Comments

5th of 10 Things I Wish I Had Known About SketchUp — 4 Comments

  1. Hey Bob, great post!

    I find myself using the dimension box for every move I make in Sketchup. (I think it’s called the “VCB” for “Value control Box”) But it’s a great way for me to make sure I’m going to where I want to be. Like sometimes, even if I can drag out and snap to the dimension I want, I sometimes move the mouse accidentally as I click and end up missing my mark.

    The other thing I found myself doing was starting the action, going to type the dimension into my keyboard, then accidentally hitting my mouse which causes the numbers to reset. So now, I start AND finish my action, then I correct the dimensions by typing them in directly after completing the action.

    Great post!

  2. Matt’s comment is a great addition to the post. I have always entered dimensions but never realized I could enter them after finishing the box or line or… One thing that I have found useful is that sometimes it is easier to perform your action in the opposite direction and then enter a negative value to make it go the direction you want it to go.

  3. One thing I noticed is even though I entered my dimensions in the VCB, lets say for a line length
    of 6ft. and regardless of axes. A small rectangle will appear in the model as if it were a “tool tip” next to the cursor arrow. That dimension is never exactly what you had typed into the VCB to start the line?? Causing me to question myself, so like in Matt`s post. When you click to finish the line or set your end point. Then add the dimension, you know your spot on and it does help you concentrate and develop a work flow. Especially as a newbie, being I was ( still!!) second guesting myself and not not feeling that sure or confident. Taking my eye off the model in addition to searching for a tool, instead of using short cuts // hot keys. You waste time and add to your frustration in learning.

    • The popup tag can be confusing. If you click the mouse when it is visible, the line will snap to that dimension. But it is reading where the cursor is, not showing what you type in the measurements window.