Many users often wonder why free plugins become paid ones. The transition of FredoScale from free to paid is based on several key factors:
For many years, Fredo6 generously offered his entire suite of plugins as donationware through the SketchUcation community. However, in 2022, Fredo6 transitioned his primary plugins—including FredoScale, Curviloft, JointPushPull, and RoundCorner—to a premium, paid license model. The Current Licensing Model
Fredo6 has provided the SketchUp community with invaluable, free tools for over a decade. Purchasing a license directly supports the creator and ensures the tools are updated for future SketchUp releases. How to Correctly Install and License FredoScale
Many of the tools allow you to manipulate components without breaking them. Final Thoughts: Is There a Truly Free Alternative?
The .rbz file itself remains free to download from the Sketchucation Plugin Store . You must create a free Sketchucation account to download it.
The Bureau tried to stop it, but you can’t arrest a pattern. You can’t license a fractal. You can’t put a price on a discovery that belongs to everyone.
If you prefer to use the latest version and support the developer, here is the official pathway.
Approximately $12 to $15 USD for a license that covers up to 3 seats (computers).
Necessary for managing the SCFLicense (v4.4.0 or above). How to Activate Download the extension from the Sketchucation Plugin Store .
Getting started with FredoScale License Free is easy. Here's a step-by-step guide:
If you want to use the official version of FredoScale, you must follow the authorized installation path. Step 1: Register on SketchUcation
| Feature | 30-Day Free Trial (v3.6a) | Legacy v3.1a (Free) | Paid Perpetual License (v3.6a) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | $0 (temporary) | $0 (permanent) | $15 | | Duration | 30 days from first use | Unlimited | Unlimited | | Latest Features | Yes | No (2018 release) | Yes | | Official Support | Community forums only | No | Yes (via SketchUcation) | | License Popups | After trial period | No | No | | Compatibility | SU2017+ | SU2017 - SU2024 | SU2017+ |
No. FredoScale is available as a paid extension .
If you are serious about organic modeling or complex transformations in SketchUp, FredoScale is essentially non-negotiable. While it is no longer free, the small investment is easily justified by the hours of manual "Move tool" work it saves. Pros: