What is Vertex Tools?
Vertex Tools is a plugin that adds a powerful vertex editor to SketchUp. With Vertex Tools, you can manipulate vertices individually or in groups, using soft selections, a manipulator gizmo, and the value control box (VCB). Vertex Tools also integrates with other plugins, such as SubD, QuadFace Tools, and SUbD Selection Toys, to enhance your modelling workflow. Vertex Tools is compatible with SketchUp Pro/Make 2017 and later versions.
Why Use Vertex Tools?
Vertex Tools can help you create and edit organic shapes, such as characters, animals, terrain, furniture, and more. Unlike the native SketchUp tools, which are mainly designed for creating geometric forms, Vertex Tools gives you more flexibility and control over the shape and topology of your meshes. You can also use Vertex Tools to fine-tune and optimize your models, by adjusting the vertex positions, smoothing the surfaces, and reducing the polygon count.
How to Use Vertex Tools?
To use Vertex Tools, you need to install it first. You can download the latest version of Vertex Tools from the official website or from the SketchUcation Plugin Store. After installing Vertex Tools, you will find a new toolbar and a new menu item under Extensions > ThomThom > Vertex Tools. You can also access the Vertex Tools settings and license information from the same menu.
To start editing vertices, you need to select a group or a component that contains a mesh. Then, you can activate the Vertex Tool by clicking on its icon in the toolbar or by pressing V on your keyboard. This will display the vertices of the selected mesh as small dots. You can then select one or more vertices by clicking on them or by dragging a selection box around them. You can also use the Shift key to add or remove vertices from your selection.
Once you have selected some vertices, you can use the manipulator gizmo to move, rotate, or scale them. The manipulator gizmo consists of three axes (red, green, and blue), three planes (yellow, cyan, and magenta), and a white sphere. You can click and drag on any of these elements to transform the selected vertices along that direction or plane. You can also use the arrow keys to nudge the vertices by a small amount.
You can also use the VCB to enter precise values for the transformation. For example, if you want to move the selected vertices by 10 units along the red axis, you can type 10 and press Enter. You can also use mathematical expressions in the VCB, such as 10/2 or 10*2. To switch between different modes of transformation (move, rotate, or scale), you can press Tab on your keyboard or click on the icons in the toolbar.
Another feature of Vertex Tools is soft selection, which allows you to affect nearby vertices with a gradual falloff. You can enable soft selection by pressing S on your keyboard or by clicking on the icon in the toolbar. You can then adjust the radius and strength of the soft selection by using the mouse wheel or by typing values in the VCB. Soft selection is useful for creating smooth transitions and organic shapes.
Conclusion
Vertex Tools is a plugin that adds a powerful vertex editor to SketchUp. It allows you to manipulate vertices individually or in groups, using soft selections, a manipulator gizmo, and the VCB. It also integrates with other plugins to enhance your modelling workflow. Vertex Tools is compatible with SketchUp Pro/Make 2017 and later versions. You can download it from the official website or from the SketchUcation Plugin Store. If you want to learn more about Vertex Tools, you can visit its website, where you will find a list of all features, a comprehensive manual, and some videos.
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