How Do You Make a Curved Pipe in Sketchup?

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Curved pipes are a common feature in architectural designs, and creating them accurately can be a challenge. In this tutorial, we will explore how to make a curved pipe in SketchUp, a popular 3D modeling software.

Step 1: Start with a Straight Pipe

To create a curved pipe, we first need to start with a straight pipe. Use the Line tool (L) to draw the path of the pipe. Make sure it is straight and aligned properly.

Step 2: Create a Curve Path

Next, we need to create a curve path that our straight pipe will follow. Select the Arc tool (A) and choose the starting point on your straight pipe. Then, click on another point to define the curve’s radius and direction.

Tips:

  • Hold Shift: Holding down the Shift key while creating the arc will ensure it is perfectly perpendicular to your straight pipe.
  • Pull Out Handles: After creating the arc, you can click and drag its handles to adjust its shape and length.

Step 3: Follow Me Tool

Now that we have our straight pipe and curve path, it’s time to use SketchUp’s powerful Follow Me tool. Select the straight pipe and then activate the Follow Me tool (T). Click on the curve path to make it follow along.

Tips:

  • Selecting Multiple Paths: You can also use Follow Me on multiple paths at once by selecting them all before activating the tool.
  • Edit Path: If you need to make changes to the curve path, simply double-click it with the Select tool (Spacebar) and make the necessary adjustments.

Step 4: Cleanup and Refinement

After using the Follow Me tool, you may notice some imperfections or excess geometry. To clean up your curved pipe, use SketchUp’s Eraser tool (E) to remove any unwanted faces or lines.

Tips:

  • Hide Guides: If your curve path was created with guides, you can now hide them by going to View > Guides > Hide.
  • Smooth Edges: To give your curved pipe a more polished look, select it and go to Window > Soften/Smooth Edges. Adjust the slider until you achieve the desired level of smoothness.

Congratulations! You have successfully created a curved pipe in SketchUp.

Remember to experiment with different curve paths and shapes to achieve unique designs. With practice, you will become more proficient at creating complex curved objects in SketchUp.

Happy modeling!