Navigating around your models

This section expalins the Orbit, Pan and various Zoom functions available in SketchUp.

The 'Orbit' tool is used to rotate your perspective around your model. Click on the Orbit tool, then use the left-mouse down to rotate the view. The rotation is centered in the view.

Tip: If you have a 3 button mouse (or a mouse with a mouse wheel, clicking the mouse wheel works as the 3rd button), you can click the middle button and drag the mouse around to use the same Orbit function. By default the 'O' key is also mapped to the Orbit function. So clicking the 'O' key on your keyboard is another way you can perform the Orbit function.

The 'Pan' tool is used to move your view around while maintaining the same perspective. Think of it as moving a sheet of paper that the model is on.

Tip: Here is a shortcut similar to the Orbit tool using the mouse for Pan -- use the middle mouse button along with the 'SHIFT' key. You can also use the keyboard shortcut, the 'H' key by default.

Zoom features:

There are various types of zoom features available in SketchUp. The most basic Zoom works when you click and drag the mouse up and down. Moving your mouse up zooms in while moving it down zooms out.

The 'Zoom Window' tool lets you draw a rectangle on screen and zooms into that rectangle. To use, select the tool, then click and drag across a rectangular section of your screen. SketchUp zooms into this area. Use this tool to zoom into a particular area of your model to add more detail or get a closer look at your model.

Finally you have the 'Previous' tool which takes you back to the view before your last Orbit, Pan or Zoom operation.