The Maxwell Render for Google SketchUp by Next Limit Technologies is a new easy to use render engine that works with Google SketchUp 8. The application is completely integrated into SketchUp allowing for a seamless experience for users. Maxwell Render for SketchUp is a simplified version of their full application Maxwell Render Suite.

When using Maxwell Render in an outside environment the product works great. The materials in your model work with this plugin and those same materials can even be edited within Maxwell. Though a drawback is that each material needs to be selected separately and changed manually.

The rendering time is decent and allows for fairly quick rendering based on settings. A render countdown clock signifying how long is left on the rendering is missing. If a large render is being tackled it seems as if the rendering time is infinite and there really is no knowing how much longer it will take. Though at any point in the rendering the image can be saved without disrupting the rendering. When saving the image there is a drawback as the file formats do not appear and “.jpg” needs to be added manually.

A major issue that is either missing or not obvious on how to do is how to create interior lighting points with the SketchUp Plugin. This option is available with Maxwell Render Suite, but doesn’t seem to be available on the SketchUp version.

Overall, the Maxwell Render for Google SketchUp by Next Limit Technologies is an extremely easy to use rendering engine but with many limitations. At the time of this review this plugin costs $95 for the licensed version and is available at MaxwellRender.com. I give this plugin 3 out 5 stars.

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.

Google SketchUp is open source, meaning that it is a platform is open for Rubyscript programers to develop plugins for this software. Allowing it to have versatility seen by no other design program. With the open source comes an immense amount of plugins available for the software. The possibilities are endless!

The newest version is Google SketchUp 8 which offers some new features:

• Add Location Button – this is a replacement of the old get current view button. This feature gets an accurate Google Map clip into your model in color.
• Google Building Maker Button – this allows you to bring models started in Google Building Maker directly into SketchUp 8. And helps you create models of existing buildings.
• Solid Tools – Once you create a solid object that is water tight, you can calculate volumes by clicking the entity tool. The Solid tools allow you to manipulate objects by using the set of tools provided. Including The Union Tool, The Intersect Tool, The Split Tool, The Trim Tool and the Outer Shell Tool. (This Feature is Only Available on Google SketchUp 8 Pr0.
• Layout 3 – Layout 3 comes with new features to assist in creating layouts. Some of these features include: Precise Move, Custom Line Styles, Angular Dimensions and CAD Export.

The major drawback of Google SketchUp 8 is that it no longer supports the AutoCAD Import function for the free version. Also there are many plugins, some reviewed on this site, that no longer support SketchUp 8. But developers are working hard to update this plugins.

SketchUp Plugins come in the form of:
- Ruby Scripts (.rb) with folders
- Compressed Files (.zip or .rar)
- Executible files (.exe or .msi) In which it installs itself just like any other program.

Though installing plugins can be a little tricky for a new user. Below are instructions for installing most plugins for Google SketchUp:
Step 1: Is to create a desktop shortcut for your plugins folder.
Step 2: Download your plugin to desktop.
Step 3: Move downloaded rubyscript file into plugins folder shortcut.
Step 4: Use the plugin!

See our video below for instructions on how to install plugins.

Once installed plugins can appear in many places. The most common places are:
1. In the top menu under “Plugins” (next to File, Edit, View, Windows etc..). Sometimes even within sub-menus in this category.
2. By right clicking your mouse plugins may appear.
3. In the toolbars, go to View -> Toolbars and you will be able to see a list of available toolbars. Most plugins come with a toolbar so this is a prime place to find them.
4. Under the “Tools” category. Some plugins find themselves here.
5. Within the Extension Feature. Some plugins may require extensions to be enabled. In this case go to Windows -> Preferences and then within the preferences menu click “Extensions” and check or uncheck the plugins.

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 Curve Maker, Taper Maker and Stock Maker plugins created by Terry Ross on DrawMetal.com are great plugins for those in metal working or sculpting. This plugin comes with 3 plugins as mentioned and is compatible with SketchUp 8.

The first is The Curve Maker, this plugin is going to be your main tool in creating your designs. The plugin offers you a variety of standard curves. Including the Archimedes spiral, Bernoulli (logarithmic or equiangular) spiral, Catenary, Cornu spline, Cotes spiral, Euler (clothoide or Cornu) spiral, Fermat spiral, Golden spiral, Helix, Hyperbolic cotangent spiral, Hyperbolic spiral, Hyperbolic tangent spiral, Lituus (volute, shepherd’s crook or bishop’s crook), Parabola, and Sine wave and Cosine wave functions. Once selecting a spiral the plugin allows you to input the measurements such as radius, length, height etc. At this point though your not done.

