Choose entity perfectly with Grabby Sketchup Extension

Rafael Rivera has developed grabby, the newest sketchup extension available in extension warehouse. This sketchup extension is compatible with SketchUp 2017 and SketchUp 2018.

Grabby comprises of a set of tools to be utilized for choosing entities efficiently & precisely. The details of all the tools are given below :-

EdgeGrab Tool: EdgeGrab applies the mouse as a brush to choose edges.

• Click & press the mouse button.
• Hover over the edge entity required to be included to the selection.
• By pressing SHIFT key, the edge will be deselected.
• Press Esc key to leave the tool as soon as the selection becomes perfect.

FaceGrab Tool: FaceGrab applies your mouse as a brush to choose faces.

• Click & press the mouse button.
• Hover over the face entity to be included to the selection.
• By pressing SHIFT key, the face will be deselected.
• Press Esc key to leave the tool as soon as you make a perfect selection.

ExpandGrab Tool: ExpandGrab extends the selection with one more polygon.

To download the plugin, click on the following link in extensions.sketchup.com

ShrinkGrab Tool: ShrinkGrab compresses the selection with one more polygon.

LoopGrab Tool: LoopGrab chooses the edges which develop a loop.

Initially, choose a single edge for connecting loop.
• Ensure the edge is part of a quad face.
• Activate the tool…
• And, if every remains as per plan the loop should be chosen.


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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.sketchup4architect.com
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2018 BiMUp 5D for SketchUp – The newest sketchup extension

2018 BiMUp 5D for SketchUp is useful sketchup plugin that can be applied for quantity takeoff with reporting from sketchup models.

This newest sketchup pluign is compatible with SketchUp 2013/2014/2015/2016/2017 FREE, MAKE, PRO and 2018 PRO.

The plugin conducts the Quantity Takeoff (QTO) = Bill of Materials (BOM) in US or Bill of Quantities (BOQ) in EU - All in a single mouse click and at any design phase.

It is possible to accomplish complicated calculations with formulas and generate as many reports as necessary with custom-made templates:

• Count of Groups, Components, DCs
• Length, Width/Depth and Height Calculation (any element - beams, columns, windows, doors etc.)
• Area Calculation (room/floor, cladding, roof tiles, intumescent paint, soft or hard landscape etc.)
• Volume Calculation (concrete, insulation - can be converted to packs etc.)
• Weight Calculation based on volume or length (steel, stone etc.)
• Conversion of Volume (to bricks or blocks etc.)
• Windows schedule
• Doors schedule
• Extra Information can be embedded (manufacturer, specification, contact details, location within building etc.)
• Labour and contingency can be added
• Price and Taxes can be added

BiMUp 5D facilitates the users to Enrich/Embed the Data behind any SketchUp 3D models with the inclusion of necessary component specific information as follow:

• Manufacturer
• Links to your or Manufacturer website
• Product information
• Links to product information website
• Specification
• Links to product specification website
• Special requirements in relation to installation or maintenance
• Links to special requirements in relation to installation or maintenance website
• Contact details
• Location within building

It uniformly place two or more selected components.

BiMUp 5D will generate Adobe .PDF or MS Excel .CSV file with information related to 3D model.

The users can get this extension from extension warehouse extensions.sketchup.com



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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.sketchup4architect.com
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How to space out objects instantly in your sketchup models with Curic Align & Curic Space extensions

This is another nice presentation by the renowned sketchup tutor, Justin Geis. In this tutorial, Justin shows some useful guidelines to utilize the sketchup extensions Curic Align and Curic Space to instantly space out different objects in your sketchup models.

The tricks will be helpful while arranging the objects on shelves and other regions where spacing of several copies of the similar objects is required.

Curic Align is compatible with SketchUp 2016, SketchUp 2017, SketchUp 2018. It offers the following functionalities :-

a. Align objects with the faces/axes of BoundingBox (Left - Center - Right).
b. Align to edge, face, section plane.
c. Ctrl = copy
d. Shift = Move from point to plane

Curic Align is compatible with SketchUp 2016, SketchUp 2017, SketchUp 2018. It offers the following functionalities :-

It uniformly place two or more selected components.

