Layout Crashes when I try to convert to DWG

[imaginehabitat2014]

I’m working on a project where I have to share drawings with other professionals. For the last hour I have been trying to convert the project to a DWG file so the other professionals can open it in CAD. Anytime I hit export, layout crashes. I have whittled down the model to just one floor just to reduce its complexity. But the problem still persists

[ArchyVR]

Hello,

Not sure if the style used for exporting has anything to do with the crashes you are experiencing, but here is a post where I list the settings I use to give me fairly clean DWG exports from Layout.

Layout: Please add a toggle to remove hidden geometry edges from Exports to DWG and PDFs - LayOut / Feature Requests - SketchUp Community

If you can share your Layout File, we can see if any of us can export it without crashing.

-Chris

[imaginehabitat2014]

Thanks for the response. I’ll check out your post to see what more I could do to optimise the file. I am unable to send the file on this forum because of the huge file size.

I’ll attach a screenshot of one of the pages. If I could send the file any other way to get some clarity, I would.

Thanks,
Kofi

[RLGL]

Upload the .layout to the forum so it can be examined.

[Barry]

I’m not seeing any crashes with the forum email you use in 23, 24 or 25 Mac LayOut. Send in a bugsplat and I can take a look at what’s going on.

[Anssi]

@imaginehabitat2014

If I could send the file any other way to get some clarity, I would.

Upload the file to an online file sharing service (WeTransfer, GoogleDrive, DropBox,…), make it accessible and share the link here.

[imaginehabitat2014]

The Elizerbeth (Working Drawings).layout

link to my layout file. Try converting it to a dwg and the app crashes

[imaginehabitat2014]

I replicated the process and added my email to the bug report. U should see it now.

-Nana Kofi

[ArchyVR]

OK, I downloaded your file, and noticed that it is 1GB… After taking a closer look, I think you can benefit from some optimizing techniques to reduce the size of the file and that may in the end minimize the number of crashes you are experiencing.

Here is a link to some tips to consider.

Is it best to have a separate file for each sheet of a drawing set? First-time user of LayOut

I second DaveR’s suggestion of optimizing your model before going into LO. Some plugins I found that make the biggest impact in optimizing your SU files are: Material Resizer by Trimble… I can not over emphasize how much of a difference this plugin makes in controlling image data within your SU model. I was able to reduce 120Mb SU files down to 60Mb with this plugin alone! Essentially if you inserted either a material or a component with a material with an unnecessarily huge image associate…

Just running the material resizer on the sketchup model can make a huge difference.

Also, be very selective to use efficiently modeled component assets that just enough detail for your needs. I suspect the components you are using are very large in terms of MB.

After optimizing, try exporting again. Let me know if you are still having trouble after that.

[ArchyVR]

Looking at your model versus your component assets, I’m guessing you could probably bring the model down to 20 to 40MBs

Also, if in the end you need the high detail 3d Assets for perspective renderings, then attach a 2D simplified line drawing within every 3D component. Place the 3D object on a 3D Tag and the 2D object on a 2D Tag. For your plans, only activate the 2D Tag, keeping the 3D Tag off.

Lastly, I just noticed you seem to have essentially the same model referenced twice. With all the component assets you have, your Sketchup Model seems to be pushing 400MB. Putting that in there twice makes your LO huge, at least 800MB and with whatever extras is at 1GB.

Try to have a 1 model design approach and use a single model for the different drawings you need in LO.

[imaginehabitat2014]

Thanks ArchyVR for taking the time to look at my work. I have taken note of the comments given. I will try to optimise my models more. I’m getting the resizer plug in now to see what difference it makes.

I had referenced 2 models for the layout because I worked on the same version of my model with lines cleaned out to present my elevations.

Now that I realise how some of my techniques affect the size of my model and how often it crashes, I’ll check out what Aaron has to say about that on the sketchup YouTube channel.

I’ll send an update once I’m done optimising this model.

My sincerest gratitude