Leveraging Sketchup
The five core concepts combine to make SketchUp a fast, fun, and unique 3D modeling program, but using it is not necessarily easy. By embracing and controlling these core concepts, you’ll be able to successfully leverage SketchUp into your workflow.
Selecting a Template
When you open the SketchUp application, the first window you’ll see is the Welcome to SketchUp window (Figure 4.6). You can also access it by clicking on the Help drop- down menu and choosing Welcome to SketchUp. From there, you can access learning resources, license information, and most important for now your default template. Within the Template tab, select the Plan View – Feet and Inches template and then click on Start Using SketchUp.
Navigating the 3D Environment
The best way to navigate in SketchUp is to use a three-button scroll-wheel mouse, even when you’re working on a laptop with a touch pad. Push down on the scroll-wheel button to orbit, hold down the Shift key with the scroll-wheel button to pan, and roll the scroll- wheel to zoom (Figure 4.7).
You don’t need to use the Camera Tools icons on your screen because all of the Naviga- tion tools are readily available at your fingertips (Figure 4.8). Actually, you’ll be better off if you completely ignore these icons. If you use them, you’ll have to search your screen outside of the work area. Every time you take your eyes off your design, you’ll focus on the wrong thing. Furthermore, you’ll give yourself a headache when you have to hunt around the screen for buttons.
Your cursor is the focal point of all navigation. Position it on the object you want to zoom in on, pan by, or orbit around so you will have more navigational control.
When you’re completing any task in SketchUp, always navigate to a view that is strategic for the task at hand. For instance, if you are trying to work on the elevation, don’t look at the model from a plan view. For any operation, you should always first determine the view that will make it easiest to perform the task. Also, be sure to utilize your large LCD monitor and really zoom in on the area you are working on.
Measurements
The Measurements dialog in SketchUp gives you complete control over any tool. Keep in mind that the Measurements dialog is always ready for your input. You never need to click in the Measurements dialog to enter a precise dimension or value; you just need to start typing.
By default, the Measurements toolbar is docked at the bottom-right corner of the SketchUp interface. You can reposition this toolbar by clicking on the View drop-down menu and choosing Toolbars c Measurements. Once the Measurements toolbar is floating, it can be repositioned or docked anywhere on the screen (Figure 4.9). The screen captures used in this chapter show a floating Measurements toolbar.
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