I am modeling a fire-pit that will be made of sheet steel. I would like to convert the 3d model to a 2d layout so that I can print out a large template sheet on my plotter and use it to directly cut out the pieces. Does sketchup have the ability to lay the individual pieces flat and keep their 1:1 real world measurements?
Any help is appreciated.
I assume you have what amounts to a short cylinder. There are extensions that would allow you to flatten the cylinder so that you can make a pattern. The maximum paper dimension you can set in LayOut is 200" by 200". If your flattened pattern is longer than that you would need to split the pattern in two. This can easily be done in LayOut while leaving the pattern whole in SketchUp.
Here is my design if it makes it easier to conceptualize what I am trying to layout. All flat sides.(except for the chimney which does not need to be laid out)
Is it as simple as just converting it to a layout? Do I have to lay all of individual parts flat first or does layout automatically do this?
This is different than what I was thinking of but not a problem. Are you planning to cut the base section out of a single sheet or multiple pieces?
LayOut won’t automatically do this. LayOut is a tool for creating documents such as scaled patterns and construction documents from your SketchUp models.
How about uploading the SKP file of your model?
This is the beginning stages of the design. the side walls will be expanded steel and the top and bottom will be solid steel sheet. Ideally I would like to cut my pieces out of one large 4’x8’ sheet of steel by laying out a paper template on top. The parts are all simple shapes (squares and triangles). Here is another example. I can upload the SKP.
firepit.skp (233.5 KB)Laying these out in 2D is pretty straightforward even without an extension. Is there going to be any frame work? Are you planning to make 8 individual side pieces and 14 triangles? I assume where the triangles are missing it will be open?
I love the way you just laid this out. If I were to print this from the 3d design will it print 1:1 scale? is it just setting up the print page settings up print it properly? There isn’t any framework on the inside and the flat sections where triangles are missing will be flat steel where a pot can be placed for cooking.
I’m assuming it is symmetrical, you should only need a couple of segments and then some measurements to know what to cut.
I just drew a rectangle and triangle to match your model and laid them out. After that you would establish a scene with the camera set to Parallel Projection and the standard top view and send to LayOut. Set the paper size to suit in Document Setup amd set the viewport scale to 1:1. Give me a minute. I’ve got an example almost finished.
Box is correct. You don’t really need a pattern of the whole thing in this case.
I totally get that. My first thought was to cut out a square and triangle out of wood and use it to replicate/cut out my pieces. I then thought having a large template to place over the sheet would allow for the most efficient part placement from a preset template similar to this
But how did you do that? I also have a 3D model that I would like to render in 2D.
The not to scale mock up was cobbled together from making shapes based off measurements from the sketchup model placed into MS Publisher. It didn’t work out so well.
You could do the nesting of the parts for more efficient material usage. I made individual components for the rectangle and triangles so they can be rearranged any way you want. I might use SketchUp and LayOut to get an idea of how to nest the parts for efficiency but I’d probably make patterns from plywood because I’m thinking that you might want to shift things slightly to get the pieces to mate nicely since you have no supporting frame structure to tack these to.
A couple of notes about your modeling. First you should be staying on top of face orientation. Only white faces out. Second, for a project this size, Architectural units especially with precision of 1/16 in. isn’t really appropriate. Either use Fractional or Decimal and increase the precision to higher than you would use in the shop.
Sorry for interrupting earlier. When you guys are finished your discussion I’d love to know if I’m expecting too much of the software. I thought that having made the 3D file in Sketchup that Layout would convert it to 2D drawings. From what I’ve read in this discussion it sounds like I would actually have to redraw the model in a 2D format using Layout. Is that correct?
To whom did you address your question? I laid the parts out in SketchUp to make the pattern and used LayOut for the page to print.
Honestly, anyone that knows…but I was thinking DaveR, the sketchup sage was my best bet.
LayOut uses views you create of your model as images (viewports) on a page. It won’t automatically unfold your model.
Your profile indicates you are using the free web based version. If that’s true, you need to switch to SketchUp Pro to access LayOut.
That may explain it. My trial actually came with layout (19.3.252), but perhaps it doesn’t have a capability. I have not created views in as images on a page. I’m going to see if I have access to that feature in SketchUp
Dave I greatly appreciate the help. You are a Wizard! I will play with the model using your advice and try out a print on the plotter tomorrow. I am an on and off Sketchup user and am always looking to advance my skills. Thank you for the advice.
