ᐅ Google SketchUp 6, 3D house models, user guide for application
Created on: 22 Feb 2009 20:24
W
wellingerW
wellinger22 Feb 2009 20:24Create, edit, and share 3D models with others.
Google SketchUp is a software that allows you to create, showcase, and collaboratively use 3D models. Whether you're designing a new patio for your house, developing models for Google Earth, or teaching geometry to your students—SketchUp lets you visualize your ideas in 3D. When you're done, you can export an image, create a video, or print a view of what you have made.
What makes SketchUp so great
Google SketchUp is a tool for creating, editing, and sharing 3D models. Its "secret ingredient" is a unique set of powerful features designed to be easy to learn and use:
Edges and faces: That’s all there is.
Every SketchUp model consists of only two elements: edges and faces. Edges are straight lines, and faces are 2D shapes formed when several edges create a flat loop. For example, a rectangular face is enclosed by four edges connected at right angles. When you develop a model in SketchUp, you draw edges and faces using a few simple tools that you can learn quickly. It’s that straightforward.
Push/Pull: Quickly switch from 2D to 3D.
With SketchUp’s patented Push/Pull tool, you can extrude any flat surface into a three-dimensional shape. Just click to start extruding, move your mouse, and click again to finish. You can turn a rectangle into a box by pushing/pulling. Or draw the outline of stairs and then push/pull that into 3D. Want to create a window? Push/pull a hole through your wall. SketchUp is known for its ease of use, thanks largely to this Push/Pull function.
Accurate measurements: Work with precision.
SketchUp lets you work freely and quickly in 3D, but it’s much more than a fancy digital pencil. Since you’re working on a computer, everything you create in SketchUp has precise dimensions. When ready, you can develop models as accurate as you need. You can print scaled views of your model. If you own SketchUp Pro, you can even export your geometry to other programs like AutoCAD and 3ds Max.
Follow Me: Create complex extrusions and revolved shapes.
SketchUp’s innovative Follow Me tool lets you create 3D shapes by extruding 2D surfaces along predefined paths. Model curved pipes by extruding a circle along an L-shaped line. Create a bottle by drawing half its outline and then revolving it using the Follow Me tool. You can also use Follow Me to round edges (molding) on objects like railings, furniture, and electronic devices.
Paint Bucket: Apply colors and textures.
With SketchUp’s Paint Bucket tool, you can paint your model with materials such as colors and textures. Better yet, SketchUp includes a nice selection of photo-textures like bricks, roof materials, and stones, allowing you to make your model look as detailed as you want. Thousands of additional textures are available online, and if you can use photo editing programs like Photoshop, you can create your own textures too.
Groups and Components: Build smarter models.
By grouping parts of your model’s geometry, you create subobjects that are easier to move, copy, and hide. Components are similar to groups, but with a useful twist: copies of components are linked. Changes made to one component are reflected in all others. Windows, doors, trees, stairs, and millions of other objects benefit from this behavior.
Shadows: Perform shadow studies and add realism.
SketchUp’s powerful real-time shadow feature allows you to conduct precise shadow studies on your models. Want to know how large your patio awning needs to be? Set a geographic location with Google Earth. Then use the simple sliders for date and time to see how sunlight affects your design. Even if you don’t use SketchUp for architecture, adding shadows is an excellent way to give your models more depth and realism.
Sections: See inside your model.
Use SketchUp’s interactive sectioning tool to temporarily cut parts of your design so you can look inside. Sections help create orthographic views (e.g., floor plans), export geometry to CAD programs with SketchUp Pro, or just get a better view while working. You can move, rotate, and even animate section planes using SketchUp’s Scenes function.
Scenes: Save views and create animations.
Scenes let you save exact views of your model that you can return to later. Need to create an animation? Simply create a few scenes and click a button. SketchUp automatically "flies" from scene to scene with smooth transitions that you can fine-tune for your desired effect. You can also export your animations as standalone movies. SketchUp produces AVI files on Windows and Quicktime MOVs on Macs.
Look Around and Walk: Explore your creations from the inside.
SketchUp offers simple navigation tools designed to give you a first-person perspective within your models. Use “Position Camera” to place yourself somewhere inside the model. Use the “Look Around” tool to turn your virtual head. Switch to “Walk” to explore your creation on foot. You can even climb stairs and ramps, just like in a video game.
