Slice Through Your Design: Master the Zorro Plugin for SketchUp 2021
Have you ever needed to split a complex SketchUp model in half, but found the standard section planes lacking because they don't actually modify the geometry? Enter Zorro2, a legendary free plugin that has been "swinging its sword" through 3D models for over a decade.
Whether you're creating a detailed section for a quantity survey or preparing a model for a specific rendering style, Zorro remains one of the most efficient tools in an architect's arsenal. What is the Zorro Plugin?
The Zorro plugin (specifically Zorro2) is a surgical tool for SketchUp. While SketchUp’s built-in Section Planes only hide geometry, Zorro actually slices through it, creating new edges and faces exactly where you specify. Key Features
Slice Everything: Cut through nested groups and components by holding the CTRL key.
Section Plane Integration: Right-click any section plane and choose "Slice Model at Section" to delete everything on the "hidden" side of the cut.
Precision Cutting: Works perfectly with inferencing and parallel projection views for dead-accurate splits. How to Use Zorro in SketchUp 2021
Using Zorro is straightforward, but for the best results in SketchUp 2021, follow these pro tips:
Select the Tool: Click the Zorro icon (the sword) in your toolbar.
Draw Your Cut: Click two points to define a line. Any visible, ungrouped geometry along that line will be sliced.
Pro Tip - Go Flat: To ensure a perfectly vertical or horizontal cut, switch to a Top or Front view and turn off Perspective (Camera > Parallel Projection) before slicing.
The "Nuclear" Option: If you want to permanently remove everything behind a section plane, create a Section Plane, right-click it, and select Slice Model at Section. Warning: Always save a backup before doing this, as it deletes geometry! Installation Guide for 2021 Users
Since Zorro is an older (but still functional) plugin, you might need to install it manually:
Download: Get the .rbz file from the SketchUp Extension Warehouse or SketchUcation.
Install: In SketchUp 2021, go to Window > Extension Manager, click Install Extension, and select your downloaded file.
Activate: If the toolbar doesn't appear, right-click any empty space on your top toolbar and ensure Zorro2 is checked. Why Still Use Zorro in 2021?
Even though SketchUp 2021 introduced better visibility controls for hidden geometry, it still doesn't offer a native "destructive" slice tool. If you need to export half a house to another program or physically separate two parts of a model for 3D printing or quantity takeoffs, Zorro is still the fastest way to get the job done. zorro plugin sketchup 2021
Do you have a favorite SketchUp plugin that has stood the test of time? Let us know in the comments below!
The Zorro2 plugin for SketchUp 2021 is a classic utility used to slice through model geometry with a single stroke. While many modern rendering engines now include built-in section-cut tools, Zorro remains a staple for permanently cutting nested groups and components to create complex sections or model variations. Key Features of Zorro2
Precision Slicing: Click two points to draw a line; the plugin slices everything visible along that path.
Deep Cutting: By holding the Control key, you can force the tool to cut through nested groups and components rather than just raw geometry.
Section Plane Integration: Right-clicking a section plane and selecting "Slice Model at Section" allows you to permanently remove geometry behind the plane, which is useful for cleaning up models for export. How to Install in SketchUp 2021
Since Zorro2 is often distributed as an .rbz file (typically found on the SketchUcation PluginStore), follow these steps to install it:
Open Extension Manager: In SketchUp 2021, go to the Extensions menu and select Extension Manager.
Install Extension: Click the red Install Extension button at the bottom of the window.
Select File: Locate the Zorro2.rbz file on your computer and click Open.
Access Tool: The tool typically appears in your "Tools" menu or as a "Zorro" icon in your toolbar area.
Watch this walkthrough to see Zorro2 in action for slicing nested geometry and creating section cuts:
plugin for SketchUp 2021 is a powerful slicing tool that physicalizes section cuts by literally "cutting" through your model's geometry. Unlike SketchUp’s native section planes, which are merely visual effects, Zorro creates permanent new edges and can delete parts of the model to reveal interiors for rendering or quantity surveying. Key Features Manual Slicing
: Draw a line by clicking two points to slice through all visible geometry. Deep Cutting : Hold the
key while slicing to cut through nested groups and components. Slice at Section
: Right-click any active SketchUp Section Plane and select "Slice model at section" to permanently trim away everything behind that plane. Rendering-Ready
: Because it performs a physical cut, it allows 3D sections to be visible in external rendering engines that don't natively support SketchUp’s visual section planes. Installation for SketchUp 2021 You can install Zorro2 directly through the SketchUp Extension Warehouse SketchUcation PluginStore Zorro2 - SketchUp Plugins | PluginStore | SketchUcation SketchUp Plugins | PluginStore | SketchUcation. SketchUcation Slice Through Your Design: Master the Zorro Plugin
Zorro2 is a popular, free Ruby extension for SketchUp, developed by Whaat (MindSight Studios), designed specifically for advanced slicing of 3D geometry. It is widely used for creating 3D sections, cutting through complex models, and preparing geometry for rendering.
