Understanding Resizing in Google SketchUp
Google SketchUp allows you to create and manipulate 3D models with ease. Resizing objects, particularly those downloaded from the 3D Warehouse, can enhance your modeling experience by enabling you to adapt existing components to fit your project requirements. Below are detailed steps on how to resize these objects effectively.
Steps to Resize Objects from 3D Warehouse
Select the 3D Model
First, locate the 3D object you want to resize from the 3D Warehouse. If you haven’t already, download the model and import it into your SketchUp workspace. Use the “Select” tool in the tools menu or press the spacebar to activate it. Click on the model to select it.
Activate the Scale Tool
With the object selected, access the Scale tool. You can do this by clicking the Scale icon in the toolbar or by simply pressing the ‘S’ key on your keyboard. The selected object will be surrounded by a yellow box, indicating that it is ready for scaling.
Understanding Scale Handles
The yellow box will display green handles on the corners and edges. These handles are your scaling options. Corner handles will uniformly scale the object, while edge handles allow for non-uniform scaling in one direction.
Resizing the Object
Choose the most appropriate handle for your desired scaling:
– For uniform resizing, click and drag one of the corner handles. This will increase or decrease the size of your model while maintaining its proportions.
– For specific adjustments, use an edge handle to stretch or shrink the object along one axis. Click and drag in the direction you wish to resize.
As you drag, keep an eye on the dimensions, which appear dynamically as you manipulate the object.
Setting Exact Dimensions (Optional)
If precise measurements are necessary, instead of dragging, type the desired dimensions directly after clicking a handle. For instance, if you want to resize width to 10 feet, after clicking and dragging, type “10’” and hit enter. SketchUp will adjust the model to reflect these exact dimensions.
Finalizing the Resize
Once the model is re-scaled to your satisfaction, click to finalize the operation. If you make a mistake, you can always undo the action by pressing Ctrl + Z (Cmd + Z on Mac).
Tips for Managing Component Resizing
When working with components, it’s important to note that each instance of a component is linked. Therefore, any resizing action will also affect all other instances in your model. If this is not desirable, you can choose to create a unique copy of the component before resizing it. This can be accomplished by right-clicking the component and selecting ‘Make Unique’ from the context menu.
FAQs
1. Can I resize multiple objects at once in SketchUp?
Yes, you can resize multiple selected objects simultaneously. Simply select all the objects you want to resize before activating the Scale tool. All selected objects will scale together when you drag a handle.
2. Is it possible to reset the size of an object after resizing?
Yes, if you wish to revert to the original size of an object, you can do so by using the “Undo” option or by restoring the component if you made a unique copy before resizing.
3. How can I ensure accurate measurements while scaling?
SketchUp allows you to enable measurements for precise scaling. After selecting a scaling handle, input the desired measurement directly. Additionally, using guidelines and the Tape Measure tool can help in obtaining accurate placements and dimensions in your model.
