Things to think about when configuring your Sketchup workspace.
There are more tool sets, windows, and palettes in Sketchup than you’ll know what to do with. And depending on what kind of modeling you’re doing, you may want to configure your workspace in different ways. There are some essential windows that you should have opened at all times.
I am a big believer in having your computer set up with dual monitors. If you don’t have dual monitors, you will be forced to hide/unhide many essential windows and pallets during your modeling process. If you’re considering upgrading to dual monitors, check out this post, it’s easier than you think. Once you do it, you’ll never go back!
So first of all, you’ll want to take into consideration the amount of screen space you are working with. Since I have dual monitors, I use the screen on the left to show the entire modeling area, and I have all my windows and palettes on the monitor to the right. This allows my the best view of my model and all my tools, without wasting time trying to expand/collapse menus trying to find the window I need.
Because I have a large screen space, I chose to display the tool set icons as “Large Buttons”. You can find this option here (View->Toolbars->Large Buttons ). Depending on your screen resolution, you may find the icons to be too small without this selected. Go ahead and try it yourself and see what you like best.
Tool Sets
I think everybody should at least have the Large tool set enabled. That said, I also believe everybody should memorize the keyboard shortcuts for all of the tools in this set, less the “Walkthrough” tools.
The Large tool set carries your most important tools needed for modeling.
- Principle Tools – Select, Paint Bucket, Eraser, and the “Make Component” tool. I never noticed this tool before. I always just created components by right clicking or using the shortcut.
- Drawing Tools – Rectangle, Circle, Polygon, Line, Arc, Freehand
- Modification Tools – Move, Rotate, Scale, Push/Pull, Follow Me, Offset
- Construction Tools – Tape Measure, Protractor, Axis, Dimension, Text, 3D Text
- Camera – Orbit, Zoom, Previous, Pan, Zoom Extends, Next.
- Walkthrough – Position Camera, Walk, Look around, Section Plane
The next tool set I use frequently during modeling is the Styles tool set. That’s the one where you can click to go to X-ray or Wireframe really quickly. There are a lot of times when I’m moving something, and want to reference a a point or line that is hidden behind some faces. A quick click on the X-ray button allows me to see through the face to finish my move by referencing that hidden line.
I have to admit, I also have the Standard toolbar enabled, even though I rarely use it. I guess I just got so used to it from when I first started using Sketchup, that it just looks weird without it! It contains all your standard program options like New, Open, Save, Print, etc. Really nothing fancy here.
Windows
As far as windows, I tend to open and close a couple depending upon what phase of modeling I’m in. But here are the ones that I absolutely have open all the time.
- Outliner – The outliner is absolutely necessary to keep track of the groups and components within your model. I have noticed some performance issues with the outline though. When you’re working with a huge model, you will notice the outliner starting to flicker when you orbit around. By minimizing the Outliner window, you’ll notice an instant improvement in performance. It’s a little weird, but true.
- Entity Info – The Entity Info window shows key information about whatever you have currently selected. It tells you things like how many entities, what layer they reside in, what kind of object it is, and more. I find it very useful at times, and worth having open.
- Layers – The Layers window is also a good reference view. Obviously it shows you the Layers currently set up in your document, and the current layer you are editing in.
Don’t Forget! – You can save your current workspace by going to View-Toolbars-Save Toolbar positions.
What tools and windows do you find most helpful? Please leave a comment below, I’d love to hear how other people set up their Sketchup interface.
