Layout wishlist

porch_unplugged · 28 Aug 2012, 16:02

you can also set up some templates. i have a few single page templates with dimensions, text, notes, etc. setup off to the side. i use these to get started.

yes, the sampling thing is a bit of a pain, and unintuitive, especially if you make up 'groups' of objects - like detail bubbles, leader lines, and text. the detail bubble may have a transparent fill, the text box the same, etc... but if you sample these things together as a group they can get wonky...

Cheers. I'm only using the trial version at the minute to see if i can make the jump to sketchup for planning/construction drawings etc. so i haven't spent the time setting up templates & scrapbooks. i guess efficiency (& resolutions to annoyances) will come with that.

ArCAD-UK · 28 Aug 2012, 16:35

The Scrapbook is a great place for storing your styles and objects which you can either sample or drag & drop. I didn't realise how valuable they can be to the workflow until I started using them.

utiler · 28 Aug 2012, 22:31

@arcad-uk said:

The Scrapbook is a great place for storing your styles and objects which you can either sample or drag & drop. I didn't realise how valuable they can be to the workflow until I started using them.

True Trevor. It would be nice if those scrapbook elements would retain layer info though....

pbacot · 29 Aug 2012, 00:52

I have an application that uses sampling--and you can set it to apply on individual objects inside groups or the whole group. It only samples styles from the object you click not the group.

Lemoyne Architect · 5 Sept 2012, 17:12

The ability to import/insert vector images (dwg, ai, etc). Unless I'm missing something, there is no easy way to do this other than draw your own in Layout or modify the existing scrapbooks.

Dave R · 5 Sept 2012, 17:19

You can convert an inserted SketchUp view to vector images. First render the viewport as Vector and then explode it. Preto! Vector image in LayOut.

Bertier · 8 Sept 2012, 15:56

I'd like to be abble to link objects in LO with web content for presentation purpose

Bertier · 8 Sept 2012, 15:57

@billet323 said:

I would love to see a Warehouse for Scrapbooks. Its so time consuming to create scrapbooks for everything you do.

+1

Dave R · 8 Sept 2012, 16:05

@bertier said:

@billet323 said:

I would love to see a Warehouse for Scrapbooks. Its so time consuming to create scrapbooks for everything you do.

+1

Anyone could start one.

Lemoyne Architect · 16 Sept 2012, 18:19

@dave r said:

You can convert an inserted SketchUp view to vector images. First render the viewport as Vector and then explode it. Preto! Vector image in LayOut.

Yes, but that means I have to import the DXF into SketchUp, lose any lineweight information, import the scene into Layout, render as vector, explode it, clean it up again...

Not exactly a "presto" if you ask me.

Lemoyne Architect · 16 Sept 2012, 19:10

@pbacot said:

I suppose the point would be to be able to modify later in LO?

Yes. I've used PDFs if I want to bring in something like a full architectural detail. But it would be nice to be able to bring in vectors directly for anything from custom section marks, symbols, and whatever else without having to draw them in LO or do the whole import through SU.

pbacot · 16 Sept 2012, 19:41

@lemoyne architect said:

The ability to import/insert vector images (dwg, ai, etc). Unless I'm missing something, there is no easy way to do this other than draw your own in Layout or modify the existing scrapbooks.

I suppose the point would be to be able to modify later in LO? Otherwise is using pdf an alternative for now? The image is clear like a vector at any zoom level. It is a tall order, I gather, for dwg line weights etc. to be translated accurately.

Alternatively some programs do a pretty good job of making vector files from vector pdf. [Edit: and what I mean is this might be a possible to develop for LO.]

samyell77 · 6 Nov 2012, 18:23

Just wanted to bump this up the list again - really hoping that LO gets a good going over soon

•General speed increases, re-draws and re-links take an age with some files.
•Better handling of files that are being accessed by machines on different operating system platforms so that links are not broken due to drive mapping issues on different platforms.
•Stop render function so you can choose to stop a page from rendering if you spot an error instead of having to wait for every view to render (I know there's auto render but it would be great to be able to stop a page from updating and be able to update views individually or collectively)
•Ability to use drawing labels with common and page only editable sections
•Infinite zoom
•Better handling of vector views - too slow at present
•Automatic page numbering - and ability to add pages in order, ie add a page at the beginning of a 10 page doc and it will be page 01 rather than page 11. Number pages by order but be able to change names
•Batch export for PDFs from LO documents - being able to export a page and have it take its name from the page name in LO rather than the overall LO document.
•Multiple page sizes in same document (A4 and A1 for example)
•Ability to reference model info from selected SU models in order to get component counts
•Better handling of spread sheet data (cells, columns, tabs etc)
•True text box sizes instead of oversized text boxes ie text box is a snug fit to the text rather that lots of spare space to left and right of text
•Styles pallet for text - ability to name styles for dimensions, body text, notes, titles etc
•Better ability to link scenes with LO so that sections and elevations retain their scale and dont throw dimensions out
•Latest saved view causes lots of issues - you should have to save a scene in order to send a file to LO
•Let the RUBY developers loose on Layout.... Please - this is the main strength in SU but something that is sadly lacking in LO

The biggest one for me is speed and stability. LO is WAY too slow. I have a relatively new, well spec'd machine but LO is incredibly sluggish, laggy and unstable. Lots of ram, half decent gfx card and quad 2.26 CPU that deals perfectly happily with very large Photoshop, illustrator and indesign files but fall on its A55 when I make minor changes to a small LO file - like moving a text box?!!?

LO is long overdue an overhaul....

Woodarc · 28 Nov 2012, 11:26

Supporting everything samyell77 has eloquently listed. Using Layout as I speak on an upgraded PC, waiting for it to catchup!

Arrowheadman · 2 Dec 2012, 21:00

Simpler way of importing sections from SketchUp…and someone should make a better how-to video for us beginners.

Dave R · 2 Dec 2012, 21:13

@arrowheadman said:

Simpler way of importing sections from SketchUp…and someone should make a better how-to video for us beginners.

Set up the section as desired, turn off the section plane if you don't want it to show, create a new scene and, when given the option, choose 'Save as a new style.' Or, in the Styles window, create a new style after making the section. Make sure you don't have the circular arrows showing on the style's thumbnail.

Dave R · 2 Dec 2012, 22:10

@arrowheadman said:

Simpler way of importing sections from SketchUp…and someone should make a better how-to video for us beginners.

I made a video. It's processing now and I'll post a link to it as soon as it is ready.

Here you go: http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=49300

bmike · 3 Dec 2012, 13:28

@arrowheadman said:

Simpler way of importing sections from SketchUp…and someone should make a better how-to video for us beginners.

bmike · 3 Dec 2012, 13:29

@bmike said:

@arrowheadman said:

Simpler way of importing sections from SketchUp…and someone should make a better how-to video for us beginners.

well, that doesn't work.

try this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFIR6oQPny8

Penguin2 · 18 Jan 2013, 12:08

A comprehensive PDF manual or Layout for Dummies would be great for a newbie like me!