The REAL Way to Optimize LayOut Exports

Need to get a model to scale quickly and efficiently? Watch this Skill Builder to check out Eric's optimization tips for setting up and then exporting complex files from LayOut.
• Custom paper size for your scale
• Finalize model layout in raster before duplicating pages
• Use Tag override to control visibility on pages
• Know the difference between display and output resolution
• Keep the final PDF or print scale in mind
• Think about what you want to accomplish, and change your settings to support that

[@BenNorthrup-sy8yt]

Fantastic video! And some excellent comments as well. Like one of the earlier commenters, I have also been working with SketchUp for over a decade and LayOut nearly as long. I never thought to really test whether the raster setting is good enough. I did a print test and it is. I am getting into large site models and this will make it possible for me to continue to use LayOut, which is my preference. So fast! I am so thankful that SketchUp hired someone working with large models in an architectural and urban design context. Eric’s information is very helpful to me.

[@Oddpaatuben]

theres´ a lot more to optimisation for real world use of Layout making construction documentation. Yes, good tag organisation is important. You want the viewport to show as few tags as possible, and you want to do that already in your sketchup scene. So if you see your house with your roof from above you dont want that scene to have all the interior hidden by the roof with their tag on. You want scenes where the tags that dont show in the scene be turned off already in that scene, before exporting. That's important for sketchup performance as well. In Layout use raster as much as possible. If you cannot determine what to dimension, turn the "Line scale" down. That makes the lines thinner also in raster mode. Having a view with just a small subset of your geometry is important also for the next issue: getting the dimension tool to find the right endpoints to dimension. Remember that the drawing also convey the information it is supposed to convey better when it is not full of extra linework that shows something else that what that scene is about. Dimensioning your inner walls is not a problem in a viewport of just the inner walls. But you need to see a few more tags in order to place your dimensions right. You should use fast styles for the scenes/Viewports where you do your construction documentation. Also you should have a wireframe style saved to the sketchup model, so that when the dimension tool cannot find the right spot you can switch to that style to find the endpoints. Having two dublicate viewports on top of each other is still a good option. You can have a raster viewport on a separate layer that shows all the relevant geometry, like complicated steel details. On a separate viewport you can dimension just the inner and outer walls. Maybe that viewport is vector, but with just a small number of lines. If you need to dimension close to complicated reference geometry like stuff from the steel engineer, turn that viewport off by its layer so you see just your own clean outlines of walls. When you dimension you always find your model was not as ready as you thought it was. So you need to go back and forth between Layout and Sketchup a lot. It you have your viewports locked you cannot right click them to update them. I use a small vignette ( a viewport showing just the roof and outer walls) of the project placed in a corner as a "button" . I update that viewport, that is not locked, and then the rest gets updated. Exporting that to pdf works well, but you can forget about exporting dwgs from Layout. The precision of your sketchup model is lost anyway, and your 4000 mm line is now 3999,99102. So that will make the engineer ask if you made this in Microsoft Paint. Export dwgs from sketchup instead. Sketchup will make an inferior 2D dwg in terms of tag organisation, placing of origo, and a mess of exploded components and linework, but at least the dimensions are correct. Using "Color by Tag" on the export will make the dwg look like it's organised, at least.

[@MariannaM1976]

Thanks for sharing your advices.But I am a little confused by the use of tags in SU an LO: I thought they could be different.Do your have to be created before in SU to be seen in LO or we can create than directly only in L.O.

[@keggyification]

Thanks Eric, very interesting points you make here, I'm definitely guilty of chasing the highest quality without thinking about what the end result will be and what is actually required. Very useful video.

[@transom4114]

Thanks Eric, Great tips! I plan on getting more experience with Layout. It was frustrating at first but I have used it a few times for permit drawings. Best, Steve

[@BradMorton]

Great video! Thank you for doing this comparison of Raster vs. Vector PDF output. I have been using Layout for a decade plus now and really love it. However, I've never done a deep dive into the final difference in my con docs. I've always defaulted to hybrid because I liked how it looked on the screen when working on the docs. I will probably just stick with raster now and save a few minutes of my time for something else instead. Thanks again!

[@chrisb3927]

Thank you Eric. Great tutorial!!!

[@sket83]

Sooo i find this video a bit misleading because you say you like to do renderings which require high poly models in order to look good. Yet the trees in Layout are simple 2D shapes. Switching from raster to vector in that case doesnt cause many issues. Doing that with a high poly model is totally different case. I was working on an interior design for an open plan living room. Sofa, armchair, pillows, drapes and dining chairs are all high poly since they need to be redered later. Also, most edges on the tables and cabinets need to be rounded off. Not to mention all decorative objects. Using that model in layout gives very pixelated raster lines on every edge that is not straight and switching to vector or hybrid can be as slow as watching paint dry. In the end lines look heavy even when line scale is set to 0.1. And the file size is stupid heavy. So, my qustion is this: is there a way to use a single Sketchup model that can be used for realistic rendering and for creating floor plans and sections/elevations? If there is a way, please make a video showing your process. 🙏

[@jydwork1]

Excellent video Eric! Can you do a detailed workflow on linking edit, go to, unlinking ,purge and explain the ref files in LO and SU.I am constantly editing my SU files and if results in my LO files getting messed up....its almost like the scenes setup in SU changed which it did not. thanks

[@INFI8NITI8]

thanks for sharing, eric please do some video about generating report in SU, how informativly use this function doing lebels and using that in lay out, thanks in advance

[@daviddickmeyer5231]

Thanks you so much. I sure learned a few great tips on this one!

[@edwinfolk8090]

Hey Eric, Thanks for the video. Just started using '23 version. One question about exporting to CAD - I have to send data to companies that can read CAD. What is the fastest and best way to send to CAD? It seems that the exports take forever... thanks

[@bropitt]

this is brilliant, thank you

[@davids4610]

I need vector and hybrid output - Layout is so slow that I need to do a raster set, then a print set in hybrid/vector which can take hours of sitting in front of the machine. God forbid I need to make a correction post output.

[@mohammeda.a.8562]

How can I export layouts to CAD with preserving layers and layout design and details? Because I work with sketchUp and Layout but some contractors demand AutoCAD files.

[@KamilaLopes]

I'm no sure but I suppose that working with hybrid ou vector on Mac is faster than Microsoft ... I have a powerful PC but it's impossible to work with such a file like that 😕

[@ArtBQ]

If you have OpenGL set to low res textures inside of SketchUp, does this affect how textures will look in Layout?

[@SketchUp]

LO should reflect your SU model's settings. Depending on the material, there may be little or no difference in resolution in SU and therefore no difference in LO export.

[@plop1771]

Nice ! Many thanks

[@paulcritchley464]

What is the true cost of SketchUp I’ve got an iPad Pro and I’m looking at a new drawing program So how much does SketchUp cost with all the bells and whistles What would be the bare bones to use it be Cheers enjoy your day

[@SketchUp]

www.sketchup.com/plans-and-pr...

[@paulocurado7967]

the image quality is horrible when i export to layout

[@SketchUp]

That's just the 'display' resolution in LayOut. Try exporting FROM LayOut and let us know how it turns out ;)

[@janatakoonlinetelivision1641]

Wow wow Sketch Up video

[@bellousow2607]

Amazing

[@qupixspatialconcepts224]

LayOut is brilliant but it really really sucks when you'll have to dimension section cuts. Also text editing is soooo slooow and totally not responsive. They really have to let some good programmers have a look at it because the potential of LO is enormous.