Both the extensions are accessible from extension warehouse.

To learn how different objects are spaced within your sketchup models, go through the following video tutorial.

Video Source TheSketchUpEssentials

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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.sketchup4architect.com
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3D Text Editor – The newest sketchup extension

SketchUp does not contain a command for editing of subsisting 3-D text smoothly.

Thomas Thomassen has developed 3D Text Editor, an exclusive sketchup plugin that can be used to generate and alter 3D text geometry.

This sketchup extension is compatible with SketchUp 7, SketchUp 8, SketchUp 2013, SketchUp 2014, SketchUp 2015, SketchUp 2016, SketchUp 2017 and SketchUp 2018.

This extension facilitates editing of text that’s generated earlier, apart from providing the ability to live-preview various changes to your text.

The plugin can perform well in windows platform but some problems may arise in Mac OSX platform.

1. Menus & Toolbars
2. Draw » Editable 3d Text
3. Context Menu » Edit Text

1. Requirements
2. TT_Lib² — 2.11.0
3. Internet Explorer 9 or newer (Windows)

The plugin is available in sketchup extension warehouse (extensions.sketchup.com)

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.sketchup4architect.com

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How to draw exterior walls in sketchup

This instructional video is presented by the renowned sketchup teacher, Mr Aaron, for worldwide sketchup users.

The video demonstrates some effective processes for drawing exterior walls in sketchup on the basis of an imported image file related to architectural drawings.

This video is the part two of the sketchup skill builder series and architectural modeling. The drawing of the exterior wall is started on the basis of a reference image.

To learn the detail process for drawing exterior walls, go through the following video tutorial.

Video Source SketchUp

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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.sketchup4architect.com
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Triangle Tool – The newest sketchup extension

Triangle tool is the newest sketchup extension that is compatible with sketchup 2017 and sketchup 2018.

Triangle tool can be utilized to generate triangles with the help of subsisting edge and the lengths of the two persisting sides. Just select the tool from the newly showing “triangle” toolbar. The tool will automatically pick up edges while hovering.

After clicking on it, it will request for the length at point A and the length at point B. Just provide it and select for the exact orientation for the triangle.

This plugin is best suited for architecture, construction, engineering, gaming, heavy civil and interior design.

The plugin is available in extension warehouse.

Click on the following link extensions.sketchup.com



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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.sketchup4architect.com
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nz_Globule – The newest sketchup extension in extension warehouse

Natale Zappia has developed nz_Globule for sketchup. This newest sketchup plugin is compatible with SketchUp 2016, SketchUp 2017, SketchUp 2018. It is a paid plugin and costs $12.50.

The plugin is used to subdivide a cubic form as well as it facilitates the users to generate, tease and edit into organic forms.

The plugin will subdivide a cube into and editable organic form.and rectify your creation with 8|14|26 'Control-Points' that facilitates to tease and manipulate the form into the required shape.

nz_Globule provides you neat and effective vertices and edges that allow you to make your creation manually provided that you do not break out your group and can always retrieve it's original form. While regenerating the form, it is also possible to modify the subdivision iterations and/or shell texture options.

To buy the plugin, click on the following link extensions.sketchup.com

To learn more, go through the following video tutorial.

Video Source Natale Zappia

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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.sketchup4architect.com
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FrameModeler for sketchup version 1.1.0

FrameModeler is the newest sketchup extension available in extension warehouse. This extension supports sketchup 2018.

It is a user-friendly tool for the architects.

Guide for set up:

a. Download extension from extension warehouse
b. Operate as admin sketchup.exe
c. Once the extension is set up perfectly, the text will be visible as "FrameModeler Install finish. Now restart sketchup.exe to run FrameModeler.
d. Restart sketchup.exe then you will get the extension menu on the toolbar.

