Position Camera Tool

Use the Position Camera Tool to position the camera (your view) at a specific eye height so that you can check the line of sight of a model or walk through a model. Activate the Position Camera Tool from either the Walkthrough Toolbar or the Camera Menu.

Positioning the Camera

The camera is positioned using one of two methods. The first method places the camera at eye-level above a specific point (5' 6" above that point by default). The second method placing the camera at a specific point, facing a specific direction.

Positioning the Camera at an Eye-Level View

The first position camera method allows you to position the camera at a specific eye-height above a specific point that you choose. The camera does not point at anything in particular. However, you are placed in the Look Around Tool allowing you to move the camera around the point to look at items in your model.

1. Select the Position Camera Tool. The cursor changes to a small person with a red X. Notice that the Value Control Box (VCB) indicates that the eye height above the ground plane is set to 5 feet, 6 inches. You can override this height at this time by typing in a desired value.
2. Click on a point in your model. SketchUp places the camera's point of view at an average eye-height over the point you click on. You are also placed in the Look Around Tool. The following image shows a point in the middle of a room. The camera will be positioned directly above this point (5' 6") facing the television set if you click at this point.

Note - The viewing direction defaults to the top of screen, which is due north, if you place the camera from a plan view.

Positioning the Camera Using Specific Target Points

The second position camera method allows you to position the camera at a specific point, facing a specific direction.

1. Select the Position Camera Tool. The cursor changes to a small person with a red X. Notice that the Value Control Box (VCB) indicates that the eye height above the ground plane is set to 5 feet, 6 inches. You can override this height at this time by typing in a desired value.

Tip - Use the Tape Measure Tool and the VCB to drag parallel guide lines off of edges as a method to provide accurate camera placements.

2. Click and hold mouse button on a point in your model.
3. Drag the cursor to the portion of the model that you want to look at. A dotted line is extended from the point selected in step 2 to the portion of the model you want to look at.
4. Release the mouse button. The camera is repositioned at a height of 0 at the point selected in step 2. The camera faces the item you dragged the cursor to in step 3. The following image shows a point in the middle of a room with a dotted line to the window on the left wall of the room. The camera will be positioned directly at the first point (at 0 height) facing up at the window if you release the mouse button on the window.

5. (optional) Type a new eye height into the VCB to reposition the camera at eye height above the point selected in step 2.

Tip - Position the camera directly horizontal to the model to achieve a 2 Point Perspective.

Tip - Hold the Shift key while clicking on a surface to position the camera directly on the surface.