LayOut: drawings from your model
LayOut turns SketchUp scenes into scaled, dimensioned drawing sheets that update when the model changes — ideal for small projects and presentation packages.
In this lesson you will
- Set up a LayOut document and title block
- Place scaled model viewports
- Dimension and label drawings
- Update references and export PDFs
Starting LayOut
LayOut is included with SketchUp Pro (desktop). Start from a template with a title block, or send the model with File › Send to LayOut. Each page is a sheet; layers in LayOut (different from SketchUp tags) hold title blocks shared across pages.
Model viewports
- 1Insert the .skp (File › Insert) or use the default viewport.
- 2In the SketchUp Model panel choose a scene, set Ortho and a scale (e.g. 1:100).
- 3Resize the viewport to crop.
- 4Choose rendering: Raster, Vector or Hybrid (vector lines + raster fills is common for crisp output).
Dimensions and labels
The Dimension tool snaps to model geometry inside viewports and reads real sizes at the viewport's scale. Labels can pull text from the model (e.g. component names). Keep dimension and text styles consistent with a template.
Updating and exporting
When the SketchUp model changes, LayOut flags the reference as out of date; update it in Document Setup › References. Export to PDF for issue; check scale and line weights. KitWren's PDF tools can merge presentation PDFs or compress them for email.
Quick reference
| Command / tool | How to start it | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Send to LayOut | SketchUp File menu | Starts a LayOut document |
| SketchUp Model panel | LayOut tray | Scene, scale, rendering |
| Dimension | LayOut toolbar | Dimensions viewports |
| References | Document Setup | Updates linked models |
Common mistakes
Viewport scale changes when you edit the scene.
Lock the viewport scale; set Ortho and scale in the model panel.
Dimensions show wrong values.
The viewport isn't at a true scale or isn't orthographic.
Exercise
A three-sheet set
- Create sheets for plan, elevations and perspectives with a title block.
- Place a 1:100 plan viewport from your plan scene and dimension it.
- Add elevations at 1:100 and two perspectives.
- Change the model, update the reference, and export a PDF.
You should end up with: A small drawing set linked to the model.
Checklist
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Lesson quiz
LayOut dimensions read real sizes from scaled model viewports.
Finished this lesson?
Taking the quiz marks it complete too. Your course page picks up where you stopped.
Free KitWren tools that help
- Merge PDFCombine multiple PDFs into one file, in any order, choosing which pages to include from each.
- PDF CompressorReduce PDF file size by recompressing images while keeping text sharp — free, private and in your browser.
- Length ConverterConvert between metres, centimetres, millimetres, kilometres, inches, feet, yards and miles.
- Area ConverterConvert square metres, square feet, acres, hectares and more.
- Image ResizerResize images to exact pixel dimensions or by percentage, keeping the proportions if you like.
- Image CompressorCompress JPG, PNG and WebP images to make them much smaller — with a before/after preview and the size saved.
Free, independent learning material written for KitWren. SketchUp and LayOut are trademarks of Trimble Inc. KitWren is not affiliated with, sponsored or endorsed by Trimble. We never provide software downloads, licence keys or cracks — use the official sources.