Can I import jpegs to scale? I start with a properly scaled pdf drawing that I export as a jpg image. Thereby I can influence pixels and scale. Then I want to import that jpeg to be on scale also. Is this possible? So without scaling the image afterwards which is never precise? Can someone help me?
Frank
There’s no way to set the scale of the JPG when you import it but if you know its exact dimensions, you could draw a rectangle at those dimensions and import it using the rectangle as a guide.
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If you export your vector drawing as a .dwg file and then import that into SketchUp, it will be actual geometry (edges). At that point you could be a lot more precise with scaling it up to the accurate size using the Tape Measure than you would with a jpeg, since you can inference actual endpoints vs just guessing over pixels.
EDIT: When testing this, I found that the imported DWG was already to scale, and didn’t need any modifications. Bonus!
That assumes the PDF is a vector file to begin with. Won’t work for raster.
Correct. I made that assumption in order to provide a solution that didn’t use a raster image. If his PDF was already a raster image, he wouldn’t have to export it as a JPEG in the first place. It was already established it doesn’t work for raster images in his original post. My solution assumes the PDF has vector elements, and is a solution should that be the case.
failing a dxf option, a huge tiff or even png would be better than any jpg…
john
I know this is an old thread, but I was just searching for how to import an image and ensure it is the exact dimensions I need it, so that my 3D models can reference the image and match the correct scale.
The way to do this is:
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Import the image into SketchUp, ensuring the “Use image as: Image” is selected
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Draw a single line on the image, along something that you know the exact dimensions of
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Group the line and the image together, and double-click to open the group
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Use the tape measure tool to measure the length of the line you have drawn. It will not show the correct size as yet.
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Type the correct size and press enter. SketchUp will ask you if you want to resize the group, choose “Yes”.
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You can now delete the line and guide if desired.
You should now have your image at the exact scale you need.
The Tracing an Image Tutorial from SketchUp shows this exact process as a video.
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Point 5. Type the correct size and press ???
Your method is very helpful but I need that important step.
Press “enter”…
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Yes, it should’ve said press “enter”. Sorry, the forum stripped out the word because I had brackets around it. I’ve edited my post to correct it. 
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Thank you!