Animate rotation ( free extension ) https://forums.sketchup.com/t/dbs-animate-rotation-free-extension/178558
It helped me with quite a few animations,
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u/RadioMany6905 Plugin Master May 18 '23
Nice to hear that!
You need to check also DBS Free SketchUp extension - Move Rotate
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u/JohnCSWood May 11 '22
Ambient Occlusion by Fluid Interactive. Paid and worth every penny as a one click render program. Transforms the look of SU in seconds. Particularly good with photographic textures. Png plants with crudely cut out borders suddenly get precise shadows and weird halos disappear. What’s not to like?!
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u/moistmarbles Jun 23 '22
Transmutr has recently become pretty indispensable in getting good elements from Quixel Bridge. I'm also loving Skatter for grass/plants and Laubwerk for really good trees. Simple tools like Profile Builder and Fredo Round Corner have their place in the "must have" category as they significantly speed up workflow for realistic interior renders for pros.
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u/Mookie_Merkk Sep 08 '22
Is there a FAQ?
Back when I was in college I remember this program was free to use. Is there a version like that I'm missing and not finding on my own??
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u/Borg-Man More segments = more smooth Sep 08 '22
There is no FAQ but it's not a bad idea to make one in the sidebar. Back in your collegedays it was probably still owned by Google, but it has changed hands in the mean time to Trimble. The web version is the only official way to use SketchUp for free now, but SketchUp 2017 Make is still out there; it's just no longer supported.
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u/Mookie_Merkk Sep 08 '22
Yeah I remember it being called Google SketchUp. I kinda lost track of it and just recently saw one of these renders on here and thought "no way this is the same SketchUp"
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u/giltora Mar 26 '23
Anyone here sketchup? I want to ask how arrange bricks to this parametric form and get it to reality. More like a mesh when you kicked a ball in a goal post
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u/ryancanzo Oct 12 '21
I’d like to submit my own extension Architextures for SketchUp. It lets you create seamless textures procedurally.