SketchUp windows

by Design Workshop Sydney

Feb8

Creating windows in SketchUp is an easy process, which we explain in full in our SketchUp training courses.sketchup-windows
First establish the height of the windows – these will vary and you could measure them off the elevation views. Then double-click to enter the Exterior walls group and change the style to X-Ray. There are several methods for drawing guides in SketchUp. On the front wall (or the South Elevation) create two vertical guides with Tape Measure tool (T) 2050 from the base. Then join these at the top to create a rectangle.
Next create another horizontal guide 940 from the base by clicking and dragging upwards from the base line with the Tape Measure tool – but make sure the tool tip reads From Edge before you drag. Then use the Rectangle tool (R) to draw a window from two adjacent corners. Now erase the construction edges with the Eraser tool (E) and go to the X-ray style. Finally use Push/Pull tool (P) to cut out the window, pushing through gently till the message On Face or Offset Limit appears.
Repeat for the other windows: double-click to enter the exterior walls group. Choose the X-Ray style. Next create a guide 2140 from the ground by choosing the Tape Measure tool, clicking on the base line and dragging upwards. Then punch in 240 and hit Enter. Return to the Wireframe style to create vertical guides from the floor plan upwards in the Blue axis. Measure the lower horizontals from the South Elevation on the floorplan: 1240 and 740, for example. Go to X-Ray style and create rectangles for the windows. Then use the Push/Pull tool (P) to cut out the holes – remember this tool has a memory, so all you need to do is double-click on the walls to cut through.
When all your cutting is complete use the Eraser tool (E) to erase your guide lines. Hit Escape to exit the Walls group. Note that cutting out doors and windows is probably the trickiest and most tedious part of the construction process. If they don’t Push/Pull properly, it’s because you’re not inside the walls group (double-click to enter), or possibly the face of the wall is not flush with one of the three axes. You may need to reconstruct this section of the wall before proceeding. It’s also a good idea to orbit around the model as you work.
Many useful tips and techniques can be found at the SketchUp website. And see many examples of our own clients’ work on our Facebook page.
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