Creating lines in Creating lines in SketchupSketchup

Lines are a fundamental tool in Lines are a fundamental tool in Google Sketchup software. Lines can Google Sketchup software. Lines can be drawn freehand or imported from be drawn freehand or imported from other sources. other sources. In this exercise, we will look at In this exercise, we will look at drawing lines using the line tool. drawing lines using the line tool. Lines are the building blocks in Lines are the building blocks in Sketchup that allow us to create Sketchup that allow us to create surfaces and ultimately 3D shapes.surfaces and ultimately 3D shapes.

There are some basic tips we need to There are some basic tips we need to keep in mind when drawing lines in keep in mind when drawing lines in Sketchup:Sketchup:

Lines that are intended for surfaces should be Lines that are intended for surfaces should be co-planer; i.e. flat to each other in a given co-planer; i.e. flat to each other in a given drawing plane.drawing plane.

Lines should never cross. If you need to draw Lines should never cross. If you need to draw lines that appear to cross, stop the lines where lines that appear to cross, stop the lines where they cross and start again on the other side.they cross and start again on the other side.

Lines can be drawn to specific lengths by Lines can be drawn to specific lengths by typing in a distance value while drawing a line.typing in a distance value while drawing a line.

Lines can use other lines or objects as Lines can use other lines or objects as “inferences” to align endpoints or midpoints. “inferences” to align endpoints or midpoints. Inferences are created by holding your cursor Inferences are created by holding your cursor over a desired object for at least 3 seconds.over a desired object for at least 3 seconds.

A set of lines must be closed, or continuous A set of lines must be closed, or continuous AND co-planer in order to create a surface.AND co-planer in order to create a surface.

Creating a straight lineCreating a straight line

Start the Sketchup software on Start the Sketchup software on your computer. When prompted, your computer. When prompted, choose the “choose the “Simple Template – Simple Template – Feet and Inches” Feet and Inches” as your as your template.template.

Start by selecting the Line tool Start by selecting the Line tool from the main toolbar at the top of from the main toolbar at the top of the screen (it looks like a pencil).the screen (it looks like a pencil).

Click in the 3D world near the woman’s feet Click in the 3D world near the woman’s feet and move your cursor to the right…. Try to get and move your cursor to the right…. Try to get the dotted red line to show indicating that you the dotted red line to show indicating that you wish to draw on the “red axis”. This will draw a wish to draw on the “red axis”. This will draw a line on the Ground plane (X-Y) and in the line on the Ground plane (X-Y) and in the positive X direction. DO NOT CLICK to positive X direction. DO NOT CLICK to complete the line!complete the line!

Find the “Measurements” box in the Find the “Measurements” box in the lower-right corner of the screen. TYPE lower-right corner of the screen. TYPE “10’” (Ten and the foot or apostrophe “10’” (Ten and the foot or apostrophe mark, without the quotes) and hit the mark, without the quotes) and hit the ENTER key. Your line will be 10 feet long ENTER key. Your line will be 10 feet long in the X direction.in the X direction.

Choose the Arrow tool on the main toolbar to end the Choose the Arrow tool on the main toolbar to end the line creation process.line creation process.

If you made a mistake, click on the line to select it and If you made a mistake, click on the line to select it and hit the DELETE key on your keyboard.hit the DELETE key on your keyboard.

Creating a second line, Creating a second line, perpendicular to the first perpendicular to the first

lineline

Start by selecting the Line tool from the Start by selecting the Line tool from the main toolbar at the top of the screen.main toolbar at the top of the screen.

Place your cursor over the first point of Place your cursor over the first point of your last line. A Green Dot should your last line. A Green Dot should appear indicating you are over the appear indicating you are over the Endpoint of the existing line. Endpoint of the existing line.

Click on that Green Dot and drag up ant to the Click on that Green Dot and drag up ant to the right “On the Green Axis” where a light green right “On the Green Axis” where a light green line is drawn under your cursor indicating you line is drawn under your cursor indicating you are parallel to the green axis.are parallel to the green axis.

TYPE 36 and hit ENTER on your keyboard. Note TYPE 36 and hit ENTER on your keyboard. Note that Sketchup interprets the number 36 as the that Sketchup interprets the number 36 as the distance 36 inches.distance 36 inches.

Hit ESC (escape key) on your Keyboard or click Hit ESC (escape key) on your Keyboard or click on the Arrow tool to end the drawing process.on the Arrow tool to end the drawing process.

Using InferencesUsing Inferences

An inference reads or picks up a point An inference reads or picks up a point from another object during the from another object during the

creation process to align objects or creation process to align objects or features with each other.features with each other.

We will start from the end of the last 36 inch We will start from the end of the last 36 inch line you just finished drawing. Start by selecting line you just finished drawing. Start by selecting the Line tool from the main toolbar at the top of the Line tool from the main toolbar at the top of the screen.the screen.

Place your cursor over the last point you had Place your cursor over the last point you had drawn on your 36 inch long line and wait for the drawn on your 36 inch long line and wait for the Green Dot to appear. Click on the Green Dot Green Dot to appear. Click on the Green Dot and move your cursor to the right and down so and move your cursor to the right and down so that it is over the end of the ten foot line. A that it is over the end of the ten foot line. A Green Dot should appear when you are in the Green Dot should appear when you are in the correct location. correct location.

HOLD your cursor over the Green Dot for three HOLD your cursor over the Green Dot for three seconds and then move your cursor up and to seconds and then move your cursor up and to the right so the green dotted line comes out the right so the green dotted line comes out from your cursor. When you position your cursor from your cursor. When you position your cursor approximately 36 inches away, the line you are approximately 36 inches away, the line you are drawing will turn red and “snap” to the correct drawing will turn red and “snap” to the correct inferenced location.inferenced location.

Click to set the third line at 10 feet long and Click to set the third line at 10 feet long and parallel to the first line.parallel to the first line.

You have just created an open line You have just created an open line made up of three line segments. made up of three line segments.

The three line segments do not make a The three line segments do not make a shape because they are open leaving a shape because they are open leaving a gap. gap.

Remember, an inference reads or picks Remember, an inference reads or picks up a point from another object during up a point from another object during the creation process to align objects or the creation process to align objects or features with each other. Inferences can features with each other. Inferences can help you keep lines the same length.help you keep lines the same length.

Closing the LineClosing the Line

Let’s finish the line segments by closing Let’s finish the line segments by closing the open end to create a closed shape. the open end to create a closed shape.

I’m not going to tell you how to do it, but I I’m not going to tell you how to do it, but I have a question for you… If you create a have a question for you… If you create a closed shape, what happens to the area closed shape, what happens to the area

inside the shape?inside the shape?

A. NothingA. Nothing

B. A surface is createdB. A surface is created

Creative Commons cite:Image by Margaret MeijersURL: http://ictmindtools.net/sketchup/drawing.htm

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/

If you answered B, then you are well If you answered B, then you are well on the way to creating in Sketchup on the way to creating in Sketchup

using lines!using lines!