Are you a SketchUp user who wants to change the direction of North in your models? Don’t worry, it’s easier than you might think! In this tutorial, we’ll walk you through the steps to change the direction of North in SketchUp using a few simple techniques.
Step 1: Open the “Geo-location” Window
To change the direction of North in SketchUp, you’ll need to open the “Geo-location” window. You can access this window by clicking on “Window” in the menu bar and selecting “Model Info” from the dropdown menu. In the Model Info window, click on the “Geo-location” tab.
Step 2: Set Your Location
In order to change the direction of North accurately, it’s important to set your location correctly. To do this, click on the “Add Location” button in the Geo-location window.
This will open a new window where you can search for your desired location. Type in your address or specific location and click on the search icon.
If SketchUp is able to find your location, it will be displayed on a map. You can zoom in or out using the mouse scroll wheel or by clicking on the “+” or “-” buttons. Once you have found your location on the map, click on it to set it as your model’s geo-location.
Note:
If SketchUp is unable to find your location or if it’s not accurate enough for your needs, you can manually set your location by entering latitude and longitude coordinates. Simply click on “Set Manual Location” and enter the coordinates in decimal degrees format.
Step 3: Adjust North
Now that you have set your location, it’s time to adjust the direction of North in your model. In the Geo-location window, you’ll see a compass icon representing the current North direction. To change it, simply click and drag the compass icon to rotate it in the desired direction.
Note: You can also use the “Rotate North” input box to enter a specific angle if you know the exact degree of rotation you want.
Step 4: Apply Changes
Once you are satisfied with the new North direction, click on the “Grab” button in the Geo-location window to apply the changes to your model. SketchUp will update your model accordingly, and you will see the new North direction reflected in your workspace.
Conclusion
In this tutorial, we have learned how to change the direction of North in SketchUp. By following these simple steps, you can easily adjust the North direction according to your preferences or project requirements. So go ahead and give it a try!
- Open the “Geo-location” window
- Set your location
- Adjust North
- Apply changes
Remember: Accurately setting your location is crucial for achieving precise results when changing the direction of North in SketchUp. So take some time to ensure that your location is set correctly before making any adjustments.
Tips:
- If you’re working on an architectural project or need accurate sun positioning, it’s recommended to consult solar studies or other specialized tools for precise results.
- If you want to align objects or elements within your model based on this new North direction, consider using SketchUp’s inference points and guidelines for better accuracy.
With these techniques, you can now confidently change the direction of North in SketchUp and take full control of your models. Happy designing!