Using Align View, always places component upside down, why?

CptanPanic · 19 Jun 2009, 15:51

I like to use align view, but for some components align view make object upside down. Is there anyway to tell sketchup which way to really align view? Or is it simply based on how you made component in the first place? I have tried changing axes, but didn't seem to do anything different.
Thanks,
CP

Gaieus · 20 Jun 2009, 14:50

I've never noticed such behaviour. Could you upload a small example file?

CptanPanic · 20 Jun 2009, 19:52

Ok here is a contrived example. Not everything you build has an up and down when you start to build, but take this house for example. If you click on front of house, and do align view, it will show you house upside down. Is there a way to fix this so it shows up right side up after the part is already made?

Upside Down House.skp

Anssi · 21 Jun 2009, 16:10

@cptanpanic said:

Ok here is a contrived example. Not everything you build has an up and down when you start to build, but take this house for example. If you click on front of house, and do align view, it will show you house upside down. Is there a way to fix this so it shows up right side up after the part is already made?

The reason is that the house IS upside down (or lying on its back, to be precise). The 3D coordinate system in SU works similarly to that of AutoCad, with the blue direction being the UP (or z) direction.

Anssi

Jim · 21 Jun 2009, 19:30

@cptanpanic said:

Not everything you build has an up and down when you start to build

True, but SketchUp does have an up and down. If your part does not have an up or down, you can rotate it so Align View meets your expectations.

CptanPanic · 22 Jun 2009, 01:54

Ok I see how rotating the object changes how the align work due to the orientation of the global axes. But lets say I am working on various parts and can't rotate the object to match what sketchup thinks is up, can I change the model's axis? I have tried changing axis all different ways, but to no avail. Is the blue axis positive always the same direction?
Thanks,
CP

Gaieus · 22 Jun 2009, 10:14

You can change the axes (Tools menu > Axes) but the align view will always be related to the original world axes. If you "set up" your building however correctly, this generally doesn't cause a problem because the view will still be somewhat "natural".