I am having trouble adjusting my model from Sketchup to Layout in scale.
I want to scale my model down to 1:10 but when I take dimensions, the model is not scaling properly.
How do you create a detail model in SketchUp and have it scale properly in LayOut?
First, in SketchUp, you need to set up the scene showing the detail with the camera set to Parallel Projection and select a standard view. Then in LayOut, select that scene for the viewport and in the SketchUp model panel, choose the scale from the drop down list. Or right click on the viewport and choose Scale and 1:10.
I have done this. For example, my I beam is 133mm wide. But when I change the scale to 1:10 it is not 133mm wide anymore?
Upload the LayOut file so I can see what you’ve got.
xxx.layout (712.5 KB)
So you aren’t using a SketchUp file. Instead you are using a Scaled Drawing. that information is important. You’ve also turned off Auto-Scale in the Dimension Style panel. Turn Auto Scale on and it should work for you.
Also, when you drew it, you drew it at 1330mm wide.
I had to draw this because I couldn’t get the pattern fill on my I beam when I converted my model to layout.
So is there any way I can move my SketchUp file into layout and insert a pattern fill to the I beam without having to draw over it?
You could put the pattern fill on the model in SketchUp or you could explode the viewport in LO after you render it as Vector.
Exactly what are all the dimensions of the beam cross section supposed to be?
Okay, thanks.
133 wide by 189 tall
So could you summarise what I have to do to make this cross section scale properly in 1:10?
If you want to draw it in LayOut directly, select Scaled Drawing, Select the scale in the Scaled Drawing panel, get the Line tool and start drawing the outline of the beam. Enter the real world dimensions. They will appear on the page at the 1:10 scale you selected. When you add the dimensioning, make sure Auto Scale is enabled in the Dimension Style panel.
When you get finished, it should be something like this.
That’s great! I have other more complex details I have already made in SketchUp, so with them I’d rather just convert them to LayOut and scale them appropriately. Can I still do this?
Yes. Do as I first described. Set up a scene for the view making sure the camera is set to Parallel Projection and you have the appropriate standard view. Add a hatching texture if you wish. Then in LO, set the scale for the viewport. You can drag the edges of the viewport if needed to crop or show more of the model but do not double click on the viewport or otherwise modify the scene in LO.
FWIW, it would likely be best if you leave the SU viewports unexploded so they maintain the link from the original SU file. That way, if you have reason to modify the details later, you can do that in SketchUp and let LayOut automatically update the viewports.
This is really helpful! Seems to be working fine now. One last thing.
There’s a scale bar template in the scrap book. How do I adjust this for 1:10?
You can scale it so its length matches whatever you want. I would add a dimension to it and scale it to, say, 100mm long. You might need to edit the numbers on the scale. Personally, it’s easy enough to make your own and I would suggest that route. You can make another scaled drawing for that. You’ll get a scale that exactly suits your needs and because you’d make it as a scaled drawing, you can easily change the scale later to something else. Say you want to show your details at !;20 or 1:2. You simply select the scaled drawing and change the scale in the Scaled Drawing panel. Similar to the way you would change the scale for SketchUp viewports using the SketchUp Model panel.
Thanks for your help, simplified everything! I have a detail ready now at 1:10 on an A3 sheet - what is the best way to transfer this detail into an A3 word document? I have lots of text on the page in Word to accompany the detail.
There isn’t a great way to get image into a Word doc at a set scale. Instead, save the text from your Word doc as RTF and insert that into your LO document. Then when you have it all set up, export a PDF from LayOut. When the PDF is printed with no scaling, your 1:10 image should be 1:10.
Brilliant, you’ve been amazing! Everything is much clearer now thanks again.
I’m happy that helped.
A couple of additional things before you get too far into this.
Create a suitable template for your work. Include things like specific layers for SU viewports, LO drawing entities, dimensions, text, etc. Dimension and text layers should be higher in the Layers list than the layers for viewports and other drawing stuff. Otherwise the text entities will wind up behind the viewports and stuff. You can also add stuff that would be the same from document to document like page numbers, borders, title block, etc. Make settings for text entities (font, size, dimension arrow style and line weight, label leader arrow style and weight, etc.) also choose the paper size, maybe turn off grid snapping if you don’t want that (Arrange menu). Then Save as template for later use.
Make sure you put your various entities on the appropriate layers as you work and lock layers you aren’t working on to prevent changing things you don’t want to change.
