Instant Roof Pro is a professional-grade extension for SketchUp developed by Vali Architects (Chuck Vali) that automates the creation of complex roof structures. The ".rbz" designation refers to the standard SketchUp extension file format used for manual installation. Core Functionality
The plugin allows users to transform flat faces and edges into detailed, three-dimensional roofs in seconds. It is designed for architects, urban designers, and concept artists who need high speed and parametric precision.
Automated Generation: Users select building wall edges or faces, and the tool generates a complete roof structure based on set parameters.
Diverse Styles: Supports a wide range of types, including hip, gable, shed, Dutch gable, mansard, gambrel, and plantation.
Detailed Framing: Beyond the exterior surface, it can generate underlying framing members like rafters, hips, and decorative trusses.
Customizable Details: Users can adjust slopes, overhangs, fascia, and eave styles (boxed-in, exposed, or soffited). Key Features of the Pro Version
While a basic free version existed for older SketchUp iterations, the Pro (or NUI) version offers significantly more capabilities:
[Vali Instant Roof Free] Incompatible with SU 2014 & higher (Ruby 2.x)
Instant Roof Pro by Vali Architects is a SketchUp extension that utilizes .rbz files to automate the creation of complex roof structures, including various styles and detailed structural framing. The tool is designed to significantly reduce manual modeling time by generating detailed roofs, beams, and rafters directly from a top-face selection within the SketchUp Extension Manager. For more details, visit SketchUp Extension Warehouse.
[Vali Instant Roof Free] Incompatible with SU 2014 & higher (Ruby 2.x)
Instant Roof Pro (now widely updated as Instant Roof NUI) is a powerful SketchUp extension by Chuck Vali that automates the creation of complex roof structures. By using the .rbz file format—the standard for SketchUp extensions—it allows users to generate anything from a simple shed roof to detailed gables with full framing in seconds. Mastering Instant Roof Pro for SketchUp instant roof pro rbz
Architects and designers often dread modeling roofs manually because of the complex intersections and pitches. Instant Roof Pro solves this by turning a single face into a fully detailed 3D roof. 🚀 Key Features
Rapid Generation: Create complex roofs (hips, gables, sheds, mansards, and more) from selected faces and edges.
Framing & Details: Beyond just the "skin," you can add rafters, hips, beams, and even gutters with a single click.
Customizable Styles: Use pre-loaded presets or create your own custom library of roof slopes and eave types.
Smart Tools: Features like the CAD Fixer help repair messy geometry from imported files before you build. 🛠️ How to Install the .rbz File
If you’ve purchased the extension from Vali Architects, you'll receive a .rbz file. Here is how to install it:
Download: Save the .rbz file to a known folder (like Downloads). Open SketchUp: Go to the Extensions (or Window) menu. Extension Manager: Click on Extension Manager.
Install: Click the Install Extension button at the bottom left. Select File: Find your InstantRoofPro.rbz and click Open.
Activate: The toolbar should appear immediately; if not, right-click any toolbar area and enable it manually. 💡 Pro Tip: From Faces to Roofs
To create a gable instead of a hip roof, select the face and then click the specific edges where you want the gable to appear before running the tool. Instant Roof Pro is a professional-grade extension for
📌 Instant Roof Pro is currently available as a yearly subscription for US$39, or as part of the full Instant Architecture suite. If you'd like, I can: Explain the differences between the Pro and NUI versions.
Help you find video tutorials for specific roof types like Gambrel or Dutch Gable.
List other essential plugins in the Vali Architects "Instant" series. INSTANT ROOFS IN SKETCHUP with Instant Roof NUI
Instant Roof Pro by Vali Architects is a powerful SketchUp extension designed to automate the creation of complex roof structures. Distributed as an file for easy installation via the SketchUp Extension Warehouse
or manual manager, it transforms what is typically a tedious manual modeling process into a fast, parametric workflow Key Features and Benefits Rapid Automation
: Generate complete roofs—including hips, gables, sheds, and Dutch gables—in seconds simply by selecting faces and edges. Parametric Precision
: Every element is adjustable. You can modify pitch, eaves overhang, fascia depth, and rafter settings through intuitive dialog boxes even after the roof is created. Detailed Framing
: Beyond the roof "skin," the Pro version can create full structural framing, including rafters, hips, and decorative trusses. Extensive Style Library
: Access numerous presets for materials like mission tile, shingles, and standing-seam metal, or create and save your own custom styles for future projects. Takeoff Tools
: Includes a takeoff function and log to track material quantities, which is highly beneficial for cost estimation and professional architectural documentation. Performance and Usability The plugin is remarkably easy to learn Installation overview (condensed)
, supported by a wealth of instructional videos and PDFs provided by the developer, Chuck Vali. Its integration into the SketchUp "Extensions" menu means you don't have to clutter your workspace with excessive icons. For complex architectural models, the
tool is particularly helpful for cleaning up imported geometry that might otherwise cause roof generation errors. Considerations SketchUp Instant Roof Nui Overview
Instant Roof Pro is a high-speed parametric SketchUp extension developed by Vali Architects
that automates the creation of complex roof structures. By selecting just a few faces and edges, users can instantly generate professional-grade architectural roofs that would otherwise take hours to model manually. Core Capabilities Versatile Roof Types : Supports a vast array of styles including
hip, gable, shed, Dutch gable, mansard, gambrel, and plantation Detailed Structural Elements : Automatically adds fascia, rafters, hips, and ridge tiles with adjustable profiles and end styles. Advanced Finishes : Creates highly detailed textures like mission tiles, shingles, and standing-seam metal panels Precision Control : Features parametric precision for pitch (angle or ratio), overhang, and eave styles (boxed-in, exposed, or soffited). Workflow & Integration Seamless Setup : The tool is distributed as an , which is easily installed via the SketchUp Extension Manager Take-off Logs : Includes a built-in feature to calculate and display quantities and material logs for architectural reporting. Style Presets : Users can choose from many built-in presets or create and export custom user style libraries to share across teams. Why Professionals Use It Manual Modeling Instant Roof Pro Time-consuming manual edits Automated and fast Dependent on user skill Parametric precision Adjustments Requires re-drawing parts Editable parameters The plugin is available from Vali Architects as a yearly subscription for , or as part of their "Instant Architecture" bundle. step-by-step tutorial on how to generate your first gable roof using this tool? INSTANT ROOFS IN SKETCHUP with Instant Roof NUI 19 Oct 2018 —
If you are an architect, designer, or SketchUp hobbyist, you know the pain of modeling roofs manually. Calculating pitches, creating dormers, and cleaning up intersecting roof planes can turn a fun design session into a geometry headache.
Enter Instant Roof Pro.
If you’ve seen the term "Instant Roof Pro RBZ" floating around forums, you might be wondering what the hype is about. In this post, we’ll break down what this plugin does, why the RBZ format matters, and how it can revolutionize your SketchUp workflow.
Car detailers love the RBZ because it offers clearance. At 8 feet tall, a large SUV or lifted truck can park partially under the canopy. This allows detailers to work in direct sunlight without the heat, preventing water spots on waxed cars.
Installing the plugin is straightforward. Here is the step-by-step process:
InstantRoofPro_xx.rbz file downloaded to your computer..rbz file, select it, and click Open.Once restarted, you will find the Instant Roof Pro toolbar in your interface.