I understand one can type in measurements for X & Y axis when drawing a rectangle. Can the Z axis be included also? From testing, I assume the 1st number is for the X axis & 2nd for the Y axis. Logic would seem to dictate that adding a 3rd number would set the Z axis, but nothing happens when I do that. I only get the X&Y. I have to then use the Push/Pull tool on the top surface and enter a value to set the Z axis where I want it. It’s all a bit counter-intuitive unless I’m missing something.
You can’t natively draw a 3D shape. You would draw a 2D rectangle and then use Push/Pull to extrude in the third direction. There are some extensions out there that will allow you to enter the three dimensions before pressing Enter but in my experience they are more work/key strokes than the native Rectangle tool and Push/Pull.
Depending on what you are modeling you may find you can eliminate a lot of data entry as you model.
I use the push line extension from adebeo, I just draw a line hit the shortcut I assigned for push line and extrude it on the z axis or whatever direction I need.
I would agree with Box. You shsould concentrate on becoming proficient with the native tools before you start relying on extensions.
FWIW, modeling the way you are asking about doing in this thread seems like more work than you need to do. You need to do much more data entry and you have to know all three dimensions of the object to create it. A more efficient way would be to utilize what you’ve already modeled to guide you in modeling the the rest. Work with the idea that SketchUp will tell you what the dimensions are when you need to know them. As an example, when I modeled this hayrake table, I set out the leg components where they needed to be and modeled the rest of the parts to fit. I didn’t need to know the overall dimensions of the aprons or the stretchers like I would have if I’d felt the need to enter all three axis dimensions in to create the object.
Even the top was drawn in place, centered on the undercarriage. Very little data entry to create any of the parts but a complete and accurate cutlist was generated from the model at the end.
Very interesting! If I’m understanding this correctly, you started with a few parts where you knew the dimensions, and then created the rest in proportion to those, and when done, THEN got the measurements? I hadn’t thought of approaching it that way at all!
Yse. That’s basically the idea. I think one of the huge benefits of create a 3D digital model is that you can model parts to fit what you already know. You don’t need to know every last dimension to create the parts. Let the software do the heavy lifting for you.
If, in the case of the hayrake table, the instance (copies) of the leg component are placed where they will be in the final table, you have no need to know all of the dimensions in order to create the aprons, for example. You only need to model them to fit. If you draw the geometry for the apron in place on top of the legs, it’ll be in the right location and you can use the legs as references for modeling elements such as the joints.
