Importing a SketchUp model into LayOut is straightforward and allows you to create professional documents, presentations, and construction drawings. Here's how to do it:
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In SketchUp, click the Send to Layout button. This button is typically found in the File menu (File > Send to LayOut).
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LayOut opens. If LayOut is not already running, this action will launch the application.
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Select a LayOut template for your document. When LayOut opens, you'll be prompted to choose a template. Templates provide pre-set page sizes, margins, and other formatting options. Choose one that suits your needs (e.g., architectural D size, A3 landscape).
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Your model opens in LayOut as a Sketchup viewport. After selecting a template, your SketchUp model will appear in the LayOut document as a viewport. A viewport is essentially a window into your SketchUp model. You can then manipulate this viewport, adjust the view, add dimensions, annotations, and other elements to create your desired document.
Key Considerations and Tips:
- Save your SketchUp Model: Always save your SketchUp model before sending it to LayOut. This ensures that LayOut receives the most up-to-date version.
- Model Organization is Key: Organized SketchUp models (using layers, scenes, and components/groups) are much easier to manage in LayOut. Proper scene setup in SketchUp will translate into easily selectable views in LayOut.
- Understanding Viewports: In LayOut, you can double-click on a viewport to access the SketchUp model settings. This allows you to change the scene displayed, adjust the rendering style (e.g., shaded, wireframe), toggle layers on/off, and control other visual aspects of the model within the viewport.
- Live Connection: LayOut maintains a live connection to the original SketchUp model. This means that if you make changes to the model in SketchUp and save it, the changes will automatically be reflected in the LayOut document (although you may need to manually update the viewport by right-clicking and selecting "Update Model Reference").
- Scaling: LayOut allows you to set the scale of the SketchUp viewport. This is crucial for creating accurate architectural drawings. Select the viewport, go to the SketchUp Model panel, and choose the desired scale.
- Multiple Viewports: You can have multiple viewports of the same SketchUp model in a single LayOut document. This allows you to show different views, details, or sections of the model on different pages or even on the same page.
- Alternative Import Method: You can also import a SketchUp model into an existing LayOut document by going to File > Insert. This will allow you to browse for a SketchUp (.skp) file on your computer.
In summary, importing a SketchUp model into LayOut is a simple process using the "Send to LayOut" function, enabling you to create detailed documents by leveraging scenes, viewports, and the live connection between the applications.