Once the spiral is created you will need to give it a shape. The Taper Maker thus comes in handy here. You can choose from a variety of standard shapes such as circular, square, diamond, octagon, etc. And these can be tapered or kept the same at both ends. If you have a more complicated shape then the Follow-Me Tool would come in handy. But unfortunately using the Follow-Me Tool will not taper, thus an additional taper plugin may be necessary.

Also as part of the DrawMetal package, The Stock Maker is available. This tool allows you to have an accurate estimate as to the stock of metal to be used. These raw material requirements are important for metal working. Using this tool has a few steps and I suggest referring to the DrawMetal website. But essentially it will give you a print out of what is needed for your project.

Overall, The Curve Maker, Taper Maker and Stock Maker plugins created by Terry Ross on DrawMetal.com is a great plugin for those in the metal working industry. At the time of this review this plugin is FREE and is available at DrawMetal.com. I give this plugin 4 out 5 stars.

Download Notes: Note that ther are 2 versions, one for MAC and other for PC. The file contains all 3 plugins.

The Building Structure Tool plugin created by Tak2Hata on SketchUcation.com is a useful tool for design professionals such as structural engineers and even architects. A note that I would like to bring to your attention early in this post is that the developer is from Japan and is offering this plugin FREE though please consider donating to the 2011 Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami fund as those people are still in desperate need for aid. You can donate by:
Going to World Vision or text “4japan” to 20222 to send a $10 donation which will show up on your phone bill.
Or the American Red Cross also accepts donations via text message. Text “redcross” to 90999, and you can make a $10 donation. And finally you can contribute $10 via the Salvation Army – text “japan” or “quake” to 80888.

And now back to the review… The Structure Tool Plugin works great for those with a generous understanding of building structure design. For those that do not know the design code it may be difficult to fully understand how to use. The plugin allows you to create steel girders, beams, and columns in addition to concrete girders, beams, columns, footers and walls. And you can extend these objects and connect them with each other seamlessly with other tools available. Note that this tool is still in the Beta version so changes and updates should be coming soon.

Some elements missing are the standard (American) design specifications and even an ability to custom create your own design of beams or columns.

Overall, the Building Structure Tool plugin created by Tak2Hata on SketchUcation.com is a useful plugin for building professionals. At the time of this review this plugin is FREE and is available at SketchUcation.com. I give this plugin 4 out 5 stars.

Download Notes: Remember to be logged in with SketchUcation in order to see the file download.

The Vertex Tools plugin created by Thomas Thomassen is a great plugin allowing for easy manipulation of a series of vertices at once. The plugin is great for creating landscapes for surveying, free hand manipulations/sculpting, designing organic projects and many other uses. It allows you to create smooth slopes and even the ability to specify the slope distance and change them as you go. The plugin comes with built in features allowing you to select free hand, or by square and circle or by points in a click by click style fashion.

At first it was tough to figure out how to use this plugin. NOTE, if you create your mesh using the Sandbox tools, you need to explode the mesh and keep it selected in order for it to work with the Vertex tools plugin. Once you have your mesh selected you can use the tool in the Tools menu. It was frustrating to keep having to go to the tool menu but I discovered that you can create a toolbar shortcut by right clicking (on pc) and selecting the Preferences button and then checking the Toolbar and Context Menu boxes. Once you get a grip on how to use the tool it works great. Below is a video tutorial on how to use the plugin in more detail.

A major drawback is that this tool lacks the ability to create specific/calculated shapes. It would be a great benefit if there was a way to impose or project a 2D object as a selection on your grid without having to manually select the nodes. This could be very time consuming for complicated objects. And even if you are trying to use the circle and a square in conjunction, the tool does not respond well and creates craters where the objects intersect. And even ran into problems that once I have selected a certain area and wanted to adjust the settings the selection would disappear.

Overall, the Vertex Tools plugin created by Thomas Thomassen is a very useful plugin for general use but lacks the specificity to use the tool to its full potential. At the time of this review this plugin is $20 for a single license and is available at www.thomthom.net. I give this plugin 3.5 out 5 stars.