5 MOST IMPORTANT TIPS for Modeling for Layout in SketchUp

In this video, I'll go through 5 of the most important tips for modeling in SketchUp for Layout. These tips will help you create architectural plans from your models in SketchUp.

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MOST IMPORTANT TIPS for working in Layout
In this video, I figured I’d make a video summing up some of the most important content so far for modeling for creating architectural drawings in Layout.
Before I get started, I do want to thank my newest supporter on Patreon, William Fowler. Patreon is the website where you can support creators that you like on YouTube, so if you like what I’m doing on this channel, please check out that link in the notes down below.
Tip 1 – Turn off Perspective
When working in a SketchUp model, by default it has a perspective camera view, meaning that all the sight lines in the model run to a vanishing point. This is great for 3D views, but when you’re trying to create floor plans and elevations, you just want to have a straight up and down view. Go to the camera menu, then select “Parallel Projection” to turn off perspective to get the proper view for those floor plans.
Tip 2 – Understand the difference between Raster, Vector, and Hybrid
Layout has 3 different ways that it can render your images, and each has its own benefits. Vector rendering renders your lines so that they’re crisp and smooth, but does not render things like materials, so they’ll show up just as shaded colors. Raster renders complex materials, but your lines will show up choppy in your images. Finally, hybrid is a combination of both, allowing you to generate smooth lines and materials, but it comes at the cost of increasing rendering times on your PC. Knowing the difference can save you a lot of time in your models.
Tip 3 – Use the preserve scale on resize check box
One of the things that can be a little frustrating for new users of Layout is trying to resize and place drawings in your models. The reason for this is that often when bringing a new image into Layout, the images often lose their scale if you try to resize them. However, if you look in the SketchUp Model tab, make sure to check the “Preserve Scale on Resize” button to lock in your scale, so you can resize viewports without changing the scale of your models
Tip 4 – Layer Views by unchecking the box for “Background”
The way that you create your plans in Layout is by layering views on top of each other. However, sometimes you’ll try to drop a view on top of another view and you’ll find that it blocks the view beneath it. However, if you go into the styles viewport and uncheck the box for “Background,” Layout will make the background of your view transparent so you can stack it on top of your other layers.
Tip 5 – Organize your model properly
There’s probably no more important tip for working in layout than making sure that your model is organized properly. Because of the way that Layout works, you need to be able to turn layers and groups on and off to generate the plans that you’re looking for. If you start organizing your model as soon as you start modeling, this can be a fairly painless process.
That’s where I’m going to end this video – leave a comment below and let me know what you thought. What tips do you have for working in Layout?

[matheusmoraes]

Abou to go back into the industry after 4+ years... Your channel has been a life saver. Thank you so much!

[dawatsering]

I have just started following you and I found it quite useful. I have learned the sketchup on my own and your tips are doing wonders to me. I have no words to thank you. Pl keep up the good work and by the way....I m a small time architect

[victorialyra]

Thanks for the video! Very helpful and easy to follow instructions

[philmarch]

Really great videos, Justin. Very clear and useful stuff. I notice you're on Windows. I'm a Macbook Pro user and find a few differences (particularly with the tray) that I've had to mentally translate but it works, just the same. Nice job!

[georgevankirk]

I'll have to say, if I need a quick tutorial on the way to finishing a Sketchup project, I look for Justin G. first! Keep up the good work, I'm learning everyday.

[eduedu]

A good tip would be to customize the toolbar to bring out other useful tools that don't show up by default, some of the most useful of those tools are grid snap and object snap. i find them very helpful and use them all the time when resizing things precisely without auto snapping to the grid or other objects. great video btw.

[davidandersen]

So helpful! The vector vs raster tip saved my sanity. Really enjoying your videos, Justin!

[judisamuelsgardendesign]

Thank you so much ~ saved me from falling into another black hole.

[danuprimanto]

Hi Justin,
I'm looking lot of information how to make workflow with Sketch Up, found nothing and abakadabra, your video solve my problem :)
Thanks dude

[mercerino]

Thank you very much. I've been using SU and Layout for years, looking to improve my game and this was great.

[nadiashafarahmadiena]

i was totally missing the vector-raster-hybrid setting. thankyou!

[designerfacadeslandscapes]

Nice presentation & quickly done too. Cheers !!
Good Luck.

[raorazakhan]

Thank you alot sir..for ur precious support.

[edsonarantes]

Me tirou uma dúvida que sempre tive vontade de aprender. Parabéns!

[mohamaddrgesli]

Dude you are perfect thank you for these informations

[aYahron]

Great video! I was wondering how to export high resolution pdfs from layout. Is there away to change the export resolution in layout?

[jamesopell]

Very informative video on Layout....Thanks Justin..

[camilaevans]

Always a great tutorial 👍I'm trying to export a layout file with 7 pages to pdf but it keeps saying "can't export the file" 😵 why? Please!!

[ibsemara]

i'm very thank to all tutorial that you give.

[Chimp_No_]

Incredibly helpful and interesting. Thanks.