The Follow Me tool creates dumb geometry that is hard to edit. Profile Builder creates intelligent, parametric objects. You can change the profile shape, dimensions, and path after modeling is complete with PB4, which is impossible with the native Follow Me tool.
He wrote down the steps for the community forum:
The cornerstone of Profile Builder 4 is the enhanced functionality for assemblies. Users can modify an assembly’s parameters—such as height, spacing, or component types—after it has been placed in the model, and all instances update instantly. 2. New Join and Extend Tools profile builder 404 for sketchup 20212024
Disclaimer: This article is not officially endorsed by MindSight Studios or Trimble. Solutions are based on community testing and official support documentation as of 2025.
This is the engine of the entire system. You can create using any shape. Want to model a complex cavity wall, a handrail that follows a helical staircase, or kitchen cabinets? PB4 allows you to combine unlimited profiles and components into Assemblies . These are parametric, reusable construction systems. You can build them along sloped, curved, or terrain-draped paths. SketchUp users who have tried Profile Builder note its significance: "Generally (not just walls), Profile Builder (even with all its limitations) has almost the same significance as Sketchup itself." The Follow Me tool creates dumb geometry that
: You can now select, move, copy, and edit holes in assemblies, which persist even after the assembly path is modified. Advanced Trimming
For designers, architects, and builders using Trimble's SketchUp, efficiency and precision are paramount. The native toolset is powerful but can be slow when creating complex, repetitive, or parametric structures. This is where parametric modeling plugins come into play, and none is more celebrated than Profile Builder. Dubbed by many as the most useful plugin ever created for SketchUp , Profile Builder has revolutionized how professionals approach their work. He wrote down the steps for the community
Download the newest .rbz file specifically rated for your version of SketchUp (Profile Builder 4 is fully optimized for SketchUp 2024, while late builds of Profile Builder 3 support 2021–2023). In SketchUp, go to > Extension Manager .
: Users with a PB3 license typically need to upgrade to a PB4 license to activate the extension in SketchUp 2024.