There are a number of must-have Sketchup plugins for designers and architects that can help you save a ton of time or do fancy things that will impress your clients/boss. This is not an exhaustive list and opinions will differ but when I get down to modelling, there are a number of plugins that I can’t do without:
Profile Builder - by Whaat
There are various versions of this plugin ranging from the free version to the paid version 2. It basically make follow-me type functions a lot simpler and can be used for walls, gutters, beams and other linear feature elements. Comes with its own profile libraries but the paid version allows you to create your own. Also essential is the Australian steel profiles library which you can download from HERE and use with the plugin.
1001 Bit Tools - by Goh CH
A very nice set of free tools for creating common building items. These include walls, staircases, escalators, windows, doors, louvres and hip roofs amongst others. It also has an number of useful 2d editing tools such as fillet and chamfer which admittedly I have not used very often. There is a paid version but I have to say that the free version covers nearly all of my needs.
Sketchucation Extension Store
Not really a plugin as such but an essential application to help you manage the plugins that you download from Sketchucation. Sketchucation has quite a few useful plugins that are not available on Sketchup’s Native Extension Warehouse and this application helps you download and manage them.
SectionCutFace - by TiG
When using the section tool, Sketchup does not automatically create a face on the end of the items that have been sliced through, allowing the geometry insides of your walls to be seen. This plugin forms a face on the end of any cut object, concealing the internal faces. If you move your section cut plane, the plugin can be set to regenerate automatically. Only available at Sketchucation.
TiG-weld - by TiG
This might be an odd one for some but when you import linework or 3d models from other programs other than Sketchup, they can be made up of many small lines. The weld tool allows you to joint all of the individual lines into a polyline or curve. Very useful when using sketchy lines and just want to neaten things up. Available at Sketchucation.
RoundCorner - by Fredo
Allows you to round or chamfer edges or corners on a 3d object. The interface allows you to do multiple vertices or edges all at once. Fredo also has a number of other tools that are very useful. Available at Sketchucation.
PathCopy - by Smustard Team
When you have lots of curved paths in your model and want balustrades to follow them, this plugin enables you to place columns or posts evenly along a curve.
SolarNorth - by The Sketchup Team
Sometimes you just need to fudge the shadows to get a better image than what you have. By using the solar north plugin, you can change the direction of North and get a bit of sunlight on the south elevation of your building. I don’t encourage fudging of course.
SolidInspector2 - by ThomThom
This plugin runs a check on your grouped geometry and turns it into a solid (or attempts to) by filling in missing faces.