To edit materials in SketchUp online, you need to first select the material you wish to modify and then access the editing options within the Materials panel.
Editing materials allows you to adjust various properties like color, texture, and opacity, giving your 3D models the desired look. The process is straightforward once you locate the material and the editing tools.
Steps to Edit Materials in SketchUp for Web
Follow these steps to modify a material that is already applied in your SketchUp model:
1. Select the Material
Before you can edit a material, you need to tell SketchUp which material you want to modify. There are two primary ways to do this:
- From In Model Materials: Open the Materials panel (usually represented by a checkered sphere or paint bucket icon). Under the Home icon, you will find the materials currently used in your model. Select the material you want to edit from this list.
- Using the Eyedropper Tool: This is a quick way to select a material directly from your model. Click the Eyedropper tool (often found in the toolbar alongside the Paint Bucket). Click on the surface in your model that has the material you want to edit. This action will automatically select that material in the Materials panel, making it active for editing.
2. Access Editing Options
Once the desired material is selected (either from the list or via the Eyedropper), you will see its thumbnail displayed prominently in the Materials panel.
- Click the Edit icon located next to the material thumbnail. This icon often looks like a small gear or a pencil.
Clicking the Edit icon will reveal a set of controls and sliders that allow you to modify the material's properties.
What You Can Typically Edit
After clicking the Edit icon, the options presented will depend on whether the material is a simple color or a textured material.
Common editing options include:
- Color: Change the base color of the material.
- Texture: Load a different image file to use as a texture or adjust the current texture.
- Texture Position/Scale: Control how the texture image is mapped onto surfaces and adjust its size.
- Opacity: Make the material more transparent or opaque.
- Name: Rename the material.
Experiment with these settings to achieve the exact visual effect you need for your model surfaces. Changes are typically updated in real-time on your model as you adjust the sliders or input values.
Remember to save your SketchUp model periodically as you make changes.
