It seems that most architectural models will require making windows that are just like other windows on the building. I’ve been making my windows one by one, which can’t be the smart way to do it, especially for windows with considerable detail. So…
What’s a good method for duplicating a window? If I create one window just the way I want it and then need 12 more identical windows, how should I go about that?
This helps focus my question, thanks. I get how to duplicate objects via the Move method. But a window isn’t an object, it’s a hole in a wall basically. How do you make a hole a component?
Use a hole cutting component. I often use two-- one for each side of a two faced wall.
Also you can move/duplicate any geometry but a simple hole will not go with it, you have to then delete the rectangles (the faces not the edges) you don’t want, and you may have to use the “intersect faces” command before you can delete them. It’s still rather fast, but I think the hole cutting components are the preferred method.
Note that in addition to the window cutting the opening there is an addition ‘skeleton’ component for each face, with it’s sole purpose of cutting out additional faces.
The Building Creator extension does all that for you automatically!
Although OP is using the Free, non-plugin version. I am interested in the plugin (in the first post). The link does not work, but I found another post of yours. Is this a Windows-only plugin?
Windows only as in not Mac compatible, although I’m working on a Mac compatible version.
But not window only as in creating various types of openings (windows, walk doors, overhead doors, and barn doors in 10 different styles). Send me a PM. I’d be happy to do a demo, or you can download the free trial and check it out.
Hi Nuke,
Check out the FlexTools extension, they have an entire suite of hole cutting dynamic components ready made for just about any opening you can think of. In addition, they have dynamic stairs and ramps! flex tools.cc
Thank you for this, another quality video from Justin.
For single face walls, the method he describes is great, very handy.
Regrettably, due to the limitations of SketchUp, the double face wall method is kind of a mess. So I’ll keep reading the thread to see what other options are available.
Well ok, none of the above is going to work for me it seems. I do wish to thank members for sharing their time here though, much appreciated.
If you’ll forgive an editorial, there is a solution to this. Instead of everyone creating all kinds of clever work arounds and rationalizing mediocrity etc, we could instead just admit and agree that this is an unacceptable limitation of SketchUp and politely petition the SketchUp team to address it. Efficiently generating working windows in real world double faced walls seems an essential feature which should be built in to any architectural modeling program.
Ok, maybe not the free version, maybe that’s asking too much. But if such an essential feature doesn’t exist in Pro either, that is odd indeed.
So I decided to go back and watch Justin’s video again with a more open mind. Oops, didn’t work. As Justin freely admits, his solution for double wall cutting is a hack.
However, right at the end of the video he briefly mentions an extension specifically designed for cutting through double walls. Just now starting to explore it, and while I do perhaps you’d like to as well.