How to Build a Sphere in Sketchup

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Learn to create basic 3D geometry with computer software
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This wikiHow teaches you how to create a 3-dimensional sphere using SketchUp on any computer. If you don’t have the Pro version of SketchUp on your computer, you can use the free web version at https://app.sketchup.com .

Steps

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  1. If you are using the desktop version, you'll find it in the Start menu (Windows) or in the Applications folder (macOS). If you're using the free web version, navigate to https://app.sketchup.com and sign in if prompted.
  2. The cursor will change to a pencil with a circle to show that you've activated the Circle tool. [1]
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  3. This goes into the bottom-right part of the screen in the "Sides" field. The more sides you enter, the smoother the circle will be— 100 is a good place to start.
  4. To draw, click once at the desired center, move the mouse away from the center until the circle is the desired size, and then click the mouse button.
  5. Once your mouse is over the center point, the word "Center" will appear near the cursor. Stop moving the mouse once you see this.
  6. This locks the center point to the green axis and makes a green arc appear. [2]
    • The arrow key you use specifies the axis on which the next circle should be drawn. If you use the right-arrow, it'll be on the red axis, while the up-arrow is the blue axis.
  7. This sets the center of the next circle.
  8. Make sure you don't click until you see the word "Edge" above the cursor. This creates a second circle that's perpendicular to the first.
  9. This changes the cursor to an arrow.
  10. The face of the circle will disappear, but the path still remains in its place.
  11. This is the black line where the circle's face used to be. It will turn blue when selected.
  12. This switches to the Follow Me tool. The selected path will turn black again, but don't worry—it's still selected.
  13. This creates a sphere from your two circles.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Why can't I just have a Sphere button?
    Community Answer
    You can, you just have to download a plugin for it. I use the V-Ray plugin to create a sphere.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://designerhacks.com/how-to-create-a-sphere-in-sketchup/
      2. ↑ http://www.thesketchupessentials.com/sphere-torus-dome-and-other-shapes-modeling-10-kinds-of-primitive-shapes-in-sketchup/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Press C to open the Circle tool.
      2. Enter "100" as the number of sides.
      3. Draw a circle.
      4. Hover the cursor over the center and press the left arrow.
      5. Click the center of the circle.
      6. Click the edge of the first circle to draw the second circle. 7. Switch to the Select tool.
      8. Click the first circle and press Delete .
      9. Click the path of the first circle.
      10. Open the Follow Me too.
      11. Click the second circle to create a sphere.

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