How Do I Stretch a Circle in SketchUp?

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How Do I Stretch a Circle in SketchUp?

SketchUp is a powerful 3D modeling software that allows you to create and manipulate various shapes and objects. One common task that often comes up is stretching or resizing circles in SketchUp.

In this tutorial, we will explore different methods to achieve this goal.

Method 1: Using the Scale Tool

The Scale tool in SketchUp allows you to resize objects proportionally. To stretch a circle using this method, follow these steps:

  1. Select the circle you want to stretch by clicking on it.
  2. Activate the Scale tool by clicking on the “Scale” icon in the toolbar or by pressing the “S” key.
  3. Click and drag one of the corner handles of the circle outward or inward to resize it.
  4. Release the mouse button to apply the changes.

By default, SketchUp maintains the circular shape of objects when using the Scale tool. However, if you want to stretch the circle non-uniformly, hold down the Ctrl (Windows) or Option (Mac) key while dragging one of the corner handles.

Method 2: Using Push/Pull Tool

Another method to stretch a circle in SketchUp is by using the Push/Pull tool. This tool is primarily used for extruding surfaces but can also be handy for resizing circles. Follow these steps:

  1. Select the circle you want to stretch by clicking on it.
  2. Activate the Push/Pull tool by clicking on its icon in the toolbar or by pressing “P” key.
  3. Click and drag the selected circle in the desired direction to stretch it.

Unlike the Scale tool, the Push/Pull tool does not maintain the circular shape of objects. It stretches them in a linear manner.

Method 3: Using Follow Me Tool

The Follow Me tool in SketchUp is perfect for creating complex shapes by extruding profiles along paths. Although it may seem like an unconventional method, you can also use it to stretch circles. Here’s how:

  1. Select the circle you want to stretch by clicking on it.
  2. Activate the Follow Me tool by clicking on its icon in the toolbar or by pressing “F” key.
  3. Select a path or line that will define the direction and distance of stretching.
  4. Click on this path or line with the Follow Me tool to apply the stretching.

The Follow Me tool stretches circles along paths, allowing you to create unique shapes and forms with ease.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are multiple methods available in SketchUp to stretch circles. Whether you prefer using the Scale tool, Push/Pull tool, or even the unconventional Follow Me tool, you have plenty of options to resize circles according to your needs.

Experiment with these methods and choose what works best for your specific modeling project.