In this tutorial, we will learn how to cut a group in SketchUp. Cutting a group can be a useful technique when you want to modify or separate certain parts of your model. Let’s get started!
Step 1: Select the Group
First, open your SketchUp model and select the group you want to cut. You can easily identify a group by its bounding box, which appears when you click on it. Make sure that the group is not locked or hidden.
Step 2: Enter Edit Mode
To cut the group, you need to enter its edit mode. Right-click on the selected group and choose “Edit Group” from the context menu. Alternatively, you can use the shortcut key “Ctrl + G” (Windows) or “Cmd + G” (Mac).
Step 3: Use the Cut Tool
Once inside the edit mode of the group, select the “Cut” tool from the toolbar or use its shortcut key “X”. The cursor will change into a small scissors icon.
Step 4: Cut Through Geometry
Click on any edge or face within the group that you want to use as a cutting plane. SketchUp will create a temporary section plane through that selected geometry.
- Note: The section plane is only temporary and will disappear once we finish cutting.
- Tips:
- You can rotate and move around your model while using the cut tool for better visibility.
- If needed, you can adjust the position of the section plane by dragging its blue handles.
- To exit edit mode without making any cuts, simply right-click and choose “Close Group” from the context menu.
Step 5: Complete the Cut
Now that you have created the section plane, you can complete the cut by moving it through the entire group. Click on any point outside the group to move the section plane along that direction.
- Note: The section plane will only cut through the geometry within the group and won’t affect any other parts of your model.
- Tips:
- You can use SketchUp’s inferencing system to align the section plane with specific points or edges.
- If needed, you can also resize or rotate the section plane during this step by dragging its handles.
- To cancel the cut and exit edit mode, simply press “Esc” or right-click and choose “Close Group”.
Step 6: Exit Edit Mode
Once you are satisfied with your cut, it’s time to exit edit mode. Right-click on any empty space outside the group and choose “Close Group” from the context menu. Alternatively, you can use the shortcut key “Ctrl + G” (Windows) or “Cmd + G” (Mac) again.
Congratulations! You have successfully cut a group in SketchUp. Now you can further modify or manipulate those separated parts as per your requirements.
Note: Cutting a group is a non-destructive operation, meaning that you can always undo or redo it without losing any data. Additionally, if you accidentally close an edited group without completing a cut, SketchUp will ask if you want to keep or discard the changes.
Remember: It’s always a good practice to save your model before making any significant modifications.
Conclusion
In this tutorial, we have learned how to cut a group in SketchUp using the cut tool. By following these steps, you can efficiently separate and modify specific parts of your model.
Remember to experiment and practice with different cutting planes to achieve the desired results. Happy SketchUp modeling!