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Home > Projects > Plugin Loader for SketchUp

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. Because I had a recurring need for keeping some developer references handy, I decided to include several reference web links as well. As a result, this plugin serves novice SketchUp users as well as in-depth users.

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

Screenshot

Plugin menu items

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 plugin repositories. 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. 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.
  • The final items show some developer links (e.g. the Ruby API). These links open in an external browser since I found this most useful for my own use.
  • If you get stuck, maybe the help option has some information. Otherwise leave a comment on the bottom of this page.

Downloads

Plugin Loader for SketchUp v.1.1 (4.33 KB, downloaded 2665 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. Also, save both files (the RB and the TXT 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 RB file 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

Browser window (opens in SketchUp)

Browser window (as it opens in SketchUp)

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

Load dialog

To load a plugin, browse to its main 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) and for contributing the require_all function.

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

To-Do

  • Would be nice to open the plugin collections in a web dialog and then allow the user to download and install the plugin with one click. This will likely need a different web directory setup. Shouldn’t be impossible, though.
  • Unloading of plugins.
  • Should I add more web links?
  • Folder selection is a bit workaroundish. A standard directory picker would be better.
RATE POST: 1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (2 votes, 5.00/5)
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20 Responses to “Plugin Loader for SketchUp”

  1. resder says:
    December 29, 2009 at 16:29

    Hola soy nuevo en esto de Sketchuo creo que aprendere mucho chauuuuuuuuu

    Reply
  2. Roberto Carneiro says:
    December 19, 2009 at 21:52

    Alex
    Thanks for this. When you have other news, please
    can tell. Thank you.!

    Reply
  3. Bongani Arthur says:
    November 23, 2009 at 20:55

    Like to recieve updates of plug-ins and tools.

    Reply
  4. Brooke says:
    November 13, 2009 at 00:30

    Of course. Beg pardon. I did one of those copy path commands and did not check how it was transcribed and since then have had blinders on, apparently.

    Thanks. much.

    Reply
  5. Brooke says:
    November 12, 2009 at 22:12

    For the attempt above, this was the console command:

    load "C:Program Files (x86)GoogleGoogle SketchUp 7Pluginsas_pluginloader.rb"

    Reply
  6. Brooke says:
    November 12, 2009 at 22:12

    For the attempt above, this was the console command:

    load "C:Program Files (x86)GoogleGoogle SketchUp 7Pluginsas_pluginloader.rb"

    Reply
  7. Brooke says:
    November 12, 2009 at 18:31

    For the attempt above, this was the console command:

    load "C:Program Files (x86)GoogleGoogle SketchUp 7Pluginsas_pluginloader.rb"

    I mention that just because of the strange spelling/format changes.

    Reply
  8. Brooke says:
    November 12, 2009 at 18:28

    Failure to load by the console:

    load "C:Program Files (x86)GoogleGoogle SketchUp 7Pluginsas_pluginloader.rb"
    Error: #<LoadError: (eval):894:in `load': No such file to load — C:Program Files (x86)GoogleGoogle SketchUp 7Pluginss_pluginloader.rb>
    (eval):894

    Reply
  9. zalmon says:
    October 2, 2009 at 02:03

    i am not able to load plugins from a folder(entire folder) even by installing pluginloader.rb in the plugin folder. is their way to that using ruby console. plz help me out.

    Reply
  10. leon baydoun says:
    July 10, 2009 at 03:22

    very helpfull thank you

    Reply
  11. Henry says:
    May 8, 2009 at 12:26

    Alex Thank you again .

    Reply
  12. Robert says:
    May 1, 2009 at 21:38

    Grand!

    Reply
  13. takesh h says:
    April 12, 2009 at 23:27

    Confirmed it's functioning on Macs (OSX10.5.6, SU6pro). Thanks.

    Reply
  14. alexschreyer says:
    March 18, 2009 at 18:26

    I have just posted a new version (v.1.1) of this plugin.

    Reply
  15. Rick Fitzpatrick says:
    March 16, 2009 at 06:05

    Cool. Thank you. Came across your site looking for Sketchup plugins. Very nice site. Interesting too. I'm not an architect or engineer but I'm interested in some aspects none the less. I'll try out the Loader tomorrow. Its late right now. Thanks again. I'll be back.

    Reply
  16. O. Hans says:
    March 10, 2009 at 15:04

    This is a great script. Very useful.
    Thanks Alex

    Reply
  17. edson mahfuz says:
    March 10, 2009 at 11:08

    have you tried it on mac? regards.

    Reply

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