Best Current Align Extension

Extensions
1

Hi all, I bought the Sketchup Pro license a few days ago with the intention of using the tool to create 3D models for a work project. I’m currently working on costing models for civils works and thought it would be a good way to build examples of objects we often use in our designs.

So far I’m liking the program but am disappointed that it doesn’t seem to have built in alignment tools. I do graphic design as a hobby and use Inkscape and Adobe Illustrator and these have very good alignment tools. I would think any vector based design software would have the same but am finding that out-of-the-box Sketchup doesn’t appear to have any built-in ones, other than Inference but this doesn’t do what I need it to do much of the time.

I went to download CuricAlign as this came up as a recommendation in quite a few YouTube videos but when I try to install it I get an error warning that it’s not compatible with my version of Sketchup. The developer notes say the last update was 2019 so I guess it’s not supported anymore?

I then downloaded the 15-day trial version of SketchPlus, which has a lot of options including some decent aligning tools. However they could be better and appear quite limited. Also there is a yearly license fee of $30 a year, which isn’t bad but obviously free / cheaper would be better.

I was wondering if there’s a “recommended” alignment tool that I could get hold of? SketchPlus seems popular judging by the of downloads but I don’t know much at all about Sketchup extensions and have no idea if this is the best available if I’d be better off with a different one?

2

Did you try using CuricAlign? Many older plugins work just fine on newer versions.

3

No I didn’t install it, I thought there might be a risk it would somehow break the main program. I take it if it doesn’t work then I can just uninstall it and there’s no risk?

4

Hi Richard. I think you are safe trying to install any plugin, and as you say, if it doesn’t work as expected just uninstall it.

Out of interest what does an align plugin do?

5

It allows one to select objects (or multiples of objects) and align their geometry in various ways. Curic align should likely work fine in 24 despite the warning. Give it a try.

That said, as a new user @Richard_R it’s well worth the time to learn and understand the inferencing engine. It is in fact deceptively sophisticated and can generally accomplish any alignment. As a Native 3D environment SketchUp is significantly different than any 2d design application. Aligning objects with the native tools is usually simple once the tools and methods are understood. Learn the importance of inferencing specific points before clicking the move tool, of hovering over multiple points in succession to access other points, of cycling through the available grips of the move tool using modifier keys, of employing guides when necessary, and of using the arrow keys and shift key to lock axis.

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