How to do mirror, extend, line offset, etc.?
-
Hi all,
I am really very new to Sketchup. I used to using AutoCAD, but found Sketchup simple and easy to use.
However, could anyone tell me how to do the following tasks:
a. Mirror an object
b. extend a line to another boundary
c. offset a line by a distanceI also found the way of drawing a arc a bit difficult: by specifying the start and end point, and then the height of chord/segment. (there are several options in AutoCAD to do so.) Once the arc was drawn, is there any mean to change the height of segment?
Thank you very much
P: executor
-
Hi executor (nice name!
)For mirroring you can use the flip option: select an entity, right click and choose the axis of flipping (note that this works properly if your entity - primitive geometry - is aligned to the axes or the axes or the groups/components are aligned well).
For "extending" a line, you can move its endpoint (hover over the endpoint with the move tool and when the inference says "Endpoint" and it turns green grab it and snap it to any other entity.
You can offset a line with the offset tool by selecting it first (otherwise it will offset all bounding edges).
Or if you mean something different, you can always select a line and move it to another location. If you hit Ctrl before, it will make a copy and you'll move the copy.Well, segment number or bulging?
If you want to change the segment number of an arc, type the number and an "s" (for segment) like this: 24s and then hit Enter.
If you want to change the bulging (height) of an arc, after drawing it, you can "grab" its middle point with the move tool and thus edit it (it also works with circles).And last but not least, welcome here!
-
there have been at least 3 threads on mirroring. i would suggest you use mirror.rb (a ruby script) for that. and check this thread for a good explanation on how to use it.
-
Yup, I was also thinking of suggesting the ruby - I just didn't want to throw the poor "really very new to Sketchup" executor right in the deep water at first.
p.s. Actually, I have to admit that "flipping" - that I suggested above - can really be a pain if the geometry is not aligned to the axes - and this is very often the case.
-
@gaieus said:
Hi executor (nice name!
)For mirroring you can use the flip option: select an entity, right click and choose the axis of flipping (note that this works properly if your entity - primitive geometry - is aligned to the axes or the axes or the groups/components are aligned well).
For "extending" a line, you can move its endpoint (hover over the endpoint with the move tool and when the inference says "Endpoint" and it turns green grab it and snap it to any other entity.
You can offset a line with the offset tool by selecting it first (otherwise it will offset all bounding edges).
Or if you mean something different, you can always select a line and move it to another location. If you hit Ctrl before, it will make a copy and you'll move the copy.Well, segment number or bulging?
If you want to change the segment number of an arc, type the number and an "s" (for segment) like this: 24s and then hit Enter.
If you want to change the bulging (height) of an arc, after drawing it, you can "grab" its middle point with the move tool and thus edit it (it also works with circles).And last but not least, welcome here!
Thanks very much for your detailed description.
However, I found that I can't flip an arc or single line. I also can't offset a single line --- I have to make it a line segment first. For extending a line, I hope to extend it in the same direction, but I can't do it just by dragging the endpoint freely. Maybe I am too much indulged in using AutoCAD, and I need some time to transit to SketchUp.
I have no idea about using Ruby script but I would check it up in the manuals.
By the way, how to break a line into 2 connected line segments?
P: executor
-
Hello and welcome executor. I hope I can answer a couple of your questions.
To extend a line on the same path you can just drag the endpoint if you are on axis. Red, Green or Blue. Otherwise place a construction line on your line to be extended then drag the endpoint along it. You make a construction line with the tape measure tool.
To break a line in equal connected segments you can right click the line and choose the divide command, then type the desired amount of segments in the VCB (Value Control Box) at the bottom right of your screen.
To mirror any object without a ruby script or using Flip you can select the object and use the scale tool.
Make a copy the object you want to mirror(move tool +ctl), select it then get the scale tool. Grab one of the side points, not a corner, and move in the direction you want to mirror then type -1 in the VCB.I hope this helps. And yes, try not to think in terms of cad software and you will get the hang of it much sooner.
-
Another way to extend a line in the same direction:
-Select Move tool
-Hover the Move tool over the line to be extended; it will change color
-Hold down shift key to lock movement to the existing line direction
-Click on end point and drag out extensionDon Brown
-
Please correct me if I am wrong.
To extend a line, I am supposed to use the "measure tool" to create a construction line and then move that single line to where I want it extended to (the end of the construction line).
If I have a couple dozen or so lines to extend to an irregular form or freehand line, I would have to use the "measure tool" for each one individually. There is no way to tell SU to extend a line or selection of lines only to another entity / line, (the way it works in AutoCad). -
Just use the pencil tool to continue the line. If you start at the end of the line, then run back on the line and pause for a second, then move forward, you should get a pink line that is parallel to the reference line. So it will be an extension of the line you are starting from.
But there are plugins around that "extend" lines like in ACad.
Chris
-
Hi Executor, hi folks.
I suggest that you learn the native tools of SU before using Plugins.
See this SU file for ideas.
Advertisement