# Trace paper drawing

**URL:** <https://forums.sketchup.com/t/trace-paper-drawing/12694>\
**Category:** SketchUp\
**Created:** [July 2, 2015, 12:33am UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/trace-paper-drawing/12694 "2015-07-02T00:33:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![mikewinn62](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a8b319/32.png) [@mikewinn62](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/mikewinn62)\
**Post date:** [July 2, 2015, 12:33am UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/trace-paper-drawing/12694/1 "2015-07-02T00:33:00Z")

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Is it possible to trace a jpg file?  
I have a paper template that I would like to use to create my porch swing in Sketchup.

Thanks  
MW

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**Author:** ![Shep](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/shep/32/41669_2.png) [@Shep](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/Shep)\
**Post date:** [July 2, 2015, 12:42am UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/trace-paper-drawing/12694/2 "2015-07-02T00:42:53Z")

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Sure. Here’s a recent thread:

[trying-to-make-a-specific-type-of-sign](http://forums.sketchup.com/t/trying-to-make-a-specific-type-of-sign/5997)

There are some others, search for trace.

Shep

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**Author:** ![Cotty](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/cotty/32/251290_2.png) [@Cotty](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/Cotty)\
**Post date:** [July 2, 2015, 3:49pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/trace-paper-drawing/12694/3 "2015-07-02T15:49:16Z")

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One tip: if you trace a dark image, change the edge color in the styles settings to a high contrast one (e.g. cyan, red, …).

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**Author:** ![DaveR](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/daver/32/7601_2.png) [@DaveR](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/DaveR)\
**Post date:** [July 2, 2015, 5:10pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/trace-paper-drawing/12694/4 "2015-07-02T17:10:54Z")

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In addition to Cotty’s excellent suggestion, if you don’t already have Profiles set to something greater than 1, temporarily make them thicker. They’ll be easier to see as you trace the drawing.

See also this old thing: [Tracing a Reference Drawing - FineWoodworking](http://www.finewoodworking.com/item/36015/tracing-a-reference-drawing)

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**Author:** ![mikewinn62](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a8b319/32.png) [@mikewinn62](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/mikewinn62)\
**Post date:** [July 2, 2015, 10:24pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/trace-paper-drawing/12694/5 "2015-07-02T22:24:13Z")

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I think I understand the tracing part, its getting it on the right access that I am struggling with.

Is there somewhere I can upload my project (just has my first image and my trace of it. It is actually a 1x6 laying flat, I need it to stand up, there would be 4 of these evenly spaced that the seat rails would screw to.

Thanks  
MW

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**Author:** ![DaveR](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/daver/32/7601_2.png) [@DaveR](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/DaveR)\
**Post date:** [July 2, 2015, 10:39pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/trace-paper-drawing/12694/6 "2015-07-02T22:39:11Z")

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Mike, I just sent you a message. I’ll help you “live” if it works for you.

D

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**Author:** ![Cotty](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/cotty/32/251290_2.png) [@Cotty](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/Cotty)\
**Post date:** [July 4, 2015, 7:29am UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/trace-paper-drawing/12694/7 "2015-07-04T07:29:23Z")

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> [@mikewinn62](#):
>
> Is there somewhere I can upload my project

Why not upload it here, you’ll find the upload button in the editor: ![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/original/2X/9/9bc4bc4f01aa687f78868483c21a47e99183e306.png)