Sketchup Extension
ZB Smart Align adds a compact visual palette for aligning, evenly distributing, and centering groups and components along X, Y, or Z — with a live preview of the result before you apply anything.
Line up two or more groups or components against a reference object on any single axis.
Space three or more objects evenly along X, Y, or Z. The two outer objects stay fixed while the rest are spaced between them.
Center selected objects along X, Y, XY, or Z independently, with a live preview before applying the change.
Smart Align chooses a reference object automatically, or use Pick to choose the exact object everything else aligns or centers against.
Every option previews by moving the real selected geometry, so you see the exact result before anything is applied — nothing is permanent until you click Apply.
Apply commits as exactly one Sketchup Undo step. Ctrl+Z (Cmd+Z on Mac) works from inside the palette, or use the Undo button directly.
ZB Smart Align opens as a compact palette rather than a text-prompt dialog. Choose a Mode (Align, Distribute, or Center) from a row of icon buttons, pick a Direction (X, Y, or Z for Align and Distribute, or X, Y, XY, or Z for Center), and set an Align To reference if you want a specific object to be the one everything else lines up against. Every change previews immediately in the model, and a status line keeps you informed of your current selection and what's required for the active mode.
Alignment and spacing come up constantly in real modeling — lining up repeated fixtures and components, evenly spacing posts, shelves, or windows along a run, or centering an object on a wall, opening, or another piece of geometry. ZB Smart Align turns these into a few clicks instead of manual move-and-eyeball adjustments, with a live preview so you can confirm the result before it's committed.
Requires Sketchup 2017 or later. Works on Windows and macOS.
ZB Smart Align will be available through the Sketchup Extension Warehouse.
Align and Center both act relative to a reference object. By default Smart Align picks one automatically from your selection; click Pick to choose a specific object instead. The palette shows whether the current reference is automatic or picked, and updates live as your selection changes.
Center X and Center Y each center selected objects on a single axis independently, so you can center on one direction while leaving the other untouched. Center XY centers on both X and Y together while keeping height unchanged, and Center Z centers vertically while keeping X and Y position unchanged.
Align and Center require at least 2 selected objects. Distribute requires at least 3, since the two outer objects stay fixed while the rest are spaced evenly between them.
It aligns, evenly distributes, and centers selected groups and components along X, Y, or Z from a compact visual palette, with a live preview before anything is applied.
Align and Center need at least 2 objects. Distribute needs at least 3, since the two outer objects stay in place while the rest are spaced evenly between them.
Center X and Center Y let you center on a single axis independently. Center XY centers on both X and Y together while keeping height unchanged, and Center Z centers vertically while keeping X and Y position unchanged.
Yes. Use the Pick button to choose a specific reference object, or let Smart Align choose one automatically from your selection.
Yes. Apply commits as a single native Sketchup Undo step, and Ctrl+Z (Cmd+Z on Mac) works from inside the palette.
Yes. ZB Smart Align requires Sketchup 2017 or later and works on both platforms.
