P2.2. Entering the Third Dimension

In most graphics programs like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop you move only in two dimensions: up/down and left/right. It's like looking at a flat sheet of paper through a window. You move the window up/down or left/right to see other parts of the paper. Even if you zoom in or zoom out, the details on the paper merely get larger or smaller, while the relative positions of drawings on the paper remain the same. In 3-D programs like SketchUp, you have another dimension, which you can think of as depth. Imagine you're walking forward into the scene, or backing away, expanding your field of vision. SketchUp refers to your view as the Camera, and that's a great way to understand the difference between 2-D and 3-D. Instead of looking through a window at a flat piece of paper, you're looking through a camera at a three-dimensional world. You can look at any of the objects in this world from any angle including front, back, top, or bottom. As you move the camera in the 3-D world, the positions and relationships of the other objects appear to change. They aren't really moving, but because you've changed position everything looks different, as shown in Figure P2-3.

P2.2.1. Drawing in 3-D Without Getting Lost

If you're new to the world of 3-D design, sooner or later you're bound to get lost. It happens to everyone, and it's just part of the learning process. For example, you may have zoomed in so closely to a part of your model that nothing looks familiar. Or maybe you've maneuvered the view so you don't see your model at all; you think you're looking off into blank space.

Don't panic. This book provides tips throughout for finding your bearings and moving around your SketchUp world. Here's your first tip for returning to a familiar view of your project: Choose Camera → Zoom Extents to get a view of every object in your SketchUp world. Then choose Camera → Standard Views → Front to see those objects in a familiar orientation. This camera two-step returns your view to a recognizable perspective.

Figure P2-3. In SketchUp, when you change from front view to side view or back view, the relationships between objects seem to change. Even an action as simple as zooming in can hide a previously visible object from your view.