Dimensions and Labels: Add information to your designs.
With straightforward measurement and labeling tools, you can add dimensions, comments, and other useful details. Once applied, SketchUp’s dimensions are dynamic—they automatically scale with your model. Labels are what we call “2.5D”—they stay visible no matter how you rotate your model, but always look flat.
Instructor: Learn everything quickly.
SketchUp’s Instructor dialog, available anytime, offers context-sensitive help. Depending on the tool you are using, it shows step-by-step instructions, animations, helpful shortcut keys, and other tips, helping you get the most out of SketchUp.
Layers and Outliner: Stay organized.
With large, complex models, things can get messy quickly. SketchUp offers two helpful ways to manage your geometry: besides layers, there is the Outliner dialog, which displays a collapsible list of all groups and components in your model. You can use the Outliner to reorder nesting of these elements and control their visibility easily, without having to search through your model.
Google Earth: See your models in context.
SketchUp and Google Earth belong to the same product family, making data exchange between the two simple. Need a site for your project? Import a scaled aerial image including topography directly from Google Earth into SketchUp with one click. Want to view your SketchUp model in Google Earth’s context? Click another button and see it. Anyone can use SketchUp to develop models that anyone else can view in Google Earth.
Sandbox Tools: Edit terrain.
Sandbox tools let you create, refine, and modify 3D terrain. You can generate gentle landscapes from imported contour lines, add slopes and hills for drainage, and build a block of houses with a driveway.
3D Warehouse: Find models for almost anything you need.
The 3D Warehouse is a huge online repository of 3D models you can browse freely. Why build something when you can download it for free? There are thousands of cars, trees, sofas, bridges, pomegranates, and countless other things contributed by people and manufacturers worldwide—and you can use any of these models as you wish. If you create a model you want to share, you can upload it to the 3D Warehouse for everyone to use.
Import DXF, DWG, and 3DS: Get a head start on modeling.
You can import DXF, DWG, and 3DS files directly into your SketchUp models. This makes it easy to begin working from drawings or even other 3D models. Have a floor plan of the room you need for your model? Import it and start modeling right on top of it.
Import images: Paint walls with photos.
SketchUp allows you to import image files such as JPG, TIFF, PNG, and PDF. You can use these like posters or apply them onto surfaces to create photorealistic models of buildings, packaging designs, and more.
Export TIFF, JPEG, and PNG.
SketchUp lets you export raster images up to 10,000 square pixels. This makes it easy to create images for emailing, publishing in documents, or projecting on walls. Just select some options and click “Export.” If you have LayOut (included with SketchUp Pro), you can create 2D documents embedding your SketchUp models, so you don’t have to export images at all. Both methods produce views of your model anyone can use.
Export DXF and DWG: 2D line drawings and 3D models (Pro only).
With SketchUp Pro, you can export DXF and DWG files. This allows you to transfer plans, sections, views, or even your entire model into your preferred CAD software. The exported geometry remains at 1:1 scale and layers are preserved.
Export PDF and EPS: 2D vector images (Pro only).
The Pro version also lets you export views of your models in PDF and EPS formats. These are perfect for further editing in vector graphics programs such as Illustrator and Freehand. For resolution-independent 2D images, exporting in these formats is the best choice.
Export 3DS, OBJ, XSI, FBX, VRML, and DAE (Pro only).
If you use SketchUp Pro, you can export your models into a variety of useful 3D formats. These exporters enable integration of SketchUp into professional workflows by providing interoperability with almost any well-known 3D modeling program available.
New features in Google SketchUp 6
Google SketchUp 6 includes many new features, such as new ways to view your model, develop models from photographs, create 3D text objects, performance improvements, and more. The Pro version of SketchUp 6 also includes LayOut, a brand-new tool for creating professional 2D presentations from your SketchUp models.
Match Photo: Use photos to develop 3D models.
SketchUp 6 introduces a new Match Photo feature that enables you to create 3D models by tracing photographs. You can use multiple photos to build a model, and even use photos to “paint” your model once finished. Match Photo also lets you match the camera view of an existing model to the angle of a photo, which is handy when creating composite images of an unbuilt project on a site photograph.
