Many times I want to start a point at some relative coordinates to another. Meaning something like 10 along the red axis, 5 along the green and 20 along the blue. In order to do it, I need to draw lines from the base point and erase them afterwards. When it is the end point it is more annoying since sometimes I’m in the process of creating a path only to realize I need to stop, draw the guide lines, continue the path and then erase them.
Instead, would be nice to have a command like autocad’s ‘fro’. Maybe typing ‘f’ when creating a shape, then I select the base point, a small axis appears (so I know where red, green and blue go) and then I can type my relative distance from them. With a line in a direction locking, there is just one number to input which is the distance from the base point. Another option is for a distance between planes perpendicular to the line where one contains the base point. Maybe this can be combined with inference to say “stop X distance from inferred point along inferred axis”
Yes, they can help me draw a line by specifying the end point relative to the starting point. What I want is for the start point to be relative to another point or the end point to be relative to another point.
I specifically wanted to avoid creating and then deleting these lines. Especially if creating a path, where a relative end point requires me to stop, change to the tape measure, create the guideline and continue. Plus, it would be nice that a click on a point would present the axis, otherwise it is hard to orient (esp. when dealing with groups that have been rotated, or components)
Try S4U’s LineTool. You can change between GuideLines and Edges on-the-fly. Also switch between Guide stipples on-the-fly. (“on-the-fly” means via right-click popup menu.) http://extensions.sketchup.com/en/content/s4u-linetool
It’s not perfect but it’s better than the native line tool.
I’m sure I’ve asked for this before as well (or agreed with someone else asking for it): a way to position and move the cursor relative to where it currently is - use the inference tools to get to a point, hover to get a popup, then use this as a temp origin so that you can type in an x,y to move the cursor… then [return] to act like the first |click|
Jim,
I listened to the video on “move” but it never covered global or local referencing
with or <> brackets
I have been trying for about an hour to get the software to recognize i wanted
the .specified start and end points of a line. but it seems it does not recognize
the brackets.
Perhaps I am not following a sequence. can you provide me with a step by step instruction sequence that causes a line to move to the location specified by [x,y,z]?
Try using the semicolon ; as field separator instead of the comma.
The comma may be your decimal separator, depending on your keyboard settings (non US).
This is where you go wrong.
As I said in your other thread, you can’t specify an exact location before drawing anything.
You’ll just have to click and start drawing. Then you can type the length and hit [Enter] to get your second endpoint.
An important hint: look at the hint SketchUp gives you while using a tool, the line down left beneath the drawing area. It says: `Select start point. And after the first click you do have two options: Select end point or enter value (and hit [Enter])
Once you’ve drawn an edge you move it into position to … where?
B.t w. 71 isn’t too old to learn SketchUp.
Once you’ve drawn your first edge the second one has its reference, it’s (most likely) connected to the first one at one of its endpoints or somewhere “along the line”.
In the end you may want to move the (half-) finished object into place.
Right now I can only suggest to watch some basic videos and start drawing with basic tools (Line and Rectangle) without bothering about exact lengths of edges. Also use the Move tool to move edges and endpoints.
I did watch videos 1 through 4 at least 3 times. The demonstrator moves quickly and so I suspect I do not catch critical information.
I think I will draw with lines and rectangles and circles using the concepts introduced In the first four videos. I will then find out what I know and what I do not know.
Then I will go back to the videos and see if I can pick up on what I am missing.
I also found that some of the videos on the tools were good, albeit the demonstrators moved
Fairly quickly there as well and tend to gloss over features (For example, they talk about [x,y,z] but never use it!!! as far as I could see)
Thank you once again for your encouragement. I think without it I would have quit. At the moment sketchup is not
Intuitive for me. But I have so many items I want to draw….I will hang in there and learn the concepts well enough to
