What template did you choose? You can change the units in the Dimensions inspector. Select the dimension tool and go to the inspector. Change the length to whatever units you like. For most of the projects I do I need to work in Fractional Inches and I always have precision set to 1/64". If you've already placed some dimensions, either place a new one with the correct units or select one and change it. Then get the eye dropper and sample that dimension. Then click on the other dimensions to change them. Or, select all of the dimensions (easier if you put the dimensions all on their own layer) and change them wholesale by changing the settings in the inspector. It doesn't matter if you select other things because only dimensions will be modified when you change the settings in the Dimension Inspector.

@dave r said: @unknownuser said: Is there a way to update the title block in the layout project? Now I get it! Isn't it amazing how one sentence can make all the difference? OK. Yes. You can update the title block in the project to match the change you made in the template file. Open both the project and a blank copy of the template. Select the updated content in the template and copy it. Ctrl+C, Edit>Copy, etc. Go to the project and select the equivalent content. Hit Ctrl+V, Edit>Paste, etc. The selected content in the project will be replaced by the stuff you copied and it'll appear in the same relative position as the copied content from the template. Make sure you have the appropriate layer set as active in the project before doing this. By the way, you can leverage this copy and paste thing for more than just these changes. If you want to copy any content from one project to another or from one page to another in the same project, Copy and Paste will do the trick. Thank you very much Dave R! Now I understand how layout works! Basically, a template file in a layout project is not a file link which can be updated automatically as an xref, but Copy + Paste works pretty well. Thanks so much again!

Simply place the symbols on a page, and go to file/save as scrapbook. If you want to place them in an existing scrapbook, choose the scrapbook, hit edit. This will open it as a standard layout file. Then paste, save and close and you are good to go.

@krism said: Kridious, The ability to import vector files would be number one on my wish list for Layout. Kris Me too!

click on the little cartoon balloon button over on the right under my profile.

This is a nice pdf software for free http://de.pdf24.org/pdf-creator-download.html makes pdf good quality with low size.

Cheers, Marc! @marcdurant said: Of course, it'll take some time to get everything done That's fully understandable... Can you reveal something about what you're planning to incorporate...?

You're welcome!

Glad to hear it... Always remember that it's the fault of the British that we ever used Imperial. Here's a PDF that you might find helpful as well. The METRIC DESIGN GUIDE... http://www.ofeo.si.edu/ae_center/docs/gsa%20metric%20design%20guidelines.pdf It's not exactly the same as Euro style, but it's close and could be very helpful as it's written from our point of view towards theirs instead of just Metric. It has standard sizes the metric builders expect.

[image: otIE_SUInsp.png] I'm talking precisely about the SketchUp Inspector window. There is only one of those. If you placed your dimensions in LayOut you'll need to adjust their positions after adjusting the scale in the viewport.

Many thanks Dave. I'll give it a try.

There is no one button click to do that but it shouldn't really take much time to resize the viewport to suit the model as displayed. If you hold Alt (Command on the Mac) you can resize the viewport diagonally or horizontally from the center. Resize diagonally first and get it close top and bottom. Then switch to a side handle and finish resizing horizontally. Two quick actions is all it takes.

This is my biggest frustration with Layout and it's why I'm learning other programs. I honestly don't understand what some posters in the "How can one honestly ... " thread mean when they say dimensions are associative in Layout. As far as I can tell, dimensions do not align with their leader points in Layout, they do not align with the plane of the geometry they're associated with, and they do not update if you alter the model in SketchUp - therefore they're not associative. I do wonder if this function (aligning dimensions with geometry in perspective view) is a difficult task for programmers because other programs also lack this feature. Rhino has full annotation capabilities but only in model space. Once you initiate their Make2D command to create a 2D vector line version of your model, the dimensions disappear. Rhino is miles ahead of SketchUp/Layout in annotations overall but SketchUp/Layout has vector and vector / raster hybrid output in perspective views - which is unique to the programs I use. If they could solve the problem described in this thread they would very quickly become my layout program of choice and I imagine others would agree.

on my Windows PC I can add a shortcut as well , the trouble is that it does not work

yeh guidelines

@pbacot said: @marcdurant said: Hi Mike- The Font window is available under "Window -> Show Fonts" in the menu bar. I always look for this command in the "Text" menu instead, which is wrong. Where were you looking for it? If we get enough complaints I might be able to move the command. thanks, Marc Can you get it snap in the stack and collapse like the other windows? This would be great!!!!

I still don't understand what patterns you are talking about. Do you mean patterns for templates to cut out pieces of wood? You don't have to draw them in LayOut. Just use SketchUp for that. Create a scene for the pattern in SketchUp and make a viewport at the proper scale in LO. As to dimensions, you write about a risk as if someone's life is hanging on it. There is no problem dimensioning small things accurately and precisely. I create plans for furniture and other woodworking projects all the time using LayOut. I don't have any problem using the Dimensioning tool in LO for this. Post the LO file or send it in a PM if you wish. I can get to the Sketchup file from there.

LayOut will take units from the SketchUp model so if you have them set to Architectural in Model Info, they should show that way in LO.

Hi Frederik- Feel free to ask questions here or in the official forum in Google Groups. I'm just a developer, so I can help the most with specific problems or bugs, but I'll try to make sure that comments are brought to the right people. For what it's worth, I try to read every thread that comes through these forums even if I don't explicitly reply. -marc

Jason, absolutely! I can use another pupil. Send me a PM and we'll work it out. You don't need to export images from SU to use in LO for this sort of thing although if you are using any sort of sketchy styles, you can manage better, higher res images that way. The key thing, even for something intended to give the client a quick idea is to not get sloppy. Make scenes in SU to use in LO, stay on top of face orientation and use components so changes can be easily and quickly changed.