How to build a sphere in SketchUp in 6 seconds - Skill Builder

As a SketchUp user, you should be able to draw a sphere from scratch in just a couple of seconds. In this Skill Builder, we show you how to use the Circle command plus Follow Me to do just this! Try speeding up your sphere creation today!

[@roncooper6302]

I have used Sketchup for years and have learnt something new. ‘You are never too old to learn’ and I still enjoy learning. Thank you.

[@ninghir]

SketchUp user for years, this is the first time I've made a sphere. Thank you

[@AaronMakingStuff]

ninghir Glad I could help!!

[@mushrifbaig200]

I tried a lot to make a Sphere a lot of time but failed 😭

[@superarrowcollarman]

So much faster than, in my case, hunting in my files for a saved sphere. Awesome, thanks!

[@wordup897]

I agree, but you might also try a folder structure that works for you. eg. /sketchup/templates. in the template folder are a few files named for the objects within: windows and doors, fixtures, furnishings, plants, people.

[@superarrowcollarman]

Thanks for that.

[@wordup897]

@@superarrowcollarman Sure thing. The hardest thing seems to be when I design a new 'thing' within a model, say a chair in a house, to remember to copy the chair to the 'furniture' file so I don't have to hunt for it later. But it's the best system I've got for now and works pretty well.

[@seaskimmer]

How to build a sphere in 6 seconds, *checks video length- 8 minutes 19 seconds !!!!

[@richardcrosoe]

Totally agree with you....

[@Greek2Me64]

Seriously? He shows how to do it, explains why it works, shows why another way really is neither efficient nor as "spherical"... Sorry, gotta disagree with your "nit picking", it was 8 minutes WELL spent!

[@seaskimmer]

@@Greek2Me64 sigh, some people just don't get good humoured ribbing. Your one of them. I salute your gallantry at defending dear eran.

[@swallowedinthesea11]

@@seaskimmer Karen. You should bend the knee because he teaches well and for free.

[@seaskimmer]

@@swallowedinthesea11 I might if he were black, nah I don't go in for that racist shit.

[@petenicholson7111]

Thanks man!! I always did the same sized circles and got the line. Now I won’t have that anymore with the two different sizes. Great tip.👍🏼

[@mlt3105]

The thing I liked about this channel is it uses only the inbuilt tools to create things.👍🏼

[@kentolsen2712]

I think he actually does it in 5. Good to know. I'll be using this. Thank you!

[@bobd.]

Older Skill Builder I know, but I just came across it. I found that reducing the number of segments to a low number lets you create other solid shapes just as easily as the sphere. For the second circle change the number of segments to 6 or 8 and see what you get. Don't like the result, just hit Ctrl-Z once, select the circle again, and change the number of segments to something else. The number of segments in the first circle controls how smooth the surface of your solid shape is.

[@IBPROPN15]

Always helpful to watch your video during my lunch at work.

[@foddermott9532]

In the early days I burned a lotta time trying to use spheres. Don't remember how I was winging it back then but my spheres seemed to always have a hole at the poles. Thanks for clearing up the mystery for me!

[@aidagolob1399]

your explanation is so good and easy to understand

[@ChrisLim-if4rk]

@2:28 how to rotate the drawing circle vertical? I keep tapping the left button. It's not working. Does it work in free version?

[@ccraft7374]

Before clicking the left button, use arrow keys to align the circle. When you've selected the circle tool, go to the center, it'll show a small circle with the color of the direction it will be made on, press the left arrow key on your keyboard to align it to green axis then use left click to continue.

[@omarroa5720]

@@ccraft7374 what is the left button?

[@wordup897]

@@omarroa5720 left arrow. right arrow will lock on red axis, up arrow on blue axis. This doesn't work for me when drawing circles though.

[@nilfae]

Good day! Thanks for the speed sphere compartilation!

[@kpeel1357]

Thanks for all you do,, that was less than 6 seconds.. !.. What about things like a fin for a surfboard?

[@ranaksaxena3300]

Thanks, I w anted to do this for so long, saw other videos but did not quite understand what to do. Saw this and made it instantly.

[@artistjosephtubb]

Here is a question - With the wide popularity SkeychUp has in the Architecture industry why isnt there a true X-ref function natively built-in?

[@dylancunningham1182]

Thanks helped alot. Maybe show a way to do it with a hotkey button sort of like the way you can do with the rectangel tool

[@badzolaroo]

Hi, when I use the arrow keys to switch to the axis it doesn't work! It says something about being constrained to a line? Can you help me eek? Just downloaded trial of sketchup 2020

[@olanrewajuoyenuga8543]

I am having trouble with how to snap to the green axis with sketchup 2022. can sm1 help

[@SketchUp]

The LEFT arrow key locks to the GREEN axis.

