How Do You Multiply and Divide in SketchUp?

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Have you ever wondered how to multiply and divide objects in SketchUp? Well, you’re in luck!

In this tutorial, we will explore the various techniques to accomplish this task. So, let’s dive right in!

Multiplying Objects

If you want to create multiple copies of an object in SketchUp, the Move/Copy tool is your best friend. Here’s how you can use it:

  1. Select the object you want to multiply.
  2. Activate the Move/Copy tool by clicking on its icon in the toolbar or by pressing the M key.
  3. To create a single copy, click on a point to define the distance and direction of movement.
  4. If you want multiple copies, type the number of copies followed by an asterisk (*) before moving or copying the object. For example, to create five copies, type “*5” after selecting the object.
  5. Press Enter or click to confirm the operation.

Note: You can also use this technique with groups and components. When multiplying a group or component, all instances will be copied rather than just one object.

Dividing Objects

To divide objects into equal parts in SketchUp, we can utilize a combination of tools and techniques. Let’s take a look:

The Divide Tool

The Divide tool allows us to divide edges into equal segments. Here’s how it works:

  1. Select the edge you want to divide into segments.
  2. Activate the Tape Measure tool by clicking on its icon in the toolbar or by pressing the T key.
  3. Click on one end of the edge to set the starting point.
  4. Type the desired segment length followed by an apostrophe (‘) or a unit abbreviation, such as “in” for inches or “mm” for millimeters. For example, to divide the edge into segments of 10 inches each, type “10in”.

The Scale Tool

To divide objects into unequal parts, we can utilize the Scale tool. Here’s how:

  1. Select the object you want to divide.
  2. Activate the Scale tool by clicking on its icon in the toolbar or by pressing the S key.
  3. Click on a reference point to define the center of scaling.
  4. Type a scale factor followed by an asterisk (*) before moving or copying the object. For example, to divide an object into halves, type “*0.5”. To divide it into thirds, type “*0.333”.

Note: The Scale tool can also be used with groups and components. However, keep in mind that scaling may affect other objects within groups and components as well.

Congratulations! You’ve learned how to multiply and divide objects in SketchUp using various techniques. Now go ahead and apply these methods in your own projects to enhance your productivity!