FrameModeler (1.1.0) contains the following exclusive features :-

1. Updated New UI
2. Compatible with English tooltips and parameter
3. Demonstrates an error on the screen once the Trim function is accomplished.
4. Beam, Wall, Slab negative height value can be obtained.
5. Added CAD select mode
6. Continuous placement changed to "Ctrl" toggle key in "shift" release.

The extension is available in extension warehouse extensions.sketchup.com

To learn more, go through the following video tutorial.



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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.sketchup4architect.com
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Eneroth Tool Memory version 1.1.2

The sketchup users can apply this plugin to cycle the tools opened lately in SketchUp. It can significantly accelerate the speed up and simplifies the modeling process.

The plugin is specifically designed for skilled professional user to improve their work and very effective for tools not used frequently to get a shortcut for, but very repeated as soon as you utilize them.

The plugin is compatible with SketchUp 2016, SketchUp 2017, SketchUp 2018. It is a paid plugin.

It should be remembered that the tool stored only will include actual tools. Other commands, e.g. Save or Zoom Extents, are not memorized.

Setup: As soon as it is set up, the plugin requires some manual setup for functioning properly. The process is not automatic but few minutes are required.

1. Open the Shortcut settings (Window > Preferences > Shortcuts)

2. Set up a shortcut, e.g. Ctrl+Space, pointing to Extensions > Eneroth Tool Memory > Cycle Tools. While applying another shortcut, please note that the shortcut should comprise of minimum one modifier key (Ctrl, Alt etc) and another key. If you select a modifier key except Ctrl (Command on Mac), go to Extensions > Eneroth Tool Memory > Set Modifier Key and choose that key.

3. (Optional) Set up a corresponding shortcut also including Shift, e.g. Ctrl+Shift+Space, to Extensions > Eneroth Tool Memory > Cycle Tools Backwards.

Exclude Tools: In version 1.1.0, the user will be able to indicate tools to exclude. It is effective if you don't require the tool stack to become filled with tools you already have shortcuts for, or to eliminate Ruby tools which are not supported.

For this purpose, just generate a text file in the plugin's directory. Write the tool names in the same way as they are demonstrated in the tool stack, segregated with line breaks. Restart SketchUp for the list to get loaded.

The plugin is available in the extension warehouse extensions.sketchup.com

Video Source Christina Eneroth

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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.sketchup4architect.com
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A new update is available with Shaderlight 2018

Cambridge, UK-based Shaderlight Ltd, has made an update to Shaderlight 2018, its most recognized photo-realistic rendering plugin for Trimble’s SketchUp modeling program.

The users who have a Shaderlight 2018 license can avail this update at free of cost.

With this update, the users will be able to make proper adjustments of environment rotation. The inclusion of a numeric entry field will facilitate the users to easily obtain a perfect match of the lighting environment and background image among various SketchUp models.

The users will get a warning while closing throughout a rendering process, to resist losing the development of a long-running render they are unaware. Shaderlight will now notify the users if they try to close the render window when a render is ongoing.

Lastly, a new Keep Shaderlight “always on top” option is obtainable in the program’s settings to retain the application window over other windows among sessions.

The newest version of Shaderlight is totally compatible with SketchUp 2018. The program supports both Windows and Mac platform. Shaderlight 2018 Pro is 299.USD.

To avail a free 14-day free trial version, click on the following link www.artvps.com

Go through the following video tutorial to gather more information about the Shaderlight.

Video Source Shaderlight

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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.sketchup4architect.com
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Rendering Optimization in VRAY Sketchup

I have encountered these following questions "My client wanted me to print A0 size paper with nice quality, how can I do it?" Today I receive this from one of the follower with my Nomeradona Facebookpage "Nomeradona, I am working on a Google SketchUp 3D Floor Plan, and trying to Render it in Vray. I am able to Render it at (800x600), but I run out of ram, when I tried to output the (4000x3000 dpi) file size. Are there any tricks you can recommend to reduce the file size or increase rendering optimization?"

In this case, what shall we do? The good news is there is a very simple solution in Vray Sketchup 1.49.01 and here is this using the output vrimage.

