Feature Request, Import Settings, Workspaces & Templates from the Previous version

SketchUp Feature Requests
1

With each major update, I always put it off. I dread the amount of time I will spend reconfiguring my workspaces. Such as reconfiguring toolbars and trays I’ve customized and trying to find where SketchUp saved all the templates and assets, which are in a different place for Layout, and then finding all the extensions I used.

I don’t have a lot of programming knowledge, but I think it could be something along these lines

Right now, in my programs folder, SketchUp has installed its own folder Called SketchUp; then inside that folder, it has additional folders for each version of SketchUp I have installed i.e.

  • Programs Folder
    • SketchUp Folder
      • SketchUp 2020
      • SketchUp 2021
      • SketchUp 2022

What if an additional folder was added for SketchUp Assets, which contained saved workspaces and your templates inside of it.

This way, if you uninstall SketchUp 2020, the Templates you have already created would still be available in the other installed versions of SketchUp. Conversely, when you install the latest version, SketchUp 2022 would know to look inside the SketchUp Assets Folder for your templates and saved workspaces

  • Programs Folder
    • SketchUp Folder
      • SketchUp Assets
      • SketchUp 2020
      • SketchUp 2021
      • SketchUp 2022

For saved workspaces to work, SketchUp would have to add an additional functionality similar to Adobe CC so you could save a workspace, but that structure could look something like this.

  • Programs Folder
    • SketchUp Folder
      • SketchUp Assets
        • Templates SketchUp
        • Templates Layout
        • Workspace SketchUp
        • Workspace Template
        • Extensions
      • SketchUp 2020
      • SketchUp 2021
      • SketchUp 2022

Better Yet, the assets folder could be saved in your Trimble Profile or Trimble Connect, so when I leave my office and open SketchUp on my Laptop, I’m set up ready to go, no matter where I am in the world.

I realize that this would be a challenge with Extensions. But I’m sure someone with some programming knowledge could implement a system. For example, when loading a new version of SketchUp, It sees that an extension was part of the saved workspace toolbar. It then asks the user if they want to reinstall it in the new version, and ideally, automatically download the extention for you.

This would save a ton of time trying to reload all those extensions, configuring toolbars and trays, and finding where all your Templates and other assets are saved in both Layout and SketchUp

3 Likes
2

I agree that it would be nice to not have to go through toolbar set up with each version although I don’t find it to be that much work to do. As for my custom assets; templates (SU and LO), components, materials, styles, and scrapbooks, I leave them in their default user folders. When I set up a new version I go into the user SketchUp folder and copy the four files and paste them into the same location in the new version. Then I do the same for the two folders in the LayOut folder.

I don’t copy extensions, though. I download them fresh from their sources so I get the most current versions and ensure the correct installation process because I don’t relish chasing loading errors. It also gives me an oportunity to clean house and eliminate extensions I don’t use anymore. And there’s no point setting up toolbars until the extensions are installed.

3

I get what you are saying, everybody has a different threshold on what amount of time is acceptable for setup. When I have hard deadlines for clients, I just have a hard time finding the brain space to sit down and re-configure everything. It’s a friction point for me.

For keeping the most up-to-date extension, Sketchup already does that for the most part. Each time I open SketchUp the extension manager prompts me to update any out-of-date extensions. So I think regardless of whether or not we are installing a new updated version if we pay attention to the prompt we will have the most updated extensions installed. Then most extensions I use from sketchucation, seem to prompt themselves, but I guess that would depend on the developer. This could also be a thing that SketchUp can require through their API

For cleaning up unused extensions, this feature could also be added in a future update. After a set time frame (or user can set the time frame) Sketchup asks on load “extension XYZ has not been used in 10 months would you like us to uninstall it?”

These are all possible things if there is enough will to make it happen. One thing that is great about SketchUp is it’s easy to learn and use. These changes would just add to that ease and fit nicely into their ecosystem and brand.

Seamless transition between versions and user interfaces.

2 Likes
4

I avoid upgrading because I always have to go through my whole setup from scratch, and I can’t even remember all of the customizations I have made. It would be great if you could export and import your workspace profile the same way you can with AutoCAD.
Things that should be included in the function:

  • Toolbar layout
  • Extensions
  • Custom Shortcuts
  • Trays
  • File Locations
4 Likes