Google SketchUp: The Missing Manual

Chapter 7. Organizing with Outliner and Layers

As models get more complicated, managing the different parts becomes a challenge. With complicated models, for example, you often want to hide one part of the model so you can work on another. As far as SketchUp is concerned, all edges and faces are equal. You may think of part of your model as a roof, a fence, or a wall, but to SketchUp, it’s just a few edges and faces. It’s up to you to decide how to organize those entities into something meaningful.

Your tool for the job is the Outliner. After you turn parts of your model into groups or components, the Outliner keeps track of them. You can define the relationships between parts of your model in a structured outline style, with one group nested inside of another. Using the Outliner, you can hide parts of your model and protect them from accidental changes. In this chapter, you build a set of entry stairs (like the one in Figure 7-1) and in the process learn how to use the Outliner to organize parts of your model.

Layers are another SketchUp feature that lets you organize parts of your model. Layers, covered on Working with Layers, are used to show and hide parts of your model, but you need to use them with care. You’ll find layer tips and warnings at the end of this chapter.

Note

You may find this chapter a little more challenging than some of the previous ones. To complete the staircase model in this chapter, you need to be able to adjust your view of the model (Changing Your Camera ...