SketchUp is one of the most famous and widely used 3D modeling software. Ask any architecture student or furniture design enthusiast and they will likely tell you that this program is a constant competitor on their lists of most used products.
How do you get faster in modeling? In this article, I’ll highlight the keyboard shortcuts I use most often and show how useful they can be when modeling to save time. You can also download my custom keyboard shortcuts at the end of this article and import them into your SketchUp.
I’ve always been a strong believer in using keyboard shortcuts. They save a lot of time and allow you to model your ideas faster. They reduce the friction between design and software. The massage becomes more fluid and natural.
Let’s Get Started
Default Keyboard SketchUp Shortcuts
SketchUp has a number of keyboard shortcuts by default. You can also add your own custom keyboard shortcuts by going to Window -> Preferences -> Keyboard Shortcuts. Below are some of my most commonly used keyboard shortcuts. Pressing the appropriate button activates this tool without having to select it from a menu or toolbar.
Also Read, Top 30 Autocad Commands You Must Know
| 2 Point Arc (A) | Bulge specify bulge amount by typing a number and Enter Radius specify radius by typing a number, the R key, and Enter Segments specify the number of segments by typing a number, the S key, and Enter |
| Circle (C) | Shift lock current inferences Radius specify radius by typing a number and Enter Segments specify the number of segments by typing a number, the S key, and Enter |
| Eraser (E) | Ctrl soften/smooth (use on edges to make adjacent faces appear curved) Shift hide Ctrl+Shift unsoften/unsmooth |
| Follow Me | Alt use face perimeter as extrusion path Expert Tip! first Select path, then choose the Follow Me tool, then click on the face to extrude |
| Line (L) | Shift lock in current inference direction Arrows lock direction; up = blue, right = red, left = green, and down = parallel/perpendicular Length specify length by typing a number and Enter |
| Look Around | Eye Height specify eye height by typing a number and Enter |
| Move (M) | Ctrl move a copy Shift hold down to lock in current inference direction Alt auto-fold (allow move even if it means adding extra edges and faces) Arrows lock direction; up = blue, right = red, left = green, and down = parallel/perpendicular Distance specify move distance by typing a number and Enter External Copy Array n copies in a row: move first copy, type a number, the X key, and Enter Internal Copy Array n copies in between: move first copy, type a number, the / key, and Enter |
| Offset (F) | Alt allow results to overlap Distance specify an ofset distance by typing a number and Enter |
| Orbit (O) | Ctrl hold down to disable “gravity-weighted” orbiting Shift hold down to activate Pan tool |
| Paint Bucket (B) | Ctrl fill material – paint all matching adjacent faces Shift replace material – paint all matching faces in the model Ctrl+Shift replace the material on an object – paint all matching faces on the same object Alt hold down to sample material |
| Push/Pull (P) | Ctrl push/pull a copy of the face (leaving the original face in place) Double-Click apply last push/pull amount to this face Distance specify a push/pull amount by typing a number and Enter |
| Rectangle (R) | Ctrl start drawing from center Dimensions specify dimensions by typing length, width and Enter ie. 20,40 |
| Rotated Rectangle | Shift lock in current direction/plane Alt lock drawing plane for the first edge (after the first click) Dimensions, Angle click to place first two corners, then type width, angle and Enter ie. 90,20 |
| Rotate (Q) | Ctrl rotate a copy Angle specify an angle by typing a number and Enter Slope specify an angle as a slope by typing a rise, a colon (:), a run, and Enter ie. 3:12 |
| Scale (S) | Ctrl hold down to scale about center Shift hold down to scale uniformly (don’t distort) Amount specify a scale factor by typing a number and Enter ie. 1.5 = 150% Length specifies a scale length by typing a number, a unit type, and Enter ie. 10m |
| Select (Spacebar) | Ctrl add to selection Shift add/subtract from selection Ctrl+Shift subtract from selection |
| Tape Measure (T) | Ctrl toggle create guide or measure only Arrows lock direction; up = blue, right = red, left = green, and down = parallel/perpendicular Resize resize model: measure a distance, type intended size, and Enter |
| Zoom (Z) | Shift hold down and click-drag mouse to change Field of View |
| Axis Lock (Arrow Keys) | Lock Axis when generating or moving an element. Up Arrow for the Blue Axis. Left Arrow for the Green Axis. Right Arrow for the Red Axis. Down Arrow for Parallel or Perpendicular Axes. |
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