SketchUp is an incredibly versatile tool for 3D modeling, beloved by architects, designers, woodworkers, and engineers. But its true potential is unlocked through its plugin ecosystem—a world of extensions that enhance functionality, improve productivity, and open up entirely new workflows. Whether you’re a beginner or a power user, the best plugins for SketchUp can save you hours of work while elevating your designs.
From rendering and terrain shaping to parametric design and clean modeling, here are the 11 must-have SketchUp plugins every serious user should install.
Table of Contents
1. CleanUp³ – Optimize and Simplify Models
Best For: Model cleanup and performance
Developer: Thomas Thomassen
Where to Get: Extension Warehouse
CleanUp³ is essential for anyone working on large or imported models. It helps:
- Merge coplanar faces
- Erase duplicate edges
- Purge unused components and materials
- Improve model performance
Why it’s great: Keeps your file lean and clean before exporting or rendering.
2. Solid Inspector² – Fix Geometry Issues
Best For: Preparing solid models for 3D printing or CNC
Developer: Thomas Thomassen
Where to Get: Extension Warehouse
This plugin checks for non-manifold edges, holes, and other issues that prevent models from being watertight.
Why it’s great: One-click fixes for 3D print-ready geometry. Perfect for engineers, makers, and furniture designers.
3. Profile Builder 3 – Smart Assemblies and Framing
Best For: Architectural components and parametric design
Developer: MindSight Studios
Where to Get: ProfileBuilder4SketchUp.com
Profile Builder lets you create parametric assemblies like:
- Framing systems
- Handrails
- Roads and curbs
- Baseboards and moldings
Why it’s great: You can reuse and customize profiles, making it ideal for repetitive architectural elements.
4. Skatter – Powerful Object Scattering
Best For: Landscape design, vegetation, scattering furniture
Developer: Lindalë
Where to Get: getskatter.com
Skatter helps you place thousands of objects—trees, plants, rocks, people—across surfaces with control over:
- Density
- Distribution
- Randomization
Why it’s great: Handles huge numbers of objects without killing performance.
5. V-Ray for SketchUp – Industry-Leading Rendering
Best For: Photorealistic rendering
Developer: Chaos Group
Where to Get: chaos.com
V-Ray delivers high-end renders with:
- Global illumination
- Material libraries
- Real-world lighting
- Fast GPU/CPU rendering
Why it’s great: Trusted by pros worldwide for architectural visualization and design pitches.
6. Artisan – Organic Modeling Tools
Best For: Sculpting terrain, furniture, soft surfaces
Developer: Whaat
Where to Get: artisan4sketchup.com
Artisan brings Subdivision Surface modeling and sculpting tools into SketchUp.
Why it’s great: Makes organic shapes and smooth forms possible—perfect for landscaping, furniture, and conceptual art.
7. Curic Plugins – Productivity and Modeling Enhancers
Best For: Advanced modeling tools
Developer: Curic
Where to Get: Curic SketchUp Tools
Top Curic plugins include:
- Align Tools – align elements quickly
- Section Tools – cut models accurately
- Smart Offset – precise offsetting for 2D/3D shapes
Why it’s great: A lightweight toolkit that speeds up repetitive tasks.
8. FredoTools (and FredoScale) – Transform with Precision
Best For: Custom scaling, bending, tapering
Developer: Fredo6
Where to Get: SketchUcation Plugin Store
FredoTools is a bundle of modeling enhancements. FredoScale, in particular, allows:
- Non-uniform scaling
- Stretching
- Bending
- Tapering
Why it’s great: Gives you transformation control beyond native SketchUp capabilities.
9. OpenCutList – Generate Cut Lists and BOMs
Best For: Woodworking, furniture, fabrication
Developer: Lairdubois.fr
Where to Get: Extension Warehouse
OpenCutList creates detailed:
- Cut lists
- Material breakdowns
- Board foot calculations
- CNC panel layouts
Why it’s great: Saves woodworkers and cabinetmakers hours of manual calculation.
10. PlaceMaker – Import Real-World Cities and Data
Best For: Urban planning, real estate, site planning
Developer: MindSight Studios
Where to Get: Place Maker Website
PlaceMaker instantly brings in:
- Roads
- Terrain
- Buildings
- Satellite imagery
Why it’s great: Turn empty sites into context-rich models in seconds. Perfect for urban design.
11. PlusSpec – BIM and Estimation in SketchUp
Best For: Architects and builders needing BIM features
Developer: RubySketch
Where to Get: plusspec.com
PlusSpec adds full BIM capabilities:
- Wall types and materials
- Real-time estimating
- Structure detailing
- Clash detection
Why it’s great: Combines design and construction logic—ideal for design-build firms.
12. TIG’s Smart Offset – Perfect Edge Offsets
Best For: Clean, intelligent 2D/3D offsets
Developer: TIG
Where to Get: SketchUcation
This plugin solves the problem of SketchUp’s native Offset tool overlapping or missing corners on complex shapes.
