How Do I Rotate a Door in SketchUp?

In SketchUp, rotating a door can be a simple yet important task when it comes to designing and planning your architectural projects. Whether you want to adjust the swing direction or change the orientation of the door, this tutorial will guide you through the process step by step.

Step 1: Select the Door

To begin, open your SketchUp model and select the door you want to rotate. You can do this by using the selection tool (shortcut: Spacebar) and clicking on the door object.

Step 2: Activate the Rotate Tool

Once you have selected the door, activate the Rotate tool from the toolbar or by using its shortcut (Q). You will notice that your cursor changes to a protractor shape.

Step 3: Choose an Axis of Rotation

Now, choose an axis around which you want to rotate your door. You can either select one of the predefined axes that appear when you hover over a line or surface, or create a custom axis by clicking on two points in your model.

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If you are unsure about which axis to choose, try aligning it with an existing edge or reference point in your design for better accuracy.

Step 4: Set the Rotation Angle

After selecting an axis, click once to set the starting point of rotation. Then, move your cursor along a circular path until you reach the desired angle. You can type in an exact angle if needed or use inference points for precision.

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To rotate your door precisely at specific angles (e.g., 90 degrees), type in the desired angle followed by “deg” after clicking once to set rotation starting point. For example, if you want to rotate the door by 90 degrees, type “90deg” and press Enter.

Step 5: Complete the Rotation

Once you have set the rotation angle, click again to complete the rotation. Your door will now be rotated according to your specifications.

Step 6: Adjust Door Placement

If necessary, you can further adjust the placement of the door by using SketchUp’s Move tool (shortcut: M). This allows you to move and position the door according to your design requirements.

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If you want to flip the door along its axis while rotating, press and hold the Ctrl key (Option key on Mac) before clicking to complete the rotation. This will mirror the door’s orientation in addition to rotating it.

Step 7: Save and Review

Finally, save your model and review the changes made to your door’s rotation. Take a moment to double-check if it aligns with your design intent and make any necessary adjustments accordingly.

Congratulations! You have successfully rotated a door in SketchUp using simple yet powerful tools within the software. Remember that this technique can be applied not only to doors but also to other objects in your model that require rotation or reorientation.

  • Step 1: Select the Door
  • Step 2: Activate the Rotate Tool
  • Step 3: Choose an Axis of Rotation
  • Step 4: Set the Rotation Angle
  • Step 5: Complete the Rotation
  • Step 6: Adjust Door Placement
  • Step 7: Save and Review

By following these steps, you can easily rotate doors or any other elements in SketchUp, allowing you to refine and enhance your architectural designs with precision and creativity.