Styles: Fine-tune the appearance of your model.
The latest SketchUp version includes Styles — a new way to control your model’s look. With Styles, you can change the background, edges, and face colors. Choose from a library of sketchy edge styles if you want your lines to look hand-drawn. Use watermarks (new in SketchUp 6) to add your logo or paper textures as backgrounds. Best of all, Styles can be saved and shared across projects to give all your work a consistent appearance.
Watermarks: Add logos, backgrounds, and more.
With the new Watermark function in SketchUp, you can add 2D images to your models. Place them behind or underneath models, or in front or over them. Watermarks under your model can add a sky background or make your model look drawn on textured paper such as watercolor paper. Applying a watermark over your model views is an easy way to include your logo or other graphics. Watermarks can be managed in the new Styles dialog.
Sketchy edge effects: Make your models look hand-drawn.
SketchUp’s new style feature includes sketchy edge effects that make your views appear as if hand-drawn. The built-in library covers options like pencil, pen, marker, charcoal, and more. If you’ve ever printed a SketchUp model and traced it by hand to look less “digital,” you’ll appreciate the new sketchy edge styles in SketchUp 6.
Fog: Add depth and visual meaning to your work.
In SketchUp 6, you can add fog effects to your models. This is ideal for adding depth and nuance, and is simple to use: just click a button, select a color, and adjust sliders to control how “foggy” your model looks.
3D Text: Create 3D text for signage and more.
We are proud to introduce the long-awaited 3D Text feature in SketchUp 6. Now you can create 3D objects from any entered text string, in any font installed on your computer. You can also control what kind of objects SketchUp creates: simple vector outlines, filled 2D faces, or fully extruded 3D letters.
Other improvements: Faster, easier to use, and more reliable.
Along with new features, SketchUp 6 includes performance enhancements that make the program faster and more enjoyable than ever. See the full list for details.
LayOut: Create professional 2D presentations
Google SketchUp Pro 6 includes LayOut (Beta), a powerful new feature that helps you create impressive multi-page 2D presentations from your SketchUp models. It’s a completely separate program designed for seamless integration with SketchUp. LayOut saves you time and effort compared to manually creating 2D presentations—for both print and digital formats.
Update: No more exporting images from SketchUp.
In LayOut, you can insert as many views of the same SketchUp model into your presentation as you want. When you make changes to your model in SketchUp (and you will), you don’t need to export new images—just click a button in LayOut, and all your model views update automatically. Simple.
Navigate: Rotate, pan, and zoom your models directly in LayOut.
After inserting a SketchUp model view into your LayOut presentation, you can change your viewing angle anytime. Just double-click and then use your mouse to rotate, zoom, and pan until you get the view you want. Right-clicking opens a menu with display options: shadows, specific scenes (if set up), toggling perspective on and off, and more.
Scaled views: See your models at any drawing scale.
You can display SketchUp model views inserted into LayOut at any scale you choose. This lets you generate orthographic views, such as plans and elevations, directly from your SketchUp model. When your model changes, your views in LayOut update accordingly.
Full screen: Use LayOut for digital presentations.
With LayOut, you’ll never need to create a PowerPoint design presentation again. You can view your presentations in full screen, navigating between pages using arrow keys or mouse. You can even write notes onto your pages during the presentation. SketchUp model views can be rotated and SketchUp animations played—all without leaving your LayOut presentation.
High-resolution prints and PDF exports: Showcase your work.
LayOut lets you print your presentation at any resolution you need: high-resolution for detailed design packages or low resolution for posters and boards. If you need to share presentations digitally, you can export your work as PDF files.
Text: You have full control.
LayOut’s powerful text tools let you create callouts, headers, annotations, and full paragraphs. You have complete control over font, color, and alignment for everything you create.
Callouts: LayOut simplifies labeling.
LayOut includes a unique callout tool that makes it easy to create labels. You can even design your own leader lines by customizing color, weight, and endpoint styles. Using callouts is simple: click on an anchor point, click again at the end of the leader line, and enter your label text.
Example: Quickly duplicate graphic and text attributes.
Copying graphic styles from one object to another is easy in LayOut using the eyedropper tool. It even works on text objects. This lets you change the look of your presentations quickly and effortlessly.