[@texagonia6163]

When I click on the outer ring of the larger circle, then click follow me, then click on the smaller circle, the smaller circle disappears.

[@Dieg0Restrep0]

The same is happening to me.

[@malosupremo]

no way, this is amazing!

[@geotrick]

What would cause the top and bottom of the sphere to be missing? There are opens off 6.19mm on top and bottom. Otherwise it looks perfect. I am using Make if it makes a different.

[@arturssurajevs843]

same for me

[@FLAkEfuture]

Had the same because circles had too many edges. Reduced the number of edges (type the number before you start the first click for the circle)

[@IndustrialPlasticsNanaimo]

Thanks Aaron, well done. Keep'em comin'...

[@dave5309]

That was awesome thanks!! How can you orbit when you have another tool selected though??? Do you have a video where you explain that?

[@SketchUp]

Aaron uses a 3D mouse in some of his videos. Check out 3DConnexion for more information.

[@Jimmywatches]

To orbit while using another tool: I use a cheap mouse - when I press down on the scroll wheel, it works as a middle button. Should be the same with most mouses/mice. I press and HOLD this to orbit. If I press the shift key at same time, I can pan. I also never use left-click and the plain zoom tool - I use the scroll wheel. (Make 2017)

[@ZamorArt]

Thanks Aaron. I would like to know which touch you use to change de direction of the tool rotate.Thank you.

[@tyrelschalamon8121]

You want to use inference locking: help.sketchup.com/en/sketchup/introducing-drawing-basics-and-concepts#find-lock Using the arrow keys on your keyboard to lock the plane or reference direction when modeling!

[@ZamorArt]

thanks a lot@@tyrelschalamon8121

[@paulmerki6435]

Hi. Strange behaviour of my Sketchup2022Pro: When I select the smaller circle with the follow me tool, that circle disappears instead of creating the sphere. Do you know why?

[@terrywheelock9458]

DAMN! I needed that! TANKU! 😜😆😁👀🤣👍

[@hollystewart8528]

This does not seem to work in SketchUp 2022 (on a Mac). The FollowMe step creates another circle instead of a sphere.

[@SketchUp]

This works in any version of SketchUp. You are likely either drawing too small, or have too many edges in your circles. Try following along with the same number of edges in your circle, and at about the same size as shown.

[@kip4612]

I am starting to get so frustrated with this. There has got to be a huge difference between Sketch up pro and the web version, I am using SKU shop. The issues I am having are. No center point shows up in the circle to start the vertical circle to. Unless I use shortcut keys the flat circle doesn't stay selected. when i get the vertical circle drawn on the green axis and then follow me from the edge to the vertical I end up with two flat circles kinda like a cross. I did try making both circles bigger and turning the flat circle into a group first. Im sure its a newbie issue.

[@edgespace3777]

FANTASTIC!

[@Aziz108]

Now I appreciate CopperCube even more)) Thanks! Why not make a factory primitives palette? Basic geometries are the building blocks so I think they should be pre-programmed within any 3D app. Regards

[@SketchUp]

SketchUp was designed so that you can just start modeling what you want straight away, versus inserting a primitive and transforming or otherwise modifying it to achieve your desired result. It's a mindset shift, for sure. We think once you're used to it, you'll enjoy the creative flexibility 🙂

[@noobtube7344]

6:55 6 minutes and 55 seconds above my attention span

[@ahsmuzikero]

that was great... thank you for such lesson...

[@SARANO-OK]

what is short key to choose Axe to draw for example 1st circle draw on Blue 2nd draw on Green when i try to draw it still draw on the same axe

[@SARANO-OK]

when i make ti got a hole in the sphere

[@SketchUp]

Draw at a larger scale. Missing geometry at the end means you are trying to draw geometry that is too small.

[@Materiaform]

Muchas gracias por el video, me ha ayudado mucho. Explicas muy bien!!!

[@summerlove7411]

Very informative, thank you!

[@BobBorden-m3y]

I have tried all kinds of combinations using different numbers of segments for each circle and every time I get holes in the top and bottom of the spheres! How can I fix that.

[@SketchUp]

Try using larger circles! If that doesn't work, the forum is your best bet to troubleshoot: forums.sketchup.com

[@dildaarraja]

Please make videos on dynamic components.

