When you position the subcomponents, don't include the containing block's X, Y, or Z attributes in the formulas (firepit!X + the rest of the position formula). If you do, everything displaces the amount that you move plus the additional distance.
Try the component in the attached file.
Nope. Not built-in. I checked on my AutoCAD Architecture 2011.
To the best of my knowledge, there is no 2D or Lightweight PLINE to 3DPOLY conversion built into AutoCAD. There may be some sort of LISP (or other language) routine around that would walk through a 2D polyline's vertex data and use it to create a 3DPOLY entity/object. I've used AutoCAD since version 1.7 and I remember being disappointed and not having much interest in the 3DPOLY entity type when it was introduced because it didn't (understandably) support arc segments so I never got around to writing a routine like that.
Create an RTF file with Word and insert it. If you make changes to the file you can update it in Layout just like you do with other inserted SketchUp and other content.
Check if the style you're using for the particular scene has the guides turned on in the "Modeling Settings" (last button in edit tab of Styles dialog box).
Being able to set the import dpi would probably be best.
However, if Layout is expecting a certain resolution number consistently, I could adjust the output from AutoCAD as necessary. PNG images of black and white line work aren't very big so increasing the resolution would be OK for me.
Oops. a little bit of operator error...
The bitmaps will scale by snapping to the grid (helps if the snap is turned on- sheesh...). So adjusting them isn't a big deal. Still would be nice to avoid having to rescale them though...
What determines the size of the bitmap file that comes into Layout 2.1?
From AutoCad I've plotted 8 1/2"x11" PNG files at 300 dpi so they're 2550x3300 pixels in size. When I insert them into Layout, rather than filling the 8 1/2"x11" page, they come in at half size or less and I have to shift and scale them by dragging the corner. Unless I'm missing something, there aren't any snaps to page corners so the scaling isn't as precise as it could be.
Not a real big deal, but it would be nice to cut out some steps or be able to make the scaling more accurate.
The actual command to export it out in 2007 file format (so you'll be able to import it into SketchUp) is "_AecExportToAutoCAD2007".
You can also access it by pressing the big red upper left "A", picking the "Export" option and the choosing the proper "AutoCAD" format option. See the attached screen shot below.
Does AutoCAD 2010 have an Export to AutoCAD option? AutoCAD Architecture (and I guess all the verticals) have it. When you save a drawing using it it'll create a copy of the drawing where the special objects (Doors, Walls, Windows, Mass Elements, etc) have been converted into standard AutoCAD objects, usually 3D solids.
If standard AutoCAD doesn't have that option, whoever sent you the drawing should be able to do the conversion.