5 TOP NAVIGATION TIPS for SketchUp

In this video, I talk about my top 5 navigation tips for saving time while moving around in your SketchUp models!

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Number 1 tip – Use a 3 button mouse

I cannot stress this enough – you’re spending twice as much time navigating in your SketchUp model without a three button mouse. Scrolling zooms in, clicking the middle mouse button down orbits, and keyboard shortcuts complete the package

Tip 2 – Use the shift key to pan

One of the benefits of using a mouse with three buttons is you can pair it with the shift key to quickly pan in your models. I’ve watched people navigate before where they’ll orbit with the middle mouse button, then go up and click on the pan icon in the bar above and click and drag. Don’t do that – click and hold the middle mouse button and hold the shift key to quickly pan in your model.

Tip 3 – Place your camera with position camera

When you start getting inside tight spaces with your camera, it can get a bit…frustrating trying to use the zoom and orbit tools to get the view you’re looking for. Instead, use the position camera tool to both set the location of your camera, and set the direction the camera is looking

Tip 4 – Set the FOV using the zoom tool

Sometimes when you’re in a really tight space in your SketchUp models, you can’t see what you’d like to see with your camera. You can use the zoom tool (and the shift key) to set your FOV so you can see more of your tight space.

Tip 5 – SAVE CAMERA VIEWS

When you find a camera view that you keep coming back to, don’t recreate the wheel every time. Instead, go up to view, animation, and save your scene. Then, all you have to do is click on the tab to come back to your view!

About Justin Geis

Hi, I'm Justin Geis, and I'm the founder of The SketchUp Essentials. I started using SketchUp as part of my work as a general contractor in 2008. I quickly realized the power of the software and started using it for personal projects. I started The SketchUp Essentials as a place to share easy to follow SketchUp tutorials and tips to help everyone harness the power of 3D Modeling in their lives. When not working with SketchUp, I enjoy playing soccer and spending time with my wife and our two dogs.