SketchUp Extensions FAQ

SketchUp Extensions are special software programs that give added tools and features to SketchUp Pro.  They do not work by themselves.  They need SketchUp Pro in order to run.

SketchUp Extensions and Plugins mean the same thing to most users.  Technically, an extension includes some extra code that tells SketchUp about the copyright, developer, and description of the extension so that it can be displayed inside the SketchUp Extension Manager. But most people use the term “Plugin” and “Extension” interchangeably when it comes to SketchUp. 

Other historical terms for SketchUp extensions include “scripts”, “rubies”, or “ruby scripts”.  You might see these terms floating around on older websites and old forum posts.

SketchUp Extensions can save you a huge amount of time by automating tedious or time-consuming SketchUp tasks. Most extensions only take a few minutes to learn but could save you a massive amount of time and effort.

Extensions also let you create models or perform tasks in SketchUp that would otherwise be impossible or impractical to do.

SketchUp Extensions are capable of doing almost anything that you could ever dream of doing with SketchUp!  Things like:
– Photorealistic rendering
– Custom drawing tools, such as a tool for creating hipped roofs
– Tools to modify existing geometry
– Attach custom attributes to objects such as cost, supplier, etc.
– Generate cut lists, and bills of material
– Automate tedious tasks
– Animation
– Tools to manipulate texture positions and materials.
– Export and import geometry and custom attributes

There are hundreds of highly useful free SketchUp Extensions available that have been created by the generous SketchUp Developer community.  There are also many paid extensions that often have a free trial available. 

Many of the more powerful and more complex SketchUp Extensions are not free but it is very possible to build a library of useful free plugins as well.

You need SketchUp running locally on a desktop to use SketchUp Extensions. The web-based online versions of SketchUp such as SketchUp Shop and SketchUp Free can not use extensions.

Both SketchUp Pro (paid  license) and SketchUp Make (free license) can use extensions.  New versions of SketchUp Pro are released annually but SketchUp Make is no longer being updated since the 2017 version.

Old desktop versions of SketchUp even back to version 5 can use extensions.  However, old versions of SketchUp may not be supported by recent versions of many extensions.  For maximum extension compatibility, it is recommended to use the newest version of SketchUp Pro.

Yes, nearly all SketchUp Extensions can be used on either Windows and Mac computers. 

However, there are some extensions that require certain platform-specific libraries that may only be available for one platform.  Usually, the website that distributes the extension will state if the extension is not compatible with either Windows or Mac.

To avoid compatibility, loading, or license errors, the recommended method is to reinstall the latest version of your extension by downloading it from the same website that you originally received it.

The ExtensionStore includes some tools for automating this process (if you originally downloaded the extension from the ExtensionStore) whereas with the Extension Warehouse, you can go to the ‘Downloads’ section to see a list of all extensions you have previously downloaded so you can easily go through the list and re-download the latest version of the extensions you wish to migrate.

If you purchased an extension from the Extension Warehouse, you must reinstall it from the Extension Warehouse from inside SketchUp in order to properly migrate your license.

Note that certain paid extensions may use a different license systems and require you to first remove the license from your old computer before activating the license on your new computer. If you forget to do this, you can normally reset your license activations. Be sure to check with the extension developer for instructions on how to do this as the process may be different for each developer.

If you are an advanced SketchUp user, you may want to try the alternative quick method of migrating extensions by copying the contents of your old extensions folder to the new one where you want to move your extensions. However, there is a good chance that some of your extensions will not load or work properly so be prepared for errors. If you notice errors related to a particular extension, then be sure to download and reinstall the latest version of that extension as described above.

SketchUp Extensions are most commonly distributed as a single RBZ file for easy installation. 

An RBZ file is actually just a ZIP file with the RBZ file extension instead of ZIP. RBZ files must contain at least one file with the .rb file extension.  The .rb file extension tells SketchUp that the file is a text file written using the Ruby language.  The RBZ file may also contain subfolders with additional .rb files and other resource files such as images and html files that the extension needs to run.

Some older or very simple plugins might be distributed as a single .rb file and not an RBZ file.  These files can not be installed using the Extension Manager but instead must be manually copied to the correct folder on your computer in order to be used.

An unsigned SketchUp Extension has not been approved or digitally certified by the developer which means that it may have been modified by someone else and should be used with caution.  You should contact the developer of an unsigned extension before using it unless you are certain it is safe.

A signed Extension signifies that a developer has claimed that software, saying “I made this” but in a secure coded format.  If someone modifies the software after it has been signed, the signature will no longer be valid and it will become and unsigned extension.

