SketchUp Extension
ZB Smart Gizmo adds an interactive transform gizmo to SketchUp for moving, rotating, scaling, editing pivots, switching orientation modes, and entering exact values directly in your modeling workflow.
Drag axis arrows to move along X, Y, or Z. Click an arrow for numeric input — enter a distance or a target world coordinate.
Drag rotate rings for free rotation or click for exact angle input. Arrow-key shortcuts and configurable snap increment available in preferences.
Drag scale handles or enter exact values. Supports relative expressions like +100, 600+100mm, and target-length input.
Structure-aware scaling that preserves ends and corners while stretching the middle. Best for frames, windows, tables, and component assemblies.
Drag the center pivot to reposition the gizmo origin. Snaps to model geometry. Reset to selection center, model origin, or object origin via right-click.
Switch between global (world axes) and local (object axes) orientation. Plane handles let you constrain movement to XY, YZ, or XZ planes.
Install from Extension Warehouse.
Select one or more objects in your model. The gizmo appears at the selection center. Drag any handle to transform, or click a handle to enter an exact value.
Clicking empty space clears the selection and hides the gizmo. Press M to switch to the native SketchUp Move tool temporarily.
Drag an axis arrow (red = X, green = Y, blue = Z) to move freely along that axis. Click an arrow to open the numeric dialog — enter a distance or a target world coordinate for that axis.
Use the plane handles (small squares between axes) to move on two axes simultaneously.
Drag a rotate ring to rotate around that axis. Click a ring to type an exact angle. Positive values rotate counterclockwise when viewed from the positive axis direction.
Enable arrow-key rotate in preferences to use keyboard shortcuts for quick rotations while hovering the gizmo.
Drag a scale handle to resize along an axis. Click a handle for exact input. Supported formats:
1200 — target length in your configured unit+100 — add 100 to current size600+100mm — 600 plus 100 mm24in+2in — 24 inches plus 2 inchesSmart Scale preserves the structure of your object instead of uniformly stretching it. It protects corners and ends while scaling the middle span.
Works best on frame-like groups, window components, tables, and similar assemblies with a clear structural hierarchy. Enable or disable Smart Scale in Extensions > ZB Smart Gizmo > Settings > Preferences.
Open preferences from Extensions > ZB Smart Gizmo > Settings > Preferences. Available settings:
SketchUp has native move, rotate, and scale tools, but ZB Smart Gizmo adds a viewport gizmo workflow for direct object transforms.
Yes. It provides handles for moving, rotating, and scaling selected objects.
Yes. You can click handles to enter exact move distances, rotation angles, or scale values.
Smart Scale is designed to resize structured objects while preserving important ends, corners, or component structure.
Yes. It is designed for typical SketchUp selections, including groups and components.