How to Use Ruby Scripts in Sketchup

Google SketchUp is a 3D Modelling program that can create both simple and sophisticated models of buildings. It is used most heavily by architects and integrates smoothly into the Google Earth framework. One helpful feature of Google SketchUp is its Ruby Script functionality. Using Ruby Scripts you can add tools to SketchUp and simplify otherwise complicated tasks.

Instructions

1. Navigate to the \"Google SketchUp: Ruby Scripts\" link in the References section.

2. Under \"Sample Ruby Scripts\" click on one of the download links to download a sample Ruby Script. For example, the \"Shapes\" Ruby Script allows you to create and edit a number of predefined parametric shapes like Boxes, Cylinders, Cones, Toruses, Tubes and more. This saves you the time of having to model these shapes from scratch. The \"Bezier\" Ruby Script is another handy script that allows you to create Bezier curves instead of the default curve drawing tool, giving you extra control over curves that you draw. The \"Grid\" Ruby Script can also be useful and lets you make any-size parametric grids by simply clicking and dragging. Double-click the downloaded zip file of the Ruby Script you chose, and unzip it.

3. Close Google Sketchup if you are currently running it. Copy the unzipped \".rb\" file and paste it into the \"C:\\Program Files\\Google\\Google SketchUp 7\\Plugins\" directory if you are running Windows, or the \"Hard Drive/Library/Application Support/Google SketchUp 7/SketchUp/Plugins\" directory if you are running a Mac.

4. Run Google SketchUp. Your Ruby Script is automatically installed. You can access the functionality of your Ruby Script by either right-clicking your model or using the SketchUp menu system.

References

• Google SketchUp: Ruby Scripts

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish