Essential Shortcuts for Working with SketchUp

Improve your workflow when creating and 3D modeling in SketchUp

SketchUp is a 3D modeling software for different projects, from architectural and interior design to civil engineering, movies, and video games.

It is an ideal software for those who are starting out and want to share their ideas in 3D, as it is quick to learn and get good results. We have put together the most useful shortcuts to improve your workflow:

Windows shortcuts

Note: Mac users can just substitute Ctrl for Cmd for the same commands.

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 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 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 offset 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 material on 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 pressing Enter ie. 20,40

Rotated rectangle:

- Shift → lock in current direction/plane
- Alt → lock drawing plane for first edge (after first click)
- Dimensions, angle → click to place first two corners, then type width, angle and press Enter ie. 90,20

Rotate (Q):

- Ctrl → rotate a copy
- Angle → specify an angle by typing a number and pressing Enter
- Slope → specify an angle as a slope by typing a rise, a colon (:), a run, and pressing Enter ie. 3:12

Scale:

- 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 pressing Enter ie. 1.5 = 150%
- Length → specify a scale length by typing a number, a unit type, and pressing 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

If you want to master SketchUp like a pro, sign up for Alejandro Soriano’s course, Introduction to SketchUp, and learn how to design and model quickly and efficiently in 3D from scratch.

English version by @acesarato

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