Resizing objects in SketchUp is an essential skill that every user should master. Whether you want to scale a model, adjust the size of a component, or resize a group of objects, SketchUp provides various tools and techniques to help you achieve your desired results.
Using the Scale Tool
The Scale tool is one of the most commonly used tools for resizing objects in SketchUp. To access it, click on the Tools menu at the top of the screen and select Scale, or simply press the S key on your keyboard.
Step 1:
Select the object or group of objects that you want to resize. You can do this by clicking on them with the Select tool (Spacebar) or by drawing a selection box around them.
Step 2:
Activate the Scale tool (S) and click on one of the corners of the selected object(s). A series of control points will appear, allowing you to adjust its size.
Step 3:
To maintain proportions while scaling, press and hold down the Shift key before clicking and dragging any control point. This will ensure that your object(s) retain their original aspect ratio.
Tips:
- If you want to scale an object from its center instead of a corner, simply click on its midpoint instead.
- To enter specific dimensions for scaling, type them in directly using your keyboard. For example, if you want to double the size of an object, type ‘2x’ and hit Enter.
- Use the Ctrl key (Windows) or Option key (Mac) while scaling to create a copy of the object(s) instead of resizing the original. This can be useful when you want to maintain the original size and have a duplicate.
The Tape Measure Tool
The Tape Measure tool in SketchUp is not only for measuring distances but also for resizing objects accurately.
Step 1:
Select the Tape Measure tool from the Tools menu or press the T key on your keyboard.
Step 2:
Click on one edge or corner of the object that you want to resize. Then, click on another point to define a reference distance. For instance, if you want to double the size of an object, click on one end and then click at a point twice as far from it.
Step 3:
Type in your desired dimension and hit Enter. SketchUp will ask if you want to resize your selection. Click ‘Yes’ to proceed.
Tips:
- The Tape Measure tool can also be used to resize objects based on percentages. For example, typing ‘50%’ will reduce the size by half, while typing ‘200%’ will double it.
- If you make a mistake while using the Tape Measure tool, simply press Delete/Backspace on your keyboard to remove any guide points that were created.
Congratulations! You’ve learned two essential methods for resizing objects in SketchUp.
Experiment with these tools and techniques to gain confidence and precision in your modeling workflow. With practice, you’ll be resizing objects like a pro!