One of the simplest and most fundamental ways to align objects in SketchUp 2017 is by using the Move tool in conjunction with SketchUp's built-in inferencing system.
Aligning Objects Using the Move Tool
Precise alignment is crucial for accurate 3D modeling. While SketchUp offers several techniques, one of the simplest ways to align objects in Sketchup is by using the Move tool. This method allows you to snap one point on an object to another point, edge, face, or axis in your model, providing a quick way to achieve alignment.
Here's a step-by-step guide based on the reference and common practice:
- Select the Object: First, use the Select tool (the arrow icon, or press the
Spacebar) to select the object you want to move. This is typically a group or a component. - Activate the Move Tool: Access the Move tool. You can find it in the toolbar (it looks like four arrows pointing outwards from a center) or simply press the 'M' key on your keyboard.
- Choose a Reference Point: Click on a specific point on the selected object. This point is crucial because it will act as the handle you drag from. The reference states, "You can then click on a specific point on the object." Choosing a logical point, like a corner, midpoint, or a specific vertex, makes alignment easier as you'll align that point to your target location.
- Move and Align using Inferencing: As you drag the mouse, you'll see a copy of the object moving. The key to alignment here is using SketchUp's inferencing engine. Hover your cursor over geometry (points, edges, faces) or axes in your model. SketchUp will display colored lines (axis inferences) or text tooltips ("On Edge", "On Face", "On Point", "Midpoint", etc.) indicating that your selected reference point is aligned with something else.
- Practical Example: To align the bottom-left corner of a cabinet to the corner of a wall, select the cabinet, activate the Move tool, click its bottom-left corner, and then move the cursor towards the wall corner until SketchUp shows the "On Point" or axis inferences connecting your cursor (and thus the cabinet corner) to the wall corner.
- Place the Object: Once the desired inference appears, indicating that your reference point is aligned with the target location, click again to finalize the movement and align the object precisely.
Using the Move tool with deliberate reference point selection and skillful inferencing is a fundamental technique for achieving various types of alignment in SketchUp 2017, from simple corner-to-corner snaps to aligning along specific axes or planes.
While the Move tool is simple and effective for many alignment tasks, SketchUp also offers other methods like using Guide Lines for layout, the Axis Tool to redefine object axes, or specialized Extensions for more complex alignment scenarios. However, the Move tool remains one of the core methods for basic alignment.
