Use a Simpler Style
Some of SketchUp’s visual styles add extra line effects that can slow things down. Switching to a cleaner style usually makes the model feel much more responsive.
How to change it:
- Open SketchUp
- Go to Window → Default Tray → Styles
- Choose Simple Style (plain edges, no sketchy effects)
- In the Styles panel, make sure Profiles is turned off
This reduces the amount of linework SketchUp has to redraw while you move around the model.
Turn on “Fast Feedback”
Fast Feedback helps SketchUp make better use of your Mac’s graphics hardware.
To enable it:
- Open SketchUp
- Go to SketchUp → Preferences
- Select Graphics
- Turn on Use Fast Feedback
- Restart SketchUp
Most Macs see an immediate improvement after this change.
Adjust macOS Display Scaling
High Retina resolutions look great, but they can slow down 3D viewports. Dropping the scaling slightly keeps things sharp while improving performance.
To adjust it:
- Open System Settings
- Go to Displays
- Under Resolution, choose a slightly lower “Looks like” option
- For example: change from “Looks like 2560×1440” to “Looks like 1920×1080”
This reduces the number of pixels SketchUp has to render, which often makes orbiting and zooming feel noticeably smoother.