In Sketchup, creating a hollow or void in a solid object can be achieved by using a combination of tools and techniques. This tutorial will guide you through the step-by-step process of making a hollow in Sketchup.
Create the Base Shape
To begin, you’ll need to create the base shape of the object you want to hollow out. This can be done using various drawing tools such as the Line, Rectangle, or Circle tool. Make sure that the base shape is a closed solid object.
Select and Copy
Once you have created the base shape, select it by clicking on it with the Select tool. After selecting the object, use the Copy command (Ctrl+C or Command+C) to make a copy of it.
Create an Inner Shape
Paste the copied shape (Ctrl+V or Command+V) in place and move it slightly inside the original shape. This inner shape will define the thickness of your hollowed-out object. You can use tools like Push/Pull or Move to adjust its position and size as needed.
Use Push/Pull Tool
With the inner shape selected, activate Sketchup’s Push/Pull tool from the toolbar or by pressing P on your keyboard. Click on any face of the inner shape and drag it towards the outside of your base shape until it intersects with one of its faces.
Note: Make sure that you push all faces of your inner shape outward until they intersect with corresponding faces of your base shape. This will ensure that your hollowed-out object has clean geometry.
Delete Inner Geometry
After pushing all faces outward, there might be some overlapping geometry between your inner and outer shapes. To remove this overlapping geometry, use the Eraser tool or the Delete key to delete unwanted faces and edges.
Finishing Touches
Once you have successfully created a hollow in your object, you can apply any additional modifications or details as desired. This may include rounding edges, adding textures, or refining the overall shape using Sketchup’s tools and plugins.
Conclusion
In conclusion, creating a hollow in Sketchup involves duplicating the base shape, creating an inner shape, using the Push/Pull tool to extrude faces outward, and deleting any overlapping geometry. By following these steps and exploring further customization options, you can create intricate hollowed-out objects in Sketchup.
Happy modeling!