The SketchUp Coordinate Systems

SketchUp uses a 3D coordinate system whereby points in space are identified by position along three drawing axes: plus or minus X, Y, and Z (above ground/below ground) values. In SketchUp, plus or minus X is represented by solid green and dotted green lines respectively; plus or minus Y are represented by a solid red and dotted red axis lines respectively; plus or minus Z (above and below the ground plane) are represented by solid blue and dotted blue lines respectively.  The plane where the red and green lie is called the ground plane. Finally, the term origin, is used to define the place where all of axes lines start or originate.

 

 The following image shows the drawing axes in SketchUp (the lines have been thickened to make the axes easier to read). The black circle represents the origin. The Blue axes runs up and down. The green axes runs from the lower left-hand corner to the upper right-hand corner. The Red axes runs from the lower right-hand corner to the upper left-hand corner.

Understanding SketchUp’s coordinate system is important because SketchUp’s inference engine (explained next) provides you help with drawing accurately.