Ruby Scripts

Add extra functionality to SketchUp

Ruby is a programming language that anyone can use to write plugins (scripts) for SketchUp. Once installed, Ruby Scripts can add tools, simplify multi-step operations, and otherwise improve the way you work with SketchUp.

The good news is that you don't need to know anything about Ruby scripting (or programming in general) to use Ruby Scripts that other people have created. To get started, you can find some pre-made Ruby Scripts that we made, below. For links to even more, check out the Ruby Scripts section of our Resources page.

If you're interested in creating Ruby Scripts for SketchUp, please take a look at our Developers page for more information.

For technical support assistance with these scripts, visit the SketchUp Help Forum.

Installing Ruby Scripts on SketchUp 7 or earlier

To install a Ruby Script (SketchUp 7 and earlier), here's what you need to do:

1. Download it onto your computer.
2. If the downloaded file is zipped, unzip it. You can usually do this by double-clicking on it. Unzipped Ruby Script files have the following file extension: .rb
3. Close SketchUp if it's running.
4. Copy the Ruby Script file into the right location for your operating system:
         Windows: C:/Program Files/Google/Google SketchUp 8/Plugins
         Mac OS X: 'Hard Drive'/Library/Application Support/Google SketchUp 8/SketchUp/Plugins

Installing Ruby Script Extensions on SketchUp 8

To install a Ruby Script Extension (SketchUp 8), here's what you need to do:

1. Download the RBZ file to your computer.
2. Open SketchUp and navigate to Window > Preferences > Extensions on Windows or SketchUp > Preferences > Extensions on OS X.
3. Click "Install Extension"
4. Using the file browser, navigate to the downloaded RBZ file and select it.
5. Read any warnings that are displayed and click "Ok" Note that clicking OK will allow SketchUp to replace any existing Ruby files already installed that have the same name as the new extension.
6. Locate the newly installed tool and begin using it.

Using Ruby Scripts

The location of the controls for the Ruby Script you just installed depends on the Script; you access some through the menu system, and others by means of right-clicking on elements of your model. Some Ruby Scripts have their own dialog boxes, while others don't appear in the SketchUp user interface at all - they're just "reference" scripts that provide functionality for other scripts. How you use each script should be explained by its author, probably in the location from which you downloaded the script.

Sample Ruby Scripts

Parametric
You need to install this script in order to use some of the others on this page.
Download 'parametric.rb' (SketchUp 7 and earlier)

Mesh Additions
You need to install this script in order to use some of the others on this page.
Download 'mesh_additions.rb' (SketchUp 7 and earlier)

Bezier
A tool for creating Bezier curves in two or three dimensions. Once installed, "Bezier Curves" appears as an item in the Draw menu. Also a prerequisite script for 'onion_dome.rb', below.
Download 'bezier.rb' (SketchUp 7 and earlier)
Download 'bezier_ext.rbz' (SketchUp 8)

Rotated Rectangle
A tool for creating rotated rectangles with your mouse. Once installed, "Rotated Rectangle" appears as an item in the Draw menu.
Download 'rectangle.rb' (SketchUp 7 and earlier)
Download 'rectangle_ext.rbz' (SketchUp 8)

Shapes
A tool for creating and editing a number of parametric shapes: Boxes, Cylinders, Cones, Toruses, Tubes, Prisms, Pyramids and Domes. Once installed, "Shapes" appears as an item in the Draw menu.
This script requires you to also install the following other scripts (see above): parametric.rb, mesh_additions.rb (Note that these files are already installed if you're installing the extension for SketchUp 8)
Download 'shapes.rb' (SketchUp 7 and earlier)
Download 'shapes_ext.rbz' (SketchUp 8)

Window Maker
A tool for creating parametric double-hung and slider windows. Once installed, "Windows" appears as an item in the Tools menu.
This script requires you to also install the following other scripts (see above): parametric.rb (Note that these files are already installed if you're installing the extension for SketchUp 8)
Download 'windows.rb' (SketchUp 7 and earlier)
Download 'window_maker_ext.rbz' (SketchUp 8)

Grids
A tool for creating parametric grids. Once installed, "Grid" appears as an item in the Tools menu.
This script requires you to also install the following other scripts (see above): parametric.rb (Note that these files are already installed if you're installing the extension for SketchUp 8)
Download 'grid.rb' (SketchUp 7 and earlier)
Download 'grid_ext.rbz' (SketchUp 8)

Onion Dome
A tool for creating onion domes. Once installed, "Onion Dome" appears as an item in the Draw menu.
This script requires you to also install the following other scripts (see above): parametric.rb, mesh_additions.rb, bezier.rb (Note that these files are already installed if you're installing the extension for SketchUp 8)
Download 'oniondome.rb' (SketchUp 7 and earlier)
Download 'oniondome_ext.rbz' (SketchUp 8)

Simplify Contours
Often, site contour data generated by a surveyor is quite dense (more than 5,000 edges). Applying this command to a set of imported contour lines simplifies the geometry, making it easier to work with.
Download 'SimplifyContours.rb' (SketchUp 7 and earlier)
Download 'simplify_contours.rbz' (SketchUp 8)

Complete Sample Library
If you'd like to try out all of these tools and you're on SketchUp 8 then you can download them all in one extension.
Download 'samples_library_ext.rbz' (SketchUp 8)