Creating flat "floorplan" section cut?

[beau21]

Hey everyone. I hope I'm posting this is the correct place.

I'm still learning sketchup and while watching a video talking about "cutting planes and sections", I noted a part where the instructor creates a ground section cut that leaves what looks like a floor plan. I have not been able to achieve this. When I put my section cut on the ground I just see nothing.

Here is a screen capture of what the tutorial shows: http://img576.imageshack.us/i/picture1gp.png/

Here's what I got after selecting "section plane" and clicking on the ground outside of my house: http://img203.imageshack.us/i/picture2ffp.png/

Can anyone offer any advice?

PS. If it helps.. here's the tutorial link (specific part happens at about 6:29-6:33): http://www.aidanchopra.com/tableofcontents/chapter-10/cutting-plans-and-sections

Thanks!

[massimo]

Hi beau21 and welcome! You have to shift a bit your section plane far from the ground: select the section plane (left click on it), than use the tool to shift the plane along the z axis. Moreover, if you make a section "exactly" on the ground is right that you do not see anything.

[TIG]

As was said, a plan-section placed at zero is unlikely to shown what you want. A plan section, by convention, is draw at ~5'/1.5m above the 'floor' - that way it cuts doors and windows etc. Toggle the section-planes visibility and active settings to see the effects...
Place your section-pane at 'zero' then Select it and then Move it up in the z/blue by around that amount... The section-edges will be 'open' - search here for 'SectionCutFace' which s a tool to add colored faces to section cuts if needed...

[DavidBoulder]

If you don't want to place and then move your section cut here is a method.

Mouse over a face parallel to the plane you want for your section cut. Then hold down shift. This locks the orientation of your section plane. now you can move up your wall to the desired height and click to place the section plane. This makes if very quick and easy to make sure you are cutting or not cutting through a window (depending upon your preferences).

[beau21]

thank you all for the replys!