Orbit about a specific axis

[PeterCharles]

Sometimes I get quite frustrated trying to orbit around my model to get the view I want.

Is there a way to orbit around just one specified axis at a time???

[pilou]

Just use Tool Axes
Insert it in the middle of your object as you want

[PeterCharles]

@unknownuser said:

Just use Tool Axes
Insert it in the middle of your object as you want

???
Surely that just changes the position of the axis. How does that enable me to orbit about just one of them?

[Jean Lemire]

Hi folks.

Try moving the mouse horizontally only and you will obtain an orbit around the blue axis.

Position the red axis horizontally and then, when moving the mouse only vertically, you will get an orbit around the red axis.

Position the green axis horizontally and then, when moving the mouse only vertically, you will get an orbit around the green axis.

Of course, this is not totally precise and you will have small movements around the other axes if your hand is not rock steady and even if you are rock steady, it is not perfect.

To get really precise orientation around an axis, I would rotate the model with the Rotate Tool and use a standard view.

Just ideas.

[PeterCharles]

So when the chips are down it can't be done.

[NewOne]

There is Mover
It rotates by axis... just not with mouse.

[jeff hammond]

i'm not quite sure what type of views you're going for but you might give this a try..
http://www.smustard.com/script/CameraControls

[PeterCharles]

Maybe I'll just have to learn to use that Sandio 3D mouse then.

[remus]

you could always just hold ctrl while your orbiting, this will turn of the 'turntable' effect you usually get.

[Cyberdactyl]

Also, if you're working on a very complex model, in a specific area, get in the habit of making a 'scene' of that situation.

If you get even slightly disoriented, you can pop to a well known orientation to get your bearings.

[xrok1]

Twilight has an awesome built in camera tool to rotate around a specific point. try the demo, you'll fall in love!

[djh]

@remus said:

you could always just hold ctrl while your orbiting, this will turn of the 'turntable' effect you usually get.

Holding control while rotating should constrain the rotation?

[slbaumgartner]

@djh said:

@remus said:

you could always just hold ctrl while your orbiting, this will turn of the 'turntable' effect you usually get.

Holding control while rotating should constrain the rotation?

No. SketchUp's orbit has a notion of "gravity" by which it tries to keep the horizon line (duh!) horizontal. Holding ctrl (option on Mac) suspends this action and actually allows less constrained orbiting, the opposite of what is being requested!