How to Install Fredoscale Plugin in SketchUp?

To install the FredoScale plugin in SketchUp and unlock advanced scaling features, follow these detailed steps to ensure a smooth installation process and proper functionality.

Prerequisites for Installation

Before you start installing FredoScale, confirm that you have a compatible version of SketchUp installed on your computer. Additionally, have the LibFredo6 library downloaded, as it is a requirement for FredoScale to work properly.

Step-by-Step Installation Process

1. Download Required Files
   Begin by visiting Sketchucation.com. Here, you’ll need to log in or create an account if you do not have one already. Once logged in, search for the LibFredo6 plugin and download it. Ensure you also download the FredoScale plugin file.

2. Extract the Plugin Files
   After downloading, locate the zip files for both LibFredo6 and FredoScale. Use a file extraction tool like WinRAR or 7-Zip to unzip these files. You should see several files and folders, including LibFredo6.rb, LIBFREDO6_Dir, and various FredoScale files.

3. Locate the Plugins Directory
   Open SketchUp, navigate to the top menu, and click on "Preferences." From the preferences menu, select the "Extensions" tab to find the folder specified for plugins. You may also directly access the plugins directory on your computer, usually located in the following paths depending on your OS:

   • For Windows: C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Roaming\SketchUp\SketchUp [Version]\SketchUp\Plugins
   • For Mac: ~/Library/Application Support/SketchUp [Version]/SketchUp/Plugins

4. Install LibFredo6
   Move the extracted LibFredo6.rb file into the plugins directory you located in the previous step. Also, copy the entire LIBFREDO6_Dir folder into the same directory.

5. Install FredoScale
   Next, copy the FredoScale folder (commonly named FredoScale_Dir) into the plugins directory.

6. Start SketchUp
   Launch SketchUp if it is not already open. Once the application starts, go back to the “Extensions” menu and select the “Extension Manager.” You should see both LibFredo6 and FredoScale listed among your installed extensions.

7. Check for Updates
   To ensure that everything works correctly, check if there are any updates available for LibFredo6. This can be done in the “Extension Manager” by clicking on "Check for Updates."

8. Using FredoScale
   With the plugin successfully installed, you can access FredoScale from the “Extensions” menu. Select the objects you wish to scale, and then choose the scaling tool. Use the available handles to manipulate the objects in various ways, including shearing, twisting, or bending.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the primary features of FredoScale?
FredoScale enhances the default scaling capabilities of SketchUp by allowing users to perform advanced transformations such as shearing, twisting, stretching, and radial bending of objects.

2. Is LibFredo6 necessary for FredoScale to function?
Yes, LibFredo6 is a prerequisite for FredoScale as it provides essential functionalities and shared code that the FredoScale plugin relies on.

3. Can I install FredoScale on both Windows and Mac?
Yes, FredoScale is compatible with both Windows and macOS versions of SketchUp. Make sure to follow the appropriate file paths for your operating system during installation.