While the "Zorro2" plugin was originally released in 2009, its updated versions remain functional in SketchUp 2021 through the SketchUp Extension Warehouse or SketchUcation PluginStore. Key Features of Zorro2
"Swing Your Sword": Click two points to slice through raw geometry along the line you draw.
Cut Nested Components/Groups: Holding the Ctrl key while slicing allows the cut to pass through nested groups and components.
Slice at Section Plan: A powerful feature that allows you to right-click a SketchUp Section Plane and select 'Slice Model at Section'. This deletes all geometry behind the plane.
Optimized for Rendering: Ideal for creating 3D section models to be rendered in external programs.
Parallel Projection Support: Allows for precise, straight cuts from standard views (Front, Top, Side). Installation for SketchUp 2021
Download: Obtain the latest .rbz file from the Extension Warehouse or SketchUcation.
Install: In SketchUp 2021, go to Window > Extension Manager.
Load: Click "Install Extension" and select the downloaded file. Best Practices & Workflow
Save Backup: The "Slice Model at Section" command is destructive (it deletes geometry), so save your model before using it.
Use Parallel Projection: Turn off Perspective Mode for precise, predictable cuts.
Group/Component Slicing: To cut through nested items, remember to hold CTRL.
Fixing Holes: Use plugins like SectionCutFace to patch the "holes" created by Zorro to create solid, rendered sections.
Zorro2 is highly regarded as a free, essential tool for architectural visualization and 3D modeling workflows. If you'd like, I can: Show you where to download the Zorro2 plugin. Give you a step-by-step guide on how to install it. Explain the best ways to use the tool to cut your models. Let me know how I can help you further. Zorro2 - SketchUp Extension Warehouse
Version Information * Version. 2.0.0. * Version Date. 2020/11/10. * Last Edit Date. 2025/10/08. Extension Warehouse Sections Via Zorro 2 | Visualizing Architecture Best Zorro Alternatives for SketchUp 2021 If you
If you cannot get Zorro to run stably, or you need professional support, consider these native alternatives:
| Plugin | Best For | Compatibility with SU 2021 | Price | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Solid Tools (Trim/Split) | Simple cuts with native tools | Native (built-in) | Free (Pro) | | Slicer by TIG | Laser-cut joints & tabs | Full compatibility | Freemium | | SectionCutFace | Filling section cuts instantly | Full compatibility | Free | | Flatic (by SketchUp Team) | Converting 3D to 2D slices | Full compatibility | Paid |
Why Zorro still wins: The native Solid Tools require the object to be a "Solid Group" (watertight). Zorro cuts anything – even surfaces with holes and non-manifold geometry. That is its secret superpower.
In modern studios, SketchUp is rarely the final stop. Plugins that prioritize clean exports, consistent naming, and compatibility with downstream tools (renderers, BIM/LOD workflows, CNC/export formats) increase long-term value. Zorro’s place in a pipeline depends on whether it complements established exchange formats and produces predictable geometry that downstream tools can consume.
Go to View > Toolbars and check "Zorro2." The iconic sword-and-mask icon should appear.
Note: Upon first use, SketchUp 2021 may warn you that the extension is from an unknown source. Click "Always Allow" – this is normal behavior.
SketchUp’s Sandbox tools are clunky. Import a contour map, build a TIN (Triangulated Irregular Network), and use Zorro to cut vertical cross-sections for site analysis.
Even in 2021, users encounter bugs. Here is your troubleshooting guide:
Error: "Zorro Line does not intersect geometry"
Error: "The extension could not be loaded"
C:\Users\[YourName]\AppData\Roaming\SketchUp\SketchUp 2021\SketchUp\Plugins and install Zorro2.Issue: Faces are missing after cut
Issue: SketchUp 2021 crashes on large models
This is the most critical question. The original "Zorro" plugin (pre-2017) is dead. However, Zorro 2 (TT_Slice) and TIG's Split Tools are the spiritual successors that function perfectly with SketchUp 2021.
Supported versions for SketchUp 2021:
Note for 2021 users: Do not try to install the ancient "Zorro.rb" from 2008. You need the modernized version maintained by community developers like TIG or the SketchUcation team.
.skp, .dwg, or .dxf file.