Toolbar Editor Sketchup - Better Full
The Toolbar Editor (by Aerilius) is a powerful SketchUp extension designed to overcome the limitations of the native toolbar system, specifically the inability to combine third-party plugin tools into a single custom toolbar. Key Features & Benefits
Consolidate Tools: Mix and match tools from various extensions (like JHS Power Bar or QuadFace Tools) into one personalized palette to save screen space.
Drag & Drop Interface: Easily add, remove, or rearrange buttons within the editor window.
Search Filter: Quickly find specific tools from a long list of installed plugins using the built-in search field.
Keyboard Shortcuts: Assign shortcuts directly within the extension's manager. How to Use Toolbar Editor Open the Editor: Navigate to Window → Toolbar Editor.
Create a New Toolbar: Click the "+" button on the left panel and give your toolbar a name.
Add Tools: Locate tools in the master list on the right. You can use the Search field to filter by name. Drag and drop items from this list into your new toolbar panel.
Organize Layout: Rearrange buttons by dragging them. You can also right-click to insert line breaks or separators to group tools logically. Apply Changes: Click the "Apply" button to save your setup.
Note: Some changes may require you to restart SketchUp before they appear in your workspace. Where to Get It
The extension is available for download on the SketchUcation PluginStore . Ensure you are running the latest version (currently 1.1.8) for compatibility with newer SketchUp releases.
stared at his SketchUp workspace, a cluttered mess of icons that felt more like a barrier than a tool. Every time he needed the Follow Me tool or a specific plugin, he spent five seconds hunting for it. In the world of high-stakes architectural visualization, five seconds was an eternity. toolbar editor sketchup full
He had just downloaded the Toolbar Editor (Full Version). With a few clicks, the transformation began.
First, he wiped the slate clean. No more floating windows or "phantom" toolbars that disappeared when he switched monitors. He opened the editor and started dragging only the essentials into a single, sleek custom bar. The Custom Setup Primary Bar: Draw, Push/Pull, and Offset grouped together.
The Power Cluster: His favorite extensions, once buried in sub-menus, now had their own dedicated row.
Logical Flow: Icons were organized by project phase—modeling on the left, texturing on the right.
By noon, his screen looked twice as large. The gray "ribbon fatigue" was gone. When a client called asking for a sudden change to the roof pitch, Leo didn’t fumble. His hand moved with muscle memory to the exact spot he’d mapped out.
The "Full" version didn't just give him more buttons; it gave him his focus back. He wasn't fighting the software anymore. He was finally just designing.
💡 Key Takeaway: A clean workspace isn't just about aesthetics—it's about removing the friction between your brain and the 3D model.
If you are looking for help with the Toolbar Editor plugin, let me know: Are you having trouble installing the extension? Do you need help grouping specific tools?
Are you trying to sync your toolbars across different computers?
Customising the workspace in is essential for high-level efficiency, especially when dealing with dozens of extensions. While SketchUp has native customisation tools, professional workflows often rely on the Toolbar Editor (also known as the Custom Toolbar Editor by ) to overcome default limitations. 1. The Core Limitation: Why use an Editor? The Toolbar Editor (by Aerilius) is a powerful
SketchUp’s native "New Toolbar" feature allows you to group basic tools, but it often struggles to integrate complex commands from third-party plugins. The Toolbar Editor extension addresses this by allowing you to: Consolidate Tools:
Mix native SketchUp tools with those from various extensions (like FredoScale or Joint Pushpull) into a single, cohesive bar. Custom Icons: Assign your own image files as icons for specific commands. Searchability:
Use a filter to find specific tools by name rather than scrolling through endless menus. 2. How to Use the Toolbar Editor (Full Steps)
To set up a "proper" custom toolbar using this extension, follow these steps: Access the Interface: Open the editor via Window > Toolbar Editor Create a New Bar: "+" button on the left to create and rename a new toolbar. Search & Populate: Type the tool name into the search field. Drag and drop
the desired tool buttons from the "Available Buttons" list into your new toolbar panel.
You can move buttons around to change their order or drop them out to the right to remove them. Apply & Restart: to save. Note that some changes require a restart of SketchUp to fully update the visual interface. 3. Professional Alternatives
If your needs go beyond simple custom bars, consider these pro-level alternatives: Lord of the Toolbars (LOTT): Developed by
, this is a more advanced workspace manager that allows for palettes, folders, and highly organized "super toolbars".
A quick-search "launcher" (similar to Spotlight or Alfred) that executes commands instantly by typing, reducing the need for visible toolbars entirely. 4. Native Tool Management (Quick Tip) For simple cleanup without extensions:
EASY Custom Toolbars in SketchUp with Custom Toolbar Editor! 11 May 2021 — The Good (Pros) 1
The Good (Pros)
1. Total Customization (The "Holy Grail") You can drag any tool from any native or extension toolbar into a single, unified mega-toolbar. I have V-Ray, Artisan, Solid Tools, and native drawing tools all on one compact bar. No more hunting through 15 different dropdowns.
2. Vertical & Compact Toolbars Finally! You can make vertical toolbars that don't look like a glitch. The "Full" version lets you strip away text labels and icons you never use, reducing toolbar width by 70%. I reclaimed an entire vertical strip of screen space on my 1080p monitor.
3. Smart Separators & Grouping You can add visual gaps, lines, or custom labels. I grouped all "Selection" tools together, then a gap, then "Drawing," then "Modify." My muscle memory improved instantly.
4. Save/Load Layouts This is worth the price alone. You can save "Mode: Modeling," "Mode: Rendering," and "Mode: Sectioning." Swap layouts in one click. If SketchUp crashes, your toolbar setup restores perfectly.
5. Works with EVERY Plugin I have 20+ extensions. Toolbar Editor sees every single button from every single one. It even lets you run Ruby scripts directly from a custom button.
The Bad (Cons)
- Learning Curve (Minor) The editor interface is a bit "technical." It isn't drag-and-drop pretty; it’s drag-and-drop functional. You need to understand what a "command ID" is to really master it.
- No Native "Icon Packs" You can change what a button does, but you can't easily change the icon image itself without manually editing image files in the SketchUp folder. I wish the Full version included an icon manager.
- Conflict with Some Old Extensions Two legacy plugins (from 2017) didn't play nice. Their buttons would disappear after a restart. The developer support was responsive, though, and provided a patch within 48 hours.
- Price For a toolbar manager, the "Full" version feels pricey ($25-35 depending on the vendor). If you only use SketchUp casually, get the free "Lite" version. If you are a professional billing hourly, the Full version pays for itself in a week.
The Complete Guide to the SketchUp Toolbar Editor
The Toolbar Editor allows you to customize your workspace, streamline your workflow, and reduce clutter. SketchUp has two ways to do this: the Native Tool (built-in) and the Extension Method (for power users).
Overview
The Toolbar Editor for SketchUp is a powerful extension that lets you customize, create, and organize toolbars and menus to streamline your SketchUp workflow. Use it to add frequently used tools, group related commands, create custom toolbars for specific tasks (modeling, rendering, layout), and assign icons and keyboard shortcuts.