Collections: Keep everything you need in one place.
Collections are libraries of graphic elements (e.g., north arrows, scales, logos, and other symbols) you use frequently in your presentations. They appear in a convenient dialog and are immediately available when you need them. LayOut comes with several starter collections, but you can also create your own and share them with your team.
Master Layers: Work smarter and achieve professional results.
LayOut lets you work with two types of layers: normal and master layers. Anything placed on a master layer appears automatically on every page of your presentation—except on those where you disable master layer visibility. This makes it easy to create multi-page presentations with elements like logos, headers, and other graphics consistently positioned on each page. Making changes is simpler too—edit once, and the change reflects everywhere.
Vector graphics: Draw beautiful vector art.
LayOut offers a smoother, more user-friendly experience for drawing vector graphics. The tools are more approachable than others you may have tried. Draw shapes and recolor, scale, rotate, stretch, and combine them. You’ll be surprised at how easy it is to create beautiful vector graphics in LayOut.
Templates: Make life easier for you and your team.
LayOut helps your team create presentations with consistent style, no matter the project. Set up a template with your company’s branding—logo, colors, cover page, header—and use it every time you design a new presentation. You can even share your template with the rest of your team. This streamlines your workflow and ensures your company’s output looks polished and professional.
Google SketchUp is a software that allows you to create, showcase, and collaboratively use 3D models. Whether you're designing a new patio for your house, developing models for Google Earth, or teaching geometry to your students—SketchUp lets you visualize your ideas in 3D. When you're done, you can export an image, create a video, or print a view of what you have made.
What makes SketchUp so great
Google SketchUp is a tool for creating, editing, and sharing 3D models. Its "secret ingredient" is a unique set of powerful features designed to be easy to learn and use:
Edges and faces: That’s all there is.
Every SketchUp model consists of only two elements: edges and faces. Edges are straight lines, and faces are 2D shapes formed when several edges create a flat loop. For example, a rectangular face is enclosed by four edges connected at right angles. When you develop a model in SketchUp, you draw edges and faces using a few simple tools that you can learn quickly. It’s that straightforward.
Push/Pull: Quickly switch from 2D to 3D.
With SketchUp’s patented Push/Pull tool, you can extrude any flat surface into a three-dimensional shape. Just click to start extruding, move your mouse, and click again to finish. You can turn a rectangle into a box by pushing/pulling. Or draw the outline of stairs and then push/pull that into 3D. Want to create a window? Push/pull a hole through your wall. SketchUp is known for its ease of use, thanks largely to this Push/Pull function.
Accurate measurements: Work with precision.
SketchUp lets you work freely and quickly in 3D, but it’s much more than a fancy digital pencil. Since you’re working on a computer, everything you create in SketchUp has precise dimensions. When ready, you can develop models as accurate as you need. You can print scaled views of your model. If you own SketchUp Pro, you can even export your geometry to other programs like AutoCAD and 3ds Max.
Follow Me: Create complex extrusions and revolved shapes.
SketchUp’s innovative Follow Me tool lets you create 3D shapes by extruding 2D surfaces along predefined paths. Model curved pipes by extruding a circle along an L-shaped line. Create a bottle by drawing half its outline and then revolving it using the Follow Me tool. You can also use Follow Me to round edges (molding) on objects like railings, furniture, and electronic devices.
Paint Bucket: Apply colors and textures.
With SketchUp’s Paint Bucket tool, you can paint your model with materials such as colors and textures. Better yet, SketchUp includes a nice selection of photo-textures like bricks, roof materials, and stones, allowing you to make your model look as detailed as you want. Thousands of additional textures are available online, and if you can use photo editing programs like Photoshop, you can create your own textures too.
Groups and Components: Build smarter models.
By grouping parts of your model’s geometry, you create subobjects that are easier to move, copy, and hide. Components are similar to groups, but with a useful twist: copies of components are linked. Changes made to one component are reflected in all others. Windows, doors, trees, stairs, and millions of other objects benefit from this behavior.
Shadows: Perform shadow studies and add realism.
SketchUp’s powerful real-time shadow feature allows you to conduct precise shadow studies on your models. Want to know how large your patio awning needs to be? Set a geographic location with Google Earth. Then use the simple sliders for date and time to see how sunlight affects your design. Even if you don’t use SketchUp for architecture, adding shadows is an excellent way to give your models more depth and realism.
