How Do I Draw a Radius in Sketchup?
If you’re new to Sketchup or just looking to expand your knowledge of the software, drawing a radius can be an essential skill to have. Whether you need to create curved edges or circles, understanding how to draw a radius will give your designs a polished and professional look.
In this tutorial, we’ll walk you through the steps of drawing a radius in Sketchup using simple and effective techniques.
Step 1: Select the Circle Tool
The first step is to select the Circle tool, which is located in the toolbar on the left side of the Sketchup interface. You can also use the keyboard shortcut “C” to select it quickly.
Once selected, move your cursor to where you want the center of your circle or curved edge to be.
Step 2: Set the Radius Length
After selecting the Circle tool, you’ll notice that your cursor changes into a small circle with a crosshair. Click once at the desired center point of your circle or curved edge and then move your mouse away from that point.
This action will determine how large or small your radius will be.
To set an exact radius length, type in the desired value followed by “r” (e.g., 5r for a 5-unit radius). Alternatively, you can click and drag away from the center point until you reach your desired size visually.
Step 3: Complete the Circle or Curved Edge
To complete drawing a circle, click again after setting the radius length. The circle will then be created around the center point you initially selected.
If you want to create only a curved edge without completing a full circle, simply click once after setting the radius length. Sketchup will automatically create a curved edge based on the radius you specified.
Step 4: Edit and Modify the Radius
After drawing a radius, you may need to edit or modify it further. Sketchup provides several tools that allow you to adjust the size, position, and other properties of your circle or curved edge.
To change the size of your circle or curved edge, select the “Scale” tool from the toolbar or use the keyboard shortcut “S.” Click on one of the edges of your radius and drag it to resize accordingly.
You can also move your entire circle or curved edge by selecting the “Move” tool from the toolbar or using the keyboard shortcut “M.” Click on any part of your radius and drag it to a new location.
To delete a radius, select the “Erase” tool from the toolbar or use the keyboard shortcut “E.” Click on any part of your circle or curved edge to remove it from your Sketchup model.
Conclusion:
Drawing a radius in Sketchup is an essential skill for creating curves and circles in your designs. By following these simple steps, you can easily draw accurate and visually appealing radii in Sketchup.
Remember to explore additional tools in Sketchup for further customization and refinement of your circles and curved edges. With practice, you’ll soon become proficient in creating professional-looking designs with smooth and precise radii.