What's the next level of my sketchup journey

Dal1980

example of me trying to manually scale and align texture on a curve. Best I could :/ This is also the limit of the render which isn't bad but I'm hoping for improved results with alternatives. Hi

I suppose I originally used sketchup make about a year ago as a means of understanding and planning a project at home for a room conversion.

Since then I've continued to use it as a means of planning and exploring new projects of varying scales (hobby only).

Recently I feel like I've had a few issues with the way sketchup works (such as applying a texture to a rounded edge and trying to align it so it matches the flat surface of the joining material with the same image) Other issues I've hit are the not so nice rendering of Twilight. Nothing against this plugin, in-fact when I first used it, it was awesome but really looking for a better solution.

I've been a dirty stop out and went over to fusion 360 for a glance at their interface, this is why I'm back here asking this question as they have far too many fussy interactions for my liking

I'd like to salvage the situation. I feel I'm outgrowing the vanilla of sketchup but do think sketchup is excellent in the way you interact with it. There's been a few issues I've had but I'd rather say it was a problem that lies between the chair and the keyboard than a problem in sketchup (I hope).

Anyway, it's easy to write too much so I'll cut to the chase:

Is there any suggestions for plugins I can use (free or very cheap) to improve my sketchup life in the following areas:

Texture control (rounded edges are a nightmare example attached)
Rendering (I'm looking for something that renders beautifully but can't afford V-Ray which i looked at)
Joins (I suppose I've borrowed from the fusion 360 term but maybe this is a CAD/CAM term) - for use with creating interactions such as doors that hinge, wheels that turn etc.

Many thanks
Dal

filibis

Hi ,

For texture editing:
UV Toolkit² - https://extensions.sketchup.com/sv/content/uv-toolkit%C2%B2
SketchUV - https://extensions.sketchup.com/ru/content/sketchuv

Rendering:
Corona Renderer- You can test out, it's in Beta phase right now. Please read through this thread: https://corona-renderer.com/forum/index.php?topic=14591.0
Visualizer - http://www.getvisualizer.com/

Joins?: (Not sure but maybe this article or plugin help)
Making components that animate https://help.sketchup.com/en/article/116822
SketchyPhysics - http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=536443