How to find a line that is slightly off plane?

[DaveR]

Based on your comments, it sounds as if you think SketchUp can’t do anything. I have to disagree with you. These were all modeled exclusively in SketchUp without any of the problems you claim exist.

Modeled down to the hardware to create assembly and use instructions.

Detailed to joinery level for construction plans.

Same as above.

And here’s even more complex modeling.

Viking '75 Mars Lander High Gain Antenna

I’ve completed another portion of my work-in-progress Viking '75 Mars lander high-fidelity model - the deployment mechanism of the lander’s S-Band High Gain Antenna (HGA). The HGA has a 30-inch parabolic dish that needed to be located above the lander (to avoid line-of-sight obstructions from other components). In order to fit within the lander’s aeroshell capsule during launch and cruise the HGA dish was folded down close to the lander body. The deployment mechanism, seen here, was used to rais…