Google® SketchUp® and SketchUp® Pro 7 Bible

Chapter 6. Transforming Objects

IN THIS CHAPTER

• Using the Move tool

• Using the Rotate tool

• Using the Scale tool

If you begin to add objects to the scene and realize that one of your objects isn't positioned right, you could delete the object and place the new one in the correct position, or you could simply use the Move tool to move it into the right place.

The transform tools provide the first and most general way to edit objects. There are three basic transformations including Move, Rotate, and Scale, and each tool can be used in unique ways.

Note

Don't confuse the transform tools with the Zoom, Pan, and Orbit tools that are used to change the view.

Using the Move Tool

The Move tool lets you change the position of the selected object. It can be selected by choosing Tools

Tip

If you get lost as you transform an object, you can press Esc to exit the transformation at any time.

Moving along a straight line

When the selected object is being dragged with the Move tool, a line extends from the location where you first click with the Move tool to the location where you drag the object. This line is known as the inference line. If the direction is along the X-axis, then this inference line is red; if the direction is in the Y-axis, then the inference line is green; and if the direction is in the Z-axis, then the inference line is blue. If you release the mouse when this inference line is red, green, ...