Text tool

In SketchUp, we also have the ability to add text to our figure.

This can be useful, for example, for a diagram or a presentation.

To add text to your figure, select the Text tool from the Construction toolbar, click anywhere in the drawing window and start typing (1).
A second way is to click on the edge of any object, click the pointer and move in any direction, and click again when you’ve reached the right position to type your text (2)
The difference between the first and the second method, is that in the second method it automatically draws an arrow pointing to the relevant part of the drawing.

To change the format of the text, right click the text, and select “Object Properties” from the drop-down menu.
In the “Object Properties” dialog, click the “Change Font” button.
This opens a second dialog box where you can change the font, style and size.
When all this is changed, click the OK button to close the second dialog box, and click the X in the “Object Properties” dialog box to close the first dialog box.

To delete text, select the text and click the Delete button on your keyboard.

To move text, select the “Move” tool in the tool bar, move the mouse pointer over the text, then click and drag the text to the desired position.

When the text is connected to a pointing arrow, this will automatically adjust to the arrow position of the text.

3D Text tool

We can also add 3D text into our drawing.

Click the “3D Text” tool in the tool bar.

This opens the “Place 3D Text” dialog box.

Type your text in the upper section (1).
select a “Font” in (2).
Specify a style (3).
Determine the “Align” (4).
Determine the “Height” (5).
Determine whether or not these letters are to be filled (6).
Determine the depth of the characters, if you choose to fill the letters (7).
And click the “Place” (8).

 

This closes the dialog, and the 3D text now adheres to our pointer.
Wherver we position the mouse pointer, the 3D text will always appear parallel to the plane above which it is located.

If you prefer to still change the size of the text, select the “Scale” tool.

And you can change the formatting with the “Paint Bucket”, more on that later.

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