The DXF Export plugin created by Joergber on SketchUcation.com is a useful plugin allowing you to export your 3D model to AutoCAD as a DXF file developed by AutoDesk (Drawing Interchange Format or also known as Drawing Exchange Format). The plugin works with Google SketchUp 8 and known to at least work with AutoCAD 2010.

The plugin works well and enables you to the export function that the pro version of Google SketchUp offers in the free version. This DXF exporter explodes and then regroups segments in order to simplify the drawing. There are some minor imperfections of the plugin. The exporter does not export faces, only line and arc segments are exported. And there are cases in which arc orientation is off. These issues are discussed in the SketchUcation.com forum.

Overall, the DXF Export plugin created by Joergber on SketchUcation.com is an extremely useful plugin and exporter to sync your creation with AutoCAD and other drafting platforms. At the time of this review this plugin is free and is available at SketchUcation.com. I give this plugin 3 out 5 stars, though it looks as if future versions will have more of the bugs worked out.

Download Notes: Need to be logged into SketchUcation.com in order to download.

Pen Tools included in version 1.4 are:
- Soft Draw – is to help you create softened or smoothed lines. It works the same way the eraser tool (with ctrl) works to soften lines and thus curves. You can trace over existing lines with this tool to soften them. (To see the lines turn on Hidden Geometry)
- Hide Draw – is at it implies. Helps you to create hidden lines. (Turn on Hidden Geometry)
- Guide Draw – allows you to create guide lines.
- Weld Draw – helps to create connected lines to draw out curves. It serves as multiple soft draw tool. (Turn on Hidden Geometry)
- Edge Draw – creates edges of lines without the faces. Comes in handy when sketching objects that do not need faces.
- Line Draw – exactly the same as the Line Tool that comes with SketchUp.
- Point Draw – helps to create construction points.

This plugin works with Google SketchUp 8. And after some getting used to can be very handy when utilizing SketchUp. The only drawback is that the Weld Tool could be a little bit more user friendly and intuitive. Maybe adding a new pen tool that allows you to draw a curve in 3D, or allowing you to chisel in the x, y and z axis. Though we cannot really complain, this plugin becomes more and more useful as you use it.

Overall, the Pen Tool + plugin created by R. Obrien on the Ruby Library Depot is an essential tool for advanced SketchUp users and can really help speed up the design process. At the time of this review this plugin is FREE and is available at The Ruby Library Depot. I give this plugin 5 out 5 stars.

The Key Frame Animation plugin created by Regular Polygon is an extremely useful plugin to show movement. The plugin works with Google SketchUp 8 and allows you to create movements based on screens.

Use of this plugin is tricky at first, though by following directions given in the user guide it becomes very easy to use. Basically create scenes (either with or without camera mode selected) and then go scene by scene by first clicking the “record” button. Then click the next scene and then click record again. Repeat these steps until your motion has been completed.

At first the movements are very robotic going from scene to scene. Though this can be eliminated by adjusting the delay time to zero. This can be found by going to the SketchUp menu bar and clicking through Plugins > Keyframe Animation > Delay Time. This option is not available on the toolbar for this plugin which is a drawback.

The plugin also allows you to export to AVI movie file. Which is a great feature. First the “make tweens” button is to be selected and then the plugin creates more scenes based on the frame rate. The frame rate is not on the toolbar and needs to be accessed in the same way as the transition time. Once you create all your scenes you can then export as an AVI movie file. The major drawback is that the resolution of your movie is quite low. It is almost not even worth exporting. A work around to this, though being tedious, is to create all your scenes using the tween button. Then use a rendering engine of your choice and export and render each scene (making sure animation is clicked on). Once you have all your scenes rendered it is just a matter of stringing them together in flash or an animated GIF and voila you have a high resolution high quality animation!

Overall, the Key Frame Animation plugin created by Regular Polygon is a great plugin and is much recommended. At the time of this review this plugin has a free 10 day trial and after the trial period cost is $19, which is well worth it! The plugin is available at regularpolygon.blogspot.com. I give this plugin 4.5 out 5 stars.

Download Notes: Installs like any other software, no need to move files. Just make sure to install to the plugin directory within your SketchUp program file.

The Texture Tool plugin created by TIG on SketchUcation.com is a decent plugin to adjust textures. Works with Google SketchUp 8 and allows you to adjust the texture in many different ways including: Texture Adjust, Texture Nudge, Texture Rotate, Texture Scale, Texture Shunt and Texture Tweak.

Once installed the plugin has two main sets of buttons, one with a red pointer box and others without. The red pointer box seems to do nothing at first but it actually just lets you set increments of whatever function. And this stays locked, by simply using the arrow buttons on your keyboard you can adjust these settings. The other buttons that do not have the red box just allows you to use the function ones and results are immediate. For a more detailed set of instructions be sure to read the instructions on the download page.

Overall, the Texture Tool plugin created by TIG on SketchUcation.com is a useful tool for those needing accurate textures. At the time of this review this plugin is free and is available at SketchUcation.com. I give this plugin 4.5 out 5 stars.

Download Notes: Remember to be logged into SketchUcation.com in order to download a plugin.

The Toggle Units plugin created by Matt666 on SketchUcation.com is an essential plugin to have in your SketchUp toolbox. It allows you to switch between metric units, standard units and other fornmats while using SketchUp.

