Where Is Follow Me Tool in Sketchup?

by

The Follow Me tool is an essential feature in SketchUp that allows you to create complex 3D shapes by extruding a profile along a path. However, finding this tool can be a bit tricky for beginners. In this tutorial, I will guide you through the process of locating and using the Follow Me tool in SketchUp.

Locating the Follow Me Tool

Before we dive into using the Follow Me tool, let’s first find it in SketchUp. To locate the Follow Me tool:

  1. Open SketchUp and navigate to the toolbar at the top of the screen.
  2. Click on the ‘Tools’ menu.
  3. In the dropdown menu, scroll down until you find ‘Follow Me’.
  4. Click on ‘Follow Me’ to activate the tool.

Note: You can also use the shortcut key ‘F’ on your keyboard to quickly access the Follow Me tool.

Using the Follow Me Tool

Now that we have located the Follow Me tool, let’s explore how to use it effectively:

  1. Select a face or surface where you want to apply the extrusion effect. It can be any flat face within your SketchUp model.
  2. Click once on the selected face to activate it as your profile.
  3. Navigate to another face or line that represents your desired path for extrusion.

    Click once on that face or line to activate it as your path.

  4. With both your profile and path selected, hover your cursor over the profile until it highlights in blue. Then click once to start extrusion along the path.
  5. Drag your mouse along the path to control the direction and distance of the extrusion. You will see a preview of the shape as you move your cursor.
  6. When you are satisfied with the shape, click again to finalize the extrusion.

Pro Tip: To create more complex shapes, you can use multiple profiles and paths. Simply repeat steps 1-6 for each additional profile and path combination.

Conclusion

The Follow Me tool is a powerful feature in SketchUp that allows you to create intricate 3D shapes with ease. By following the steps outlined in this tutorial, you should now be able to locate and use the Follow Me tool effectively. Remember to experiment with different profiles and paths to unlock your creativity and take your SketchUp designs to new heights!