Moving a group in SketchUp is a straightforward process using the dedicated Move tool. This tool allows you to relocate selected geometry, including groups and components, precisely within your model space.
To move a group:
- Select the Group: Begin by selecting the group you wish to move. You can do this by clicking on it once with the Select tool (Spacebar). The selected group will highlight, usually with a blue bounding box.
- Activate the Move Tool: Access the Move tool from the large toolset or toolbar, or simply press the M key on your keyboard. The cursor will change to indicate the Move tool is active.
- Pick a Base Point: Click once on the group to pick a point to move from. This is your move origin or base point. This point can be anywhere on the group, or even somewhere else in the model; it acts as a reference for the movement.
- Move the Group: As you move your mouse, the selected group will follow the cursor, moving relative to the base point you picked.
- Lock to an Axis (Optional): To ensure your movement is precise and aligned, you can lock the direction to one of the model's axes. As mentioned in the reference, you can control the movement direction. A common way is to use the arrow keys:
- Right Arrow: Locks movement to the Red Axis. (Referenced in the video snippet)
- Left Arrow: Locks movement to the Green Axis.
- Up Arrow: Locks movement to the Blue Axis.
- You can also hover over an edge that represents the direction you want to move, or click once to start moving and then press an arrow key to lock.
- Specify Distance (Optional): While moving, you can type a specific distance value into the Measurements box (usually in the bottom-right corner of the screen) and press Enter. This will move the group that exact distance along the current direction.
- Place the Group: Click a second time to place the group at its new location.
Here’s a summary table for axis locking:
| Arrow Key | Axis Color | Direction |
|---|---|---|
| Right | Red | Parallel to the Red Axis (X-axis) |
| Left | Green | Parallel to the Green Axis (Y-axis) |
| Up | Blue | Parallel to the Blue Axis (Z-axis) |
| Down | Pink/Purple | Parallel to an edge or inferred direction |
Using the Move tool allows you to easily reposition groups and components, essential for arranging elements within your SketchUp model. Remember to use axis locking for clean, aligned movements.
