I’m wanting to model some retaining walls, specifically with steel verticles like c section, h section etc.
Is there a way I can do that so I can model it and do a take off from it?
Hi user84,
I would recommend following these steps to create the retaining wall you’re after. Hope this helps! 
Step 1: Use the 
Beam Tool to create the C/H Section verticals by using the desired Profile/Type.
Tips:
- To save you time, draw one beam then use the SketchUp Move Tool copy-move function to space the rest of the beams (either evenly or to specific spacings).
- Use the Up arrow key to lock drawing the beam(s) vertically (along the blue axis).
- Use the extend & trim beam features to modify the height of the beam(s) to suit (multiple beams can be done at once). I’d recommend doing this after Step 2 to save any double handling.
Step 2: Use one of the following methods (pending the required conctruction) to create the parts of the retaining wall between the verticals.
- Use the Beam Tool to draw horizontal panels/beams (e.g. timber or concrete sleepers) if you want to estimate the lineal length of each panel/beam.
- Tips:
- To save you time, draw one beam then use the SketchUp Move Tool copy-move function to “stack” the beams ontop of each other.
- Use the extend & trim beam features to modify the length of the beams (multiple beams can be done at once).
- To create other materials (like concrete sleepers), select the profile that best matches the profile you need, then click Create / Manage & follow the steps to create a new material. Then use Edit Tag & BOQ Category to edit the material info.
- Tips:
- Use the
Wall Tool to draw the section(s) between the verticals if you want to estimate the area of these sections (e.g. masonry). Note: In the PlusDesignBuild 
Takoff Tool you can get an exact number of items from this area (i.e. how many bricks/blocks needed).
