PLUGINS HELP/SUGGESTIONS???

chocolate_fou · 11 Nov 2011, 16:15

Hi all!
I've been using sketchup for quite sometime now. I've started using it from its version4 up until now.. When the plugins was introduced, I was also one of the interested users of it. I've used a couple of plugins then.. As I went on using sketchUP,I tried modelling without the use of any plugins..(Please don't get me wrong. Plugins are really helpful. I just wanted to explore the sketchup software)..

Now, I realized that it would really make my modelling much better and time-saving if I would use plugins.. Since I lost track with regards to the plugins, I realized that there's a lot of new plugins up to date. I would like to ask for your opinions and advice on which sets of plugins are really useful and mostly being used by you.. I know all the plugins are very useful, but I can't really use everything right? I am an architect by the way. What plugins would you recommend to me??

Thanks in advance guys!!!

chocolate_fou

Dave R · 11 Nov 2011, 16:36

It would make it a lot easier to suggest plugins for you if we had some idea of the sorts of things you use SketchUp for. As it stands now, your question is a bit like asking what is the best kitchen utensil for cooking.

chocolate_fou · 11 Nov 2011, 16:42

@dave r said:

It would make it a lot easier to suggest plugins for you if we had some idea of the sorts of things you use SketchUp for. As it stands now, your question is a bit like asking what is the best kitchen utensil for cooking.

Oh ok..thanks for that reply.. I am more on architectural projects. I also do interior works so basically I need some tools for modelling furnitures, some odd shapes sometimes, curves are also in demand for interior works.. Thanks in advance sir Dave.. Really appreciate your reply...

jeff hammond · 11 Nov 2011, 17:05

for curves and odd shapes, i'd suggest these two plugins by fredo

curviloft for creating complex meshes:

http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?t=28586

and bezier spline for complex curves:

http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?t=13563

that said, those are a couple of the more powerful plugins which will help generate shapes that are nearly impossible to make without them… some of the more useful plugins though are the simple little ones that just make certain drawing processes quicker/easier.. such as the mirror plugin by TIG:

http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?t=31410
..and many more..

basically, your best bet would be to post an example of something you try that takes a while to do in sketchup and see if anyone can suggest a plugin to speed it up.. in other words, find/use plugins that adapt to your style instead of just installing plugins then you adapting to them..

Dave R · 11 Nov 2011, 17:11

You can look through the Plugins IIndex (red button at top of page) for a list of plugins posted here. I would think you might find TIGs Extrusion tools useful as well as Fredo's Fredoscale and Curviloft. You might also find Artisan to be very useful. there are many others that do specific things Fortunately their names usually describe what the do pretty well.

Here are a couple of hints about plugins.

Don't just download all the plugins you can find.
When you are downloading plugins, very carefully read at least the first post in the thread from which you are getting the plugin. There will be usage information as well as info about supporting files if there are any.
Also read the sticky post in the Plugins forum about installing plugins.

chocolate_fou · 11 Nov 2011, 17:28

@dave r said:

You can look through the Plugins IIndex (red button at top of page) for a list of plugins posted here. I would think you might find TIGs Extrusion tools useful as well as Fredo's Fredoscale and Curviloft. You might also find Artisan to be very useful. there are many others that do specific things Fortunately their names usually describe what the do pretty well.

Here are a couple of hints about plugins.

Don't just download all the plugins you can find.

When you are downloading plugins, very carefully read at least the first post in the thread from which you are getting the plugin. There will be usage information as well as info about supporting files if there are any.

Also read the sticky post in the Plugins forum about installing plugins.

Thanks sir!I'll keep your tips in mind in downloading plugins....Thanks a lot!!!

chocolate_fou · 11 Nov 2011, 17:30

@unknownuser said:

for curves and odd shapes, i'd suggest these two plugins by fredo

curviloft for creating complex meshes:

http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?t=28586

and bezier spline for complex curves:

http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?t=13563

that said, those are a couple of the more powerful plugins which will help generate shapes that are nearly impossible to make without them… some of the more useful plugins though are the simple little ones that just make certain drawing processes quicker/easier.. such as the mirror plugin by TIG:

http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?t=31410
..and many more..

basically, your best bet would be to post an example of something you try that takes a while to do in sketchup and see if anyone can suggest a plugin to speed it up.. in other words, find/use plugins that adapt to your style instead of just installing plugins then you adapting to them..

Thanks a lot!!! I'll try to find some old models where I need some modelling help... Thanks again for the help.