Rendering in SketchUp

176
Part 3: Modeling Detail
S
everal tools and concepts are especially important to help you achieve the model detail you 
want. Use the following information as a reference when you’re working through the rest 
of Part 3, which explores when and how you should use these tools.
The Component Library
Build a library! A Component Library is an essential tool for working correctly and quickly 
with SketchUp (Fig. 12.1). Chapter 13 reviews websites and lists specific components you 
can download. The goal is to download 
components into a central organized folder 
on your computer. A Component Library is 
separate from, but just as important as, a 
Texture Library.
Place the Component Library on your 
computer hard drive. Organize the folder 
into model types and categories. Call the 
root folder “Component Library,” and as 
you collect and download components, save 
them into an appropriate subfolder cat-
egory such as Sofas, Desks, Carpets, Kitch-
ens, Lamps, Trees, Shrubs, Windows, etc. 
(Fig. 12.2, Fig. 12.3).
Fig. 12.1: 
Component Library folders on the PC
The Detailing Tools 
ChapTer
12

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177
Chapter 12: The Detailing Tools 
Fig. 12.3: 
The Living Room subfolder and its components
Fig. 12.2: 
A Component 
Library org chart

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178
Part 3: Modeling Detail
The Component Browser 
The component browser allows you to easily access and insert components into your model, 
which will quickly add detail to it. The component browser can be linked to the Component 
Library. To access the component browser, go to Window 
F
Components (Fig. 12.3).
Fig. 12.4: 
The SketchUp component browser
Linking to the Component Library Folder
To create a link to your Component Library, select the Details button (Fig. 12.5). Select 
Open or Create a Local Collection. A file browser will open. Navigate to and select the folder 
containing your components. The components in the folder will appear in the component 
browser. You can insert these components into your model. 
Using Favorites 
Return to the Details button and select Add to Favorites. This will create a Favorites link under 
the Navigation button. Click on Navigation (the small down arrow). The favorites will appear 
between Transportation at the top and Recent at the bottom (Fig. 12.6). You can add as many 
favorites as you want.

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