This particular machine does not have VMware.

Also I have eliminated the option of a machine issue as I tested this on 4 different machines so far with the same exact results.

The solution is on of the three following options:

1. Access the VMware instance disk and plant the plugins folder within it.

2. Using the ruby console remap the plugins folder location out of the instance (assuming that as is normal with VM instances my local machine is recognized as a network computer) to a local shared network folder.

3. Someone pours genius into this thread lol

Does anyone else here have SketchUp 8 Pro and not have the "Power by VMware" taglines?

I don't even have VMware installed.

I tried installing Pro on 2 other laptops and 1 other desktop (of which 1 has VMware installed) yet it seems I encounter the same EXACT problem with the same exact symptoms.

Remember this problem only occurs when I install and run SketchUp 8 PRO. If I use the free versions, alls good and fully functional (minus Pro features).

lol no, as I mentioned in the original post I am using Windows XP ran a good wholesome PC.

When I signed up I clicked whatever came first, never realized it would be right under my name.

Just to clarify, I am not in any way using VMware software. By loading the SketchUp Pro executable VMware software is loaded as a part of the SketchUp software. However, there is nothing I can do about it except see the notices such as "Powered by VMware", "Loading VMware", and etc.

Installed Google SketchUp 8 (not Pro) into the same folder and everything worked perfectly fine without changing or configurating anything. Run pro again and still no worky.

I do although think I now see the root of the problem. For some reason Pro runs on an instance of VMware. Also says "Powered by VMware" in the welcome screen. Long story short the plugins folder is probably located within this instance.. except I don't know how to access it. I checked for virtual drives, its not setup to work that way.

Any ideas?

I checked every menu individually and since you asked I double checked the tools menu.

Nothing new with or without the word Fredo.

Does Sketchup have the option to, or a plugin that will, allow for multiple views in 1 instance of SketchUp?

Here is a 3ds Max example:

Thanks for helping me out!!!

How about using the Ruby Console to find out what the current plugins folder is set at?
or change the setting perhaps?
or even test plugins?

Let me know

p.s. Sorry for the delayed responses. Moderator still has to approve my replies (It's a newbie thing I believe).

I checked Utilities Tools and Ruby Script Examples.

I also restarted SU several times. At least twice after checking those options.

A plugins menu option appeared on the File Menu Row.
Structure:
Plugins -> Cost -> Assign Estimate to Material
-> Assign Estimate to Faces
-> Compute Estimates

Nothing mentioning my new plugins.

p.s. there was no default plugins folder. I had to create it myself.

Help!!

I am using Sketchup Pro 8.
Application exe is located: C:\Program Files\Google\Google Sketchup 8
Plugins is located: C:\Program Files\Google\Google Sketchup 8\Plugins

When software loads it mentions nothing of plugins what-so-ever.

When I go to Window->Preferences->Extensions I see:
Ruby Script Examples (unchecked)
Ocean Modeling (unchecked)
Utilities Tools (unchecked)
Dynamic Components (checked)
Sandbox Tools (checked)
Solar North (checked)
Photo Textures (checked)

OS: Windows XP

Thanks ahead of time for helping me out!!!