[@kyleaubu]

I'm brand new to sketchup and just tried this. Unfortunately it's not working. I followed these steps exactly and when I click follow me or tells me something about the path not being correct and then the second circle just disappears. Any idea what's going on here?

[@SketchUp]

Try drawing at a larger scale...

[@Tax2Me]

is there a shortcut to change axys (did I spell that right?). Changing from Blue, to Red, to Green is my major headache. Once I control that, I can venture faster into any shape building. A tutorial on that would be soooooo amazing!

[@ccraft7374]

Arrow keys! (and "Axis"-singular, "axes"-plural)

[@bonbonpony]

@@ccraft7374 Doesn't work for me. It selects only one of the two horizontal axes, but never the vertical one :/

[@luisfol]

Great! But how could one unfold a sphere or a cylinder into a two-dimensional plan? I mean, for instance, to build a paper model.

[@bjbeatty9451]

Thank Aaron always helpful

[@KowboyUSA]

I can't find my "green keyboard key." All my keys are white, except for the "FN" key, which is grey.

[@babakht]

Buy a decent keyboard

[@kettle2761]

@Lilia Chavez Thank you! I was wondering how to change the axis.

[@David_Mash]

Do we still have the follow me tool?

[@fernandohaehnel5290]

Excelent tutorial!

[@45_sakshigurav54]

thankyou so much ....it helped a lot

[@christimoseley5873]

Thanks Aaron! I'm catching up on all the things I missed in the past and this is something I've been yearning to know how to do! Yay! Thanks for making this all so much fun.

[@jorgebelo6958]

Hi all, I'm using Make 2017, I follow the video to the letter and I get the message: WARNING! The path that you have chosen does not begin or end on the Extrusion cross section. Unexpected results may occur and the second circle has disappeared. What am I doing wrong?

[@jievictoria2896]

when i select my sphere, it wont show that grabbing point. how do you do that "show hidden" for the grids to appear?

[@bowl1820]

Go to the view menu and select hidden geometry.

[@MarkMark-t1h]

good to learned that today

[@ThaddGEARZ]

What version is this?

[@TiffanyNg100]

my sphere is not solid so i can't use the substract tool. please help! thanks

[@SketchUp]

Without seeing your model, the best we can do is guess, but the most common issue is the sphere is too small, or you did not make it a group. Post to the forum (forums.sketchup.com) with a copy of your model for more specific assistance!

[@chakngoonng5735]

I know many have said "thank you" but I like to add mine too.

[@atiyep8816]

How can I select the green axis?

[@ccraft7374]

Left Arrow key

[@68HC060]

@@ccraft7374 Seems this does not work in older versions of SketchUp (I'm able to run SketchUp 8 and earlier, but not 2013). -So my work-around is usually to draw a 3D-box, grouping it and drawing on the surfaces of the box.

[@Dieg0Restrep0]

For some reason this simple instruction is not working for me. I select the first circumference, then Follow Me, select the second circle, and the second circle disappears. What am I doing wrong?

[@Dieg0Restrep0]

Maybe this could help anyone having the same issue: I have realized that a high number of segments in the circumferences is the problem. Try reducing that number, even if the final sphere is not as smooth as desired.

[@Xanthilis]

How about addressing the issue with drawing small spheres that results in a hole in the bottom of the sphere or along the side. With small spheres you are limited by the amount of sides. The only way I have found to resolve this is to create a sphere quite larger then you need to and then scale it down.

[@hermancollins5208]

I had this problem, too. Did you find a way to draw a sphere without the holes at the poles?

[@68HC060]

@@hermancollins5208 I had this problem too, but I noticed that when I draw larger spheres, they are without holes, so I figured that I could just scale them down. In the beginning, I drew them 10 times or 100 times larger than necessary, then scaled by 0.1 once or twice, but there's a better way... 1: Make the two circles, type 100mm as radius for one, 200mm for the other. 2: click the larger circle's path, then select follow me, click the smaller circle's surface. 3: You now have one sphere with a diameter of 200mm, tripple-click the surface of the sphere. 4: Click the Scale tool, grab the center/center resizer, then move the mouse, hold down both option and shift on the Mac - that would probably be control and shift on Windows; finally let go of the mouse button. Before you do anything else, type 20mm followed by Return. Option (on Mac) makes the resizing occur over the center of the object. Shift makes the resizing proportional (eg. all 3 directions are scaled). Following the above 4 steps, you should end up with a sphere which is 20mm in diameter and it should be without holes. I usually use 96 segments instead of 100 segments (because 96 is divisible by 3). Note: I found that a sphere made with radius 67.9mm does not produce holes, but one with 67.7mm does; I forgot what the exact limit is, but if you draw a sphere with a radius of 68mm or more, then scaling shouldn't be necessary.

