How Do I Mass Copy in SketchUp?

by

Are you tired of manually copying objects one by one in SketchUp? Do you wish there was a way to copy multiple elements at once, saving you time and effort?

Well, you’re in luck! In this tutorial, we will explore the various methods to mass copy in SketchUp, allowing you to duplicate objects with ease.

The Move Tool

If you want to duplicate an object or a group of objects in SketchUp, the Move tool is your best friend. It allows you to move and copy objects simultaneously. Here’s how:

  1. Select the object(s) you want to copy by clicking on them.
  2. Activate the Move tool by clicking on its icon or pressing the M key.
  3. Hold down the Ctrl key (Cmd on Mac) to activate the copy mode.
  4. Click once on any point to start moving the selection.
  5. Move your cursor to the desired location and click again to place the copied object(s).

Note: The copied object(s) will maintain their original position relative to the original selection. If you want to paste them at an exact distance from the original, simply type in the desired value after step 4.

The Rotate Tool

The Rotate tool can also be used for mass copying objects in SketchUp. It allows you to create multiple copies of an object around a specific point or axis.

  • Activate the Rotate tool by clicking on its icon or pressing the Q key.
  • Select a point or axis as the rotation center. You can click on an endpoint, midpoint, or any other relevant point.
  • Move your cursor to define the rotation angle or type in a specific value.
  • Press Enter to create the copies.

    • Note: The copied objects will be placed at equal intervals around the rotation center. You can also specify the number of copies by typing in a value before pressing Enter.

    The Array Modifier

    If you need to create multiple copies of an object in a linear fashion, the Array modifier is a powerful tool in SketchUp. Here’s how to use it:

    1. Select the object(s) you want to copy by clicking on them.
    2. Go to the “Tools” menu and select “Array” or press Ctrl + M (Cmd + M on Mac).
    3. In the Array dialog box, specify the number of copies you want to create and the distance between them.
    4. Click “OK” to complete the array operation.

    Note: The array copies will be created in a linear fashion along one axis. You can choose whether they are created along the X, Y, or Z axis based on your needs.

    The Copy Along Path Extension

    If you need more control over copying objects along a specific path or curve, you can use SketchUp extensions like “Copy Along Path.” This extension allows you to duplicate objects along any line or curve with precision.

  • Install and activate the “Copy Along Path” extension from SketchUp’s Extension Warehouse.
  • Follow the instructions provided by the extension to copy your objects along the desired path.

    • Note: The “Copy Along Path” extension offers advanced options such as scaling, rotating, and distributing the copies along the path. Explore its settings to achieve your desired result.

    With these methods at your disposal, mass copying in SketchUp becomes a breeze. Whether you prefer the Move tool, Rotate tool, Array modifier, or specialized extensions like “Copy Along Path,” you can now duplicate objects efficiently and save valuable time. So go ahead and give it a try!