Copying What You've Already Drawn

In SketchUp, you tin can copy geometry by using

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

Use the Rotate tool when you want one or more copies to circle around a centre signal, sort of like engineers around a DIY quadcopter kit.

Table of Contents

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

Copying and pasting geometry

SketchUp's Copy and Paste commands work much like they do 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 you want to copy. See Selecting Geometry for tips on making selections.
  2. Choose Edit > Re-create from the carte du jour bar or use a keyboard shortcut (Ctrl+C for Windows, Command+C for macOS) to copy your selection.
  3. Select Edit > Paste from the carte bar or use a keyboard shortcut (Ctrl+5 for Windows, Control+V for macOS) changing the cursor to the Motion tool icon. Your copied geometry floats around as you motion the mouse. In the figure, you see a copy of the copied trapezoid-shaped face nigh to be placed on the cherry-red-dark-green plane.
  4. Click where you want to place the copied geometry.

Copying and multiplying geometry with the Motility tool

The Move tool can copy geometry - or make numerous copies - with only a few clicks and keystrokes. Using the Move tool to make a copy also allows for a more precise placement of a copy because y'all can specify an exact start bespeak for your copy operation.

Tip: When you copy with the Movement tool, you can specify an interval for each copy. This feature is particularly 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 post-obit steps:

  1. Using the Select tool () or the Lasso Select () tool, select the geometry you want to copy.
  2. Select the Movement tool () from the toolbar or press M. The cursor changes to a iv-mode arrow.
  3. To tell SketchUp that you lot want to duplicate the selected entities, tap the Ctrl (Microsoft Windows) or Option (macOS) central to toggle Copy functionality. A plus sign appears adjacent to the four-manner arrow cursor.
  4. Click the selected entities.
  5. A copy of your selection follows your cursor around in your model. In the effigy below we copied the argue panel and moved the copy to the left.
  6. Click where you lot want to identify your copy. To move your selection a precise distance type a length value, such equally 21' or 30m, and so press Enter. The copied geometry appears selected where yous clicked. The original geometry is no longer selected.

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

To Practise This Type This Example
Create multiple copies. A number and X, or * and a number Type 7x (or *7) to make 7 copies.
Divide the altitude between the re-create and the original. A divisor value Blazon v/ (or /5) to create four copies evenly spaced between the original and the showtime copy.

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

Stamp Copy allows you to make and place multiple copies of the selected geometry in your model with just a few mouse clicks. To actuate Stamp Copy, follow steps 1-three above then tap Ctrl (Microsoft Windows) or Option (macOS) again. A small, postage stamp-shaped icon appears next to the Motility cursor. Y'all tin now click anywhere in your model to create a new copy of your selected geometry. If you toggle out of Stamp Re-create mode you will need to start again from step 1 to re-create the aforementioned geometry again. Stamp is only bachelor earlier you click to starting time a Move tool operation.

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

Rotating copies around an axis

Whether you lot want to model Stonehenge or a backyard burn down pit, the Rotate tool simplifies the work of placing copies around a centre point.

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

To rotate copies around a centre betoken, follow these steps:

  1. With the Select tool () or the Lasso Select tool (), select the geometry you want to copy and rotate.
  2. Select the Rotate tool () on the toolbar or press Q.
  3. Click where yous want the rotation'due south center point to be, every bit shown where the Rotate cursor appears in the figure.
  4. Click the selection you lot want to copy and rotate. The following figure shows the inference lines that announced after clicking the rock.
  5. Tell SketchUp to brand copies by tapping the Ctrl key (Microsoft Windows) or the Option key (macOS) to toggle the Re-create functionality, this will persist until information technology's toggled off. A plus sign appears next to the Rotate cursor. (You can actually tell SketchUp to make copies anytime between Steps 3 and v.)
  6. Move the cursor to wherever you desire to place your rotated copy. As y'all move the cursor, an inference line shows the angle between your original geometry and the rotated copy, every bit shown in the effigy.
  7. Click to place your copied geometry.
  8. (Optional) Type a number and the x, *, or / modifier to create multiple copies around the center point. (See the earlier table for details about what each modifier does.) In the figure, typing 7/ created 7 copies of the rock.

Note: Nether the hood, when yous follow the preceding steps, SketchUp is creating a round assortment of objects.