I am finding Layout super frustrating to use. I am hoping there is a way to disconnect it from Sketchup so i can isolate changes to clean up the messy dimensions. So I understand I have to make all the changes in SU first, send the drawing to LO and arrange the different views on paper. I did that but when i scale the views to fit the paper size, the dimension numbers stay the same size as original but the scale of the object changes, so all the leader lines, arrow heads and numbers obscure each other. Thats the first issue - the next problem is that I want to eliminate the confusing dimensions for each view. For example, I have a simple face view that only needs 4 dimensions, but all the dimensions for every other view are also in the drawing. How do i isolate the dimensions for each view so I have a clear drawing for construction. I hope i can get answers from some pros - I love this program but it makes me angry often - I would love a full tutorial video or writeup for this program in order to learn how to use every aspect of it so i can justify paying 700$ for a licence.
Since you’re doing your dimensioning in SketchUp and not LayOut, you need to fix them up in SketchUp. Create layers in SketchUp for the dimensions. You can sort them based on the views you’re creating. There are some settings in Model Info>Dimensions that will allow you to control visibility of small and foreshortended dimensions that may also be useful to play with.
For dimensions you don’t want to see in certain scenes, turn off their layers and update the scenes to lock in those layer state changes. Then save the SKP file and update the reference in LayOut. Make sure that none of the scenes in the SketchUp inspector window in LayOut show as “Modified” or changes you make to the scenes in SketchUp will not appear in the viewport.
As for the size of the dimensions, how do you have them sized in SketchUp? You could do the dimensioning in LO instead. That would give you a cleaner look at give you better control over the dimensions. If you do that, put the dimensions on a layer higher in the list than the model viewports are on so the dimensions will show over the viewports. You can then lock layers and/or adjust visibility to see only dimensions or only viewports and so on.
In general, SU is for raw geometry and LO is for presentation. The whole setup is very adaptable but the only text or dimensions I would use in SU is for something I need to see whilst I am working on it. Anything that I need someone else to see goes on LO.
Having said that, the dimensioning is not as sophisticated as in some CAD packages. Personally, I find the ease of use trumps the limitations in functionality.
I your example, I, personally, would import the SketchUp file without and dimensions, and then add dimensions to LayOut.
This way, you can add the dimensions that you want to each viewport, individually. As @simoncbevans mentioned, I on;y add dimensions to SketchUp if I need an on-screen dimension for something at a specific point. Dimensioning and labeling for output happens in LayOut.
I agree with Aaron as well.
I, personally, would leave the SketchUp model without any dimensions or annotation (text) and add those in Layout.