Have you ever encountered the frustrating issue of the “Follow Me” tool not working properly in Sketchup? If so, you’re not alone.
Many users have faced this problem and struggled to find a solution. In this article, we will explore some common reasons why the “Follow Me” tool might not be functioning as expected and provide some troubleshooting tips to help you resolve the issue.
1. Incorrect Selection
One possible reason why the “Follow Me” tool may not be working is because of an incorrect selection.
It’s important to ensure that you have selected both the face or path you want to extrude and the profile shape that you want to follow. To do this, click on the face or path first, and then hold down the Shift key while clicking on the profile shape.
2. Non-Coplanar Geometry
Another common issue that can prevent the “Follow Me” tool from working is non-coplanar geometry.
Coplanar geometry refers to objects or faces that lie on the same plane. If your path or face is not coplanar with your profile shape, Sketchup may struggle to extrude it properly.
To check if your geometry is coplanar, select both the face or path and the profile shape, right-click on them, and choose “Intersect Faces” > “With Selection.” If no new edges appear, it means your objects are coplanar. However, if new edges are created, it indicates non-coplanar geometry.
Fixing Non-Coplanar Geometry:
- Select all intersecting lines created by the intersection process.
- Right-click and choose “Delete.”
- Now try using the “Follow Me” tool again.
3. Complex or Self-Intersecting Paths
The complexity of your path or the presence of self-intersections can also cause issues with the “Follow Me” tool. If your path has too many vertices or if it crosses itself, Sketchup may struggle to extrude it properly.
To simplify a complex path, you can use the “Simplify Contour” plugin, which is available from the Sketchup Extension Warehouse. This plugin allows you to reduce the number of vertices on a curve without affecting its shape.
If your path has self-intersections, try editing it to remove any overlapping sections. This can be done by selecting and deleting the unnecessary segments using the Erase tool.
4. Insufficient Memory or Processing Power
In some cases, the “Follow Me” tool may not work due to insufficient memory or processing power. If your model is complex and contains a large number of entities, Sketchup may struggle to perform certain operations.
To address this issue, close any unnecessary applications running in the background to free up system resources. You can also try reducing the complexity of your model by hiding or deleting any unnecessary geometry before using the “Follow Me” tool.
Conclusion
The “Follow Me” tool in Sketchup is a powerful feature that allows you to create intricate 3D shapes and extrusions. However, it’s not uncommon for users to encounter issues where this tool doesn’t work as expected. By following the troubleshooting tips mentioned in this article – ensuring correct selection, checking for coplanar geometry, simplifying complex paths, and optimizing system resources – you should be able to resolve most issues and get back to creating amazing designs in no time!