SketchUp provides everything you need to create your own terrain for your model using the Sandbox tools.Tip: The Sandbox tools are available as a toolbar you can add in View > Toolbars. The From Contours and From Scratch tools can also be found in Draw > Sandbox.Creating terrain can be useful when:

Importing FilesWith SketchUp, you can import files that already include geolocation data or have been positioned in real-world locations. This includes other SketchUp files, and even files created with other software. Importing a geolocated file can be a great way to integrate multiple models for large-scale projects while still keeping the original file intact. You can import a file by selecting File > Import.

Geolocating a model or adding terrain puts your SketchUp design into real-world surroundings. By using SketchUp’s Add Location feature, importing data or site context, or creating your own terrain, you can enhance your model with specific and accurate location data and site context.

You can add additional camera types to the list of camera types included with ACT (found in Tools > Advanced Camera Tools > categories > camera) by editing a CSV file on your computer. This file is found here on Microsoft Windows:

Following are the contents required for each camera definition in the cameras.csv file: id A unique numerical identifier for your camera. name A descriptive name for your camera (this will appear within the Advance Camera Tools submenus in SketchUp). description An additional description for your camera.

When you add an ACT camera to your SketchUp model, SketchUp inserts a camera model with built in frustrums, safe zones, and aspect ratio masking bars. In the following sections, you find out to show or hide each element of the camera geometry.

Wherever you create an ACT camera, SketchUp creates a small camera model. To reposition this physical ACT camera model, use SketchUp's Move and Rotate tools. Tip: Physically repositioning the camera model is different than aiming the camera (with the pan, tilt, truck, or dolly movements, for example). To move an ACT camera model, follow these steps:

In camera view mode, you can move and aim SketchUp's virtual cameras much like you'd move an actual movie camera. The following figure shows off all the SketchUp ACT camera moves: dolly (1), pedistal (2), truck (3), pan (4), tilt (5), roll (6), and changing focal length.

In camera view mode, you can look through an ACT camera in a few different ways. Here's how to peer into your camera with the ACT toolbar: Click Look through a camera (). The Select Camera dialog box appears. Select a camera from the Camera drop-down menu. Click OK to look through the camera. Click one of the ACT tabs, and you see through the tab's corresponding camera.

To edit the properties of an ACT camera while in camera view mode, follow these steps: Context-click and select Edit Camera. The Camera Properties dialog box appears. Modify properties as needed. See the upcoming list for details about your options. Click OK. You can also edit an ACT camera's properties outside of camera view mode. Here's how it's done: