How Do You Circle an Array in SketchUp?
Have you ever wondered how to create circular arrays in SketchUp? If so, you’re in the right place.
In this tutorial, we will walk you through the steps to circle an array in SketchUp, allowing you to efficiently replicate objects along a curved path. Let’s get started!
Step 1: Draw the Circle
To create a circular array, you’ll need a circle as your base path. Start by selecting the Circle tool from the toolbar or by pressing ‘C’ on your keyboard.
Click once on the workspace to define the center point of your circle and then click again to set its radius.
Step 2: Create the Object to be Repeated
Next, draw or import the object that you want to repeat along the circular path. It could be anything from furniture pieces to decorative elements.
Step 3: Activate the Rotate Tool
Now, select the object you want to repeat and activate the Rotate tool. You can find it either by clicking on its icon in the toolbar or by pressing ‘Q’ on your keyboard.
Step 4: Set Center of Rotation
With the Rotate tool active, move your cursor near or onto any point on the circle’s circumference. SketchUp will automatically snap your cursor to that point.
Click once to set it as the center of rotation for your array.
Step 5: Define Array Parameters
After setting the center of rotation, move your cursor away from it until you see a dotted line extending from it. This line represents the starting point for your array.
Now, click once to create the first copy of your object.
To control the number of copies and their spacing, you can either enter specific values in the Value Control Box (VCB) or use mathematical expressions. For example, entering ‘6x’ will create six equally spaced copies around the circle.
Step 6: Complete and Modify the Array
Once you’ve created the initial array, you can use SketchUp’s Edit|Move feature to modify it further. Simply select any object within the array by clicking on it, then activate the Move tool by clicking on its icon or pressing ‘M’ on your keyboard.
Move your cursor to drag and reposition objects within the array as desired. You can also use SketchUp’s Copy|Paste-in-Place function (Ctrl+V) to duplicate objects within the array easily.
Step 7: Fine-tune and Refine Your Array
To achieve a more polished look for your circular array, you can make additional adjustments using SketchUp’s tools and features. For instance, you can apply materials and textures to each object in the array individually or even scale them proportionally.
Tips:
- If you want to delete a single instance from your circular array, simply select it and press ‘Delete’ on your keyboard.
- To delete all instances at once, triple-click on any object within the array and then press ‘Delete.’
- You can always go back and modify your circular array by activating the Rotate tool again.
- If needed, remember that you can adjust the radius of your circle by selecting it and dragging its handles.
With these steps, you now have the knowledge to circle an array in SketchUp. Experiment with different objects and circular paths to create unique and intricate designs.
Happy modeling!