How to Design a Lantern in SketchUp
Create a cube in SketchUp., Use the offset tool to create a slightly offset area in one side., Use the Push/pull tool and push the faces through to the other side., However your attempt may look, don't panic., Right click on each blue side, select...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Create a cube in SketchUp.
The size doesn't matter.
You can always scale it down later.
The size created for the screenshot is 3 feet (0.9Â m), which would be quite a substantial lantern.
However, if you're making one in real life, stick with the dimensions that you require. -
Step 2: Use the offset tool to create a slightly offset area in one side.
Double click on the neighboring face to repeat it. , The goal is to have the interior void of materials.
It might take a few attempts to get it right. , Select the entire object, right click, and Intersect with Model.
If you can get it to look like this, you are almost there. , Do this all four times. , There are four on the top and four on the bottom.
Check your progress with this screenshot. , This will allow you to find the exact center of your lantern to place the flame. , With the Offset tool, create another circle inside of the first one. , With the Move tool, shrink the outer circle to just outside the sides of the inner circle. ,, This is the candle.
Raise it up.
Candle raised up. , This one is just smaller than the one you are using.
Push it down a small amount using the Push/pull tool. , Do the same steps as before, but the offset circle will be very small.
After you have created it, raise it up slightly. , Use the Offset tool to create a smaller square inside of it. ,,, Raise it up as much as you need it.
Select the four lines at the top of the raised shape. , Holding down CTRL keeps the narrowing centered. , Using the same process that you did for making the center of the candle holder, create a small circle in the top of the lantern. , You will be creating the beginning of the cord that you will suspend the lantern from. ,,, Select Intersect Faces with Model.
This will create the edges on the edge of the cord at the top of the lantern.
Orbit to where you first drew the circle for the cord.
Draw a line across it to close it, then use the eraser to close it. , This will give you an x-ray view of your project.
Get rid of the lines around where the cord connects with the lantern. , Paint all of the white surfaces a light shade of gray (for light metal).
Paint the cord at the top of the lantern a darker gray (or whatever color you want). , Paint it yellow and move it to the wick that you created earlier.
If you want, put glass on the sides of the lantern. -
Step 3: Use the Push/pull tool and push the faces through to the other side.
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Step 4: However your attempt may look
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Step 5: don't panic.
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Step 6: Right click on each blue side
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Step 7: select Erase and it will be gone.
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Step 8: Click on the Eraser tool and get rid of the lines demonstrated in the screenshot.
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Step 9: Using the Circle tool
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Step 10: hover over the midpoint of two adjacent sides.
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Step 11: Use the Push/pull tool and raise the circle up enough for what would be a candle holder.
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Step 12: Select the Offset tool and create another circle inside the one you just drew.
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Step 13: Push the inner circle down using the 'floor' outside of the circle as an inference.
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Step 14: In the interior part of your candle holder
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Step 15: use the Offset tool and create another circle.
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Step 16: Use the Offset tool and create another circle.
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Step 17: Create a wick.
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Step 18: Orbit to the bottom of the lantern.
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Step 19: Hold down the Alt key and using the Move tool
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Step 20: pull out the center square.
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Step 21: Orbit to the top of the lantern
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Step 22: then repeat the process to pull out the top of the lantern.
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Step 23: Use the Offset tool again
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Step 24: and create another square.
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Step 25: Click on S (Scale)
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Step 26: hold down CTRL and narrow the top of the square
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Step 27: so it is similar to a pyramid.
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Step 28: Orbit the lantern so that you are looking up into the top of it.
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Step 29: Use the Push/Pull tool and push it up through the lantern.
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Step 30: Use the Scale tool at the top of the circle to shrink it down somewhat.
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Step 31: Use the Push/Pull tool to extend the cord even further.
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Step 32: Right click on your project.
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Step 33: Click on View >> Face Style >> X Ray.
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Step 34: Right click on one of the white surfaces
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Step 35: go to Orient Faces and everything will be white instead of white and blue.
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Step 36: Use the Freehand tool to draw the shape of a burning flame.
Detailed Guide
The size doesn't matter.
You can always scale it down later.
The size created for the screenshot is 3 feet (0.9Â m), which would be quite a substantial lantern.
However, if you're making one in real life, stick with the dimensions that you require.
Double click on the neighboring face to repeat it. , The goal is to have the interior void of materials.
It might take a few attempts to get it right. , Select the entire object, right click, and Intersect with Model.
If you can get it to look like this, you are almost there. , Do this all four times. , There are four on the top and four on the bottom.
Check your progress with this screenshot. , This will allow you to find the exact center of your lantern to place the flame. , With the Offset tool, create another circle inside of the first one. , With the Move tool, shrink the outer circle to just outside the sides of the inner circle. ,, This is the candle.
Raise it up.
Candle raised up. , This one is just smaller than the one you are using.
Push it down a small amount using the Push/pull tool. , Do the same steps as before, but the offset circle will be very small.
After you have created it, raise it up slightly. , Use the Offset tool to create a smaller square inside of it. ,,, Raise it up as much as you need it.
Select the four lines at the top of the raised shape. , Holding down CTRL keeps the narrowing centered. , Using the same process that you did for making the center of the candle holder, create a small circle in the top of the lantern. , You will be creating the beginning of the cord that you will suspend the lantern from. ,,, Select Intersect Faces with Model.
This will create the edges on the edge of the cord at the top of the lantern.
Orbit to where you first drew the circle for the cord.
Draw a line across it to close it, then use the eraser to close it. , This will give you an x-ray view of your project.
Get rid of the lines around where the cord connects with the lantern. , Paint all of the white surfaces a light shade of gray (for light metal).
Paint the cord at the top of the lantern a darker gray (or whatever color you want). , Paint it yellow and move it to the wick that you created earlier.
If you want, put glass on the sides of the lantern.
About the Author
Nicholas Richardson
Committed to making DIY projects accessible and understandable for everyone.
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