In SketchUp, the "Toolbar Editor" usually refers to a popular third-party extension called Toolbar Editor (by Aerilius/Aurelius), which allows you to create custom toolbars containing both native tools and plugin commands. Key Features of the Extension
Custom Aggregation: Drag and drop tools from various extensions into a single, consolidated toolbar.
Search Filter: Easily find specific tools from a long list of installed plugins using a search bar.
Custom Buttons: Create new buttons by writing or pasting Ruby code snippets.
Intuitive Interface: Accessible via Window → Toolbar Editor. Basic Usage Guide
Open the Editor: Navigate to the Window menu and select Toolbar Editor.
Create a New Toolbar: Click the "+" button on the left sidebar.
Add Tools: Find commands in the right-hand list and drag them into your new toolbar panel.
Save Changes: Click Apply to finalize the layout. Note that some changes might require a SketchUp restart to appear. Native Alternatives
If you don't want to use an extension, SketchUp has built-in (but more limited) toolbar management:
Windows: Go to View → Toolbars to toggle standard sets like the Large Tool Set or Styles. toolbar editor sketchup
macOS: Native customization is limited to a single top toolbar stripe where you can drag and drop icons. Top Community Recommendations
Toolbar Editor: Best for simple, standard-looking custom toolbars.
Lord of the Toolbars (LOTT): A more advanced alternative by Fredo6, though some users find it more complex than Aerilius' version.
EASY Custom Toolbars in SketchUp with Custom Toolbar Editor!
The Toolbar Editor for SketchUp is an essential extension for power users who want to declutter their workspace by creating custom, consolidated toolbars.
An interesting "feature" or workflow you can create with this tool is a Context-Based Multi-Tool Ribbon. Instead of having 20 different plugin toolbars open, you can group specific commands from various extensions into a single, workflow-oriented bar. Custom Workflow Feature: The "Super-Bar"
You can use the Toolbar Editor to build a single toolbar that combines tools usually buried in different menus:
Mixed Command Access: Combine native SketchUp tools (like Follow Me) with third-party extension buttons (like FredoScale or Curviloft) in one row.
Custom Icons: If you want to differentiate your custom tools, the editor allows you to assign unique icons so you don't confuse them with standard sets.
Space Optimization: By cherry-picking only the 5 tools you actually use from a 20-tool plugin, you can save significant screen real estate. How to Use the Editor Feature Open the Editor: Access it via Extensions > Toolbar Editor. Create New: Click the + icon to start a new custom toolbar. In SketchUp, the "Toolbar Editor" usually refers to
Drag and Drop: Open the "Command List" and drag the specific icons you need from any installed plugin directly into your new bar.
Save and Dock: Once finished, your new custom bar will appear in the View > Toolbars list, where you can dock it anywhere on your screen.
Watch these guides to see how to manage and customize your toolbars effectively:
Let’s walk through creating a custom toolbar from scratch. For this example, we will create a "Sandbox Utilities" toolbar for terrain modeling.
To inspire your setup, here are three industry-specific toolbars designed via the Toolbar Editor.
Group similar tools together. For example:
In SketchUp, managing toolbars effectively is essential for a fast, professional workflow. While the software provides robust native options for organizing tools, third-party extensions like Toolbar Editor (specifically AE Toolbar Editor
) offer advanced customization that goes beyond the default interface capabilities. 1. Native Toolbar Customization
Before using external plugins, it is important to understand what SketchUp can do natively. These options vary significantly between operating systems: You can create custom toolbars by going to
The Toolbar Editor in SketchUp is a transformative utility that bridges the gap between the software’s native interface and the specific, often complex, workflows of professional designers. While SketchUp is renowned for its minimalist "pick up and play" philosophy, power users frequently find themselves bogged down by a fragmented UI. The Toolbar Editor serves as the essential remedy, enabling a highly customized, efficient, and ergonomic digital workspace. The Problem: Interface Bloat and Tool Fragmentation Part 6: Advanced Techniques Part 3: A Step-by-Step
In its default state, SketchUp provides a clean workspace, but as a user’s skill grows, so does their reliance on third-party extensions. Standard SketchUp toolbars are often "all or nothing"—if you need one specific tool from a large plugin suite, you must often enable the entire, bulky toolbar. This leads to:
Reduced Screen Real Estate: Cluttered icons shrink the drawing window.
Mental Fatigue: Hunting through dozens of similar-looking icons breaks "flow state."
Inefficient Hotkeys: Not every tool can (or should) be mapped to a keyboard shortcut. The Solution: Granular Customization
The Toolbar Editor (most notably the popular extension by Aerilius) allows users to deconstruct existing toolsets and rebuild them from the ground up. This granular control offers several distinct advantages:
Curation of "Super-Toolbars": Users can combine native tools (like Push/Pull) with specific extension tools (like Fredo6’s RoundCorner) into a single, cohesive strip. This eliminates the need to toggle multiple toolbars on and off throughout a project.
Visual Hierarchy: By grouping tools based on project phases—such as "Modeling," "Organization," and "Rendering"—designers can switch environments mentally by simply looking at a specific section of their screen.
Command Search and Discovery: Many editors include a search function, allowing users to find obscure commands buried in sub-menus and drag them directly into the UI for immediate access. Impact on Workflow Efficiency
The true value of a toolbar editor is measured in "clicks saved." By placing high-frequency tools within the natural ocular path of the user, the editor reduces the physical distance the mouse must travel. For professionals working 8-hour days, these saved seconds accumulate into hours of recovered productivity over a month.
Furthermore, it democratizes the interface. Instead of the software dictating how a designer should work, the designer dictates the interface. Whether you are a woodworker needing precise measurement tools or an urban planner requiring large-scale terrain modifiers, the editor ensures that your most vital instruments are always at the "top of the toolbox." Conclusion
The SketchUp Toolbar Editor is more than a simple organizational utility; it is a workflow optimizer. By converting a rigid interface into a fluid, bespoke environment, it allows the software to disappear, leaving only the designer and their creation. For any SketchUp user moving beyond the basics, mastering the UI through a toolbar editor is the first step toward professional-grade proficiency.
By taking five minutes to organize your interface, you create a more comfortable modeling environment tailored specifically to your style.