In SketchUp, there may be instances where you want to hide certain faces of your model for various reasons. Whether it’s to reveal hidden details or to create a specific viewing angle, showing hidden faces can be a useful feature. In this tutorial, we will explore how to show hidden faces in SketchUp and make the most out of this functionality.
Step 1: Select the Model
To begin, open your SketchUp model that contains the hidden faces you want to reveal. If you haven’t created any hidden faces yet, you can follow along by creating a simple model with a few overlapping shapes.
Step 2: Access the Styles Window
Next, navigate to the “Window” menu at the top of the SketchUp interface. From the dropdown menu, select “Styles” to open the Styles window.
Pro Tip:
If you prefer using keyboard shortcuts, simply press “Alt + Shift + S” (Windows) or “Option + Shift + S” (Mac) to access the Styles window quickly.
Step 3: Edit the Default Style
In the Styles window, click on the thumbnail representing your current style – typically named “Default Style.” This will open up a panel with various settings for that particular style.
Pro Tip:
If you are working with multiple styles and want to apply these changes universally, consider creating a new style or duplicating an existing one before proceeding.
Step 4: Enable Hidden Geometry
To reveal hidden faces in SketchUp, we need to enable hidden geometry within our selected style. Hidden geometry includes any edges or faces that are not visible in normal viewing mode but exist within your model.
Within the “Edit” tab of the Styles window, locate the “Display” section. You will find a checkbox labeled “Hidden Geometry.” Click on this checkbox to enable the display of hidden geometry in your model.
Pro Tip:
Enabling hidden geometry is not limited to showing hidden faces. It can also be helpful when working with complex models that require precise editing or troubleshooting.
Step 5: Apply the Changes
After enabling hidden geometry, click on the “Update” button within the Styles window to apply the changes to your model. You will notice that previously hidden faces are now revealed, making them visible alongside other geometry.
Pro Tip:
If you want to toggle between showing and hiding hidden faces without modifying your style settings, you can use the keyboard shortcut “K”. This shortcut allows you to quickly switch between displaying or hiding hidden geometry while working in SketchUp.
Conclusion
In this tutorial, we explored how to show hidden faces in SketchUp by enabling hidden geometry within our chosen style. By following these steps, you can easily reveal previously obscured faces and gain a better understanding of your model’s structure. Remember, using hidden geometry is not just limited to revealing faces but can be a valuable tool for advanced editing and troubleshooting as well.
With this newfound knowledge, you can enhance your SketchUp workflow and create more detailed models with ease.