In SketchUp, extending a component allows you to modify its size or shape without affecting other instances of the same component. This can be useful when you want to create variations of a component within your model. In this tutorial, we will explore how to extend a component in SketchUp using a few simple steps.
Step 1: Select the Component
The first step is to select the component that you want to extend. To do this, simply click on the component with the Select tool (shortcut: Spacebar) or use the Entity Info window to select it from a list of components in your model.
Step 2: Activate the Scale Tool
Once you have selected the component, activate the Scale tool by clicking on its icon in the toolbar or by selecting it from the Tools menu. The Scale tool is represented by an icon that looks like a diagonal arrow pointing towards four corners.
Step 3: Scale the Component
With the Scale tool activated, click on one of the handles located at the corner or edge of the selected component. Dragging this handle will resize the component proportionally. To extend or stretch only one dimension of the component, hold down Shift while dragging.
Note:
- Scaling uniformly: When you drag one handle, all other handles move along with it, maintaining proportionality and symmetry.
- Scaling non-uniformly: Holding down Ctrl (Windows)/Option (Mac), allows you to scale each dimension independently without affecting other dimensions.
- Precision scaling: To scale precisely, type in the desired scale factor or dimensions into the Measurement box at the bottom right corner of the SketchUp window.
Step 4: Apply the Changes
After scaling the component to your desired size, click anywhere outside of the component or press Enter to apply the changes. The selected component will now be extended or resized without affecting other instances of the same component in your model.
Step 5: Make Additional Modifications (Optional)
If you need to make further modifications to the extended component, you can use other tools such as Move, Rotate, or Push/Pull to manipulate its geometry. These tools can help you refine and customize your extended component according to your design requirements.
Note:
Grouping: If you want to maintain a specific instance of an extended component without affecting it during further modifications, consider grouping it. This will allow you to work on other parts of your model without accidentally modifying the grouped component.
Congratulations! You have successfully learned how to extend a component in SketchUp.
By following these steps, you can easily modify and create variations of components within your SketchUp models. With practice, you’ll be able to efficiently design and customize your models with extended components!