Stroke 7 - How to create components from photos (with video tutorial)

Having a good collection of generic components allows us to easily enhance a final presentation, the creation is very simple and the results are worth really.

In this case, people images components, transmit live and environment to increase the perception of reality and human scale.

This is the figure that will be created in this tutorial, here in a detail where gains prominence.

Start by choosing the image that easily adapts to the purpose, from your photos or, as here, from a provider of downloading images without copyright (this one is from Office clipart).

It is not necessary to have very definition, unless plans to use in large, therefore, you can reduce its size.

Now the SketchUp:

1 - Open a new file and create a square with the face front, no matter the size;

2 - Import the image as texture and enter the square;

3 - Draw the outline of the figure, does not require great precision, can use only straight lines or combine with arcs;

Note: It is important that all points are on the face [on face] in order to really create your outline. When finished the outline, if you cannot select the figure separately from the rest of the square, make sure that some of the points are not on the face and rectify.

4 - Delete all not applicable, if there are other areas to remove from the picture, repeat the process;

5 - Move the figure, from its base to the point of origin of coordinates;

6 - Measure the height of the figure and with the "Length" on, change the measure according to the actual (some 1.7 m) and validate the change of scale;

7 - Select the outline and make it invisible (Hide);

8 - Select everything, including what is invisible, and select "Make Component" (on the shortcut menu of or in the menu "Edit");

9 - Name the component, the description is optional, and check "Always face camera" so that the figure follow the movement;

10 - Press “Set gluing plane" to define the extent and level of bonding;

11 - Set a base point, about the vertical axis of the figure, to define the axis of rotation;

12 - Mark the point of defining the frontal plane (red axis);

13 - Press "Create" to create the component and... it's done!

14 - Now just put in the folder of SketchUp components, located in the program folder, so that it becomes available in the menu of program components.