How to Rotate Multiple Objects in SketchUp

Yes, you can easily rotate multiple objects simultaneously in SketchUp by selecting them first and then using the Rotate tool.

Step-by-Step Guide to Rotating Multiple Objects

SketchUp is designed to handle transformations like rotation on multiple entities at once. The process is straightforward:

Select Your Objects: Before you can rotate, you need to tell SketchUp which objects you want to affect. You can select multiple objects using one of these methods:
- Click on the first object, then hold down the Shift or Ctrl (Windows) / Option (Mac) key and click on subsequent objects.
- Drag a selection window around the objects you want to include. Ensure you capture the entirety of the objects you intend to rotate.
Activate the Rotate Tool: Find the Rotate tool in the Large Tool Set or the Basic Tool Set. It looks like a protractor. Click on it to activate it.
Define the Center of Rotation: Click once to set the pivot point or the center around which your selected objects will rotate.
Define the Rotation Reference Line: Click a second time to establish a reference line. This is like picking a point on a clock face to measure the angle from.
Perform the Rotation: Move your cursor. You will see the selected objects rotating relative to your reference line and center point. Click a third time to complete the rotation at the desired angle. You can also type a precise angle value and press Enter while rotating.

As confirmed by the reference, you can select multiple objects and then use the Rotate tool to rotate them all together.

Sometimes you need to ensure your rotation is perfectly aligned with one of SketchUp's axes (Red, Green, or Blue).

After selecting the Rotate tool and before setting your first click (the center of rotation), hover the tool over a face or inference point. The protractor's orientation will change, indicating the plane of rotation.
To lock the rotation to a specific axis, as the reference states, hold down the 'Shift' key while dragging after you have selected the Rotate tool and started defining your rotation. The protractor will change color to match the axis it's locked onto (Red, Green, or Blue). You can also use the arrow keys (Left for Green, Right for Red, Up for Blue) to pre-lock the axis before your first click.

Group or Component: For complex models, it's highly recommended to group objects or turn them into components before rotating them. This keeps your model organized and makes selection easier.
Rotating a Copy: To rotate a copy of the selected objects instead of the originals, perform the rotation as usual, but press the Ctrl (Windows) or Option (Mac) key after the second click (defining the reference line) and before the third click (completing the rotation). A '+' symbol will appear next to the cursor, indicating a copy is being made.
Precise Angles: For exact rotations, type the desired angle (e.g., 45 for 45 degrees) after setting the reference line and before the third click, then press Enter. You can also type in formulas or fractions (e.g., 360/8).

The Rotate tool's protractor icon is key to controlling the rotation plane:

On a Face: Hovering over a face aligns the protractor to that face's plane.
On an Edge/Inference Point: Hovering over an edge or inference point allows you to align the protractor to an axis or custom direction by holding Shift or using arrow keys.
In Open Space: If not hovered over geometry, the protractor defaults to the plane of the current view.

Rotating multiple objects in SketchUp is a fundamental skill that allows you to easily manipulate arrangements and orientations within your models.