SketchUp MCP Server

A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that enables Claude AI to interact directly with SketchUp, allowing for automated 3D modeling, woodworking joint creation, component manipulation, and more.

This one works a HELL OF A LOT BETTER than the others out there.

Overview

This project bridges SketchUp and Claude AI through the Model Context Protocol, enabling natural language 3D modeling workflows. You can describe what you want to create, and Claude will generate the appropriate SketchUp geometry using the available tools.

Features

Core 3D Modeling

Component Creation: Create cubes, cylinders, spheres, and cones with precise positioning
Transform Operations: Move, rotate, and scale components
Material Assignment: Apply materials and colors to components
Selection Management: Query and manipulate selected components
Scene Export: Export models in various formats (SKP, DAE, OBJ, STL, PNG, JPG)

Advanced Positioning & Measurement

Enhanced Positioning: Multiple origin modes (center, bottom_center, top_center, min_corner, max_corner)
Directional Control: Specify extrusion direction (up, down, forward, back, right, left)
Distance Calculations: Measure distances between points and components
Component Inspection: Get detailed information about any component
Relative Positioning: Position components relative to each other
Snap & Align: Automatically align components with various alignment types

Woodworking Joints

Mortise & Tenon Joints: Create traditional woodworking joints
Dovetail Joints: Generate dovetail connections with customizable angles
Finger Joints: Create box joints with adjustable finger counts

Visual Aids & References

Reference Markers: Create visual reference points for precise positioning
Grid Systems: Generate grid references for layout work
Bounding Box Visualization: Show component bounds and wireframes
Position Preview: Preview component placement before creation

Development & Scripting

Ruby Code Execution: Run arbitrary Ruby code within SketchUp
Component Querying: List all components with filtering options

Installation

Prerequisites

SketchUp 2017 or later
Claude Desktop app
macOS, Windows, or Linux with Ruby support

Step 1: Build the Extension

Use the provided build script to create the SketchUp extension:

chmod +x create_rbz.sh
./create_rbz.sh

This creates a sketchup_mcp_server_v1.7.0.rbz file.

Step 2: Install in SketchUp

Open SketchUp
Go to Window > Extension Manager
Click Install Extension
Select the generated .rbz file
Click Install

Step 3: Configure Claude Desktop

Add the MCP server to your Claude Desktop configuration. Edit your claude_desktop_config.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "sketchup": {
      "command": "python",
      "args": ["/path/to/your/src/sketchup_mcp/server.py"]
    }
  }
}

Usage

Starting the Server

The MCP server auto-starts when SketchUp launches. You can also manually control it:

In SketchUp, go to Plugins > MCP Server
Use the menu to start/stop the server
The server listens on localhost:9876

Basic Examples

Creating Components

"Create a 10x5x2 cube at position [50, 25, 10]"
"Make a cylinder with diameter 8 and height 15, positioned at the origin with bottom-center alignment"

Positioning & Alignment

"Position the new component to the right of the existing cube"
"Align these two components center-to-center"
"Create a grid system with 10-unit spacing"

Woodworking Joints

"Create a mortise and tenon joint between these two boards"
"Make a dovetail joint with 6 tails and 15-degree angle"

Measurements & Analysis

"Measure the distance between these two components"
"Show me the bounding boxes of all selected components"
"Inspect this component and tell me its dimensions"

Component Types

cube: Rectangular prisms with width, height, depth
cylinder: Circular cylinders with diameter and height
sphere: Spherical shapes with diameter
cone: Conical shapes with base diameter and height

Positioning Modes

center: Position specifies the center point (default)
bottom_center: Position specifies bottom-center (useful for placing on surfaces)
top_center: Position specifies top-center (useful for hanging objects)
min_corner: Position specifies minimum corner (x_min, y_min, z_min)
max_corner: Position specifies maximum corner (x_max, y_max, z_max)

Direction Control

up: Extrude upward (positive Z)
down: Extrude downward (negative Z)
forward: Extrude forward (positive Y)
back: Extrude backward (negative Y)
right: Extrude right (positive X)
left: Extrude left (negative X)

Available Tools

Component Management

create_component - Create new 3D components with advanced positioning
delete_component - Remove components by ID
transform_component - Move, rotate, scale components
get_selection - Get currently selected components
set_material - Apply materials to components
inspect_component - Get detailed component information
query_all_components - List all components in the model

Positioning & Measurement

calculate_distance - Distance between 3D points
measure_components - Distances between components
snap_align_component - Align components automatically
position_relative_to_component - Position relative to another component
position_between_components - Position between two components
preview_position - Preview placement before creation

Visual Aids

create_reference_markers - Visual reference points
clear_reference_markers - Remove reference markers
create_grid_system - Generate layout grids
show_component_bounds - Visualize bounding boxes

Woodworking Joints

create_mortise_tenon - Traditional mortise and tenon joints
create_dovetail - Dovetail joints with customizable parameters
create_finger_joint - Box joints (finger joints)

Export & Scripting

export_scene - Export to various formats
eval_ruby - Execute Ruby code in SketchUp

Development

File Structure

├── create_rbz.sh              # Build script for the extension
├── src/sketchup_mcp/
│   └── server.py              # MCP server implementation
├── su_mcp.rb                  # SketchUp extension entry point
└── su_mcp/
    ├── main.rb                # Main extension logic
    ├── server.rb              # Socket server for MCP communication
    ├── helpers/               # Helper modules
    └── tools/                 # Tool implementations

Communication Protocol

The extension communicates via JSON-RPC over TCP sockets:

SketchUp extension runs a socket server on port 9876
Python MCP server connects and sends JSON-RPC requests
Responses include detailed success/error information

Extending the Server

To add new tools:

Add the tool function to server.py with the @mcp.tool() decorator
Implement the corresponding Ruby handler in the SketchUp extension
Rebuild the extension with ./create_rbz.sh

Troubleshooting

Connection Issues

Ensure SketchUp is running and the extension is loaded
Check that port 9876 is not blocked by firewall
Restart both SketchUp and Claude Desktop if connection fails

Extension Not Loading

Verify the .rbz file was built correctly
Check SketchUp's Extension Manager for error messages
Ensure all required Ruby files are included in the package

Performance Issues

For complex operations, the server automatically adjusts timeouts
Large models may require increased timeout values
Consider breaking complex operations into smaller steps

License

MIT

This server cannot be installed

security - not tested

license - not found

quality - not tested

A Model Context Protocol server that enables Claude AI to interact directly with SketchUp, allowing for automated 3D modeling, woodworking joint creation, and component manipulation through natural language commands.

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