Scrapbooks, what are they?

kghowell65 · 2 Nov 2013, 12:15

Can someone give me a brief explanation of what scrapbooks are for and how to use them? I'm new to layout. Thanks

Rich O Brien · 2 Nov 2013, 12:23

scrapbooks are .layout files that reside in a scrapbook folder.

this allows you drag items into your layout file from the scrapbook panel

say you make some nice symbols in layout that you want to use again: simply save the file as a scrapbook and for your next project the symbol file is accessible in the scrapbook panel

they are similar to how components and materials work in SketchUp in terms of having access to assets from with layout

Dave R · 2 Nov 2013, 12:42

Scrapbooks could also include things drawn in SketchUp. The 3D arrows, for example, are SKP files. They could be a collection of boiler plate text or text style/size samples, line/shape styles or color swatches. These sample things can then be sampled with the eye dropper.

pbacot · 2 Nov 2013, 16:50

I guess the items in a scrapbook could be all sorts of things. You can put pdf files in a scrapbook, e.g. for your logo, created in some other application.

TIG · 3 Nov 2013, 10:32

Also find a Nick Sonder video - he's a Layout jedi master...
He uses scrapbooks in clever ways too - including 'standard notes', symbols etc.

arail1 · 3 Nov 2013, 14:38

@pbacot said:

I guess the items in a scrapbook could be all sorts of things. You can put pdf files in a scrapbook, e.g. for your logo, created in some other application.

I'm in retail so the work I do changes dramatically from project to project (a giant shoe for a retailer one week, some 12' steam punk industrial fans for a fashion show the following week). So title blocks rarely work for me - the place where the company logo sits on the template is always right in a space I need - no matter where I put it. I tried using several different templates (logo in upper right, logo in lower left etc.) but that didn't work so well.

I'm looking at scrapbooks as the solution. If the logos and material schedules are in scrapbooks I can open a page and 'float' the title block to any place I want it. Same with schedules.

sonder · 4 Nov 2013, 03:14

TIG, kind you are!

Scrapbooks work exactly like, well, scrapbooks. They are totally customizable to your needs, with incredible depth via the use of multiple pages. There is no right or wrong way to use them, which makes them so powerful.

I recently trained one of my structural engineers to use SU & LO for all his work. He ingeniously created his entire detail library directly into various scrapbooks. Very quick access to multiple libraries, and complete graphic control; that is what makes powerful, scrapbooks!

kghowell65 · 5 Nov 2013, 02:42

Nick Sonder? Wow, I have watched your videos way more times than I shoud admit. I did see the one where you discuss scrapbooks. So the scrapbook is really just a blank storage area inside Layout where you can store commonly used things? I noticed you mentioned that you have lots of electrical symbols in your scrapbook. Does that mean that you do your electrical plan in layout on an existing model or that you simply have those if you need to add something to an electrical plan imported from Sketchup? Sorry if that's a basic question but I'm really trying to figure out the right way to do what I want ( in my case that would be bath, kitchen and basement remodels ). Thanks for all the answers to my post.

sonder · 6 Nov 2013, 20:29

Hi Ken:

Yes that concept is correct - basically a storage space for anything you like to re-use often. I use it for all drawing symbols, line types, typical notation, etc. I do work with many different building departments and all of them have several different requirements for notation. For those that differ from standard notation they are kept as separate scrapbooks and labeled accordingly. It is always an ongoing project with code updates, different agencies and general improvement on plan notation. It is great that all this type of information is kept in one place and easily accessed every time you open up a Layout file.

pbacot · 7 Nov 2013, 06:24

It's also easy to compile and edit. Some CAD libraries are too difficult to update and you have to go find them on your hard drive when you need something. I have a lot of libraries that are out of date piled up in folders. It might be nice to work that way in LO.

ashscott · 18 Nov 2013, 21:52

In case anyone else is struggling with this, you can access the .layout files that are found in scrapbooks on a windows machine through the following directory:
C:/ProgramData/SketchUp/SketchUp 2013/LayOut/Scrapbooks

Note that in a windows folder you need to unhide hidden files by clicking tools>folder options>view> and checking "Show hidden folders, files and drives"

LapidiusCortez · 20 Nov 2013, 14:29

@ashscott said:

In case anyone else is struggling with this, you can access the .layout files that are found in scrapbooks on a windows machine through the following directory:
C:/ProgramData/SketchUp/SketchUp 2013/LayOut/Scrapbooks

Note that in a windows folder you need to unhide hidden files by clicking tools>folder options>view> and checking "Show hidden folders, files and drives"

Thanks for this one. I really was confused for a long time as to where should I find this. I guess folder hidden was the mistake from my part.