Zorro Plugin Sketchup 2021
For SketchUp 2021 users who need to section, flatten, or cut geometry without switching to a dedicated CAD package, Zorro is an essential free plugin. It’s stable, lightweight, and deeply integrated into the SketchUp workflow. Whether you’re preparing a model for 3D printing, laser cutting, or simply analyzing cross‑sections, Zorro delivers surgical precision with just a few clicks.
Download it today from the SketchUcation Plugin Store – and always remember to check that TIG’s latest version explicitly supports SketchUp 2021 (v21.x).
The Zorro2 plugin remains a staple tool for SketchUp 2021 users who need to slice through geometry cleanly, especially when native tools fall short for non-solid objects. Core Functionality
Zorro2 is designed to "cut" through your model as if using a sword. Unlike SketchUp’s native section tools which only hide geometry, Zorro actually splits the geometry into separate pieces.
Line Slicing: You can slice by clicking two points to draw a cutting line across your view.
Nested Cutting: By holding the CTRL key while slicing, the plugin can cut through nested groups and components, which is a major time-saver for complex models.
Section Plane Slicing: A standout feature is the "Slice Model at Section" option found in the right-click context menu of any section plane. This deletes everything on one side of the plane, physically trimming the model. Best Practices for SketchUp 2021
To get the most out of Zorro2 in newer versions like 2021, consider these workflow tips:
Perspective Mode: For the most accurate "straight" cuts, turn off perspective and use a default standard view (like Top or Front).
Pairing with FixIt: Zorro2 creates edges but does not automatically "cap" or create faces on the resulting holes. Many users pair it with extensions like FixIt 101 to automatically generate missing faces and clean up stray edges after a cut.
Solid Tools Alternative: While Zorro2 works on any geometry, if you are working strictly with "Solid" groups, native Solid Tools or Eneroth Solid Tools might be more efficient for simple subtractions. Installation
You can find and install Zorro2 via the SketchUp Extension Warehouse or the SketchUcation PluginStore.
For a visual walkthrough on how to use the slicing tool and nested group functionality, check out this guide:
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 zorro plugin sketchup 2021
The Zorro2 plugin remains a staple tool for SketchUp 2021 users who need to slice geometry, nested groups, and components with precision. It is widely used to create section cuts for rendering or to break down models for quantity surveying. Core Functionality
Simple Slicing: Users can click two points to draw a line that "swings a sword" through the model, slicing any visible geometry between those points.
Deep Cuts: Holding the CTRL key allows the tool to slice through nested groups and components.
Section Plane Integration: A unique "Slice Model at Section" context menu option allows you to permanently cut your model along a selected section plane, deleting all geometry on one side.
Precision Tools: For the most accurate results, it is recommended to use Parallel Projection and default views (Top, Front, etc.) rather than Perspective mode. Where to Find Zorro2
You can download and install the extension from these primary repositories:
Extension Warehouse: The official SketchUp marketplace for plugins.
SketchUcation PluginStore: A popular community hub for free and professional SketchUp tools.
mind.sight.studios: The developer's site, which often provides additional resources and tutorial PDFs. Learning Resources
To master the tool, you can explore tutorials from these creators:
Detailed walkthroughs and specific use cases are available on The SketchUp Essentials.
A curated playlist of video guides can be found on this YouTube Playlist. Installation in SketchUp 2021
The Zorro2 plugin remains one of the most essential free extensions for SketchUp 2021 users who need a more powerful way to manipulate and section their geometry than native tools allow. While SketchUp includes section planes by default, they are merely visual representations; Zorro2 differentiates itself by performing literal, destructive slices that physically divide or trim your model. Key Features of Zorro2
Zorro2 is designed with a singular, effective goal: to create new edges wherever you "swing your sword".
Manual Slicing: You can click two points to draw a line, and the plugin will slice through all visible geometry along that path.
Nested Group Support: By holding the CTRL key while slicing, the tool can cut through nested groups and components, which typically resist standard modeling tools.
Section Plane Slicing: This is its most powerful feature. You can right-click an existing SketchUp section plane and select "Slice Model at Section" to permanently delete everything behind that plane. For SketchUp 2021 users who need to section,
Precision Control: It is highly recommended to use the tool in Parallel Projection mode from standard views (Top, Front, etc.) to ensure perfectly straight cuts. Why Use Zorro2 in SketchUp 2021?
