sketchUcation

MAJ Rail – Overview

In this document, we will explain how to use the MAJ Rail extension. MAJ Rail can create railings in three different types, with customizable heights. These rails can be used for fences, stair railings, or mixed combinations. This plugin can support the following languages. English Chinese French Germany Spanish Italy

Getting Started

When you start the plugin, you will see a setup window where you can select:

Rail Height

Rail Type

Creating Rails

Click in the model to define pole positions along your rail path.

If you want to place a specific number of poles between two points, type:

[number] + x (or X), then press Enter

Example: Typing 5x places 5 poles evenly between the two selected points.

If you want to place a specific number of poles after the rail is drawn, type:

[number] + e (or E)

Example: Typing 7e adjusts your rail to have 7 poles in total.

Advanced Placement Controls

Rail poles can have different Z (height) positions, allowing stair and slope rails.

Poles can also have run and perpendicular offsets, based on where you click.

The direction of the offset can be controlled with the Arrow Keys.

https://youtu.be/1UHah2rJ5bs

1. Introduction

MAJ Rail is a SketchUp extension designed to create railings for balconies, fences, stairs, and architectural boundaries. The plugin provides three rail types with adjustable height and smart placement controls, allowing you to create clean, accurate rail systems directly inside your model.

1. Rail Types

MAJ Rail supports 3 different rail styles. Each type defines the shape of the posts and horizontal rails. You can choose the rail type from the starting window before placement.

1. Starting the Plugin

Open SketchUp.

Go to the MAJ Rail tab.

Select Create Rail.

A setup dialog will appear where you can choose:

Rail Height

Rail Type

Press OK to begin placing the rail.

1. Creating Poles (Rail Posts)

Once in placement mode:

Click anywhere in the model to place the first pole.

Move to the next desired location and click again to place the next pole.

Continue clicking to place all poles along the path of your rail.

Each click defines a post position.

1. Evenly Spacing Poles Automatically

You can automatically place a fixed number of poles between two points:

Action Input Format Result Place a specific number of poles evenly between two clicks number + x or X, then Enter Automatically divides the distance and places evenly spaced poles Change the total number of poles after drawing the rail number + e or E Automatically adjusts spacing to match the new total

Examples:

5x → Places 5 poles between the last two clicked points.

8E → Adjusts the entire rail to have 8 poles total.

1. Rail Height and Sloped Rails

Poles can be placed at different Z heights, which allows the rail to follow slopes such as:

Staircases

Ramps

Terrain changes

You simply click points at their actual heights, and the rail adapts automatically.

1. Offset Controls

During placement, the rail poles can be offset either:

Along the rail direction (run offset)

Perpendicular to the rail direction (side offset)

Use the Arrow Keys to control the offset direction:

Key Offset Direction ← or → Perpendicular offset (left/right side of the path) ↑ or ↓ Run offset (forward/back along the rail direction)

This helps when placing rails near walls, slab edges, or stair sides.

1. Editing an Existing Rail

To modify a rail:

Select the rail group in SketchUp.

Go to MAJ Rail tab.

Click Edit Rail.

Change height, type, or spacing as needed.

The rail will update automatically.

1. Use Cases

MAJ Rail is suitable for:

Balcony safety rails

Stairs and ramps guardrails

Garden and exterior fences

Glass railings (with custom materials)

Simple pipe and metal rail designs

1. Tips for Best Results

For long straight fences → use the x function for clean spacing.

For stairs → click points directly on stair edges for natural slope alignment.

If rail sides appear flipped → use the Arrow Keys to switch side offsets.

MAJ Rail is updated to improve usability, accuracy, and flexibility when creating railings for fences, balconies, and stairs. This version introduces better pole spacing control, offset adjustments, and support for sloped surfaces.

New Features

Three Rail Types Choose from three predefined rail styles, suitable for fences, stair rails, and mixed designs.

Custom Rail Height Set your preferred rail height before placing the rail.

Smart Pole Placement Click to define each pole position directly in the model.

Even Spacing Controls

number + x or X: Place a fixed number of poles evenly between two points.

number + e or E: Define the total number of poles after the rail is drawn.

Supports Sloped and Stair Rails Poles can be placed at different Z heights, allowing rails to follow slopes or stairs naturally.

Offset Adjustments Adjust pole position in the run direction or perpendicular direction:

Use Arrow Keys to control offset direction.

Editable After Creation Select the rail and choose Edit Rail to adjust height, type, or spacing.

Improvements

More stable placement on irregular geometry.

Improved alignment behavior when working near walls or edges.

Cleaner rail grouping for easier model editing.

Recommended Workflow

Select Rail Height and Rail Type from the start window.

Click to place poles along your desired rail path.

Use x/e shortcuts for fast and precise spacing.

Use Arrow Keys to control offset direction while placing.