Copying What You've Already Drawn

In SketchUp, you can copy geometry past using

When yous re-create and paste with the Movement tool, you lot can brand a single copy or create multiple copies and tell SketchUp where and how to place them in your model. You can even paste the geometry you copy in your current model into another SketchUp model!

Employ the Rotate tool when you want ane or more copies to circumvolve effectually a eye point, sort of like engineers effectually a DIY quadcopter kit.

Table of Contents

  1. Copying and pasting geometry
  2. Copying and multiplying geometry with the Move tool
  3. Rotating copies effectually an axis

Copying and pasting geometry

SketchUp's Copy and Paste commands piece of work much like they practice in many other programs. Here's how to copy and paste in SketchUp:

  1. Using the Select Tool () or the Lasso Select tool (), select the geometry yous want to re-create. See Selecting Geometry for tips on making selections.
  2. Cull Edit > Copy from the menu bar or use a keyboard shortcut (Ctrl+C for Windows, Command+C for macOS) to copy your selection.
  3. Select Edit > Paste from the menu bar or utilize a keyboard shortcut (Ctrl+V for Windows, Command+Five for macOS) changing the cursor to the Move tool icon. Your copied geometry floats effectually as you move the mouse. In the figure, y'all see a copy of the copied trapezoid-shaped confront most to be placed on the red-dark-green plane.
  4. Click where you desire to place the copied geometry.

Copying and multiplying geometry with the Move tool

The Movement tool can re-create geometry - or make numerous copies - with only a few clicks and keystrokes. Using the Motion tool to brand a copy also allows for a more precise placement of a re-create because you can specify an exact kickoff betoken for your re-create performance.

Tip: When you re-create with the Movement tool, you can specify an interval for each re-create. This characteristic is especially useful for creating 3D models of fences, bridges, and decks, where several posts or beams are equally spaced.

Copy with the Move tool using the following steps:

  1. Using the Select tool () or the Lasso Select () tool, select the geometry you desire to copy.
  2. Select the Movement tool () from the toolbar or printing Yard. The cursor changes to a four-way arrow.
  3. To tell SketchUp that you lot want to duplicate the selected entities, tap the Ctrl (Microsoft Windows) or Option (macOS) key to toggle Copy functionality. A plus sign appears next to the four-way arrow cursor.
  4. Click the selected entities.
  5. A re-create of your option follows your cursor around in your model. In the figure below nosotros copied the argue panel and moved the copy to the left.
  6. Click where yous want to place your copy. To move your selection a precise distance blazon a length value, such equally 21' or 30m, and then press Enter. The copied geometry appears selected where yous clicked. The original geometry is no longer selected.

To create multiple, equally spaced copies type a altitude value and a multiplier (seen in the Measurements box). The following table outlines your options.

To Do This Type This Instance
Create multiple copies. A number and 10, or * and a number Type 7x (or *7) to make vii copies.
Split up the distance between the copy and the original. A divisor value Type 5/ (or /5) to create four copies evenly spaced between the original and the outset copy.

Note: Technically, when you lot create multiple copies, you lot're creating a linear array.

Postage Copy allows you to brand and identify multiple copies of the selected geometry in your model with just a few mouse clicks. To activate Postage stamp Copy, follow steps 1-3 above then tap Ctrl (Microsoft Windows) or Choice (macOS) over again. A small-scale, postage-shaped icon appears next to the Motility cursor. You tin now click anywhere in your model to create a new re-create of your selected geometry. If you toggle out of Postage Copy way you volition need to get-go once more from step ane to re-create the same geometry again. Stamp is only available before y'all click to start a Move tool functioning.

Note: Technically, when you create multiple copies, you're creating a linear array.

Rotating copies around an centrality

Whether you want to model Stonehenge or a backyard fire pit, the Rotate tool simplifies the work of placing copies around a middle point.

Tip: If you're not familiar with the Rotate tool, review the basics of rotating geometry in SketchUp.

To rotate copies effectually a center betoken, follow these steps:

  1. With the Select tool () or the Lasso Select tool (), select the geometry you want to re-create and rotate.
  2. Select the Rotate tool () on the toolbar or press Q.
  3. Click where you want the rotation's middle indicate to be, as shown where the Rotate cursor appears in the effigy.
  4. Click the selection you desire to copy and rotate. The following effigy shows the inference lines that appear afterwards clicking the rock.
  5. Tell SketchUp to make copies by tapping the Ctrl key (Microsoft Windows) or the Option key (macOS) to toggle the Re-create functionality, this will persist until it's toggled off. A plus sign appears next to the Rotate cursor. (You tin actually tell SketchUp to make copies anytime betwixt Steps 3 and 5.)
  6. Motion the cursor to wherever you lot want to place your rotated copy. As you motility the cursor, an inference line shows the bending between your original geometry and the rotated copy, equally shown in the figure.
  7. Click to place your copied geometry.
  8. (Optional) Type a number and the x, *, or / modifier to create multiple copies around the heart bespeak. (See the earlier tabular array for details almost what each modifier does.) In the figure, typing vii/ created vii copies of the rock.

Annotation: Nether the hood, when you follow the preceding steps, SketchUp is creating a circular array of objects.