How Do You Make a Loop in Sketchup?

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Creating a loop in Sketchup can be a useful technique when you want to repeat a certain action or pattern multiple times. In this tutorial, we will explore two methods to achieve this – using the Follow Me tool and the Array tool.

Using the Follow Me Tool

The Follow Me tool in Sketchup allows you to extrude a face along a path. To create a loop with this tool, follow these steps:

  1. Select the face that you want to loop.

  2. Activate the Follow Me tool by clicking on its icon in the toolbar or by navigating to Tools > Follow Me.

  3. Click on the path where you want the face to follow. The path can be any closed shape, such as a circle or a rectangle.

  4. Sketchup will automatically create a loop by extruding the selected face along the path.

Note: It’s important to ensure that your path is a closed shape for this method to work properly.

Using the Array Tool

The Array tool in Sketchup allows you to create multiple copies of an object in a linear or radial pattern. To create a loop with this tool, follow these steps:

  1. Select the object that you want to loop.

  2. Activate the Array tool by clicking on its icon in the toolbar or by navigating to Tools > Array.

  3. Select either Linear or Radial array mode based on your desired pattern.

    • Linear Array:

    • Enter the number of copies you want to create in the Count field.

    • Adjust the spacing between each copy using the Distance field.

    • Click on a point to define the direction and distance of the array.

    • Radial Array:

    • Enter the number of copies you want to create in the Count field.

    • Adjust the angle between each copy using the Angle field.

    • Click on a point to define the center and radius of the array.

  4. Sketchup will generate a loop by creating multiple copies of your selected object based on your specified pattern.

Note: The Array tool provides more flexibility in terms of creating complex looping patterns compared to the Follow Me tool.

In Conclusion

Making a loop in Sketchup can be achieved using either the Follow Me tool or the Array tool. The Follow Me tool allows you to extrude a face along a closed path, while the Array tool creates multiple copies of an object in a linear or radial pattern.

Depending on your specific needs, choose the method that suits your project best. Now go ahead and experiment with loops in Sketchup to add depth and complexity to your designs!