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RpTools / NprTools – Getting Started

The RpTools extension is used to place and edit SketchUp components which makes it easier to work with components and perform other powerful functions. Non-Photorealistic Tools (NprTools) are used to help create Non-Photorealistic materials, renderings and other features for use in conceptual or formal renderings. Functions provided include:

  • Components – Wizards to Select, Place, Move, Copy, Rotate, Mirror, Stretch, Aim.
  • 2D Plotting Edge line colors and thickness, 2D Text.
  • Rooms – quickly create a room.
  • Material Styles – save sets of material assignments for your model, and then quickly reload them into the same model or other models.
  • Create Proxy Components – replace components which have a high poly count with a low poly version.
  • Create simple 3D Shapes (cylinders, cones, bottles).
  • Alpha Channel – add an alpha channel to a raster image (to defined parts of an image which are transparent). The alpha channel image can then be used as a SketchUp image or material, or for other uses.
  • Alpha Images – create or manipulate alpha channel images.
  • Soft Shadows – create by merging images with different sun positions.
  • Sketchy Shadows – apply a texture pattern to the model to be used to draw shadows.
  • Sketchy Textures – create your own sketchy textures to be used with SketchUp or Sketchy Shadows.
  • Soft Edges – saves an image of your model with colored, transparent or softer edges.
  • Crayon Colors – colors and styles to achieve a crayon look.
  • Tileable Textures – convert any pattern into a tileable texture.
  • Save Model as Image – save images from your current model in several modes.
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Contents:
  1. Download RpTools / NprTools (Windows only)
  2. Install RpTools / NprTools
  3. RpTools / NprTools Toolbar
  4. Purchase an RpTools / NprTools license
  5. Authenticating a purchased RpTools / NprTools license
1. Download RpTools / NprTools (Windows only)

On www.renderplus.com/products, click the “Try” button for RpTools (RpTools is also included in our 3D Design Studio software bundle).

If you are a new user you will need to Register as follows before you can Download:

  1. Fill out the registration form, then click the Register button.
  2. You will receive an email with a code to verify the email address you submitted on the registration form. Enter the code.
  3. Login to “My Account” (www.renderplus.com/my-account). The RpTools trial will appear on the “Licenses (Downloads/Trials)” page (link on left of the page displayed). Click the Download button to start downloading the software.

Note: You are entitled to one free 30 day trial (full functionality, no watermarks). You do not need any codes to run the trial. You can start the 30 days anytime within 30 days of you activating your online account www.renderplus.com/my-account.

2. Install RpTools / NprTools

Once the Download finishes follow these instructions to install:

  1. If SketchUp is running, please save your model and close SketchUp.
  2. Start Microsoft File Explorer and browse to the Downloads folder. Look for a file name that starts with “RpTools_” and ends with “.exe”. Downloaded files are typically placed in your User directory in a folder called “Downloads”. Can’t find the downloaded file? It is possible that the download was interrupted and failed. If you are unable to locate the downloaded file, please try to download again.
  3. Start the installation by Right-Clicking the downloaded Install_RpTools_[version] exe file
  4. Select “Run as Administrator” and follow the instructions.
  5. When the RpTools installation is finished, start SketchUp

If you are finding it difficult to download or install the program, email support@renderplus.com

3. RpTools / NprTools Toolbar

If the Rptools toolbar does not appear in the SketchUp toolbar area after installation and restarting SketchUp.

  1. If SketchUp was open during the RpTools installation, please save your model then close and reopen SketchUp.
  2. On the SketchUp menu-bar, click Extensios. On the sub-menu that appears click the “RpTools – load” option.
  3. If RpTools is not listed, click the Extensions Manager option. Find RpTools on the list and ensure it is “Enabled”.
  4. Restart your computer and the RpTools toolbar should be visible in the SketchUp toolbar area.
4. Purchase an RpTools / NprTools license

It is not necessary to wait until your trial is over to purchase a license. Purchase Single or Multi-user licenses anytime.

5. Authenticating a purchased RpTools / NprTools license

When you purchase a license, you will need to authenticate the license code you receive after installing the software (your license code is sent in an email at the time of purchase and is always available in your online account (My Account)).

  1. Once RpTools is installed, in SketchUp go to the RpTools license dialog (click the icon on the far left of the RpTools toolbar).
  2. Fill in the form including the license code (code consists of 4 letters, 5 numbers, 1 letter) in the License field.
  3. Delete anything in the Authcode field.
  4. Click the Check License and Validate button and follow the prompts.