Scaling objects in SketchUp is a fundamental skill that every designer should master. It allows you to resize your model without changing its original proportions. In this tutorial, we will explore how to scale objects in SketchUp without altering their dimensions.
Understanding Scaling
Scaling is the process of resizing an object while maintaining its original shape and proportions. When it comes to SketchUp, scaling can be done in two ways: uniform scaling and non-uniform scaling.
Uniform Scaling
Uniform scaling involves resizing an object by the same factor in all directions. This means that all dimensions of the object are scaled uniformly.
To perform uniform scaling in SketchUp, follow these steps:
- Select the object you want to scale.
- Click on the “Scale” tool from the toolbar or press “S” on your keyboard.
- Click on a corner handle of the bounding box surrounding the object.
- Drag the handle inward or outward to scale the object.
- Release the mouse button to apply the scaling transformation.
Non-Uniform Scaling
Non-uniform scaling allows you to resize an object by different factors along each axis. This means that you can stretch or compress specific dimensions of the object without affecting others.
To perform non-uniform scaling in SketchUp, follow these steps:
- Select the object you want to scale.
- Click and drag one of the corner handles of the bounding box surrounding the object.
- To scale along a specific axis, hover over one of its edge handles until it highlights.
- Drag the handle inward or outward to scale the object along that axis.
Scaling without Changing Dimensions
Now that we understand how scaling works in SketchUp, let’s explore how to scale objects without altering their dimensions. This technique is useful when you want to resize an object while keeping its length, width, or height constant.
To scale an object without changing its dimensions in SketchUp, follow these steps:
- Select the object you want to scale.
- Press and hold the “Shift” key on your keyboard.
- The object will scale proportionally without changing its dimensions.
By holding down the “Shift” key while scaling, SketchUp constrains the proportions of the object. This ensures that you can resize an object without distorting its original shape.
In Conclusion
Scaling objects in SketchUp is a powerful technique that allows you to manipulate your models effectively. By understanding both uniform and non-uniform scaling methods, as well as how to scale without changing dimensions, you have gained valuable skills in resizing objects while maintaining their original proportions.
With practice and experimentation, you will become proficient in scaling objects in SketchUp and be able to create stunning designs with ease.