best_practices

Modeling Best Practices

Lessons learned from real SketchUp modeling projects. For code patterns and workflow, see the main prompt.

Profile-First Geometry

Build 3D shapes by extruding 2D profiles rather than complex boolean operations:

# Good: Draw profile, then extrude
profile = entities.add_face(profile_points)
profile.pushpull(depth)

# Avoid: Complex 3D boolean operations
# They often create broken geometry or unexpected results

Pushpull Direction

Face normals determine pushpull direction. If pushpull goes the wrong way:

# Check/flip normal before pushpull
face.reverse! if face.normal.z < 0

# Or use negative value
face.pushpull(-depth)  # Extrude in opposite direction

Edge Treatment for Realism

Real objects have slightly rounded edges. For clean geometry:

• Chamfer in profile - Add angled corners to 2D profile before extrusion
• Octagonal sections - For fully rounded rectangular parts, use 8-sided profile
• Avoid complex fillets - SketchUp fillets often create overlapping/broken geometry

# Instead of sharp corner [0,0], [1,0], [0,1]
# Use chamfered corner [0,0.1], [0.1,0], [1,0], [0,1]

Material Timing

Apply materials after geometry is verified:

1. Create all geometry first
2. Verify with list_entities or take_screenshot
3. Apply materials only after structure is correct

Materials on broken geometry are wasted effort.

Apply materials to Groups/Components only - never to raw faces/edges unless the user explicitly requests it. Materials on containers are cleaner and easier to manage.

Visual Debugging with Batch Screenshots

When developing and testing geometry-creating code, use take_batch_screenshots for comprehensive visual verification:

Best practices:

1. Isolate the target - Use the isolate parameter to show only the component/group being worked on
2. Multiple angles - Capture several views to verify geometry from all sides
3. Use isometric view - The iso view uses parallel projection (no perspective), ideal for verifying proportions