The Follow Me tool in SketchUp is a powerful feature that allows you to create complex 3D shapes with ease. It’s a tool that every SketchUp user should have in their toolbox.
What is the Follow Me Tool?
The Follow Me tool is an advanced tool in SketchUp that allows you to extrude a profile along a path. This means that you can create intricate shapes by simply drawing a profile and then selecting a path for it to follow. The Follow Me tool takes care of the rest, automatically extruding the profile along the path to create a 3D shape.
Using the Follow Me Tool
Using the Follow Me tool in SketchUp is quite simple. Here’s how you can use it:
Step 1: Draw a Profile
The first step is to draw a profile that you want to extrude. This can be any closed shape, such as a circle, rectangle, or even a complex shape like a star. Make sure that the profile is closed and does not have any gaps.
Step 2: Select the Follow Me Tool
Once you have your profile ready, select the Follow Me tool from the toolbar or go to Tools > Follow Me. You’ll notice that your cursor changes to a small circle with an arrow pointing upwards.
Step 3: Click on the Profile
With the Follow Me tool selected, click on your profile once. You’ll see that it becomes highlighted with dots indicating that it’s selected.
Step 4: Select the Path
After selecting your profile, move your cursor over the path where you want your profile to follow and click once. The path can be any line or curve in your SketchUp model.
Tips for Using the Follow Me Tool:
- Make sure that your profile is a closed shape without any gaps. This will ensure that the Follow Me tool works correctly.
- If your profile is not extruding correctly, check for any small edges or lines that may be causing issues.
These can sometimes interfere with the Follow Me tool’s calculations.
- Remember that the Follow Me tool extrudes the profile perpendicular to the face of the path. If you want to change the orientation of the extrusion, rotate your profile before using the Follow Me tool.
In Conclusion
The Follow Me tool in SketchUp is a versatile and powerful tool that allows you to create complex 3D shapes with ease. By following these simple steps and keeping these tips in mind, you’ll be able to make the most out of this fantastic feature in SketchUp.