SketchUpBIM: SketchUpBIM is a free plugin for Google SketchUp. It provides simple tools that make it easier to model buildings and engineering structures.

LTplus SketchUP Plugin: This plug-in lets you import DXF files into Google Sketch-up.

The Maxwell for SketchUp plugin is available in two individual products like the Standalone plugin, and the Render Suite plugin SketchUp. The standalone plugin contains a simplified, custom-made package having its own render engine and performs inside sketchup to provide superior quality real-time rendering. Here’s a very simple example. Let’s say I have a path like the one shown below, and I’d like to draw a 4” pipe that runs along that path. This would be very difficult to just draw using the basic SketchUp tools. However, with the follow me tool, it’s very easy to create a pipe along this path. First of all, let’s cover the basics. Driving Dimensions Plugin for SketchUp: Driving Dimensions is a plug-in for Google SketchUp that allows you to make parametric changes of any 3D model in very simple and intuitive way. Maxwell for SketchUp: Maxwell for Google SketchUp offers users the benefits of advanced rendering. IESVE SketchUp Plug-in: IESVE plug-in for SketchUp is a program that enables the direct transition of models. Check out the pipe plug in from 3Skeng. You can select any size pipe and they have libraries containing many standard pipe diameters, so conduit of any diameter is possible. Theirs are some of the most useful plug ins I’ve run across.

Driving Dimensions Plugin for SketchUp: Driving Dimensions is a plug-in for Google SketchUp that allows you to make parametric changes of any 3D model in very simple and intuitive way.

Maxwell for SketchUp: Maxwell for Google SketchUp offers users the benefits of advanced rendering.

IESVE SketchUp Plug-in: IESVE plug-in for SketchUp is a program that enables the direct transition of models for performance analysis within any of the tools: VE-Ware, VE-Toolkits VE-Gaia, VE-Pro.

WalkAbout3d SketchUp Plugin: This SketchUp plugin provides functions to directly copy your current SketchUp drawing directly into WalkAbout3d.

KeyShot plugin for SketchUp: KeyShot plugin for SketchUp is a program that links the 3D modeling application and KeyShot together, rather than putting KeyShot inside it.

LightUp: LightUp for SketchUp is a SketchUp plugin that adds realistic, realtime lighting to your sketchup models.

IMVU File Editor: IMVU File Editor is a SketchUp plugin that enables the weighting of clothing and accesories.

Raylectron: Raylectron is a simple and intuitive 3D rendering plugin for SketchUp. The plugin lets you transform your SketchUp model into a photorealistic render or animation.

Brighter3D: Brighter3D is a free rendering plugin that requires the previous installation of SketchUp 8.

FluidImporter for SketchUp: This application is a fast importer plugin for SketchUp. This plugin is written in C++ and can quickly import Wavefront .obj files into your SketchUp model.

SU Podium Plus: SU Podium Plus is a program that allows you to make beautiful, photo-realistic rendering of your SketchUp model.

Raylectron Textures Exporter: Raylectron Textures Exporter is a plug-in for Sketchup program. Export all the textures from a model to a directory.

IDX Renditioner Express Free:: The IDX Renditioner Express Free 1.0 is a software plug-in program for users of Google’s SketchUp program offering them a quick one-click render for model adjustments and for online productions.

SketchUp ESRI Plug-in: This plug-in enables ArcGIS for SketchUp 6 professionals to create and visualize highly-detailed three-dimensional textured models based on their GIS data.

Shaderlight for SketchUp: Shaderlight for SketchUp is an interactive rendering plug-in to Google SketchUp that lets you create high quality images quickly and simply.

Artlantis Studio: Artlantis Studio is a 3D rendering program that allows to create high quality realistic renderings, QuickTime VR panoramas and QuickTime VR objects, to shoot film’s episodes and animation.

Render Plus 3D PDF: With the Render Plus Systems RPS 3D PDF Exporter software you can convert SketchUp files into 3D PDF files.

It’s amazing the number of times you’re working in a SketchUp model and you find yourself needing to simply create a round shape along a path. You can use the follow me tool, but sometimes you can’t get the follow me tool to create quite the right result. This week’s plugin will create perfect, centered pipes along any path.

Plugin Name:

How To Draw A Pipe

Pipe Along Path

Plugin Developer:

Tig

How Much does it cost?

Free! Please donate to your developers.

Where do you get it?

You can get it through Sketchucation’s extension store. You can also download it by clicking the hyperlink below!

Click the Button to Download the Plugin from the SketchUcation Store

Tool Functions

Though it’s called pipe along path, really, this plugin allows you to create polygons along any continuous path you select.

It allows you to dictate the inside and outside diameters of your shape, allowing for the creation of hollow objects, or you can set the inside diameter to zero in order to simply create a solid shape.

It also allows you to dictate the number of segments in your pipe, allowing you control over the shape that’s created. You can create pipes using any shape with 3 or more segments.

Another useful function in this plugin is the ability to create control points at every “node,” or intersection between segments in the path you follow. In conjunction with x-ray view, this allows greater control over moving your pipe around.

Best Extensions For Sketchup

You can also specify the layer you’d like your new geometry to go into, allowing you great control over your visibilities.

Finally, you can specify if you want your original path inside the group with the geometry you create or not. It’s amazing the number of plugins that create geometry that merges with your original geometry, making it very difficult to go back and modify anything. This is a thoughtful option that doesn’t seem like it would matter much, but it’s actually very useful.

Pipe Along Path Download

Ratings

Usefulness/Functionality – 5/5

This plugin offers just about every function I can think of that you’d need for creating pipes along paths.

Value – 5/5

This tool is free, and offers a lot of functionality. Please donate to the developer, even if it’s only a dollar or two. He’s earned it.

Ease of Use/Documentation – 5/5

This tool is very simple to use. Functionality is well spelled out. I had no trouble figuring out how to use this plugin.

Google Sketchup Plugins Pipe Along Path Tutorial

Description

Sketchup Pipe Plugin

Overall score – 15/15.

Google Sketchup Plugins Pipe Along Paths

This tool feels a bit like an extension of the follow me tool, but it’s easier to use and has more options. It has done everything I could think of regarding creating pipes along paths, and it’s free. You can’t ask more than that out of a plugin, so this plugin gets a perfect score – 15/15.

How To Draw Pipe Drawing

As always, leave a comment below and let me know if you’re using this tool and how.