If you do your dimensioning or add labels in SketchUp, you might want to put those entities on their own layers. There has been some argument over removing the option to choose the active layer but there are a couple of reasons to keep that control. You might be wondering since Layer 0 should always be the active layer, why is it that you can change that in the Layers panel. The eye symbol along the left controls visibility while the pencil icon indicates the active layer. I find this very freeing because it eliminates the possibility of working on the wrong layer.įor those of you working with one of the web-based versions of SketchUp such as Sketchup Shop or SketchUp Free, layers work exactly the same way although the user interface has a different appearance. The layer association for the component doesn’t matter at all. With Layer 0 active at all times and all edges and faces left on Layer 0, when you need to go back into a component to make changes to it, you don’t have to worry about what layer the component is on. Here, in this scene showing the exploded view of the desk, you can see that the layers for the legs and rails of the stand are turned off and other layers are turned on.īack to the Layer 0 thing for a moment. This helps to reduce clutter and simplify the scene. For example, in this scene showing the exploded view of the stand, you’ll see that the visibility for most layers is turned off. I turn layers on or off as needed for the scene. Clicking on the 3/4 scene tab will turn all the layers back on showing the entire model again.Īfter that id done, I go through the process of creating the various scenes I need so I can show the details of the model. When I have a blank model window I know I’ve assigned layers to all of the components. After the layers are created, I untick the visibility boxes and then start going through the model selecting components and changing the layer association in Entity Info. Then I create the layers I’ll need for the parts. Once the model is basically finished, I create my first scene which is a 3/4 view of the model. I prefer to limit the number of layers I need to keep the model easier to manage as I go through the scenes. While I’m modeling, I’m thinking ahead to how I will want to display the parts in various scenes. My general workflow is to create the bulk of the model before I create any layers. Notice that Entity Info shows Layer 0 is the associated layer.
![sketchup free online sketchup free online](http://softsoldier.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Google-SketchUp-1.jpg)
In the next screen shot you can see that I’ve opened the component for editing and selected all of the edges and faces.
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It’s layer association is shown in Entity Info at the top right corner. I’ve selected the front rail on the stand for the desk. The majority of the layers are set up to associate with certain types of parts in the project. Here I’m using the model I created for plans for Michael Robbins’ Contemporary Desk as an example showing how I set up layers in a typical model. In SketchUp you don’t have to worry about that at all. In other programs you have to always be concerned about which layer you are working on and as you move the project, you are constantly chasing the layers to make sure you are on the right one. If you’re using a web-based version of SketchUp, the + is at the bottom left corner of the Layers panel.Īlthough this might be a challenge to wrap your head around at first, it’s actually a very easy workflow. To create a new layer, click on the + in the circle at the top left of the Layers panel. The edges and faces inside the component or group stay on Layer 0, though. After you select the geometry and create a component or group, you can assign a layer to the component or group. All edges and faces are created on Layer 0 and should remain on Layer 0. That means the radio button to the left of the layer name should always be at Layer 0. This is the layer that should be active at all times while you are modeling.
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In every SketchUp file you create there will always be the default layer which is called Layer 0. Think of them as light switches that illuminate something or turn it off.” SketchUp’s Help files say, “Layering in SketchUp is for display only.
![sketchup free online sketchup free online](https://3dmodelshare.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/1276.Kitchen-Diningroom-Scene-Sketchup-File-free-download-by-Jesus-Rico.jpg)
Instead, layers are used to control the visibility of entities. That’s done by making components or groups. In SketchUp, though, layers don’t provide separation between entities. In fact that’s where the term comes from. They are analogous to the sheets of film commonly used in drafting years ago. In most programs layers are used to separate things and provide some order to the way those things are shown. Here’s my attempt to clarify things a bit. New users often find layers in SketchUp to be a little confusing at first. While working with some new online students over the last several weeks, the discussion has turned to layers.