Creating and Editing Models

Creating and editing models in SketchUp for Web is a lot like creating models in SketchUp for Desktop. However, there are a few things that SketchUp for Web does that are a bit different than its desktop counterpart.

Creating a New Model

When you first open SketchUp for Web, you will see your Home page. To create a new model, you can click Create New or use the dropdown menu to select your desired unit of measurement.

Changing the Unit of Measure

You can change the unit of measure used in your model at any time in App Settings. From the Main Menu, select App Settings and find the Default Template section in the General tab.

Importing Files and Images

With SketchUp for Web, you can import files directly into your model. You can import files saved in the following formats:

• 3DS

• DAE

• DEM

• DWG

• DXF

• KMZ

• STL

• JPG

• PNG

To import a file:

1. Select Import from the Main Menu.

2. Choose where your file is located; either My Device or Trimble Connect.
   

3. If importing from your device, drag and drop the file into the window that appears, or use the link provided to browse for the image.

4. If importing from Trimble Connect, locate and select the file you would like to import from your saved projects.

Image files imported into your model become either an image or material. If you import a CAD file, it becomes a component. For more information on how to use imported files in your models, see Using SketchUp Data with Other Modeling Programs or Tools.

SketchUp for Web's Panels

SketchUp for Web's panels appear on the right side of the interface. Each panel provides a specific set of features to help take your model to the next level.

Panel	Icon	Article	Description
Entity Info		Inspecting an Entity	Entity Info shows you all sorts of information about a selected entity including materials used, the number of components, and any assigned tags.
Outliner		Working with Hierarchies in the Outliner	In the Outliner panel, you can view a model's objects as a hierarchical tree.
Instructor		N/A	The Instructor panel is a great way for beginners to see helpful hints while modeling based on what tools they are using.
3D Warehouse		3D Warehouse	3D Warehouse is a website of searchable, pre-made 3D models that works seamlessly with SketchUp.
Components		Components	Components are the building blocks of your model. This panel lists each component and offers a few options to help you manage and manipulate them.
Materials		Materials in SketchUp for Web	Materials help add detail and realism to your models. This panel helps add or manage materials for use in your model.
Styles		Styles in SketchUp for Web	Styles are grouped settings you can apply to your entire model at once. In the Styles panel, you can add styles or manage a style you've already added to your model.
Environments		Environments in SketchUp for Web	Environments add a 360° panoramic background with image-based lighting conditions to your SketchUp models.
Tags		Controlling Visibility with Tags	Tags are SketchUp’s enhanced version of layers and help you organize objects and control their visibility. Manage or create Tags using the Tags panel.
Shadows		Casting Real World Shadows	Set how you want shadows to appear or simulate how the sun would cast shadows in a geolocated model.
Scenes		Creating Scenes	Scenes represent different set model views. Manage and create Scenes in the Scenes panel.
Soften/Smooth Edges		Softening, Smoothing, and Hiding Geometry	Change the visibility of edges to help make a model look more realistic using less geometry.
Display		N/A	The Display panel helps you manage visibility including hidden geometry, shadows, and fog.
Model Info		N/A	Model Info is where you can find and adjust some basic elements of your model, including measurement units and fonts.
Solid Inspector		Solid Inspector in SketchUp for Web	The Solid Inspector helps you check your groups and components for errors in geometry and even automatically fixes some issues.