How Do I Match Properties in SketchUp?

by

In SketchUp, matching properties is a useful feature that allows you to apply the same properties, such as materials or styles, to multiple objects at once. This can save you a lot of time and effort when working on complex models.

Matching Materials

One of the most common use cases for matching properties in SketchUp is matching materials. To match the material properties of one object to another:

  1. Select the object with the desired material properties.
  2. Right-click on the object and choose “Entity Info” from the context menu.
  3. In the Entity Info dialog box, click on the “Match Properties” button (the paintbrush icon).
  4. Select the objects you want to apply the material to by clicking on them one by one or by using a selection tool.
  5. Once you have selected all the objects, click on them again to apply the matched material properties.

Note: When matching materials, keep in mind that SketchUp will only match the diffuse color and texture of materials. Other properties like transparency or reflectivity won’t be matched.

Matching Styles

In addition to matching materials, you can also match styles in SketchUp. Styles define how your model appears, including settings like line weight, face color, and shadow settings. Here’s how you can match styles:

  1. Select an object with the desired style settings applied.
  2. Open the Styles window by going to “Window” > “Styles”.
  3. In the Styles window, click on the “In Model” tab.
  4. Right-click on your desired style and choose “Match Others..” from the context menu.
  5. Select the objects you want to apply the style to, either by clicking on them one by one or by using a selection tool.
  6. Click on the selected objects again to apply the matched style.

Note: When matching styles, keep in mind that SketchUp will only match the visual settings of styles. It won’t match any hidden geometry, tags, or other non-visual properties of your model.

Matching Other Properties

Besides materials and styles, SketchUp also allows you to match other properties like layer visibility and section cuts. Here’s how:

  1. Select an object with the desired properties.
  2. Select the objects you want to apply the properties to by clicking on them one by one or by using a selection tool.
  3. Click on the selected objects again to apply the matched properties.

Note: The available properties for matching may vary depending on your version of SketchUp and whether you have any plugins or extensions installed.

Conclusion

In SketchUp, matching properties can be a powerful tool for maintaining consistency in your models. Whether you need to match materials, styles, or other properties, this feature can save you time and make your workflow more efficient. Experiment with different combinations of matched properties to achieve your desired results!