The SketchUp Extension Manager has special settings known as the ‘Extensions Loading Policy‘ that let you control whether unsigned extensions should be loaded.

The best sources for free Extensions are the SketchUp Extension Warehouse and the SketchUcation ExtensionStore. 

Other online sources of free extensions are likely to be outdated whereas developers tend to distribute the most current version of their extensions on the sites above.

The Extension Warehouse is the official online store for SketchUp Extensions maintained by Trimble, owners of SketchUp.

You can search the Extension Warehouse for a particular extension, or browse through all extensions by a specific developer.  The Extension Warehouse is also a distribution platform for developers to host both free and paid extensions, as well as create listing pages for extensions not hosted on the Warehouse.

If an extension is hosted on the Extension Warehouse, you can download the RBZ file directly to your computer as long as you are signed in.  Once you have downloaded the RBZ file, you must the install it using the Extension Manager.

Some extensions require payment to download and may include an option for a free trial.  If the extension is not hosted by the Warehouse, the extension’s listing page will include a detailed description about the extension as well as a button link which will take you to the extension’s main website where you can get more information and purchase the extension.

For current SketchUp Pro versions, you can access the Extension Warehouse from inside SketchUp by clicking the Extension Warehouse button from the toolbar.  If you do not see this toolbar, make sure the ‘Getting Started’ toolbar is visible.  By accessing the Warehouse directly from SketchUp, you can download and install extensions directly into your current SketchUp session.

The SketchUcation ExtensionStore (also known as ‘PluginStore’) is an alternative online store that also hosts plugins and extensions.  It is maintained by SketchUcation LLC.  The ExtensionStore has less strict requirements for developers for how to distribute their extensions which allows it to host many older historical extensions that cannot be found anywhere else, in addition to current ones.

There are some developers who prefer to host their extensions only on the ExtensionStore rather than the Extension Warehouse so be sure to check both stores when searching for your perfect extension.

Historically, most extensions on the ExtensionStore have been free downloads but recently, the store added the ability for developers to sell paid extensions as well.

The ExtensionStore can be accessed via the web or from inside SketchUp by installing the ExtensionStore extension. The extension includes convenient access to the store with the ability to search for and install extensions directly as well as tools for managing the loading of extensions.  It has some additional extension management features not found in the Extension Manager and is worth checking out especially if you are a heavy user of extensions.

If the extension is packaged as an RBZ file, you should install it using the Extension Manager.  Just open the Manager, and click the big ‘Install Extension’ button at the bottom of the window.  Then, locate the RBZ file on your local computer and select it to begin the installation process which usually only takes 1-2 seconds.

If you need more information or are using an old version of SketchUp, you might want to check out our How-To Guide for installing an RBZ file.

Some more complex extensions may have their own installer file and can be installed from outside of SketchUp simply by double-clicking the installer.  Be sure to check the installation instructions on the extension website for the steps required as they may vary depending on the product.

Although rare, some older extensions may be comprised of just a single .rb file.  This file cannot be installed using the Extension Manager but must be manually copied to the folder that extensions are stored for the version of SketchUp you are using.

Use the SketchUp Extension Manager to uninstall a extension.  Open the Extension Manager and click the ‘Manage’ tab.  Find the extension on the list that you want to uninstall and click the ‘Uninstall’ button to delete the extension files and remove it from the list.

It is also possible to uninstall an extension by manually deleting the extension’s files from the folder where extensions are stored.  This should be done with caution and it is recommended to make a backup of your extensions folder before doing this in case you accidentally delete the wrong files.

The SketchUp Extension Manager is a feature of SketchUp Pro that allows users to install extensions from RBZ files and view a list of all extensions currently installed.

Extensions can be enabled and disabled using the Manager to prevent them from loading next time SketchUp starts up.

Extensions can also be updated to a newer version (if hosted on the Extension Warehouse) or completely uninstalled.

The Manager can display information about the extension including a detailed description, author name, copyright, version number, and whether the extension is signed buy the author.  The Extension Loading Policy can be adjusted using the Manager to control whether unsigned extensions are allowed to load.

There are hundreds if not thousands of extensions available, so it can be hard to find the ones that are best for you.  A Google search can be a good way to start searching for the most useful extensions for your industry.  You can also browse the Extension Warehouse and filter the results according to the category of the extension that applies best to your needs (eg. Animation, Architecture, Interior Design, etc.).

If you are looking for a very specific type of extension, search the a web, Extension Warehouse, or ExtensionStore.  Chances are very good that the type of extension you need has already been created.  For additional help, just ask on the SketchUp Forums.  One of the many helpful community members will likely help you out within a matter of hours.

