One Point Perspective in SketchUp

Overview

How to view a model or scene in SketchUp using 1-point perspective.

Process

Camera > Two-Point Perspective

Making sure that any planes that should be perpendicular to the central view point (CVP) are positioned accordingly.

With the camera pointing perpendicular to a plane, the top, bottom, and sides of the plane will form lines that are parallel to the edges of the viewport.

The next task is to make sure that the camera is centered relative to the center of the scene.

With the Advanced Camera Tools (ACT) SketchUp extension installed, create a camera to save and manipulate the view onto the scene.

• Tools > Advanced Camera Tools > Create Camera
• Name the camera, e.g. "1PP"

Note that after the camera is created, a scene is created for the camera which can then be accessed either through the Scene tabs at the top of the project window or through the Scenes palette (Window > Scenes).

Be careful not to use the Orbit tool immediately after using the camera unless the objective is the adjust the save view onto the scene. I.e. if you want to look at something to edit its geometry, it's necessary to first make sure that the camera is no longer selected. I'm not 100% clear on the most efficient, "correct" way to do this, but even if it looks like the camera isn't selected in the Outliner window, click in the Outliner window off any object in the list. Then adjustments applied with the Orbit tool won't change the position of the camera.

SketchUp shows a "active" camera (e.g. one that will be manipulated through the use of the Orbit tool) when there is a small crosshairs icon visible in the scene where the camera is pointed.

Manipulating the View on the Scene

It's easy to accidentally alter the position of the camera while working on the objects in a scene. Adjustments to the camera don't always show up in the Undo stack. In order to lock a camera to avoid this either hide or lock the camera after its position has been set: Tools > Advanced Camera Tools > Lock/Unlock Current Camera.

In order to position the camera relative to the center of the scene, use the Orbit tool (or Zoom tool) to back away from the scene far enough to see both the geometry and the ACT camera object (which looks like a little camera within the scene).

• Use the Select tool to select the camera object.
• Switch to the Move tool.
• Lock the Move tool, using either the left or right arrow key, to the axis that is parallel to the front or back plane in the scene.
• Move the cursor over a horizontal edge of the front or back plane of the scene until SketchUp's inference displays the Midpoint of that edge.