Plugin Loader for SketchUp

Description

This SketchUp plugin was created out of a need for having plugins available in a “locked down” computer lab setting (similar to my solution for AutoCAD). It also provides an easy way to browse some of the web plugin repositories and then to load any plugin into SketchUp – from any location.

After installation, this is how the plugin appears under the “Plugins” menu:

Menu structure

These are the menu items:

• The top two items allow for loading either a single plugin (RB file) or several plugins at once that are all contained in a folder. For the second option, simply select any file within the folder and all will be loaded.
• The next set of links point to the main web repositories for SketchUp plugins. After clicking the menu item, a web browser window opens within SketchUp. You can then browse to a plugin and download it. After closing the browser window, an option is presented to install the plugin right away (not on Macs, though). You can save these plugins anywhere. In a locked-down computer lab, it may be a good idea to save them to your USB memory stick.
• If you get stuck, maybe the About option has some information. Otherwise leave a comment on the bottom of this page.

Downloads

Plugin Loader for SketchUp v.1.2 (5.14 kB, downloaded 9577 times) - PLEASE NOTE: Download the ZIP file and unzip it. Then drop it into the SketchUp plugin directory (usually at C:\Program Files\Google\SketchUp\Plugins\ in Windows). Then re-start SketchUp and look for the new menu item in the Tools menu.

IMPORTANT: I changed file names from v. 1.0 to 1.1. If you are updating, delete the old version first. Keep the folder organization as it is in the ZIP file, otherwise the plugin may not work properly.

Plugin Loader for SketchUp v.1.2 (RBZ version) (5.14 kB, downloaded 554 times) - PLEASE NOTE: Download the RBZ file. Then open SketchUp (v.8 M2 and above) and go to the Preferences dialog. On the Extensions tab, select "Install Extension..." and browse to the file.

ALSO: If you want to receive updates whenever a new version is published, subscribe to the comments below.

Alternatively, you can save the contained files anywhere (e.g. your USB memory stick – the H: drive in my case) and then load it into SketchUp (no restart required!) by opening the Ruby Console (Window > Ruby Console) and entering this (modify for your setup):

  load "H:\PluginLoader.rb"

Screenshots

Search for a plugin or browse the web to find it.

You can browse to a plugin and download it right from this window. Your standard plugin directory is shown in the title bar but it is not necessary to save the plugin file(s) there. Using the load function, you can load plugins that are located anywhere.

Load dialog

To load a plugin, browse to its main Ruby (RB) file. While this will work in most cases, it may fail to load some plugins due to programmed-in dependencies.

Credits:

Thanks to Jim Folz for his help (in the SCF).

Revision History

• 1.0 (3/9/2009) – First version
• 1.1 (3/18/2009) – Changes:
  - Added more plugin links and fixed some spelling
  - Added browser “buttons” and better explanation
  - Added help menu item and updated help file
  - Changed menu order a bit
• 1.2 (11/3/2010) – Changes:
  - Renamed some menu items
  - Added Google custom search
  - Added link to extension manager
  - Reformatted code and added module
  - Removed developer links (those are now in my Ruby Code Editor)
  - Changed layout of browser a bit
  - Fixed mac issues: dlg can’t show modal, browser buttons dont work well