# So let me see if I understand this, the simplest 2D layout is not part of the Free version?

**URL:** <https://forums.sketchup.com/t/so-let-me-see-if-i-understand-this-the-simplest-2d-layout-is-not-part-of-the-free-version/160349>\
**Category:** LayOut\
**Created:** [April 11, 2021, 6:48pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/so-let-me-see-if-i-understand-this-the-simplest-2d-layout-is-not-part-of-the-free-version/160349 "2021-04-11T18:48:48Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Cymerax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea5d25/32.png) [@Cymerax](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/Cymerax)\
**Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 6:48pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/so-let-me-see-if-i-understand-this-the-simplest-2d-layout-is-not-part-of-the-free-version/160349/1 "2021-04-11T18:48:48Z")

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Hello, I’m new to Sketchup, and I’ve been trying to do a SIMPLE 2D aerial view drawing using the Free version and have been utterly frustrated in doing so. I DON’T WANT a 3D image and find it difficult and not useful for my needs. Now I find this statement that the SIMPLIST way to draw an image is ONLY available in the Pro version??? Is this true, or am I missing something? Thanks in advance to anyone who can give me the 411 on this ;?)

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**Author:** ![Cymerax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea5d25/32.png) [@Cymerax](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/Cymerax)\
**Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 7:02pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/so-let-me-see-if-i-understand-this-the-simplest-2d-layout-is-not-part-of-the-free-version/160349/2 "2021-04-11T19:02:48Z")

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Well from what I can see after screwing around with this for a couple of hours, this is NOT useful for doing house layouts for the purpose of remodeling my basement. No palettes for doors, windows etc. so guess I’ll be looking elsewhere, good thing I didn’t bother to sign up for Pro, smh.

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**Author:** ![DaveR](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/daver/32/7601_2.png) [@DaveR](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/DaveR)\
**Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 7:08pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/so-let-me-see-if-i-understand-this-the-simplest-2d-layout-is-not-part-of-the-free-version/160349/3 "2021-04-11T19:08:37Z")

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LayOut is part of the SketchUp Pro package. You can make 2D drawings in SketchUp Free if you wish. SketchUp is a 3D modeling application but you can make 2D if you want.

Since you don’t want 3D at all, maybe you should be looking at a 2D-only CAD application. There are a number of good options out there.

> [@Cymerax](#):
>
> this is NOT useful for doing house layouts for the purpose of remodeling my basement.

That’s not true at all.

> [@Cymerax](#):
>
> No palettes for doors, windows etc.

There are many options for doors and windows in the 3D Warehouse. A simple search via the Components panel would have turned up more than you could use.

Since you’ve already decided to move on and find a different application to use for your project, I’ll wish you good luck. It is too bad that you’ve missed just about everything about SketchUp, though.

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**Author:** ![eric-s](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/eric-s/32/55392_2.png) [@eric-s](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/eric-s)\
**Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 8:16pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/so-let-me-see-if-i-understand-this-the-simplest-2d-layout-is-not-part-of-the-free-version/160349/4 "2021-04-11T20:16:14Z")

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> [@Cymerax](#):
>
> I’ve been trying to do a SIMPLE 2D aerial view

That’s easy to do in Free. Don’t get frustrated if you’re new as any software takes time to learn. Watch the tutorial videos, search for answers online (ex [Help Center](https://help.sketchup.com/en/sketchup-web/creating-and-editing-models#intro-tools)), and do what you’re doing here by posting questions for help.

To answer your question, do the following:

1. Find the icon on the right for ‘Scenes’ - looks like a movie director’s marker.
2. Then find the icon of a cube that looks like all sides are equal in length (called Parallel Projection).
3. Then find the icon that looks like a roof viewed from above. That will get you in plan view now.  
 ![Screen Shot 2021-04-11 at 1.03.52 PM](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/original/3X/a/c/ac124b7ee07320c30be7d8f5ae02aa7954d44b57.jpeg)

When ready to save the view, click on the ‘hamburger’ menu in upper left to expand the save/export options and choose ‘Export’ and choose your file type. That should do it.

 ![Screen Shot 2021-04-11 at 1.04.20 PM](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/original/3X/a/7/a7e5527e4eed5a532ceb854cc3f0403d80b15a90.jpeg)
