Surprisingly, many woodworkers use SketchUp for shed plans. A shed with a skillion (lean-to) roof is easy, but a shed with a gambrel roof (barn style) is harder. Instant Roof Pro handles gambrel profiles via the "Roof Profile Editor."
Note that an internet connection is required to use this script.
Creating accurate, complex roof structures in Trimble SketchUp can be a tedious, time-consuming process. Manual modeling of hips, valleys, gables, and rafter tails often leads to geometric errors and slows down project workflows.
: Users can save frequently used settings as named "Roof Styles" to maintain consistency across different projects. Instant Roof Pro vs. Instant Roof NUI Instant Roof Pro Sketchup Plugin
The standard for traditional residential framing.
While native SketchUp "Autofold" or basic "Follow Me" tools are great for quick, basic designs, they fail when faced with: Irregular, non-rectangular building footprints. Intersecting roof pitches with different angles. The need to model realistic framing or tile textures.
Instant Roof Pro is a premium SketchUp extension that transforms flat faces or simple line paths into complex, fully detailed roof structures. Whether you need a simple shed roof for a residential garage or a multi-level, intersecting hip-and-gable system for a luxury estate, this plugin handles the geometry automatically. Surprisingly, many woodworkers use SketchUp for shed plans
Creating complex roof geometries in SketchUp can be a tedious, time-consuming process. Drawing hip roofs, gables, rafter tails, and cladding manually often takes hours of precise drafting.
The plugin comes in two main versions: the standard (a free version), and the more advanced Instant Roof Pro , which unlocks a wider range of features and customization options. There's also an even more advanced version, Instant Roof Nui , which is a paid yearly subscription that includes all the features of the Pro version and adds many more.
The free version (Instant Roof Basic) is excellent for simple gable roofs, but if you have a single valley or a dormer, you need the Pro version. Instant Roof Pro vs
Automatically create complex underlying structural framing, including rafters, ridges, hips, valleys, collar ties, and purlins.
The plugin’s core function is its ability to automatically generate a wide variety of roof types from just a selection of faces and edges. It supports numerous styles, including hip, gable, shed, mansard, gambrel, plantation, and more. This versatility allows you to quickly iterate on designs and find the perfect roof for any project.