Why it’s great: Clean geometry, faster detailing—especially useful for paneling, moldings, and joinery.
13. Medeek Wall – Full Wall Framing System
Best For: Residential construction and framing
Developer: Nathaniel P. Wilkerson
Where to Get: medeek.com
Create parametric wall assemblies with studs, headers, sheathing, and insulation—all configurable.
Why it’s great: Build real-world wall systems with engineering-level detail.
14. RoundCorner (Fredo6) – Perfect Rounded Edges
Best For: Smoothing geometry and edge fillets
Developer: Fredo6
Where to Get: SketchUcation Plugin Store
This plugin allows you to apply fillets, chamfers, and bevels to any edge or corner—3D or 2D.
Why it’s great: Gives your models a realistic, polished look with soft transitions.
15. Bezier Spline – Advanced Curve Drawing
Best For: Organic modeling, architecture, and design details
Developer: Fredo6
Where to Get: SketchUcation
Provides tools to draw smooth curves, splines, and custom paths beyond SketchUp’s native capabilities.
Why it’s great: Ideal for designing furniture, architecture, landscaping, and decorative work.
16. TrueBend – Bend Components Along an Arc
Best For: Curved furniture, signage, architecture
Developer: ThomThom
Where to Get: SketchUcation or Extension Warehouse
Bends geometry along an arc while preserving its structure—perfect for tubes, rails, or curved forms.
Why it’s great: Simplifies what used to be complex curvature modeling.
17. Component Finder – Visual Component Library Organizer
Best For: Model libraries and drag-and-drop components
Developer: TomTom (MindSight Studios)
Where to Get: Extension Warehouse
Organize and search your local SketchUp component libraries visually.
Why it’s great: Dramatically speeds up access to your assets across projects.
18. Animator (Fredo6) – Create Advanced Animations
Best For: Exploded views, walkthroughs, and visual storytelling
Developer: Fredo6
Where to Get: SketchUcation
Create detailed animations, timelines, and camera transitions for client presentations.
Why it’s great: Adds life to static models and is perfect for instructional animations and storytelling.
19. JHS PowerBar – One Toolbar, 40+ Tools
Best For: Advanced modeling and utilities
Developer: CadFather
Where to Get: SketchUcation
This mega-toolbar offers 40+ powerful utilities for drawing, cleanup, copying, and organization.
Why it’s great: A hidden gem that consolidates powerful features into one smart interface.
20. Sketchy FFD – Freeform Deformation Grid
Best For: Sculpting and warping shapes
Developer: CPhillips
Where to Get: Extension Warehouse
Allows you to deform geometry within a control cage, like a soft lattice.
Why it’s great: Shape your model organically—especially useful for art, conceptual furniture, or animation prep.
21. Eneroth Solid Tools – Smart Boolean Modeling
Best For: Non-destructive Boolean operations
Developer: Eneroth3
Where to Get: Extension Warehouse
A smarter version of SketchUp’s native solid tools, preserving components instead of breaking them.
Why it’s great: Especially useful for complex architectural models and reusable components.
Wrap-Up: Your Ultimate SketchUp Plugin Arsenal
Here’s your expanded plugin lineup:
| # | Plugin Name | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | CleanUp³ | Model cleanup |
| 2 | Solid Inspector² | Geometry validation |
| 3 | Profile Builder 3 | Assemblies, walls, framing |
| 4 | Skatter | Landscape and object scattering |
| 5 | V-Ray | Photorealistic rendering |
| 6 | Artisan | Organic modeling and sculpting |
| 7 | Curic Tools | Productivity and alignment |
| 8 | FredoTools / FredoScale | Transformations and modeling tricks |
| 9 | OpenCutList | Woodworking cut lists and BOMs |
| 10 | PlaceMaker | City and context modeling |
| 11 | PlusSpec | BIM-ready wall and cost modeling |
| 12 | TIG’s Smart Offset | Clean offset geometry |
| 13 | Medeek Wall | Framing systems |
| 14 | RoundCorner | Edge smoothing and bevels |
| 15 | Bezier Spline | Curve creation and editing |
| 16 | TrueBend | Geometry bending |
| 17 | Component Finder | Asset browsing |
| 18 | Animator | Animation and walkthroughs |
| 19 | JHS PowerBar | Multifunction modeling utilities |
| 20 | Sketchy FFD | Freeform warping |
| 21 | Eneroth Solid Tools | Smart solid modeling |
FAQs
Are these plugins free?
Some like CleanUp³ and Solid Inspector² are free. Others like V-Ray, Artisan, and Skatter are paid but offer trials or demos.
How do I install SketchUp plugins?
Use Extension Warehouse or install .rbz files via Window > Extension Manager > Install Extension.
Do plugins slow SketchUp down?
Too many active plugins can affect performance. Use only what you need and disable unused ones in Extension Manager.
Do these plugins work with SketchUp Free?
No. Most require SketchUp Pro, as the Free/Web version doesn’t support extensions.