Introduction

This article explains how to ROTATE components in SketchUp, it will explain the basic ways to rotate items, using the standard Rotate tool, keyboard shortcuts, and other helpful features.  We will show you step-by-step how to select items, rotate them in different directions. 

User Interface overview

The tool is located on the SketchUp Getting Started Toolbar or using the keyboard shortcut Q.

Steps for Rotating Components

1. Prepare the view and snapping - for rotating by using snapping points and end labels:
   • For clarity on the ScaffPlan Toolbar, toggle Snapping Points and Labels Visibility to display both item Snap Points and labels (End 1/End 2).
   • In SketchUp, enable X-Ray: View → Face Style → X-Ray (or use Styles toolbar).
2. Select the Item
   • Start by clicking on the Select Tool in the toolbar, click on the component or group of items you wish to rotate. (You can select multiple items by holding down the Ctrl key while selecting).
3. Rotate the Component

• Use the Rotate Tool or press Q on the keyboard to activate Rotate.

1. Choose the Rotate Start Point
   • Click on the item to specify the point and face from which you want to Rotate it, this is the reference point that guides how you will rotate the item on it axis – use the Advanced Move Features if necessary.
2. Pull away to Start the Rotation
   • With your mouse, pull out away from the object at the location you want to be 'Zero'.  What that means is that the object will move a certain number of degrees from the line you choose.
3. Finalize the Rotation:
   • Click again to set the item angle at your desired location or type in the degree value that you want.  The item is now Rotated to its new position within the model.
4. Copy the Component in Rotation
   • Press the CTRL key on the Keyboard to activate Copy.
   • Multiple Copies - Array
     • When you have finalised the Rotate you can simply type for example x4 or (you can also use * as a multiplier) to create 4 equally spaced radial items, this enters information into the Angle field on the Status Bar
   • Multiple Copies - Divide
     1. When you have finalised the Rotate you can simply type for example /4 to equally divide the distance between the first and last items into 4 equally spaced items, this enters information into the Angle field on the Status Bar

Advanced Move Features

When the Rotate Tool is active the Status Bar contains important Tooltips about that tool in the middle area of the status bar including usage and modifiers

To rotate your item a precise distance type either of the following during or immediately after the move:

Angle: 

Positive angles rotate objects counter-clockwise, while negative angles rotate them clockwise.

Inference Direction: To lock an inference to an Axis as you move, hold down the Shift key when the Rotate circle turns the color of your desired axis you can, use the Arrow keys to manually lock to an axis if necessary

Red (X-Axis)              Left to Right                     à      (Right Arrow)

Green (Y-Axis)          Front to Back                  ß       (Left Arrow)

Blue (Z-Axis)             Vertically Up/Down         á        (Up Arrow)