Copy a polyline(s) and offset
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Hi all,
I'm just starting out in sketchup (from the AUTOCAD world) and I'm trying to create an electrical tower. I basically am trying to offset some polylines I've made (basically 1/2 of the tower) and offset the lines by 20'. It should be so simple...any help is appreciated, damn I love SU!
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Do you have an image to clarify the problem?
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Yes, an image or two would be a big help. From your description I'm guessing offset isn't actually what you want. There is an Offset tool which works on edges which are coplanar.
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To copy or move a polyline, just select it and use the move tool. When you move it, you will be able to type in the amount of offset (e.g. 20').
However, this probably isn't what you want. If you are replicating half a tower, make one half a component (select it and right click), then duplicate the component, scale it by a factor of -1 to mirror it and then join it onto the original. Components are similar to autocad blocks.
What sort of tower - a lattice transmission tower? A picture would really help
Cheers
- Mick
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Since you want to offset your polyline, use the offset tool
And if you are very new to SU go to window/instructor will provide you help with tools.
Have a good journey with SU.
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@sketchymick said:
If you are replicating half a tower, make one half a component (select it and right click), then duplicate the component, scale it by a factor of -1 to mirror it and then join it onto the original. Components are similar to autocad blocks.
What sort of tower - a lattice transmission tower? A picture would really help
Cheers
- Mick
I've created the component, but how do I "insert" ala - autocad?
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Open the component browser. I'm guessing you're trying to insert another copy of it in the same model where you made it? If so, open the component browser and click on the little house icon. That will show you all components in that model. click on the component that you made and it will then be ready to insert into the drawing, just click where you want it to go. Hope that makes sense.
Are you really in Sacramento? Do you work for a firm here or are you a student or something else?
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https://sites.google.com/site/3dbasecamp2008/all-sessions-2008/sketchup-and-autocad
I remember this talk as being incredibly useful. I also am first brained autocad but have now trained myself to be kind of dual brained. I have found that staying efficient in both means perhaps being less than optimal on each particular program. I find myself doing a lot of copy/move in sketch-up so the ends don't stick together. I then go back and erase the original. I think there must be quite a few sketchup for autocad users tutorials out there but if not I will dig out the stuff I posted to youtube when I was teaching and Autocad class with sketchup thrown in as the sweetener.
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