In this tutorial, we will learn how to push a pull group in SketchUp. The push/pull tool is one of the most powerful tools in SketchUp that allows you to extrude faces and create 3D shapes with ease.
Step 1: Creating a Group
Before we can push/pull a group, we need to create one. To do this, select the objects or faces you want to group by using the Select tool.
Once selected, right-click on the selection and choose Make Group. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + G.
Step 2: Accessing the Push/Pull Tool
To access the push/pull tool, navigate to the toolbar on the left side of your SketchUp window. Look for an icon that resembles a square face with an arrow pointing outward. Click on this icon to activate the push/pull tool.
Tip:
If you can’t find the push/pull tool in your toolbar, you can also access it by going to Tools > Push/Pull.
Step 3: Pushing or Pulling a Group
With your group selected and the push/pull tool activated, hover your cursor over any face within the group. Notice how SketchUp highlights each face as you move your cursor over it.
To push or pull a face, click on it and start dragging your mouse in the direction you want to extrude. You can type in a specific distance while dragging if you want precise measurements.
Note:
If your group has multiple faces connected together, pushing or pulling one face will affect all connected faces within that group.
Step 4: Smoothing Edges
When you push or pull a group, SketchUp automatically applies smoothing to the edges of the newly created faces. This helps create a more visually appealing and realistic 3D shape. However, if you want to maintain sharp edges, you can disable this smoothing feature.
To disable smoothing edges, go to Window > Soften Edges. In the Soften Edges dialog box, make sure the checkbox for Soften coplanar is unchecked. This will prevent SketchUp from automatically smoothing edges when using the push/pull tool.
Step 5: Editing a Push/Pull Operation
If you need to make changes to a previous push/pull operation, simply select the group and reactivate the push/pull tool. Hover over any face and click on it to start dragging again. SketchUp will recognize that you want to edit an existing operation and update the shape accordingly.
Note:
You can also use the Push/Pull Modifier option in the Entity Info dialog box (Window > Entity Info) to manually enter a specific distance for a push/pull operation.
Conclusion:
The push/pull tool in SketchUp is an essential feature for creating 3D shapes and extruding faces. By following these steps, you can easily push or pull groups in SketchUp while maintaining control over your designs.
- Create a group: Select objects or faces and make them into a group using Select Tool > Right-click > Make Group.
- Access the push/pull tool: Look for the icon resembling a square face with an outward arrow in your toolbar or go to Tools > Push/Pull.
- Push or pull: Click on a face within the group and drag your mouse to extrude the shape. Type in a distance for precise measurements.
- Smoothing edges: Disable automatic edge smoothing by going to Window > Soften Edges and unchecking the box for Soften coplanar.
- Edit previous operations: Select the group, reactivate the push/pull tool, and hover over a face to start dragging again. Use the Entity Info dialog box for manual distance entry.
With these techniques, you can now confidently push/pull groups in SketchUp and enhance your 3D modeling skills!