Push-pull problem

fishcad · 15 Feb 2013, 00:32

New to SketchUp and just found this forum. I have what seems like a newbie question. As shown in the attached image, I've drawn the profile of a set of stairs but I cannot push the highlighted area back to remove that area. I can pull it out, just not push it in. I've read something about thin edges that cut and thick edges that sit on top of a surface. I don't know how one determines which is created or if it's possible to change an edge from a "thick" edge to a "thin" edge.

Dave R · 15 Feb 2013, 00:41

Hi Donn

I suspect there's an issue with the way the lines parallel to the green axis are drawn. Is at least one of them off axis? Posting the SKP file would be a huge help in us being able to help you.

As to the thin and heavy lines, I guess you are talking about profiles (sometimes thicker) and edges. Profiles are the typically heavier edges surrounding the geometry while edges that divide faces are thin.

TIG · 15 Feb 2013, 00:44

Dave beat me to it
I typed it so here goes...
If the 'box' behind the stepped line is perpendicular to the direction of the PushPull then it'll work, BUT if the short end of the box is off by even a tiny degree then the PushPull is 'constrained' by the other geometry that is in its way,
When you pull it forward there's nothing in the way... so it works.
To ensure that your objects are 'orthogonal' use the rectangle tool before extruding volumes that you want to be true boxes, or pay attention to the axis inferences when drawing edges.
To see if lines are 'axial' you can go to you Style dialog and change the Edge setting to 'display by axis' - most edges will be red/green/blue, but some will remain 'black' as they are not 'square'...

Gaieus · 15 Feb 2013, 08:31

If the diagnose the gentlemen above set up is true (i.e. the box is not based on a rectangle), you can try to press the Ctrl key and Push the stairs back. In this case however, you may end up with a double face at the bottom step (which can of course be fixed later).

fishcad · 17 Feb 2013, 00:03

Thanks for the responses. I neglected to save the version with the problem, but I think I might have had a tiny corner "nipped" off the lower, front corner that was stopping the face from moving back. Can't know for sure due to my error in saving.