Toggle Units allows you to switch from Meters to Centimeter and Millimeters in the Decimal mode. You can also switch from Architectural, Fractional and Ingeneiry. Though many of these modes are very similar to each other.

This plugin definately is a feature that SketchUp has left out. It allows you to change all dimensions and even changes the way you can input distances for creating lines and other objects. The plugin uses the metric conversion of 0.3048 meters equals 1 foot. A drawback to this plugin is that there are no shortcut keys to toggle between. Though on the Sketchucation.com forum you can read some tips to do this.

Overall, the Toggle Units plugin created by Matt666 is a simple and easy to use plugin and should be at the top of your tool palette. At the time of this review this plugin is free and is available at Sketchucation.com. I give this plugin 5 out 5 stars.

Download Notes: Download link on the page button links to. The main (1st page) has an outdated version that did not work on my system.

The Align Tool plugin created by Didier Bur on SketchUcation.com is an essential tool to help you with aligning objects and components in your model. With just a simple right click and then defining a few points you can align objects precisely and quickly.

The Align Tool works really well, but it does take a few tries to get used to how it works and to utilize it to its full potential. The align tool works almost exactly like the AutoCAD align tool in the 3D view. The plugin is great and a button would make this plugin that much better but for the most part is great!

Overall, The Align Tool plugin created by Didier Bur is a fabulous plugin. At the time of this review this plugin is free and is available at SketchUcation.com. I give this plugin 5 out 5 stars!

Download Notes: Be sure to be logged into SketchUcation in order to download the file.

The Lattice Maker plugin created by TIG on SketchUcation.com is a simple plugin allowing you to make lattice style arrays and frames. The plugin works great to create skylights, sculptures, mosaic glass tiles, greenhouses and much more. This plugin is great for architects and contractors to create works simply and quickly.

The plugin allows you to create the frames and inset panes for any surface. It works great to create just about any shape you desire. When using the plugin you need to select the faces and then go to the plugin menu and click the “Lattice Maker” plugin. A dialogue will appear with options for the width and depth of the frame, the pane inset dimension, the lattice or frame material and the pane material.

The drawback of this plugin is that there are only a limited amount of colors to choose from for the lattice and same with the pane. Though having the glass option is great, but the plugin does not allow you to specify the thickness of the glass. And a great benefit for this plugin would be to have an icon or button to save some time, though you always do have the option of creating a shortcut key for it.

Overall, the Lattice Maker plugin created by TIG is a very useful plugin to have. At the time of this review this plugin is free and is available at SketchUcation.com. I give this plugin 4.5 out 5 stars.

Download Notes: Make sure to be logged in on SketchUcation.com

The Windowizer plugin (version 3) created by Rick Wilson on Smustard.com is a simple tool to create windows for your SketchUp model. It gives you many options such as trim colors, glass styles and arrangements.

Using the plugin is simple but not really that intuitive. You need to make sure that you select a single face and know that the face will become the window area. Once you select the face then right click (on windows) and select the Windowizer tool. Then you have a set of options to select from, allowing you to set the amount of rows and columns, frame and mullion sizes, insets, and glass and frame colors/textures. Note that if you cannot see the drop out menu, then your face needs to be exploded further. The tool is very simple and works well. Though it would be helpful if there was a toolbar also available for it.

Overall, the Windowizer plugin (version 3) created by Rick Wilson is a simple but yet effective tool to create windows, especially store front ones. At the time of this review this plugin is free and is available at Smustard.com. I give this plugin 4 out 5 stars.

The Fur plugin created by user Tak2hata on SketchUcation.com is a simple plugin to create blades of grass or fur in a model. Most SketchUp users will probably use this to create grass and other greenery. But I am sure there are those exceptions that will have the need to model a guerrilla, they will truly have the most fun with this one.

The plugin allows you to create a lot of “fur” on a face at predetermined heights thickness density and so on. The settings menu can be a little daunting and does take a little time to figure out. But once you understand how these settings are used the outcome is pretty outstanding! The plugin allows you to create leaves, blades of grass, and general greenery. While picking a face, make sure that they are oriented upwards so the fur appears on the correct side of the face.

Overall, the Fur plugin created by user Tak2hata is a simple and useful plugin to have. At the time of this review this plugin is free and is available at SketchUcation.com. I give this plugin 4.5 out 5 stars.

Download Notes: Need to be registered with SketchUcation.com to download

The Door Tools plugin created by Tomot on Ruby Library Depot is a great set of tools to create custom doors. These tools allows you to create doors, frames and trims with different styles.

Each of these tools in this set works by using the 3 click process, click the top two corners and then specify the height of the door to the floor on the last click. In order to create a door you do need to have the door opening already cutout onto the wall. The plugin comes with the ability to make mullion and louver doors. You also have the ability to create right or left hand doors. The plugin in addition creates the door path on the floor (usually found on floorplans) making it easy to see the path of the door. Finally it also creates the doors on separate layers making it easy to find or hide them. This plugin could be improved if there was an option to create multiple panel doors and allowing a bevel option for the trims.

Overall, The Door Tools plugin created by Tomot is a very useful plugin for those working on homes and home designs. At the time of this review this plugin is free and is available at The Ruby Library Depot. I give this plugin 4 out 5 stars.