SketchUp is a powerful 3D modeling software that allows users to create and manipulate various designs. One of the great features of SketchUp is the ability to extend its functionality by using plugins.
These plugins can enhance your workflow, but there may come a time when you need to remove them. In this tutorial, we will explore different methods to remove plugins from SketchUp.
Method 1: Removing Plugins from the Extension Manager
If you have installed plugins from the Extension Warehouse or other sources, SketchUp provides an easy way to manage them through the Extension Manager. Here’s how you can remove plugins using this method:
- Open SketchUp: Launch SketchUp by double-clicking on its icon.
- Go to the Extension Manager: Click on “Window” in the menu bar and select “Extension Manager” from the dropdown list.
- Select the plugin you want to remove: In the Extension Manager, scroll through the list of installed plugins and find the one you want to remove.
- Click on “Remove”: Once you’ve selected the plugin, click on the “Remove” button located next to it. A confirmation dialogue box will appear asking if you want to proceed with the removal.
Click “Yes” to confirm.
- Restart SketchUp: After removing the plugin, it is recommended to restart SketchUp for changes to take effect. Save any ongoing work before restarting.
Method 2: Manually Removing Plugins from Folders
If a plugin was not installed through SketchUp’s Extension Warehouse or if it doesn’t appear in the Extension Manager, it might be necessary to remove it manually. Follow these steps to manually remove plugins:
- Locate the Plugins folder: Open your File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac), and navigate to the SketchUp installation directory. Look for a folder named “Plugins” or “Extensions”.
- Find the plugin files: Inside the Plugins folder, search for the files related to the plugin you want to remove.
These files may have different extensions like .rb, .rbs, .dll, or .so.
- Delete the plugin files: Select all the files related to the plugin and delete them. You may need administrator privileges on your computer to perform this action.
- Restart SketchUp: After removing the plugin files, restart SketchUp for the changes to take effect.
Method 3: Disabling Plugins Temporarily
If you want to keep a plugin but temporarily disable it, SketchUp provides an option for that as well. Here’s how you can disable plugins without removing them:
- Open SketchUp: Launch SketchUp by double-clicking on its icon.
- Go to Extension Manager: Click on “Window” in the menu bar and select “Extension Manager” from the dropdown list.
- Select the plugin you want to disable: In the Extension Manager, find and select the plugin you want to disable from the list of installed plugins.
- Uncheck “Enabled”: Once you’ve selected the plugin, uncheck the box next to “Enabled”. This will temporarily disable the selected plugin without removing it.
- Restart SketchUp: After disabling the plugin, restart SketchUp for the changes to take effect.
By following these methods, you can easily remove or disable plugins from SketchUp. Whether you want to clean up your workspace or troubleshoot issues caused by plugins, knowing how to manage them is essential for a smooth workflow.
Remember to always backup your work before making any changes to ensure you can revert if needed. Happy modeling!