To add a layer in SketchUp Make 2017, access the Layers dialog box and click the Add Layer button.
Adding layers is a fundamental step in organizing complex 3D models in SketchUp. By assigning different parts of your model to specific layers, you can easily control their visibility, making it simpler to work on specific areas or present different views of your design.
Steps to Add a New Layer
Adding a layer in SketchUp Make 2017 is a straightforward process based on the program's interface. Follow these steps:
-
Open the Layers Dialog Box:
- In SketchUp Make 2017, navigate to the menu bar at the top of the screen.
- Choose Window.
- From the dropdown menu, select Layers.
-
Access the Add Layer Function:
- The Layers dialog box will open on your screen. This box lists all the layers currently in your SketchUp file, including the default "Layer0".
- Look for the Add Layer button within this dialog box. Click it.
-
New Layer Appears:
- A new layer will instantly be added to the list in the Layers dialog box. It will typically have a default name like "Layer1".
-
(Optional) Rename Your Layer:
- To give your new layer a descriptive name (which is highly recommended for good organization), double-click on the default name ("Layer1", etc.) in the list.
- Type the desired name for your layer (e.g., "Walls", "Roof", "Furniture") and press Enter.
Once the layer is added and optionally renamed, you can then select geometry in your model and use the Entity Info panel (Window > Entity Info) to assign that geometry to your newly created layer.
Why Use Layers?
Utilizing layers in SketchUp Make 2017 offers several benefits for managing your 3D models:
- Improved Organization: Keep different types of objects (like walls, windows, furniture, terrain) separated.
- Easier Editing: Quickly hide or show layers to focus on specific parts of your model without clutter.
- Enhanced Performance: Hiding complex layers can sometimes improve SketchUp's performance when working on large models.
- Control Visibility: Easily create different scenes or views by saving specific layer visibility settings.
By following these simple steps, you can effectively add and manage layers to bring structure and efficiency to your SketchUp projects.
