Thanks Devin 
That was the problem, your solution worked.
( e.g. Window->Preferences->Extensions dialog. Just check or uncheck V-Ray for SketchUp )
'SketchUcation Plugins Manager' is a 'plugin' that helps manage 'extensions' and 'plugins'.
Initially, I enabled V-Ray through the Window->Preferences->Extensions dialog.
Some how, down-the-line, the extension status changed and I didn't realize it.
Appreciate your help,
Sherwood
V-Ray 1.6 beta for Sketchup was working fine . . .
Today, I tried loading V-Ray 1.6 beta for Sketchup with Sketchucation Plugins Manager v.1.2.0 (as usual) and I got this message in the lower window :
*The webpage cannot be found
HTTP 404
Most likely causes:
There might be a typing error in the address.
If you clicked on a link, it may be out of date.
What you can try:
Retype the address.
Go back to the previous page.
Go to and look for the information you want.
More information
This error (HTTP 404 Not Found) means that this program was able to connect to the website, but the page you wanted was not found. It's possible that the webpage is temporarily unavailable. Alternatively, the website might have changed or removed the webpage.*
I also tried loading it manually without using the Sketchucation Plugins Manager. I removed
the exclamation at the end of the file 'vfs.rb' (e.g. vfs.rb! ) and reloaded Sketchup.
I don't see it under View > Toolbars to open the toolbar
I don't see it under the Tools menu
I don't see it under the Plugins menu
I don't see it under the Draw menu
Whats going on ? . . . Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Congratulations ! . . . well done !
I'm looking forward to the ThomThom touch
under the hood.
Trimble is lucky to have you on-board . . .
Where is the 'Extension Warehouse Gripes & Bitchin' ONLY ! forum
I want to upgrade several (purchased) plugins, within the one year upgrade period.
I have been directed to the 'Extension Warehouse'
Tell Me ... do you really need a Google Account, in order to 'sign in',
as a prerequisite to download a plugin !! WTF
I cut loose from invasive Google Gmail years ago. I know, strange,
but I just have a problem with my email being scanned without
my consent or knowledge. The 'evil Google' 
.. I read about that somewhere...
I thought Sketchup broke away from Google !
What in-the-hell is going here ?
Ooohh, I forgot. . . . You don't have to use it . . . what does that mean ? .. go pound sand ?
No, Just flush all my valuable time, money and work-product down the toilet.
Truly reprehensible !!
So, keeping with the spirit of this forum :
I bought SU8 Pro two months ago. I learned that I do not get customary
upgrades within a one-year period because they call it a new version
since the name has change (SU 2013) ... SU 2013 is not a new version !
What an insult! . . . Hello, they're still using Ruby 1.6
and I'm being forced into a Google Account to get plugin's no matter what.
Of course, I don't have to use it !
Shame on You !! Sketchup and Trimble
Can you spell "Bait and Switch" ? 
This tool (version 1.1) seems very useful .. However, It won't work for me.
It will not complete after the last input
and the blue-pencil pointer stays visible.
It won't complete after :
Cone or Pyramid, 3rd click
Sphere, 2nd click
Rotated Pyramid, 4th click
Dodecahedron, 2nd click
Icosahedron, 2nd click
Any thoughts ?
Is there some kind of setting in SU ?
IE., Cone or Pyramid - Ruby console :
Error: #<NoMethodError: undefined method GetString' for nil:NilClass> C:/Program Files/Google/Google SketchUp 8/Plugins/3dshapestool.rb:616:in create_geometry'
C:/Program Files/Google/Google SketchUp 8/Plugins/3dshapestool.rb:555:in increment_state' C:/Program Files/Google/Google SketchUp 8/Plugins/3dshapestool.rb:213:in onLButtonDown'
C:/Program Files/Google/Google SketchUp 8/Plugins/3dshapestool.rb:616
Many Thanks,
I found a solution !
the problem is with this line in the script :
model.start_operation $exStrings.GetString("shapename")
I could not find the .GetString method anywhere ( after more hours of research than I care to mention).
apperantly, this error message occurs often without meaningfull documentation to remedy. I think
.GetString is some sort-of depricated method in Ruby or OpenGL or something like that ...
I created a class variable for each shapename
placed between 'class PyramidTool' (line 29) and the first 'def Initialize' (line 36 +- ) :
@@threedcone = "Cone"
@@threedpyramid = "Pyramid"
@@threedsphere = "Sphere"
@@threedpolyhedron = "Polyhedron"
@@threeddodecahedron = "Dodecahedron"
@@threedicosahedron = "Icosahedron"
Then I simply replaced every occurance (7) of:
model.start_operation $exStrings.GetString("shapename")
with,
model.start_operation @@_shapename_ . . . . eg. @@threedcone
Done . . . I hope this helps anyone having this problem with the .GetString method
I have several scripts with this that do work ... but, I plan on modifing them also.