[@vaneavanea9318]

Very very useful!!!

[@toscarriergeometra4603]

Thanks but and the segments? that sphere needs to be smoothed out

[@badrinaeyza7304]

the thing is, why does my follow up button does not working in just 1 hit?

[@orbsphere-]

In the 2nd example when using 2 circles of same diam. rather than going to all the trouble to remove the remnant ring just right click on the ring and soften.

[@kathlenewang539]

So helpful.

[@chandanroy2177]

Super explanations ..........

[@madwani]

Probably we all agree drawing a sphere in SU is an easy thing but is it the more efficient way?! Also, what about other basic solid shapes like ellipse for example? SU's developers, please remember that SU is a 3D drawing software & if you want us to draw 3D shapes by tips and tricks then you should know that there is a way to build a cube using rectangle tool as well.

[@AaronMakingStuff]

madwani As I mentioned, there are a small handful of extensions (free ones) that do this in a click. Also, this is pretty easy to set up as a component that you can drag and drop into your model. The real point here is the skills you develop if you learn this process.

[@madwani]

@@AaronMakingStuff I absolutely agree.

[@jennylame4260]

I notice some mention in the comments by others about trouble creating the sphere model. I had trouble also so I switched to the red plane and had no problem at all. The green plane was bad the red plane was good. Maybe try red if you are having problems. Just Saying !

[@douglasharley2440]

skillz!...thanks

[@RudmerCR]

Dont know what i am doing wrong but the face just dissappears and no sphere is created

[@SketchUp]

Try drawing the whole thing bigger... you are likely asking SU to draw face s that are too small.

[@mrbiggassful]

👏👏👏 thank you

[@briancampbell1413]

That was cool :)

[@markhayes789]

I've tried a few different methods, but I keep getting the same result. I get a sphere with a good at the top and the bottom. Like a hollow bead. Anyone know what my issue is?

[@SketchUp]

Try doing the same steps, but bigger.

[@markhayes789]

@@SketchUp thanks. That's weird, but it worked.

[@lipadier]

Awesome!

[@henderson1722]

how do you snap to the green axis?

[@bowl1820]

You use the arrow keys on your keyboard. Up is blue, right is red and left is green.

[@poklau1743]

@@bowl1820 thanks you

[@familytelly6438]

Whats the LEFT GREEN KEY?????

[@SketchUp]

The left arrow key (snap to the green axis)

[@PMWorkshop]

Thankyou well explained

[@alortiz01]

Why they didn't create a sphere button?

[@dominic.h.3363]

Doesn't work. I click on the inside circle's surface and it just disappears. Edit: Upon further experimentation I found out that this feature is utterly broken when you work on a millimeter scale. Sketchup seems to be entirely unable to generate small segments.

[@SketchUp]

SketchUp was designed and built around the idea of working with architectural units. It has a hard time generating sub millimeter unit geometry. You can, however generate geometry at a larger scale, then shrink it. Try modeling with meters, then scale by .001.

[@dominic.h.3363]

@@SketchUp Well, it does have a "Woodworking millimeters" template, so one would expect that it would not have problems at the millimeter scale.

[@alexandreborges9039]

Great!!!

[@faridi-bin-Zouq]

Another way........... First draw circle of desired size of sphere on RED. Then a half circle on center. Reveres the process... I mean select inner circle first then click follow me tool and then click outer big circle which is equal to required sphere size.... and bingooo. You will get sphere on in right middle and center of red facing you.....

[@lionelestriga4272]

4:58 Learn mode | 6:51 Fast mode

[@AaronMakingStuff]

Lionel Estriga 😃

[@yamaska240]

I followed your steps and always end with unclosed sphere...

[@SketchUp]

Do everything you are doing, but at a larger scale.

[@marie-joseegiguere8967]

Being French I did not get when you explained how to block the axis to draw a smalll circle in the big one

[@tyrelschalamon8121]

You want to use inference locking: help.sketchup.com/en/sketchup/introducing-drawing-basics-and-concepts#find-lock Using the arrow keys on your keyboard to lock the plane or reference direction when modeling!