Rendering Sections: Many external rendering engines like V-Ray or Kerkythea cannot always interpret SketchUp’s native visual section planes. Zorro2 physically removes the unwanted geometry, allowing these programs to render the interior of a model easily.
Quantity Surveying: It is frequently used to break out specific areas of a model to perform more accurate material takeoffs and quantity surveying.
Cleaning Geometry: It "cuts the fat" by chopping off messy edges or unnecessary geometry that doesn't need to be part of the final component. How to Install Zorro2 on SketchUp 2021
Since Zorro2 is a standard .rbz file, installation is straightforward through the native Extension Manager. Sections Via Zorro 2 | Visualizing Architecture
plugin for SketchUp 2021 is a free utility designed to slice through complex 3D models with ease. It is primarily used to create sections or divide geometry into smaller pieces for rendering, 3D printing, or quantity surveying. Core Features & Functionality Precision Slicing
: Define two points to create a straight "cut" line through all visible geometry. Nested Geometry Cutting : By holding the
key while slicing, you can cut through nested groups and components simultaneously. Section Plane Slicing
: You can right-click a standard SketchUp Section Plane and select " Slice model at section
." This is a destructive process that permanently removes geometry on one side of the plane. Rendering Sections
: It allows you to render section cuts in external programs that do not natively support SketchUp's section planes. How to Use Zorro2 : Choose the Zorro tool from the menu or the toolbar. Click once to start the cut. Click a second time to complete the path. : Turn off Perspective
(Camera > Parallel Projection) and use a standard view (Top, Front, etc.) for the most accurate straight cuts. Section Cuts : Place a Section Plane, right-click it, and select " Slice Model at Section " to delete everything behind that plane. Compatibility & Installation for SketchUp 2021
The Zorro2 plugin for SketchUp 2021 is a free extension by Whaat (Dale Martens) primarily used for slicing models and creating precise section cuts. While modern rendering programs often have built-in sectioning, Zorro2 remains a staple for manual geometric slicing and "breaking out" specific areas for tasks like quantity surveying. Core Functionality & Features
Simple Slicing: Users can slice through any visible, ungrouped geometry by clicking two points to draw a "cut line".
Nested Cutting: By holding the Control (Ctrl) key while slicing, the tool can cut through nested groups and components.
Section Plane Integration: It includes a unique command to "Slice Model at Section," which permanently deletes all geometry not visible behind a selected section plane.
Precision Work: It is highly recommended to use Parallel Projection and default views (Top, Front, etc.) for accurate, straight cuts. Installation & Compatibility Version Support: Compatible with SketchUp 2021 and older. The Zorro2 plugin remains a staple tool for
Where to Find: Available for download on the SketchUp Extension Warehouse and SketchUcation PluginStore.
How to Install: In SketchUp 2021, navigate to Window > Extension Manager > Install Extension and select the downloaded .rbz file. Common Issues & Best Practices
At its core, Zorro allows you to slice any selection of faces or an entire group/component using a user-defined plane—or, more powerfully, using an intersecting set of lines drawn directly on your model.
Key capabilities include:
Unlike the native "Intersect Faces" command (which is destructive and slow), Zorro acts like a virtual katana. You draw a simple line, edge, or circle across your model, run Zorro, and it slices the geometry along that line.
The Core Function:
It is essentially a planar cut with automatic deletion.
In the world of 3D modeling, efficiency is king. Whether you are an architect carving a building out of a sloped terrain, an interior designer fitting cabinetry into an angled attic, or a woodworker designing a complex joint, the ability to "slice" geometry is essential.
For SketchUp 2021 users, the Zorro plugin remains one of the most enduring and reliable tools for this specific task. While SketchUp has introduced native tools like the solid trimming features in more recent versions, Zorro continues to hold a place in the veteran modeler's toolkit due to its simplicity and predictability.
Here is everything you need to know about using the Zorro plugin in SketchUp 2021.
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.
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.
Since the original creator stopped updates, head to SketchUcation Plugin Store or GitHub.
The plugin operates based on the active Section Plane context within SketchUp 2021.
Core Mechanism: