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Transform your sketchup experience: eliminate tape measure lines for clarity

Rob is a seasoned home improvement writer with over 15 years of experience researching and recommending products for the home. Prior to starting Nurturing Homeaid, he wrote extensively for This Old House magazine and has been featured as a home expert on several TV and radio programs. An avid DIY-er,...

What To Know

  • By following the methods outlined above, you can effectively remove tape measure lines from your SketchUp model, creating a cleaner and more organized workspace.
  • Yes, you can use the “Cleanup³” plugin or the Python script provided in this guide to remove all tape measure lines in your model simultaneously.
  • You can disable the automatic generation of tape measure lines by unchecking the “Create Tape Measure Lines” option in the “Preferences” dialog box under the “Modeling” tab.

Tape measure lines, while useful for measuring and scaling, can clutter your SketchUp workspace and distract from the design process. This guide will delve into various methods to effectively remove these lines, ensuring a clean and organized modeling environment.

Method 1: Using the “Tape Measure Tool”

1. Select the “Tape Measure Tool” from the toolbar.
2. Click on the start point of the tape measure line you want to remove.
3. Hover over the end point of the line and click again.
4. Right-click and select “Delete” from the context menu.

Method 2: Using the “Select Tool”

1. Select the “Select Tool” from the toolbar.
2. Click on the tape measure line you want to remove.
3. Press the “Delete” key on your keyboard.

Method 3: Using the “Edit” Menu

1. Go to the “Edit” menu at the top of the SketchUp window.
2. Select “Delete” > “Edges”.
3. Select the tape measure line you want to remove.
4. Press “Enter” or click “Delete”.

Method 4: Using the “Outliner” Panel

1. Open the “Outliner” panel by clicking on the “Window” menu and selecting “Outliner”.
2. Expand the “Edges” folder.
3. Select the tape measure line you want to remove.
4. Right-click and select “Delete”.

Method 5: Using Ruby Console Commands

1. Open the Ruby Console by pressing “Ctrl” + “3” (Windows) or “Cmd” + “3” (Mac).
2. Type the following command: `Sketchup.active_model.entities.erase_entities(selection)`
3. Press “Enter”.

Method 6: Using a Plugin

There are several plugins available for SketchUp that can help you remove tape measure lines. One popular plugin is “Cleanup³”.

1. Install the “Cleanup³” plugin.
2. Open the “Cleanup³” panel by clicking on the “Plugins” menu and selecting “Cleanup³”.
3. Select “Edges” from the “Cleanup” menu.
4. Click on the “Tape Measure Lines” checkbox.
5. Click on the “Cleanup” button.

Method 7: Using a Python Script

1. Open a text editor and create a new file.
2. Copy and paste the following code into the file:

“`python
import sketchup

model = sketchup.active_model()
entities = model.active_entities()

for entity in entities:
if entity.typename == “Edge” and entity.layer == “Tape Measure“:
entities.erase_entity(entity)
“`

3. Save the file with a “.rb” extension (e.g., “remove_tape_measure_lines.rb”).
4. Open SketchUp and go to the “File” menu.
5. Select “Import” > “Ruby Script“.
6. Browse to the Python script you saved and click “Open”.

Wrapping Up: A Tape Measure-Free SketchUp Experience

By following the methods outlined above, you can effectively remove tape measure lines from your SketchUp model, creating a cleaner and more organized workspace. Whether you prefer using the built-in tools, plugins, or scripts, there is a solution to suit your needs. Embrace a tape measure-free SketchUp experience and elevate your modeling workflow.

Questions We Hear a Lot

Q: Why are tape measure lines appearing in my SketchUp model?
A: Tape measure lines are automatically generated when you use the “Tape Measure Tool” to measure distances or create guidelines.

Q: Can I remove all tape measure lines at once?
A: Yes, you can use the “Cleanup³” plugin or the Python script provided in this guide to remove all tape measure lines in your model simultaneously.

Q: How can I prevent tape measure lines from appearing in the future?
A: You can disable the automatic generation of tape measure lines by unchecking the “Create Tape Measure Lines” option in the “Preferences” dialog box under the “Modeling” tab.

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Rob Sanders

Rob is a seasoned home improvement writer with over 15 years of experience researching and recommending products for the home. Prior to starting Nurturing Homeaid, he wrote extensively for This Old House magazine and has been featured as a home expert on several TV and radio programs. An avid DIY-er, Rob takes pride in testing out the latest tools and gadgets to see how they can make home projects easier. When it comes to heating systems, he's evaluated over 50 different furnace and boiler models over the years. Rob founded Nurturing Homeaid with his business partner Jim in 2020 to provide homeowners with genuine product recommendations they can trust. In his free time, Rob enjoys remodeling old homes with his family and traveling to visit architectural landmarks across the country. He holds a bachelor's degree in Journalism from Syracuse University.
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