Export Building Plans From SketchUp
Author: Anna K.
With a Diysketch house model, you can easily export building plans to Layout and then save them in PDF, PNG, JPG or DWG/DWF file format. This process allows you to create professional presentations and detailed building plans, only with Trimble programs. Follow this guide to learn how to efficiently export your construction drawings.
This guide will take you through the process of:
- Exporting views to Layout.
- Adding dimensions to building plans.
- Exporting your plans as a PDF, PNG, JPG or DWG/DWF file.
Export building plans to Layout
- Now it's time to export your model's building drawings to Layout. To do this, you'll need to access the specific views you want to export.
- In SketchUp, switch to Parallel Projection mode. Then, set your view to either Iso, Top, Front, Right, Left, Back, or Bottom, remember to click Save. This will align your view for exporting an image of the selected side of the building.
- Click on File, then click on Send to Layout. Layout will open shortly; wait a few seconds for it to load properly.
Add dimensions to your building plans
- Now, you need to choose a template for your drawings. It's entirely up to you which template you select.
- In this example, we choose the A4 Landscape template.
- Now that Layout is open, you can see that our model is perfectly positioned and ready for adding dimensions in your preferred units, whether it's millimeters, inches, feet, centimeters, or others.
- Click on the Dimension button and set your desired symbols, units, text size, and other preferences. Then, click on a starting point and an endpoint, and drag the dimension to the desired position, to set your dimmensions. Now set all the dimensions you want showcase.
- Double-check that you've included all the necessary dimensions required for the building permit, then click the Save button.
Export building plans from Layout
- Click on File again and select Export. Then choose the format you wish to export your drawings in. In this example, we'll select the PDF file format.
- Give your construction drawing a name and click Save.
- In the PDF Export Options dialog, use the Image Compression slider to adjust the quality. For smaller file sizes, move the slider towards "Smaller file"; for better quality, move it towards "Better quality." Click Export after adjusting your settings, and your building drawing will be saved. Follow exactly the same steps for all you wish to export.
Use the same method to export all the construction drawings you need. It takes literally no time, and it’s something anyone can do.
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