Selecting items in SketchUp, whether they are parts of a 3D object or entire components, is a fundamental step for editing and manipulating your model. The most basic and direct method involves using the primary selection tool.
To select a 3D object or its components in SketchUp:
Using the Select Tool
The standard way to pick individual items in your model is with the dedicated Select tool.
Here are the steps, as described in the reference:
- Activate the Select tool: First, you need to make the Select tool active. You can typically find its icon (which looks like an arrow) in the toolbar. When the tool is active, the cursor changes to an arrow.
- Click an entity: Once the Select tool is active, simply click on the entity you want to select in your 3D model.
What Happens When You Select:
As noted in the reference, whatever you select (edge, face, or component for example) is highlighted. This visual feedback confirms that the entity has been successfully selected and is ready for you to perform an action on it. The highlighting usually appears as a change in color or outline. The reference provides an example of a highlighted sofa cushion.
Examples of Entities You Can Select
In SketchUp, a "3D object" is often composed of different types of entities. Using the single-click method with the Select tool allows you to pick these individual parts or grouped items:
- Edges: The lines that define the boundaries of surfaces.
- Faces: The surfaces themselves, bounded by edges.
- Components: Reusable objects or collections of geometry grouped together, like the "sofa cushion" example provided in the reference.
- Groups: Similar to components, but typically used for organizing specific parts of your model.
By activating the Select tool and clicking on these individual entities, you can isolate and work with specific parts of your 3D model.