This is an old Sketchup file which I did almost four years ago. Let me just use it to quickly show you the trick

Step 1: The output size

I have rendered before more than 8000px width x 4000px spherical panorama render which I used for this Virtual reality post. CLICK HERE to view this post. So far this was the maximum size I have tried. Anyhow in this particular render, I will make an output of perhaps half of this.

Step 2: IR passes
Since the image is huge, you don't need that high min/max rate. I lowered my min/max rate to -5,-3

Step 3: VRImage output. 

Locate the output roll-out window and under the setting output, tick the box "Render to VRImage". Once selected save it in exr root file to any folder that you want.

Step 4: Preview Image. 
Vray SketchUp will now begin to write the data in your hardrive. The Vray frame buffer will appear and you will see on the very top it reads "preview of the file output size that you have entered".

Once done, the image file will be written to the assigned folder that you have chosen.

Open Photoshop and load the exr file

Step 5: Converting the Gamma 2.2 to Gamma1.0
Vray SU by default uses gamma 2.2. When we open the file in Photoshop you should not be surprise why it's too bright. In order to convert the Gamma 2.2 to 1.0, select image/ adjustments/exposure.

Enter the value 0.45.45 ( 1.0 divided by 2.2)

Here it is..

I hope this is useful!

Nomeradona

Read more

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.sketchup4architect.com

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Demonstration of outliner tool inside sketchup

In this sketchup video tutorial, Justin Geis, the renowned sketchup tutor, has demonstrated the functionalities of outliner tool inside sketchup. This tool will save huge time while working in sketchup as well as retain your model organized.

Outliner comes as a little menu to the right hand side of sketchup. If is not visible to the right hand side, just go to window then click on default tray and check the box beside outliner (check the box). Also make sure that tray is turned on.

If there is a group or component in your model and the model contains group geometry, they will appear inside the outliner.

To start with, draw a box, push pull it up, choose it, right click on the box and made it a group, as soon as it turns to a group, it shows up inside the outliner. Now it is possible to make changes to it, rectify it and make the model organized.

After transforming the parts of your model into groups or components, the outliner monitors them properly. It is possible to establish the relationships among parts of your model in a structured outline style having one group nested inside of another. With outliner, the parts of your model can be hidden and safeguard them from unintended changes.

To gather more knowledge on outliner, go through the following exclusive video tutorial.

Video Source TheSketchUpEssentials


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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.sketchup4architect.com
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Click-Kitchen 2 - An exclusive plugin for instant kitchen design

Click-Kitchen 2 and Click-Change 2 are considered as useful plugins for SketchUp. These plugin will allow you to draw and customize your 3D kitchen with the use of smallest detail.

Click-Kitchen 2 comprises of over 5000 references of IKEA furniture with customize option.

With this plugin, it will be possible to draw a standard IKEA kitchen with millions of scopes or a custom-built kitchen with your dimensions and materials.

The plugin is compatible with SketchUp 2014, SketchUp 2015, SketchUp 2016, SketchUp 2017, SketchUp 2018.

The plugin is available in sketchup extension warehouse.

To watch live demonstration of the plugin, go through the following video tutorial.

Video Source David Barros

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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.sketchup4architect.com
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Background Modification in Sketchup

Here are the tips on how to change the background in SketchUp (not for render).
Usually when we want to present our SketchUp drawing to our client, it’s only a sky, isn't it?

SO, with this way, we can change / customize our background so at least it will make our scene more real although it’s only a sketch without rendered.

If you want to render the scene (vray or podium or anything else render engine), then you should use HDRI or customize on Photoshop.