[@alainsavard4400]

Pour fixer selon l'axe vert, cliquer sur la flèche gauche du clavier. Pour l'axe rouge, flèche droite et pour l'axe bleu flèche haut

[@marie-joseegiguere8967]

@@tyrelschalamon8121 Unable to draw the circle as it's done on this vidéo

[@tyrelschalamon8121]

@@marie-joseegiguere8967 if you use the arrow keys, SketchUp should lock into a different drawing plane, the cursor color should indicate the plane. Do you see a different color when you press the arrow keys? (make sure the circle tool is selected first)

[@SupremeSkeptic]

The top and bottom of my sphere is always not formed. I've already followed your instructions... I think

[@SketchUp]

Try modeling the whole thing bigger. You are most likely modeling with edges that are too small to generate geometry.

[@SupremeSkeptic]

@@SketchUp i see. Thank you!

[@mephisto_d]

What tf is the green keyboard key :D

[@batchrocketproject4720]

Apparently the arrow keys can lock to a particular plane (it's never worked for me)

[@gusbert]

Aaron, is there an easy way to simplify all that unnecessary geometry at the poles?

[@AaronMakingStuff]

Lawrence Cuthbert You could erase the segments at the “poles” of the sphere and replace them with a single face. It would create a small flat spot on your sphere, but it may not be big enough to cause any concern...

[@boxbiru]

i don't know why but my sphere always end up with hole in bottom and top 😵‍💫

[@boxbiru]

note: it only happen when i make 10mm sphere

[@boxbiru]

ball bearing

[@SketchUp]

Try modeling a 100mm sphere, then scale it to 0.1

[@boxbiru]

@@SketchUp aaaha nice idea I will try. really appreciate. thanks

[@JohnathonWindsor]

Using Sketchup Pro 2023...my circle just disappears...no sphere *edit - My circles were too small, that's why it disappeared. Went larger, worked and then scaled back down. Awesome!!

[@sutatsinohydro-itd.jv.6876]

l like you.nice guy.

[@felipeantoniopena]

like sempre

[@laisumwong5349]

no, one of the circle just disappear

[@faridi-bin-Zouq]

call the police... ....

[@БУБЛЬГУМ-я9р]

HOW TO BUILD 3mm SPHERE

[@faridi-bin-Zouq]

First select measurements in mm , then at the time of drawing circle write 3 which will result you in 3 mm circle

[@68HC060]

Draw with a radius of 100mm, then scale it down, this solves a lot of problems, including avoiding holes. Note: See my step-by-step reply to Dennis Reinarz below.

[@liteglow2000]

No idea what you do, or maybe this is to old. I follow but I got no sphere. When I click I got nothing. I guess this dont work anymore. Sketchup is a utterly useless design program anyway

[@SketchUp]

You are likely modelling too small. Sphere creation is the same as ever. Try drawing a little bit bigger!

[@sore4163]

'LEFT KEY ON THE KEYBOARD' wow, so helpful

[@SketchUp]

Yes... the left arrow key. It's on your keyboard.

[@BenAha]

promises 6 seconds yaps for 6 minutes. its at 2:09

[@Jimmywatches]

Suppose it takes a brain surgeon 4 hours to perform an operation. Would you be comfortable if he'd only had 4 hours of training? A negative example: it takes a sniper 1 second to shoot someone, but takes weeks to learn. I liked the video anyway.

[@jalalal-deen8862]

🫵🫵👍👍

[@Toranskis]

Sorry this was kind of confusing, especially for 2022

[@docwho1912]

You keep making a second circle perpendicular to the first and state at one point, "I'm going to tap the green...the left key on the keyboard to snap to the green axis." Nope...not on a PC laptop. You conveniently forget that most scientists and engineers using Sketchup do so on a PC-based computer and not on an Apple. I am an engineering scientist. Not a designer. And, no, there is not left key on my keyboard that automatically snaps the axis to green... Please respond with how to make this on-the-fly course correction using a PC? Especially since you are basing your claim of a "five second sphere" on using an Apple computer keyboard. Wholly foreign to this guy. And, while we're at it, please do not assume that everyone watching your "how to" videos only works with Apple products.

[@SketchUp]

Hi Jonas! Regardless of operating system, the arrow keys allow you to snap to the access. The right arrow key will constrain you to the Red axis, Mac OS or Windows!

[@docwho1912]

@@SketchUp I'll respond to your assertion as soon as I get to my computer. You still ignore my comment: there is no left green key on a PC keyboard, and using tne arrow right key is wholly different than using a "green left key." I continue to assert your video really ought to be modified to demonstrate exactly to which key you refer.

[@Gavin-jz7sg]

E

[@kc0433]

Hey, let's not make a sphere command.

[@samuraigaming5251]

LOL