You’ll notice that Shapr3D’s functions, which were developed for solid modeling, are quite different compared to SketchUp’s functions which were developed for mesh modeling.
- Sketches and constraints
In Shapr3D, you start with planar sketches. You can set up dimensions, constraints, and relationships between lines and curves, and then you can use different tools (Extrude, Sweep, or Loft) to create 3D bodies from those 2D sketches. These sketches are always on a plane. - Transforming faces
You can easily move and rotate any face in SketchUp and Shapr3D, but what happens under the hood is completely different. In Shapr3D, you will always have solid models. When you transform a face of a body, the body conforms with transformational changes. So, if you move a face, the relationship between the face and body is maintained and the model is automatically adjusted to remain watertight. Any transformation that would lead to an invalid body fails. SketchUp, on the other hand, does not guarantee valid bodies and watertight models. - Push and pull
Push and pull functions in Shapr3D are simple. Select the face or edge of a body, a sketch, or a closed sketch and push or pull them:- Faces: If you drag the blended face of a solid body, the radius of the blend will be adjusted. If you drag any other face of a solid body, it will be offset.
- Edges: If you push an edge of a solid body, a fillet will be applied. If you pull the edge, it’ll be chamfered.
- Closed sketches: If you push or pull a closed sketch in 3D view, it’ll be extruded. If you push a sketch filling (on the face of a planar body) inward, the extrusion you create will be subtracted from the planar body. But if you pull that sketch filling out of the planar body, you’ll create an extrusion which fuses with the planar body.
To define taper or draft angles for extrusion, it is best to use the Extrude tool from the Tools menu. - Sketches: If you drag a sketch by its control points, you can move it on its plane.
- Tools
In Shapr3D, you’ll mostly use your Apple Pencil and your finger to interact with the app. Also, you can access many functions in the Tools menu. These functions are essentially modifiers that you can use to create new bodies or apply all kinds of changes on them. - Construction geometry
Shapr3D is equipped with construction geometries, which are lines, planes, and points that you can use as references to position your bodies with transformation tools. This way, you can create and edit models accurately.
If you’d like to get to know Shapr3D, check out these introductory tutorials: