I do a lot of 2D drawing in SketchUp by drawing on the ground plane, in parallel projection and top view.
Is there any way, or is there a plugin that will lock the blue axis so that I don’t have to hold the shift key when panning?
For those curious about the way I work, I tend to create a model, which I use for perspective views and elevations and draw plans, sections and details in 2D. I often create outline plans and sections by making a component of a flat plane and intersecting it on the model.
I work on the ground plane too, sometimes, when I do 2D design (parallel projection + top view). So, as I understand, you basically want the middle button to work as Pan instead of Orbit, so you don’t have to use Shift + MMB all the time, is that correct?
If yes, then you should know, there is no direct way of achieving this in SketchUp. The Shortcuts tab doesn’t offer mouse click changes. But luckily there is a workaround I can offer.
Have a look at [X-Mous Button Control] (X-Mouse Button Control) which I’ve been using for 3 years already, for some of Adobe’s products (Photoshop, Illustrator and Muse) to make their work-style similar to SketchUp.
I’ve tested the program to see if it’ll be able to do what you have in mind. I mapped the Middle Mouse Button to act as Shift+MMB when it’s pressed.
I can confirm it works and there’s no chance to accidentally Orbit the scene. 
One thing to remember though. Make sure you uncheck SketchUp from the list, whenever you want to revert back to normal work-style.
This is actually a good feature request, ie, that the default view command be Pan when in parallel projection and Orbit when in perspective.
Many thanks, I just downloaded the software and it works as you said! I’ll now be looking for other ways to use X Mouse Thanks again, much appreciated.
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Yes, this would be a good feature within SketchUp. I find SketchUp very good for 2D drafting and a set of built in 2D tools would be very useful.
ThomThom has a plugin called 2D tools. Look for it on the Sketchucation Plugin Store. You can register free, and the plugin itself is free too.
or do mean @TIG has a 2d Tools plugin…
john
I do indeed mean TIG. My apologies to both of them. Faulty recall.
Thanks John & John
I have 2D tools, which is a useful plug in but it doesn’t have a feature that locks the blue axis for panning.