: Automatically adds fittings (elbows, tees, etc.) to vertices where edges meet.
Compared to earlier versions, v2.17 focuses on . Users report:
With a single command, the user selects the skeleton lines and applies a "System Definition" (e.g., Chilled Water Supply). The plugin instantly skins the lines with 3D pipe geometry, inserts elbows at corners, and adds valves at predefined intervals.
VBO Piping Pro is a popular SketchUp plugin designed to streamline the process of creating 3D pipes and piping systems. Version 2.17 is a significant update that brings new features, improvements, and bug fixes. In this review, we'll dive into the plugin's features, performance, and overall value, highlighting what's new in version 2.17. vbo piping pro v217 sketchup plugin
Generates a Bill of Materials (BOM) for all pipes and fittings when used with the VBO Schedule Plugin .
VBO Piping Pro is a comprehensive MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) extension for Trimble SketchUp
VBO Piping Pro is an essential tool for any SketchUp user looking to do serious MEP design. Its ability to create complex pipe networks from simple lines, combined with powerful modification and editing tools, makes it a premier choice for 3D piping design. : Automatically adds fittings (elbows, tees, etc
Select a straight segment → VBO Menu > Insert Valve > Gate Valve → Class 150. The plugin automatically cuts the pipe and inserts the valve with flanges.
Unlike basic face-following tools like SketchUp’s default "Follow Me" function, which creates static geometric tubes without realistic connections, builds smart, dynamic, and modifiable parametric branches.
: Create detailed designs for industrial piping systems, including those for chemical processing and manufacturing. The plugin instantly skins the lines with 3D
At 1:15 AM, she hits a snag. A pipe needs to cross over another pipe, then drop vertically into a confined space. Her hand-drawn path is a mess of unconnected edges.
At its heart, VBO Piping Pro operates on a "Line-to-Pipe" logic that is elegantly simple. Instead of manually modeling complex 3D pipe runs, users draw a standard 2D or 3D line network and then select the "Build Pipes Branch" function. The plugin instantly analyzes the topology of the lines, converts them into 3D pipes, and—most importantly—populates the vertices with parametric fittings such as elbows, tees, reducers, and flanges.
is an essential power-up for any SketchUp user who touches pipe, tube, or conduit on a weekly basis. It doesn’t try to replace full-featured MEP software like AutoCAD Plant 3D or Revit – rather, it makes SketchUp a viable first draft and coordination tool for small to mid-sized projects. If you’ve ever cursed SketchUp’s Follow Me tool while trying to make a complex pipe junction, this plugin is your solution.
This plugin represents a significant evolution in the SketchUp extension ecosystem. It bridges the gap between SketchUp’s ease of use and the rigorous parametric demands of plumbing engineering. In this article, we explore how VBO Piping Pro v217 transforms SketchUp from a visualization tool into a formidable engineering environment.