How Do You Make a Slanted Roof in Sketchup?

Building a slanted roof in Sketchup can add an interesting design element to your 3D models. Whether you are working on architectural designs or creating a realistic landscape, a slanted roof can enhance the overall look and feel of your project. In this tutorial, we will explore different methods to create a slanted roof in Sketchup.

Method 1: Using the Follow Me Tool

If you are familiar with Sketchup, you know that the Follow Me tool is a powerful tool for creating extrusions along paths. To create a slanted roof using this method, follow these steps:

  1. Draw the outline of your roof using the Line tool (L key).
  2. Select the path that represents the slope of your roof.
  3. Activate the Follow Me tool by clicking on its icon or pressing F.
  4. Click on the face that represents the base of your roof.
  5. Sketchup will automatically extrude the selected path along the base, creating a slanted roof.

Method 2: Using Slope and Move Tools

If you prefer more control over the slope of your roof, you can use this alternative method:

  1. Create a rectangle or square shape to represent the base of your roof.
  2. Select the top face of your shape and activate the Move tool (M key).
  3. Move the selected face upwards while holding down the Ctrl key (Command key on Mac) to create an inclined plane for your roof.
  4. To adjust the angle of slope, type in precise measurements in Sketchup’s VCB (Value Control Box) while moving the face.
  5. Once you have achieved the desired slope, close the roof by drawing lines between the corners of your base shape and the top edges of the inclined face.

Tips:

  • Keep in mind that Sketchup’s Follow Me tool may sometimes create unwanted geometry. To avoid this, make sure your path and base shapes do not intersect or overlap.
  • If you want to add more details to your slanted roof, such as eaves or chimneys, consider using Sketchup’s Push/Pull tool (P key) to extrude additional geometry from existing faces.

By utilizing these methods, you can easily create slanted roofs in Sketchup for a variety of architectural or landscape design projects. Remember to experiment with different techniques and angles to achieve the desired effect. Happy designing!