Rendering in SketchUp

106
Part 2: Textures
Fig. 8.38: 
The aerial image is fixed, correctly displaying on the surface.
Texture and Surface Orientation
The texture to be placed onto the irregular surface must first be applied to a flat surface. This 
flat surface must then be parallel to the irregular surface. For example, if you want to place a 
texture or an aerial image (which is a giant texture) onto a terrain model, the aerial must first 
be applied to a flat horizontal surface. 
Another example would be vertical curtains. The texture must be applied to a surface that is 
both vertical and in-line with the curtain, making it parallel (Fig. 8.39).
Fig. 8.39: 
The curtain model on the far left will have the texture to its right applied to its surface. The applied tex-
ture must be parallel (both vertically and horizontally) to the applied image. The right side of the image shows the 
texture correctly applied to the curtain model. 

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107
Chapter 8: The SketchUp Texture Tools
Here is the process broken down into easy-to-follow steps:
1. 
Apply the desired texture to a flat surface.
2. 
Orient the surface parallel to the irregular surface.
3. 
Select the flat face with the applied texture, right-click, select Texture, and then 
Projected.
4. 
Select all the edges and faces of the irregular surface. If it’s a group or component, enter 
the group/component instance. Triple-click to select all the edges and faces. Make sure 
that faces you do not want to be painted are not selected.
5. 
Use the Paint Bucket Eye Dropper and select the flat surface with the projected texture.
6. 
The Paint Bucket applicator will become active. Apply the material to the selected irreg-
ular surface. The material will be applied correctly to the irregular surface.