Scaling and Box Tapering

Extensions
1

Hi there,
I have a problem using any scale tools in SketchUp as all of them have one serious deficiency. The scale centre is either the opposite point or the middle of the bounding box. In many cases this creates undesired results or the resulting shape is moved elsewhere especially if the shapes are non-symmetrical. Fredo6 has similar scale tools, very powerful I must admit, however the scaling centre in all of them is the same as the original built-in scale tool. I am looking for some tools which can scale the selected shape about a user defined point in addition to the opposite point and the middle of the bounding box. Attached is a .pdf file to demonstrate what I wanted to achieve in comparison what the result is when I use Fredo6 box tapering.
Fredo6 Box Tapering.pdf (120.7 KB)

The base to be tapered gets distorted. I would like to scale the original base about the axis origin in this case, which happens to be the centre of the circle at the base. That circle should remain a circle after the scaling. Unfortunately, it gets distorted when using the Fredo6 box tapering. I would appreciate any help. Best regards. The link to the .skp file on Trimble Connect is:

2

Just include two extra guidepoints or any dummy geometry to balance the initial bounding box “around” the desired center, your circle center.
(In fact with this method you can create any desired scaling center before scaling!)

It takes just a few extra seconds before you select and scale.

3 Likes
3

could also be a very wide (temporary) circle that has the same center !

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4

It is using the center of the gross area of the shape you want to scale…

So make sure to keep a circle (in your case) for the exterior perimeter.

Screenshot 2025-03-18 at 12.53.30 PM
Screenshot 2025-03-18 at 12.53.30 PM1920Ă—1300 55.3 KB

1 Like
5

Thanks. This is a workaround, however with a little extra effort, it achieves the desired result.

6

Thank you. Using a wider circle is very efficient for a plane uniform scaling. For two different scaling factors along two orthogonal directions, it is better to use a wider square. For 3D scaling, similar approach can be applied - a wider sphere or a cube can be created with centre being the desired scaling centre. I tested it - it works. A small price to pay, it is worth it. Thank you very much for all the responses.

7

Yes indeed, a little workaround.

For instance:

  • look for your desired center and from there create a large circle around your geometry (thanks @paul.millet, faster than two guidepoints)
  • use the same center and create a second large circle around your geometry, this circle perpendicular to the first one.
  • (in fact with these two temporary created circles you defined the new bounding box in just a few clicks. Could even be implemented in an extention to scale from point)
  • scale your geometry with the two circles included.
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