Cheers
Coool .. I'll check it out !
Great Idea !
I'm definitely interested. How do we sign up? 
(email sent)
Excellent Thank You very much
Just an observation, note or a bug ? with the Follow Edges tool ...
I was continually getting this message [below] with the units format (in Model Info) set to 'Architectural'.
It works much better with the units format set to 'Decimal' ...
My unit measurement is set to inches.
I believe it may be the same component sprayer created by Didier Bur.
check this post, instructions, etc :
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?t=33908
I use that comp sprayer (from above) instead of the SCF Power Toolbar.
It appears to be more updated.
Hope it helps
As a never ending tech geek .. I found this 3d printer
article at Thingiverse with downloadable SU files.
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:28915
For some reason the downloaded files did not have
a .skp extension. After downloading, I just added
(via rename) the .skp extension at the end.
It may be off subject, but I found it very cool ...
Jean,TIG,
Thanks for your time and input. I'll work your suggestions in ...
Is there a setting to draw the default face (lighter face) up/outward ?
For example : When I draw a simple rectangle at points (0,0,0) (10,10,0)
the back face (darker face) is drawn up, even if drawn from (10,10,0) (0,0,0)
Thanks
Edit #1 - Just trying to eliminate a few steps in the workflow ...
for example: if I draw multiple shapes (rectangle, circle, etc) and
use the 'multi-pushpull' tool with a (positive) number input, it
extrudes downward ... unless I reverse the faces before using
the the tool or remember to input a negative number.
In order to apply materials properly.
Jean, Thanks for your suggestion to edit the style template...
the color doesn't matter that much, as it is a reference to
front face and back face.
Unless changing the face color also changes the face orientation ?
Plugin looks great . . . but, i'm getting this feedback :
it seems to lock-up at 7% or 20%
any suggestions ?
I posted a temporary trouble shooting remedy, just after this post.
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=323&t=18210&start=1020#p422479
(is that what you mean ?, TT)
I agree it's not the best .... just a trouble shooting remedy.
I'll try your approach.
TIG has suggested a few things also ... (my post on one of the other plug-ins)
Appreciate your input.
Well, I found a remedy .. kind of.
I commented out all the lines updating the progress bar with a comment character, #
. . . . #pb.update(i) . . .there are 7 of them.
Unfortunately, I had to do that with clf_color_by_slope, clf_color_by_z and clf_greeble_2
My system doesn't seem to like the progress bar. Even after downloading a fresh copy from smustard
yesterday.
If I find out why (it's a mystery), I'll post it.
Again, it's a great Plug-in. ... hope this helps anyone w/ the same problem.
Ahh ... require files ...
sketchup.rb is in ...google sketchup8\tools
progressbar.rb is in ...google sketchup8\plugins
offset.rb is in ...google sketchup8\plugins\ (additional require file in greeble_2.rb)
I have administrative access to my computer.. is that what you mean ?
I see all file extensions...ie, hidden etc.
i keep my program files rooted under
majority of other files under user\username\documents .. user\username\downloads, etc.
I noticed this (if it matters):
single quotes in color_by_slope and color_by_Z
require 'sketchup.rb'
require 'progressbar.rb'
double quotes in greeble_2.rb
require "sketchup.rb"
require "offset.rb"
require "progressbar.rb"
I here ya about the 'Compatibility Files' OS trickery stuff ... frustrating at times.
in a few hours I'll do a complete fulll search to try and get to the bottom of this.
or maybe it could just be my computer ... it does wonky things on occasion
and it's about 100 degree (F) outside here today ...
TIG,
.. I just downloaded and compared both files. They appear
to be identical ... Author, date, history, no. of lines, size, etc.
(by-the-way, it is in the 'plugins' folder)
However, I still replaced it with the fresh download.
I did a search and found another progressbar.rb
in another folder ... plugins\TT_Lib2\
They are different, but I can't see how it would have an affect...
I temporarily renamed it.
I un-commented the pb.update(count) lines in the clf_... .rb files
and I still received the same Ruby Console feedback, as before. http://forums.sketchucation.com/posting.php?mode=reply&f=323&t=20635#
I restored things back to working order and will continue to debug another day.
I appreciate your suggestion, Thanks much
I'll post when(if) I find the solution.
sd,
Based on your help, I also found that my version of progressbar.rb
was affecting :
clf_color_by_z.rb
clf_greeble_2.rb
So, it turns out to be predictable....
Thanks again