One of SketchUp's main strengths is its inference point system.

This is a great solution, thanks to which the program is extremely easy to use. The system recognizes certain points and automatically snaps the mouse to them. This feels great.

In my opinion, it releases a little dopamine every time.

Inference points

There are 8 basic snap points

• Endpoint - green dot on the ends of the edges

• Midpoint - blue dot in the middle of the edge

• On Line - red square on the guideline

• On Edge - red square along the edge

• Guidepoint - black dot on the guidepoint

• On Face - navy blue dot on the face

• Intersection - red X on the intersection point of the planes

• Origin - black dot on the intersection axis

Each time the system finds the reference point, a tooltip with its name appears next to the cursor.

Block directions of the action

When drawing, copying and moving, SkechUp also detects the directions of our actions witch can be locked.

• Hold SHIFT - to lock the action direction along an axis, an edge or a guide

• Up arrow - to act along a blue axis

• Right arrow - to act along a red axis

• Left arrow - to act along a green axis

• Down arrow - to act parallel or perpendicular to the edge over which the cursor is located.

Press the arrow after you start action to fix or release the action direction, you can use other reference points at the same time.

Reference from point

When you are above the reference point for a few seconds, the "From Point" function is started.

This allows you to move the cursor parallel to one of the axes with respect to the point over which you have held the mouse. In this way you can refer to several inference points. For example, you can find the center of the rectangle at the intersection of the lines starting from the centers of its edges.

In my opinion, the reference point system is one of the factors that is addictive when using SketchUp. How do you see it?