SketchUp Extensions are safe to use if they were created by a trusted developer.  All extensions from the Extension Warehouse are created by trusted developers and are tested by the SketchUp Extensibility Team as an additional quality assurance measure.

Extensions from the ExtensionStore can also be trusted to be safe as they are tested by SketchUp community members and moderated by the SketchUcation Team.  If any extension would be found to have malicious code, they would be immediately removed from distribution from either of these two online stores.

Extension are written using the Ruby language which has full access to your file system.  Therefore, it is extremely important that you only download extensions from a trustworthy source.  Extensions shared on social media or on websites that provide cracked software should never be trusted.  Software downloaded on these sites could contain viruses or other malicious code that could damage or corrupt the files on your computer.

If you are not sure whether to trust a particular extension or developer, you should reach out to the SketchUp Forums for guidance.

To use a SketchUp Extension, you first need to download it and then install it.  Once installed, most extensions add a new menu or toolbar to the SketchUp interface.  The toolbar will usually become automatically visible after you install the extension.  If not, open the SketchUp toolbar visibility settings and ensure that the extension’s toolbar is enabled.  Most extensions will also add a new menu item within the main ‘Extensions’ menu.

If you don’t see any evidence that the extension was installed, open the Extension Manager and make sure that the extension is on the list AND is enabled. If everything looks in order, try restarting SketchUp and also check that the extension’s toolbar is not hidden behind some other toolbar or window.

Every extension is different and each developer may take a different approach when designing the user interface of the extension.  So be sure to read the documentation for the extension on the website where you downloaded it from. Usage instructions and tutorials will often be included on the extension’s website.  YouTube is also a great resource for video tutorials for many extensions.

Each version of SketchUp Pro on your computer has its own special folder that stores all of the files for all extensions that have been installed.

On Windows systems, the extensions folder is located at C:/Users/USERNAME/AppData/Roaming/SketchUp/SketchUp 20xx/SketchUp/Plugins

On Mac systems, the extensions folder is located at: /Users/USERNAME/Library/Application Support/SketchUp 20xx/SketchUp/Plugins

Replace USERNAME with your actual username applicable to your computer and operating system and replace 20xx with the version of SketchUp you are interested in.

Note that the location of the extensions folder could be different than above if you are using a very old version of SketchUp.

You should start by going to the SketchUp Developer website.  Here you can find developer guides, examples, and resources to help you get started making extensions.

Extensions are written using a popular programming language called Ruby.  The core program code is stored in simple text files with a .rb file extension. 

A simple extension can be written by creating a text file using Notepad or TextEdit, writing some code that uses the Ruby API, and then saving the file with a .rb file extension instead of the standard .txt extension.  If you now place the file in the folder where extensions are stored, your extension’s code will be executed automatically when SketchUp starts up.

Ruby is a programming language created by Yukihiro Matsumoto with a focus on simplicity and productivity.  It is natural to read and easy to write.  It is a very enjoyable language to program as any SketchUp developer can attest to.

Ruby has become a popular language for building web applications but it can also be used for creating command line tools and performing various automation tasks.

The makers of SketchUp decided back in the early 2000’s to create an API that would allow outside developers to create extensions to extend the capabilities of SketchUp. They decided to use Ruby as the language for this API.

The SketchUp Ruby API (Application Programming Interface) is a library of Ruby classes and methods (functions) created by the makers of SketchUp that allow outside developers to write code to interact with an open SketchUp model and the SketchUp user interface.  The Ruby API is what allows extensions to add new abilities to SketchUp.

The Ruby API is built into SketchUp Pro.  When you install SketchUp Pro, the API always comes with it.

SketchUp developers like to frequent the SketchUp Forums and the SketchUcation Community Forums. If you are in need of a developer, you can post a new topic that introduces yourself and describes the required skills and expertise of the needed developer.  You will likely receive a reply from an interested developer within a few days, or a community member may suggest a developer for you to contact directly.

You can also send a message to SketchUp Customer Support asking them to introduce you to a recommended developer for your specific needs.

Anyone can make a SketchUp Extension!  If you are interested in SketchUp and programming, you can learn the skills to make an extension very quickly.

In order to distribute your extensions on the Extension Warehouse, you simply need to register with SketchUp as a developer. But anyone can create a custom extension for their own internal use.

If you are new to SketchUp and want to know if a certain type of extension already exists, the fastest way is to ask at the SketchUp Forums.  Many of the helpful SketchUp sages and community members have been using SketchUp for more than a decade and are very familiar with what extensions are currently available.

You can also search the Extension Warehouse or ExtensionStore to see if an existing extension shows up in the results.  A web search is also recommended just in case the plugin is not hosted on either of the two primary stores.