Do you want to take your Sketchup designs to the next level? One way to achieve a more polished and professional look is by blending the edges of your models.
Blending edges can help smooth out sharp corners and create a more natural and realistic appearance. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of blending edges in Sketchup, step-by-step.
Step 1: Select the Edges
To begin, select the edges that you want to blend. You can do this by using the “Select” tool from the toolbar or by double-clicking on individual edges. If you want to select multiple edges, hold down the Shift key while clicking on each edge.
Step 2: Activate the “Eraser” Tool
Once you have selected the desired edges, activate the “Eraser” tool from the toolbar. The shortcut key for this tool is ‘E’.
Note:
- Tip: It’s always a good idea to make a backup of your model before making any changes.
- Caution: Be careful not to accidentally erase any important geometry while blending edges.
Step 3: Adjust Eraser Settings
Before we start blending, it’s important to adjust some eraser settings for better control. Click on the small arrow next to the eraser icon in the toolbar to access these settings.
- Tolerance: This option determines how far away from an edge Sketchup will erase. Higher tolerance values will result in smoother blends but may also erase unintended geometry.
- Precision: Use this slider to control how precisely Sketchup follows your mouse movements. Higher precision values will result in more accurate blends.
Step 4: Blend the Edges
With the eraser tool selected and the settings adjusted, it’s time to blend the edges. Simply click and drag the eraser tool along the edges you want to blend. Sketchup will automatically soften and blend the selected edges.
Step 5: Fine-tune the Blends
If you are not satisfied with the initial result, don’t worry! You can always fine-tune and adjust the blends.
To do this, activate the “Smooth” tool from the toolbar. The shortcut key for this tool is ‘Shift + E’. Click on an edge to smooth it further or right-click to unsmooth it.
Tip: Experiment with different eraser settings, such as tolerance and precision, to achieve your desired blending effect.
Step 6: Save Your Work
Once you are happy with the blended edges, don’t forget to save your work! Click on “File” in the top menu bar, then select “Save” or use the shortcut key ‘Ctrl + S’ (Windows) or ‘Cmd + S’ (Mac).
Congratulations! You have successfully learned how to blend edges in Sketchup.
By incorporating blended edges into your designs, you can add a touch of realism and sophistication to your models. So go ahead, experiment with different blending techniques and take your Sketchup skills to new heights!