Phase 1: Massing & Layout You start with SketchUp as usual. Draw walls using Archabox’s line-based tool. Define your ground floor slab. You are essentially "sketching" but with architectural intelligence.

Phase 2: Detailing Switch to inserting doors and windows. Use the Level Manager to ensure your first-floor walls sit exactly on top of the ground floor slab. Generate the roof in seconds rather than hours of manual trig calculations.

Phase 3: Export & Documentation Because Archabox geometry remains native SketchUp groups and components, you can still use LayOut for construction documents. Furthermore, you can export IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) files to collaborate with engineers using Revit or Archicad.

Archabox introduces a Level Manager—a feature reminiscent of BIM software. You can define ground floor, first floor, roof level, etc. As you change level heights, all associated walls and slabs update accordingly. This eliminates the "offset nightmare" of moving an entire floor manually.

Let's simulate a real-world use case to show the power of Archabox.

1. Create Levels Define Level 0 (Ground) at 0mm, Level 1 at 3000mm, and Roof at 6000mm.

2. Draw Slabs Using the Slab Tool, trace the ground floor footprint. Archabox creates a 300mm thick concrete slab.

3. Draw Walls on Level 0 Switch to Level 0, select "Exterior Wall (30cm)," and start tracing. The walls automatically stop at the slab edge and trim corners.

4. Copy to Level 1 Use Archabox > Copy Story Up. The plugin duplicates walls, slab, and openings from Level 0 to Level 1, mirroring any changes.

5. Insert Openings Click Window Tool → Select "Sliding 2-panel" → Click on a wall face → specify width/height. The plugin cuts the wall and inserts the dynamic window.

6. Generate the Roof Select the Level 1 perimeter → Roof Tool → Gable roof → pitch 30° → overhang 500mm. Instant roof.

7. Extract BOQ Archabox > Report > Quantity Takeoff. Export the CSV. You now have concrete volume, wall area, and glazing area for your cost consultant.

Drawing walls in native SketchUp requires extruding surfaces or using the Follow Me tool. Archabox changes this entirely. With Archabox, you draw walls as lines, and the plugin automatically generates 3D walls with proper thickness, junctions, and clean mitered corners.

The second major utility is in furniture design and interior fit-outs. SketchUp’s native "Interact" tool is clumsy for creating cabinets with opening doors. Archabox creates "boxes" that function as cabinet carcasses.