Polygon Entities

SketchUp's Polygon entities are similar to Faces entities, but can have 3 or more sides. These entities act as a single line in that they can define the edge of a face and also divide a face. Additionally, selecting one segment of the polygon selects the entire Polygon entity. However, all inference techniques will operate on the Polygon as though it were comprised of segments. Draw polygons with the Polygon Tool.

Note - You can explode a polygon into regular edge segments using the Explode Curve context menu item (see the Polygon Context Menu Items section later in this topic).

Polygon entities are comprised of a radius and number of segments. The following image shows a six-sided polygon.

Note - The model in the previous image contains two entities: a Face entity (in the middle) surrounded by a Polygon entity (the six-sided edge).

Editing a Polygon Entity

You can edit the radius of a circle in which the polygon is inscribed, that does not yet bound a face, by using the Move Tool. To edit a Polygon entity:

1. Select the Move Tool. The cursor will change to a four-way arrow.
2. Move over the Polygon entity to locate the midpoint of a side. At least one midpoint of the polygon will allow you to resize the entity.
3. Click and hold on the midpoint of the Polygon entity.
4. Move the cursor to adjust the radius of the Polygon entity. Click and hold on another midpoint if the polygon does not resize. Try each midpoint until you find the midpoint that will resize the entity.

You can also adjust the radius and number of segments using the Polygon entity's Entity Info dialog box.

Editing an Extruded Polygon

When you use the Push/Pull Tool to extrude a 2D face that includes a polygon, it extrudes a special polygonal curved face set which can also have its radius edited. Use the Move Tool to reposition one of the control edges, and the polygonal curved face set radius (as well as the radii of the two polygon entities that define it) will be adjusted accordingly.

Polygon Deformation

If a polygon is deformed in a way that destroys its radial definition, such as with a non-uniform scale operation, it will become a non-parametric Polyline Curve. Polyline Curves can no longer be edited as polygons.