I've created an object to resemble a 2x4 board, with one end having a 15 degree bevel (I created the bevel using the rotate tool on the end face).
I'd like to shorten the overall length of the object, but keep the 15 degree bevel intact. So far, nothing is working.

If I make the object a component or group, and then apply the scale tool to shorten the length, it changes the angle of the bevel.

If I explode the object, and then use the push/pull tool on the end face, I can make the object longer, but not shorter (creating a bevel seems to impose a fixed minimum length for the object).

Any suggestions?

Thanks

Thought I would share a super-newbie problem (and solution) on how to get objects and/or components to quickly align with each other. I'm almost too embarrassed to bring it up (it's one of those "duh" things), but after digging around on the Web for answers, I found a LOT of newbies complaining about the same thing.

One of things we newbies do first time into SketchUp is create an object and then try to MOVE it around. If we've been using other image software programs, our inclination is to simply click ANYWHERE on the thing and then drag it to a new location. Oops...that doesn't work so great in Sketchup. Before long, we've got objects floating all over in space, and it's nearly impossible to get any two edges to come together.

Seems simple enough now, but it took me awhile to figure out that moving stuff around means I need to click a specific corner (or point) in the object and then drag that point to another specific corner (or point) on the screen. Now everything snaps together nicely -- just where it needs to go.

Boy do I feel dumb

@krisidious said:

That's the one I use.

Know of any online tutorials for this thing? It's kind of stumping me.

Anybody have their favorite "align" tool plugin? I was just looking for something to quickly line up corners & edges of components.
This is what I installed: http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?p=76774#p76774

Still have to figure out how to use it, though

@krisidious said:

Plugins are installed in a variety of locations within SketchUp.

Thanks, Krisidious...
I understand what you mean now. Guess it depends on the author of that particular plugin, and how he/she put it together.

Just curious...are "extensions" and "plugins' the same thing?

@troypiggo said:

Did you put the zip file in your plugins folder, or did you extract the rb file into there?

I've tried placing several different plugins in my "plugins" folder - all with the .rb extension (I extracted them from zip files first).

Still don't see them in my Sketchup plugins menu -- even after restarting.

Do I need the installer you mentioned earlier?

@krisidious said:

4. go to view tool bars and turn it on.

Hmm...I don't see anything under tool bars that resembles the plugin I downloaded. But I went ahead and checked everything in that drop down...which opened all the Google tools available in my version of Sketchup (no plugins).

Still confused.

Okay, I've spent about 30 minutes now trying to install a plugin. Here's what I'm doing:

1. Found plugin I want.
2. Downloaded file and put it in my Sketchup plugins folder (align_2D.rb).
3. Opened Sketchup (free - 8.0) -- plugin doesn't show in "plugins" drop down menu.
4. Opened Sketchup system preferences -- then "install extension"
5. Sketchup then looks for .rbz files ONLY. (can't select the .rb file I downloaded).

What's up with that?

I still think Google dropped the ball somewhat with Sketchup. Any type of 3D object you draw will likely have "components" that need to be nudged one way or the other. Google probably should have realized that a mouse is not the most accurate way to position anything.