Are you working on a project in SketchUp and need to show the dimensions of your design? Adding dimensions is an essential step in creating accurate and professional-looking drawings. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of showing dimensions in SketchUp, helping you create detailed and precise designs.
Step 1: Select the Tape Measure Tool
To begin, select the Tape Measure tool from the toolbar. You can find it by clicking on the Measure icon or by using the keyboard shortcut “T”. This tool allows you to measure distances between different points in your model.
Step 2: Measure a Distance
Now that you have the Tape Measure tool selected, click on one point in your model where you want to start measuring. Then, move your cursor to another point and click again to complete the measurement. SketchUp will display a temporary dimension line between these two points.
Note:
If you want to measure an angle instead of a distance, hold down the Ctrl key (Windows) or Option key (Mac) while using the Tape Measure tool. This will display an angle dimension instead of a linear dimension.
Step 3: Display Permanent Dimensions
If you want to keep the dimensions visible in your model at all times, follow these steps:
- Select the Tape Measure tool as explained earlier.
- Create a temporary dimension line by measuring a distance between two points.
- Right-click anywhere on your model and select “Create Dimension” from the context menu. This will convert the temporary dimension into a permanent one.
Step 4: Edit Dimensions
In SketchUp, you can easily edit the dimensions to reflect any changes in your design. To edit dimensions:
- Select the Dimension tool from the toolbar. It looks like a small ruler.
- Click on the dimension you want to edit.
The dimension will become highlighted.
- Type in the new value for your dimension and press Enter. The dimension will update accordingly.
Note:
You can also right-click on a dimension and select “Text Position” from the context menu to change its position relative to the dimension line.
Step 5: Hide Dimensions
If you want to temporarily hide dimensions in your model, you can use SketchUp’s layers feature:
- Select the Tape Measure tool or the Dimension tool, depending on which dimensions you want to hide.
- Create a temporary or permanent dimension as explained earlier.
- Right-click on the dimension and select “Entity Info” from the context menu.
- In the Entity Info dialog box, click on the layer drop-down menu and select a different layer or create a new one specifically for dimensions. This will move the dimensions to that layer, allowing you to control their visibility separately from other elements in your model.
Congratulations! You now know how to show dimensions in SketchUp.
By following these steps, you can create accurate and professional drawings that effectively communicate your design intentions. Remember, dimensions are crucial for conveying important information to clients, contractors, and other stakeholders.
Keep practicing and exploring SketchUp’s tools and features to enhance your design skills further. Happy modeling!