Hi There, I’m trying to cut an opening into a basement level groin vault to create a skylight, and can’t seem to be able to do it. The main issue I seem to have is with making the vaults solids, if my last question is answered then I might be able to do it. I’ve also tried using the intersect faces method but because the opening is circular, I this does t seem to work as well. Help would be great thanks
MASTER GROIN VAULT COMMUNITY.skp (211.0 KB)
It’s easier to help you if you share your model so we can see what you’ve got.
In the mean time go visit learn.sketchup.com to learn the basics.
I would first make sure that the geometry for the groin vault makes a solid group/component. Then I would place a cylinder where I wasn the hole making sure it is also a solid object. Then use Subtract from the native Solid Tools or from Eneroth Solid Tools to cut the hole.
Inorder for the groin vault to be considered solid, every edge must be shared by exactly two faces. No more and no fewer.
By the way, I noticed incorrect tag usage in your model. You should be keeping Untagged as active at all times. Create and leave all edges and faces untagged. Only groups and components should be given tags.
The Tags panel when I opened the file.
The result of removing tags from the edges and faces in the model:
It’s also a good idea to purge unused stuff from the model once in awhle.
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thanks so much for all the effort you’ve put into your reply!
I have been trying to make to vault into one solid object, but can only manage to make each individual arch into solids, not the whole thing, and hence have been met with failure. If possible, could you tell me how you did that in more detail as well please. Also thanks very much for informing me about how to use tags correctly, I will read up further. I’ll try and attach the file separate I’ve been using to make the vaults with my attempts at different methods if it would give you some insight into what I’ve been doing.
PS would it be possible for you to attach the file with the completed vault in it, it would be very helpful if you could, I wouldn’t normally ask but I’ve got a deadline coming up, I understand totally if not
If each selection is solid, select all of them, right-click and choose the outer shell command.
I’VEEE DONE IT!!! After three hours of trying and a lot of help from you guys I think I’ve finally done it! The method i used was cutting the holes in each individual barrel, before overlapping and making one arch. Thanks so much to everyone who has helped me, in particular DaveR 
I may well be back with more questions shortly 
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