Sketchup Tools

This is a list of the basic tools that you use in Google Sketchup.

• Line Tool   This tool looks like a line and is used to fill in incomplete faces. Click on a point, then click on another point and your empty face will fill in.
• Rectangular Face Tool   This tool is used to make rectangular faces and it looks like a brown rectangle. Click on one place on the screen, then drag your cursor and click in another spot.
• Circle Tool   This tool looks like a brown circle. Click on your screen and drag your cursor to decide how big you want it to be. When you are satisfied with the size, click again and it will lock in place.
• Curve Tool   This tool looks like a curve. It is just like the line tool except after you make a line you can pull it in a certain direction and it will make a curve.
• Cursor Tool   This tool looks like a classic black computer cursor. Drag your cursor across an object or click on it to select it.
• Eraser Tool   This tool obviously looks like an eraser. Drag your eraser over a line to make it disappear.
• Move Tool   This tool looks like two red arrows intersecting. This tool allows you to move an object if you highlight it with your cursor tool. You can copy an object by holding down the control or command key on your keyboard. Next, click on your highlighted object and drag it over. Now your have a copy of your subject.
• Push and Pull Tool   This tool looks like a brown box with a red arrows pointing down on it. Click on a face, then pull up or down to create a 3D box.
• Paint Tool   This tool looks like a paint bucket. This tool will add some color to your subject.  Click on the paint bucket and a paint box will appear. There is a list of different materials your can use. Click on the one you want and then click on a face. Now you have your color.
• Text Tool   Click on the button with a letter A on your tool box. A dialog box will appear. Type what you want in the letter box that is provided. Next, press the Place button. click on a face and it will place your text.
• Orbit Tool   This tool looks like two blue arrows wrapping around an invisible ball. Click on a spot on the screen, then hold your mouse button down and drag you cursor across the screen. This will change your point of view of your subject.
• Zoom Tool   This tool looks like a magnifying glass. Click on the screen, and then pull in or out to change how much you see of your subject.
• Pan Tool   This tool looks like a hand. Click on the screen, then drag your cursor across the screen to change your view of your subject.