I’m looking for someone who can help me make this line tool variation

The dream.

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Thanks, that would be fantastic!

This is how it would work, the type of thing I want to do with the tool (but obviously without moving the pencil each time - it will be possible just to make the 2d plan without touching the mouse).
The last bit of this video where I’m push pulling the window and door holes is just to demonstrate why the vertical lines are important (which are created from the breakpoints on the line).
15.08.2022_17.07.11_REC (screenrec.com)

Yes, It only use keyboards.
Try this. Use Enter key for repeat previous command.
s4u_linetool_v4.2.0.rbz (95.8 KB)

excuse my budget animation, but i had a go at just using the mouse and the Numpad to make some lines.
As long as they are constrained to red & green axes, i find it pretty quick just to hover near the axes with the mouse and use the numpad (and Numpad enter) to input some lengths for each wall.

quick lines with arrow keys2

So it’s pretty quick - no mouseclicks at all, just using numpad - you just have to have one hand on the mouse while the other enters the numbers.

So I guess my question is this: Are you using a computer with Numpad?

The idea is to not use the mouse at all, this means you can simple sit and type with both hands while reading measurements off a drawing that may be on screen or on a scrap of paper beside you. For most people two handed typing and hand eye coordination are faster than one hand on mouse and tapping numbers with what is often your non dominant hand. Yes your way works but is not the purpose of the thread.

No. I have a ‘number row’.

Just to show the problem I had with remapping the arrow keys, in the following video:

First square keystrokes
Up Arrow, 12’, enter
Right Arrow, 12’, enter
Down Arrow, 12’, enter
Left Arrow, 12’, enter

Second square keystrokes
Up Arrow, 12’, enter
Right Arrow, 12’, enter
Down Arrow (green line goes Up).
Right Arrow (red line goes right)
Down Arrow (green line goes Up), -12, enter. Line goes down.
Left Arrow (green line goes right), -12’, enter. Line goes left.

So, the arrow keys can be used, but the direction that the line is drawn in still needs to be modified with “-” depending on the location of the line tool.

In YouTube terminology, I think that’s called a “FAIL”. But it’s a good exercise and a good idea for a tool.

Yes I understand …
No dismissing the OP’s request, just giving an alternative.

I notice fewer and fewer laptops/keyboards having numpads these days -they’re a “must have” for me in SketchUp - there is quite a bit of numerical entry in SU, and numpads make it all so much faster and more reliable.

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Each to their own, I personally want to take a saw to any of my keyboards with a numpad, just an utter waste of deskspace for me. My personal favourite keyboard is a small bluetooth one I bought for next to nothing in a german supermarket over a decade ago, it has the german key layout but I just ignore what is written on the keys and know what they are. And no number pad.

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I tend to keep my hands off of the keyboard while using SU… don’t know most of the keyboard shortcuts. For number entry I considered getting a number pad but decided that would be too much clutter. I use a Spacemouse and have to confess that I’m almost helpless when I don’t have it.

I just got a 3Dconnexion Keyboard that had a separate wireless numpad.
It’s pretty handy as you can plug it in different places away from your keyboard . On the left or to the right of your mouse. Very nice

Like the look of that keyboard !