How Do You Change Dimensions in SketchUp?

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Changing dimensions in SketchUp can be a useful skill to have when you’re working on a project that requires precise measurements. Whether you want to resize an object or adjust the overall scale of your model, SketchUp provides various tools and techniques to help you accomplish this task.

Changing Dimensions with the Scale Tool

The Scale tool in SketchUp allows you to resize objects proportionally or non-proportionally. To use this tool, follow these steps:

  1. Select the object or group you wish to resize.
  2. Go to the Tools menu and select “Scale” or press the “S” key on your keyboard.
  3. A bounding box will appear around the selected object, along with several handles.
  4. To resize proportionally, click and drag one of the corner handles while holding down the Shift key.
  5. To resize non-proportionally, click and drag one of the edge handles without holding down the Shift key.
  6. Release the mouse button when you’ve achieved the desired size.

Note: The Scale tool works best when used on individual objects or groups. If you want to scale an entire model, it’s recommended to use other methods such as changing units or using plugins specifically designed for that purpose.

Changing Dimensions with Measurements

If you know the exact dimensions you want to change an object to, there are a couple of ways to achieve this in SketchUp:

Using the Tape Measure Tool

The Tape Measure tool can be used not only for measuring distances but also for resizing objects accurately. Here’s how:

  1. Select the Tape Measure tool from the Tools menu or press “T” on your keyboard.
  2. Click on the starting point of the measurement.
  3. Move the cursor to the desired endpoint and click again.
  4. A measurement line will be created between the two points.
  5. Type in the desired dimension in the measurement box that appears in SketchUp’s Measurements toolbar.
  6. Press Enter to apply the measurement and resize the object accordingly.

Using the Entity Info Window

The Entity Info window provides a quick and precise way to change dimensions for selected objects. Here’s how:

  1. Select the object you want to resize.
  2. Go to the Window menu and select “Entity Info” or press “Ctrl + I” on your keyboard (Windows) or “Cmd + I” (Mac).
  3. In the Entity Info window, locate the dimensions section.
  4. Type in new values for length, width, or height as required.

Note: The Entity Info window is particularly useful when you need to change dimensions numerically and precisely.

Changing Dimensions with Plugins

Sometimes, you may need more advanced tools to change dimensions in SketchUp. There are various plugins available that can extend SketchUp’s capabilities and provide additional options for resizing objects. Some popular plugins include:

  • FredoScale: This plugin offers an extensive range of scaling options, including non-uniform scaling and advanced transformations.
  • ScaleTool Plus: Similar to FredoScale, this plugin provides additional scaling options like stretching, shearing, and tapering.

To install and use plugins, you’ll need to download them from trusted sources and follow the respective installation instructions provided by the plugin developers.

With these techniques at your disposal, you can easily change dimensions in SketchUp and ensure your models are precisely scaled. Experiment with different methods to find the one that suits your workflow best. Happy modeling!