Architectural_Design_with_SketchUp

Chapter 4 Using Plugins Effectively
For this example, we instead use one of the new Solid Tools
that were released with SketchUp 8. While most of them are
reserved for the Pro version of SketchUp, fortunately for us, the
Outer Shell tool is included in the free version, too. You can
find it under the Tools menu (or on the Solid Tools toolbar).
9. We can use the Outer Shell tool only on “solid” (or “watertight”
objects without holes). Because we created separate groups
for each tube, we actually have a model that consists only of
those. Select the entire truss (select the groups that make up
the members) and ask SketchUp to perform the Outer Shell tool
on it. Intersections will then resemble the image shown here.
As you can see, intersections are now cleanly mitered and all
internal geometry has been removed. The steel tube truss is finished!
Now let’s try this with a wood truss. Obviously, we won’t be
able to use circular cross sections this time; therefore, we’ll use the
Extrude Edges by Face tool from the Extrusion Tools plugin.
1. Start with the centerlines as before (you can move away the
truss we just created; the centerlines will still be in their original
position). Add a rectangle near them on the ground plane (the
x-y plane). This rectangle must have the cross-sectional dimensions
of the wood members we want to use.
2. Select the rectangle and all of the lines that make up the truss.
Then click on Extrude Edges by Face on the Extrusion Tools
toolbar.
3. In the dialog that follows, say Yes to “Process extrusion in pieces.” As you can see in
the accompanying image, the truss has again been created as a collection of individual
members (as groups).
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