How Do I Make a Circular Array in SketchUp?

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Creating a circular array in SketchUp can be a useful technique for efficiently duplicating objects around a center point. Whether you want to create a radial pattern of trees in a landscape design or replicate architectural details along the perimeter of a building, the circular array tool can save you time and effort.

Step 1: Drawing the Object

Before we start creating the circular array, we need to have an object that we want to duplicate. Let’s say we have created a simple cylinder shape that represents a column.

First, draw the cylinder:

To draw a cylinder in SketchUp, follow these steps:

  1. Select the “Circle” tool from the toolbar on the left side of your screen.
  2. Click once on your workspace to set the center point of the circle.
  3. Move your mouse away from the center point and click again to define the radius of the circle.
  4. Select the “Push/Pull” tool from the toolbar and click on the circle face to extrude it into a cylinder shape.

Note: This example assumes you are already familiar with basic SketchUp tools and concepts.

Step 2: Accessing the Circular Array Tool

To access SketchUp’s circular array tool, follow these steps:

  1. Select your object (in this case, our cylinder) by clicking on it once.
  2. Navigate to “Edit” in the top menu bar, then choose “Make Group”. This step is essential for applying transformations as a group rather than individually to each instance later on.
  3. To activate the circular array tool, go to “Tools” in the top menu bar, then select “Rotate”.

Step 3: Creating the Circular Array

Now that we have our object and have accessed the circular array tool, let’s create the array:

  1. Click once on the center point of your object to set it as the rotation point.
  2. Move your cursor away from the center point and click again to define the first reference point for rotation.
  3. Move your cursor further away from the center point and click again to define the second reference point for rotation. This will determine the size of your circular array.
  4. Note: You can also type in a specific angle or distance for more precise control over your circular array.

Step 4: Adjusting Array Settings (Optional)

If you want to customize your circular array further, SketchUp offers additional settings:

  1. To access these settings, activate the circular array tool again by going to “Tools” in the top menu bar and selecting “Rotate”.
  2. In the “Value Control Box” at the bottom right corner of your screen, you can adjust parameters such as total count, angle between instances, or whether to include/exclude original objects from the array.

Conclusion

The circular array tool in SketchUp is a powerful feature that enables you to quickly create radial patterns or replicate objects around a center point. By following these steps and experimenting with different settings, you can achieve unique designs with ease.

Note: Remember to practice and experiment with this tool on various objects to get comfortable using it effectively. Happy modeling!