To change how dimensions are displayed in SketchUp, you typically adjust the model units or the dimension style.
In SketchUp, "changing dimension measurements" usually refers to adjusting the units or format in which dimensions are displayed, rather than altering the physical size of the geometry or manually overriding the dimension text. The method differs slightly depending on whether you are working in the main SketchUp application or in LayOut.
Changing Dimension Units in SketchUp
To change the units that dimensions display in the SketchUp modeling window, you need to access the Model Info settings.
- Navigate to the main menu: Window > Model Info.
- In the Model Info window, select the Units section from the left-hand menu.
- Here, you can change the Format (e.g., Decimal, Architectural, Engineering, Fractional).
- You can also set the Units (e.g., Inches, Feet, Millimeters, Centimeters, Meters) and the Precision level.
As stated in the reference, "If you want to change the displayed dimensions in SketchUp, just go to WindowModel InfoUnits and change the model units to Fractional." While the reference specifically mentions changing to Fractional, you can choose any suitable unit format and precision here. These changes will affect how all dimensions in your SketchUp model are displayed.
Changing Dimension Style and Units in LayOut
If you are working with dimensions in LayOut (SketchUp's 2D documentation tool), you have more control over individual or selected dimensions through the Dimension Style panel.
- In LayOut, select the dimension(s) you want to modify. You can select a single dimension, multiple dimensions, or even all dimensions on a page.
- With the dimension(s) selected, open the Dimension Style panel (typically found in the tray or under Window > Dimension Style).
- In this panel, you can change the Units, Precision, Font, Arrow Style, Scale, and other formatting options specifically for the selected dimensions.
The reference highlights this: "If you want to change the units for dimensions in LayOut, select all of the dimensions on the page and change the units in Dimension Style." This method allows for different dimensions on the same page or in the same document to have different display styles or units if needed.
Summary: SketchUp vs. LayOut
Here's a quick comparison of where to adjust dimension display settings:
| Application | What You Change | Location | Applies To |
|---|---|---|---|
| SketchUp | Model Units & Precision | Window > Model Info > Units | All dimensions in the SketchUp model |
| LayOut | Dimension Style (Units, Format, Font, etc.) | Window > Dimension Style (with dimensions selected) | Selected dimensions in LayOut |
By understanding the difference between adjusting global model units in SketchUp and styling specific dimensions in LayOut, you can effectively control how your measurements are displayed in your 3D models and 2D documentation.
