Step 1: Scaling of pallet rack

  • Open a new file in SketchUp.
  • Import a pallet rack from https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/?hl=en
  • Select Dimension icon.
  • Measure length of bay.
  • For the purpose of the exercise, we are required to change the length of the bay to 2.7 m.
  • One of the quickest way is to scale the size of the rack.
  • Calculate the value of 2.7 divided by the current length of bay.
  • Take this to be x.
  • Click on Tools and select "Scale".
  • Click on the middle green square on the left of the rack.
  • On the keyboard, key in x. This will be reflected at the bottom of the screen.
  • Click on the Select icon.
  • Click on the empty space beside the pallet rack.

The pallet rack is modified to our requirement.

Step 2: Adding pallet boxes to the rack

  • Select Tape Measure icon
  • Do a marking 100 mm away from the left front leg of the rack
  • Import the pallet with box which we have created in Tutorial 1.
  • Select the Rotate icon.
  • Rotate the pallet 90 degree.
  • Select the Move icon.
  • Click on the left bottom corner of the pallet.
  • Move to the mark and do a left mouse click.
  • Click Move icon.
  • Press "Ctrl". The cursor will have an additional plus sign.
  • Click on the pallet box and scroll to the right.
  • Type in 1,300 mm.
  • First layer is completed.
  • Measure the distance from the base of rack upright stand to the top of the 1st horizontal beam. Take this as y cm.
  • Presss "Ctrl" and at the same time, click on the 2 pallets created previously.
  • The 2 pallets are highlighted.
  • Click on the Move icon.
  • Press "Ctrl". Notice the cursor has an additional plus sign.
  • Click on the pallet and move the mouse upward.
  • Type in y cm.
  • Then, type in 5x. This will create 5 copies upward.
  • Go to Edit. Delete Guides.
  • Highlight the rack and all the pallets.
  • Right click mouse and select "Make Group".
  • Save as "My first pallet"