Do you want to experiment with new ideas in Sketchup without the fear of making irreversible changes to your original design? That’s where the sandbox feature comes in handy.
The sandbox toolset allows you to create and manipulate organic shapes, terrains, and other complex forms within Sketchup. In this tutorial, we will explore how to use the sandbox toolset effectively.
Getting Started
Before diving into using the sandbox tools, make sure you have Sketchup installed on your computer. If you don’t have it yet, head over to the official Sketchup website and download the latest version. Once you have installed Sketchup, open it up and follow along with these steps.
Enabling the Sandbox Toolbar
To access the sandbox tools, you need to enable the sandbox toolbar. To do this:
- Go to “View” in the menu bar.
- Select “Toolbars” from the dropdown menu.
- In the Toolbars window, check the box next to “Sandbox”.
- The sandbox toolbar should now appear at the top of your Sketchup interface.
Creating a Terrain
The most common use case for the sandbox tools is creating terrains. Follow these steps:
- Select the “From Scratch” tool from the sandbox toolbar.
- Click anywhere on your workspace to start creating a terrain grid.
- Click and drag to adjust its size as desired.
- Once satisfied, release your mouse button.
Note: You can also import a terrain image by selecting “From Contours” instead of “From Scratch”. This allows you to trace an existing terrain image to create a 3D terrain.
Manipulating the Terrain
After creating a terrain, you can manipulate it further using the sandbox tools. Here are some useful options:
Drape
The “Drape” tool allows you to wrap a selected shape or image over your terrain. To use it:
- Select the “Drape” tool from the sandbox toolbar.
- Select the shape or image you want to drape onto the terrain.
- Click on different parts of your terrain to drape the selected shape or image.
Smooth and Stamp
The “Smooth” and “Stamp” tools help in refining your terrain’s appearance:
- The “Smooth” tool smooths out rough areas on your terrain by dragging across them.
- The “Stamp” tool allows you to stamp shapes onto your terrain for added detail and complexity.
Adding Detail with Sandbox Tools
In addition to creating terrains, sandbox tools can be used for adding organic shapes and forms to your models. Here are a few examples:
From Contours
The “From Contours” tool creates organic shapes based on curves that you draw. To use it:
- Select the “From Contours” tool from the sandbox toolbar.
- Draw curves using the line or arc tools.
- Select all the curves that define your shape.
- Click on your selection to create a 3D shape based on those curves.
Curviloft
The Curviloft extension is a powerful tool that extends the capabilities of the sandbox tools. It allows you to create complex organic shapes and loft between different contours. You can find and install this extension from the Sketchup Extension Warehouse.
Note: Keep in mind that using sandbox tools extensively can significantly increase the complexity of your model, which may impact performance. It’s advisable to use them sparingly and optimize your model as needed.
Conclusion
The sandbox toolset in Sketchup provides a powerful set of tools for creating terrains, organic shapes, and complex forms within your models. By following this tutorial, you should now have a good understanding of how to use the sandbox tools effectively. Experiment with different options, explore additional extensions like Curviloft, and let your creativity flow!