So, here is the step by step:

1. Show the Styles window by accessing menu Window -> Style.
2. In window Style, choose tab "Edit", then choose "Watermark" from the menu

3. Click "(+)" icon then select a bitmap whatever you want to show for your background image, usually its a sky image or something else. The bigger the image size will make more smooth.
4. then, you will get a dialog question window, choose "Background". Then, "Watermark1" on the option can changed/renamed to whatever u want.
5. The next dialog, let the settings to the default, just click "Next".
6. Next dialog, choose "Positioned in the screen", then move the slider in the "Scale" to the right, This means our bitmap will strecthed fully. Thats why i suggest you use bigger image size so you will get smoother result.
7. Then, on the bullet icon, this means how the image repetition start. In this case, i select the bottom center. But you can select/try your own based on your image. Then, click "Finish"

Done.. ! ^_^ .. the parameter i mention above is not absolute, you can take your time to experience .. i hope this is useful for you ..

 

Read more

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.sketchup4architect.com

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Rendering Optimization in VRAY Sketchup

I have encountered these following questions "My client wanted me to print A0 size paper with nice quality, how can I do it?" Today I receive this from one of the follower with my Nomeradona Facebookpage "Nomeradona, I am working on a Google SketchUp 3D Floor Plan, and trying to Render it in Vray. I am able to Render it at (800x600), but I run out of ram, when I tried to output the (4000x3000 dpi) file size. Are there any tricks you can recommend to reduce the file size or increase rendering optimization?"

In this case, what shall we do? The good news is there is a very simple solution in Vray Sketchup 1.49.01 and here is this using the output vrimage.

This is an old Sketchup file which I did almost four years ago. Let me just use it to quickly show you the trick

Step 1: The output size

I have rendered before more than 8000px width x 4000px spherical panorama render which I used for this Virtual reality post. CLICK HERE to view this post. So far this was the maximum size I have tried. Anyhow in this particular render, I will make an output of perhaps half of this.

Step 2: IR passes
Since the image is huge, you don't need that high min/max rate. I lowered my min/max rate to -5,-3

Step 3: VRImage output. 

Locate the output roll-out window and under the setting output, tick the box "Render to VRImage". Once selected save it in exr root file to any folder that you want.

Step 4: Preview Image. 
Vray SketchUp will now begin to write the data in your hardrive. The Vray frame buffer will appear and you will see on the very top it reads "preview of the file output size that you have entered".

Once done, the image file will be written to the assigned folder that you have chosen.

Open Photoshop and load the exr file

Step 5: Converting the Gamma 2.2 to Gamma1.0
Vray SU by default uses gamma 2.2. When we open the file in Photoshop you should not be surprise why it's too bright. In order to convert the Gamma 2.2 to 1.0, select image/ adjustments/exposure.

Enter the value 0.45.45 ( 1.0 divided by 2.2)

Here it is..

I hope this is useful!

Nomeradona

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.sketchup4architect.com

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FrameModeler for sketchup

FrameModeler is the newest sketchup extension that is compatible with SketchUp 2018.

This user-friendly architecture tool is compatible with elementary architecture components like column, beam, wall, slab, grid etc. and can be set by the users with their fingertips.

FrameModeler works out the area and volume of the material similar to excluding intersected faces and edges.

• Information Export Tool
Export Excel data
• Select model data from ModelInfo
• Update Model Condition
Excluding intersected faces and edges, updating grid position.

Download the extension from extension warehouse extensions.sketchup.com



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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.sketchup4architect.com
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How to use FlexTools sketchup extension to create dynamic components within sketchup

In this sketchup video tutorial, Justin Geis demonstrates the functionality of a useful sketchup plugin called FlexTools that can be used for generating dynamic components inside sketchup.

One can produce various smart objects like doors, windows etc. The plugin allows the users to arrange the doors, windows, louvers and other objects inside openings in your sketchup models instantly and smoothly.

This sketchup plugin is developed by FlexTools CC. It is a paid extension and cost is US$33 for one component and US$114 for all components.

One can download the plugin from thesketchupessentials.com/flextools.

Flex tools is a series of opening creation tools developed on the basis of sketchup dynamic components engine. It comprises of the responsive objects scale and modifies to openings automatically.

The components can be resized devoid of any distortion. Here, only the sections of components which are expected to resize like the door or the glass in the windows, will be only resized whereas the frames and other objects remain unchanged in sizes.

To get more detail, go through the following video tutorial.



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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.sketchup4architect.com
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