Software plugins have the advantage that they can be updated independently. If it were completely integrated in the main program, you'd always have to wait for a main program update to get it.
But if you look in the Archicad folder, you'll see that the program in fact consists of a lot of smaller modules of different kinds. Some are called plug-ins or add-ons, and the essential difference is just that these are not required to load at start up time. You can, however, make them load when you want.
The Sketchup Add-on is a special case. Sketchup is in fact a graphics-only program. It's a 3D polygon modeler. It creates and manipulates geometry, that is polygons (faces and edges). If you want to import this geometry as such (the standard procedure), you can save it as for example DWG or 3DS and import that geometry into Archicad as objects with Archicad's standard-loaded ("built-in") tools.
But Archicad is a building element database. If you use the Sketchup Add-on, it will help you transform the Sketchup geometry into intelligent Archicad building elements, like vertical faces —> walls etc. This is a special application of the translation process, and it needs your consideration and attention. It cannot be the standard import procedure.
Can you tell us if Revit's standard Skecthup import has the same capabilities?
AC4.1-AC26SWE; MacOS13.5.1; MP5,1+MBP16,1
