Rendering in SketchUp

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Part 3: Modeling Detail
Off or On as Needed
On/Off scenes provide efficiency when you’re working with vegetation. Because of the large 
potential number of plant layers you might need, using scenes will allow all of the vegetation 
to be turned off or on with a single click. 
Navigate around the model and generate specific camera view scenes. Pan around with Lay-
ers off. When you’re trying to find a specific view, turn on Layers, save the scene, and turn the 
layers off again. Use the Scene tabs to quickly hide and reveal layers. Ensure the Position Cam-
era property is checked prior to creating a saved camera scene. 
On
When you’re exporting an image from SketchUp or prior to rendering a scene, turn the desired 
layers on. Create specific camera scenes as mentioned previously to increase efficiency. 
the Selection toy ruby Script
The Selection Toy Ruby created by ThomThom is free and it’s indispensable. This Ruby Script 
allows components, groups, edges, and faces to be quickly selected and sorted. It not only speeds 
up the selection of geometry, it permits the quick placement of components onto layers.
The Selection Toy options useful for layer management are reviewed here. Explore the other 
options as well. You can find a link to the Ruby Script, located at 
www.SketchUcation.com
, on 
this book’s resources page (Fig. 14.28). 
Fig. 14.28: 
SketchUp will be much more difficult to use if this Ruby Script ever disappears. 

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239
Chapter 14: Organizing the Model
Selection Toys Menu
Although Selection Toys comes with its own menu button, you should use the right-click menu 
to select components and geometry. The right-click options are context-sensitive and change 
depending on the type of geometry selected. 
Component Quick Select 
Selecting and right-clicking a component reveals the Instances option toward the bottom of 
the menu. From instances, there are four selection options (Fig. 14.29). Clicking Select Active 
will instantly select all copies of that component (Fig. 14.30). 
Fig. 14.29: 
Select a single component in the model. Right-click over it and select 
Instances
F
Select Active.
Once a specific component and all its copies are selected, you can use Entity Info to quickly 
place the components onto the same layer (Fig. 14.31, Fig. 14.32). This technique is useful 
when components are placed on the wrong layer or need to be moved to a new layer. 
Other Options
The Selection Toy Ruby offers many more selection options, including the ability to quickly 
select edges and faces, select similar groups, and convert them into components. Explore the 
different option available and have fun using them. 

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