I have come across so many newbies rummaging around to know how to copy and paste in Sketchup.
I understand your anxiety and stress caused by not being able to move a duplicate of an object or drawing in a 3D modeling program that is popular among designers.
However, you can put all your worries to rest since you are about to find out one of the easiest methods to copy and paste in Sketchup. Not just this, you should be able to do so in both Windows and macOS.
But, I would recommend that you give this method a try and do a lot of practice so that you get a hang of it. Before you get any further it is worth checking out the best mice for SketchUp that can make copy and paste a simple task with the help of programmable buttons.
How to Copy and Paste in SketchUp?
If you are a Windows user, press the CTRL key; while if you are a MAC user, press the Option key. With the help of this step, you tell the system that it has to copy the object instead of moving it.
When you generally move the object, your cursor appears alongside it. This indicates the system that it has to do something else, instead of moving it.
After pressing your suitable key, move the object – and ultimately you’ll be moving the copy! You can also CTRL + V (Windows users) in order to paste the object.
What If I Don’t Want to Copy?
In case you no more wish to copy the object, again press the CTRL key as a Windows user or press Option key as a MAC user. The indication sent to the system for copying the object will be reverted to the capability of moving only. Also, + sign with not be visible any longer.
How to Move Multiple Copies of an Object?
Well, this isn’t a difficult thing to do either. For example, if you wish to have 6 copies in a column – type 6/ and hit the Enter button on the keyboard. 6 copies of your desired object will appear in the column. I suggest you do it this way because the end results are pretty clean and neat.
The space between each copy will be equal by default. This is by default in the 3D modeling program that evenly distributes the space between each copy.
In case you want your desired space between each to be a different one than the one set by the program itself – it can be done too. Let me share a trick or way to make it possible.
How To Set Even Space or Intervals Between Each Copy?
In case if you wish to have your desired space or interval between each copy – type 6x.
Once you type 6x, hit the enter button. The copies will be equally distributed in a column with your specified intervals.
I find this method of distributing objects with desired space between them, a really easy and cool method.
When Do Copy and Paste Comes in Use?
Copying and then multiplying is beneficial if you are drawing patterns or things that have a repetitive pattern in them. For example, if you are drawing a house in Sketchup. You wish to add details by drawing a fence.
Are you going to draw a fence individually?
This will consume a whole lot of your time and sadly you won’t be able to meet your deadline. What you need to understand is that you should be working smart rather than working hard!
Copying multiple copies and pasting them is a team-smart method. Neither does it require too much creativity nor is it a whole day process.
…But I have Something More Interesting For You!
This was about simply copying and pasting from one place to another? How about rotatable copy and pasting?
Didn’t get the point?
Let me clarify…
At times, you have to copy and paste objects in a particular manner or a path so it forms a neat and clean shape. For example, a swimming pool surrounded by beautiful flower pots – getting the point, right?
Here, you’ll draw one pot, and the rest you’ll be copying.
The question arises – how will pots be placed on a specific path or axis?
In such cases, you have to activate the rotate tool and then utilize the copy-paste option.
How that does happen? Let’s see!
How To Rotate Copies Around A Particular Path or Axis?
Since I have already taken an example for the flower pot and swimming pool – let’s continue that.
Pick the Select tool,
Select the object you wish to rotate copies of,
Now pick the rotate tool. You can do this by pressing Q on your keyboard,
Specify the rotation’s center point. Most probably, you will be choosing the midpoint of the object. If you wish to have some other point, you are free to choose that,
Now click on the object you wish to copy and rotate. Interference lines will appear to give you better guidance,
Toggle Sketchup and tell them that you wish to copy and rotate your selection. Now, if you are working on Windows, all you have to do is just press the CTRL button. On the other hand, if you are on MAC, you need to press the Option key (same as mentioned above).
Now you can move your object and paste the rotated copy. You paste the copy by clicking the object.
You can also create multiple by rotated copes in a simple way.
How to Create Rotated Copies?
Well, that’s not even difficult at all. All you have to do is type the number of copies and write “/”.
Press enter and you will have rotated copies all around!
Conclusion:
I really enjoy working on Sketchup for its diversified features! This is the only reason I recommend all “to-be 3D model designers” to get their hands to practice Sketchup. If you follow the steps above, you should be able to copy and paste in SketchUp without any problem. Furthermore, you can also check how to make a sphere in SketchUp or how to scale in SketchUp so that you can be much more efficient as a designer.
Hamza Khan, founder of RoadMice.com is a technocrat with years of experience in dealing with computer gadgetry and peripherals. He loves reviewing various computer accessories to give a clear objective to his readers. When he is not busy reviewing his site, he can be seen spending time with his family and friends.