Features of the Sandbox Bonus Tools 2.0.2 of the SketchUp Software

The Sandbox Bonus Tools 2.0.2 is the SketchUp plugin which helps to make SketchUp design more versatile by creating terrain and organic shapes thus helping to make valuable assets for the landscape designers, architects, and game developers. The sandbox in the SketchUp software refers to the triangulated irregular network within the terrain Modeling terminology.

The Sandbox Bonus Tools 2.0.2 plugin is compatible with the different versions of the SketchUp software which includes SketchUp 8, SketchUp 2013, SketchUp 2014, SketchUp 2015 and SketchUp 2016. The Sandbox Bonus Tools 2.0.2 extension is also compatible with the Windows and Mac platforms.

The Sandbox Bonus Tools 2.0.2 extension helps to apply more power to the Sandbox tool of the SketchUp software which helps to manage terrain more effectively throughout the entire design phase. A series of tools have been included in the Sandbox Bonus Tools 2.0.2 plugin which includes the foam core tool, the project mesh tool, the hoola hoop tool, the set to elevation tool, and the drop downward tool. Each individual tool of the Sandbox Bonus Tools 2.0.2 offered different individual functionalities.

The project Mesh tool of the Sandbox Bonus Tools 2.0.2 plugin has been used by professionals to get a regular surface grid onto a selection. The new surface grid is known as the quadface mesh which helps to support the quadface tools. Users are able to choose the objects or the surfaces for which the grid mesh has been required.

How to enable the Sandbox toolbar

After installing the correct version of the SketchUp software, users can enable the Sandbox tool and this can be done by navigating to the Sandbox toolbar. The Sandbox toolbar has been located at the top of the SketchUp window. This Sandbox toolbar contains all the tools which are available in the SketchUp software. Users have to click on the view menu and after that, select the Toolbars option to enable the Sandbox tool.

Process of selecting Sandbox tools

Several tools have been included in the Sandbox toolbar which can be used by the users for creating organic shapes and terrains. Among all the Sandbox tools, the most commonly used tools are the “Stamp” and “From Scratch” tools. The users are allowed to draw an organic shape or terrain on the SketchUp canvas by using the “From Scratch” tools. On the other hand, the “Stamp” tool allows the users to create terrain or organic shapes by stamping those shapes onto an existing design surface.

Features of Sandbox Bonus Tools 2.0.2 of the SketchUp software

1. The Foam Core tool of the Sandbox Bonus Tools 2.0.2 extension of the SketchUp software helps to perform the sequential push and pull operations upwards on the selected faces. This feature helps to enhance each push and pull along with the user-specified increment distance. In the case of providing a negative number, the Foam Core tool helps to push the contour surfaces downward.

2. On the other hand, the Hoola Hoop tool of the Sandbox bonus tools helps to form Contours around the selection set of design objects and surfaces. Users can select the design surface or objects and then they can put the type of contouring that going to be executed either number or interval.

The number feature helps to set the total number of contour lines for producing across the entire depth of the objects or surfaces entirely. On the other hand, the interval feature belongs to the contour interval. Users can put a distance for the interval feature, whereas, they can put the total number of contours that are needed for the number features.

3. The Drop Downward tool of the Sandbox bonus tool helps to place each and every item of the selection of components and groups downward in the blue direction of the design model. Users are also able to select the design objects to drop downward.

During this process, the selected design objects do not drop onto one another. Each of the design objects will drop on the first part of the design model which the user runs into.

4. On the other hand, the Set to Elevation tool of the Sandbox Bonus Tools 2.0.2 extension helps to shift all the design objects in a selection to the symmetrical elevation. In this context, users are also able to select the design objects to shift. After that, users are able to provide the elevation value to the places in which it is needed to shift them.

To learn more, watch the following video tutorial.

Video Source: Mark Carvalho

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