Copy a Bay to the Outer Side

Written By Ilya Kornienko

Updated at November 13th, 2025

Introduction

This article describes how to copy a ScaffPlan bay along the outer side of a sequence in SketchUp with precise snap alignment. The workflow uses SketchUp’s Move/Copy tool, ScaffPlan snapping points, and the bay’s Modify command to restore any temporarily removed outer-side components.

 

Steps for Copying Bay by Number of Copies to the Outer Side

1. Enable precise visibility
In SketchUp, go to View > Face Style > X-Ray to see internal geometry and snap points through objects. Ensure the ScaffPlan Toolbar (contextual toolbar) is visible. If needed: Extensions > ScaffPlan > Enable ScaffPlan Toolbar

2. Open the neighbouring bay and clear End 2 standards

  • Open Scaffold Bay tool menu using ScaffPlan Toolbar for the neighbouring bay.
  • Under Bay Ends, set End 2 to No standards to remove standards on that side.
  • Click Modify.

3. Load the source bay into the Bay tool menu

  • Select the source bay in the model.
  • In the Scaffold Bay tool menu, click Get to load the selected bay’s properties into the dialogue.

4. Prepare the source bay for copying (remove outer-side components)

  • In Ledgers/Transoms, set Outer ledger to None.
  • In Guardrail, set Outer to None and Outer Top to None.
  • In Bay Ends, set End 1 and End 2 to Open without outer standard.
  • Click Modify.

5. Enable snapping points

  • On the ScaffPlan Toolbar, toggle Display Snapping Points on.

6. Copy the bay using snap-to-snap

  • Select the bay group.
  • Press M (Move).
  • Press and release Ctrl to toggle Copy mode (cursor shows a plus).
  • Click a snapping point on the source bay as the from-point.
  • Move to the corresponding snapping point at the target location and click to place the copy.
  • For multiple evenly spaced copies, immediately type xN (e.g., x2) and press Enter.
  • Press Space to end the copy command.

7. Restore edge protection on the last copied bay

  • Select the last copied bay.
  • Press Get to load the selected bay’s properties into the dialogue.
  • In Ledgers/Transoms, set Outer ledger to Ledger.
  • In Guardrail, set Outer to Ledger and Outer Top to Ledger.
  • In Bay Ends, set End 1 and End 2 to Open (to add outer standards back).
  • Click Modify.

8. Hide snapping aids and labels

Select the relevant bays and toggle off Display Snapping Points on the ScaffPlan Toolbar.