Sections: See inside your model.
Use SketchUp’s interactive sectioning tool to temporarily cut parts of your design so you can look inside. Sections help create orthographic views (e.g., floor plans), export geometry to CAD programs with SketchUp Pro, or just get a better view while working. You can move, rotate, and even animate section planes using SketchUp’s Scenes function.
Scenes: Save views and create animations.
Scenes let you save exact views of your model that you can return to later. Need to create an animation? Simply create a few scenes and click a button. SketchUp automatically "flies" from scene to scene with smooth transitions that you can fine-tune for your desired effect. You can also export your animations as standalone movies. SketchUp produces AVI files on Windows and Quicktime MOVs on Macs.
Look Around and Walk: Explore your creations from the inside.
SketchUp offers simple navigation tools designed to give you a first-person perspective within your models. Use “Position Camera” to place yourself somewhere inside the model. Use the “Look Around” tool to turn your virtual head. Switch to “Walk” to explore your creation on foot. You can even climb stairs and ramps, just like in a video game.
Dimensions and Labels: Add information to your designs.
With straightforward measurement and labeling tools, you can add dimensions, comments, and other useful details. Once applied, SketchUp’s dimensions are dynamic—they automatically scale with your model. Labels are what we call “2.5D”—they stay visible no matter how you rotate your model, but always look flat.
Instructor: Learn everything quickly.
SketchUp’s Instructor dialog, available anytime, offers context-sensitive help. Depending on the tool you are using, it shows step-by-step instructions, animations, helpful shortcut keys, and other tips, helping you get the most out of SketchUp.
Layers and Outliner: Stay organized.
With large, complex models, things can get messy quickly. SketchUp offers two helpful ways to manage your geometry: besides layers, there is the Outliner dialog, which displays a collapsible list of all groups and components in your model. You can use the Outliner to reorder nesting of these elements and control their visibility easily, without having to search through your model.
Google Earth: See your models in context.
SketchUp and Google Earth belong to the same product family, making data exchange between the two simple. Need a site for your project? Import a scaled aerial image including topography directly from Google Earth into SketchUp with one click. Want to view your SketchUp model in Google Earth’s context? Click another button and see it. Anyone can use SketchUp to develop models that anyone else can view in Google Earth.
Sandbox Tools: Edit terrain.
Sandbox tools let you create, refine, and modify 3D terrain. You can generate gentle landscapes from imported contour lines, add slopes and hills for drainage, and build a block of houses with a driveway.
3D Warehouse: Find models for almost anything you need.
The 3D Warehouse is a huge online repository of 3D models you can browse freely. Why build something when you can download it for free? There are thousands of cars, trees, sofas, bridges, pomegranates, and countless other things contributed by people and manufacturers worldwide—and you can use any of these models as you wish. If you create a model you want to share, you can upload it to the 3D Warehouse for everyone to use.
Import DXF, DWG, and 3DS: Get a head start on modeling.
You can import DXF, DWG, and 3DS files directly into your SketchUp models. This makes it easy to begin working from drawings or even other 3D models. Have a floor plan of the room you need for your model? Import it and start modeling right on top of it.
Import images: Paint walls with photos.
SketchUp allows you to import image files such as JPG, TIFF, PNG, and PDF. You can use these like posters or apply them onto surfaces to create photorealistic models of buildings, packaging designs, and more.
Export TIFF, JPEG, and PNG.
SketchUp lets you export raster images up to 10,000 square pixels. This makes it easy to create images for emailing, publishing in documents, or projecting on walls. Just select some options and click “Export.” If you have LayOut (included with SketchUp Pro), you can create 2D documents embedding your SketchUp models, so you don’t have to export images at all. Both methods produce views of your model anyone can use.
Export DXF and DWG: 2D line drawings and 3D models (Pro only).
With SketchUp Pro, you can export DXF and DWG files. This allows you to transfer plans, sections, views, or even your entire model into your preferred CAD software. The exported geometry remains at 1:1 scale and layers are preserved.
Export PDF and EPS: 2D vector images (Pro only).
The Pro version also lets you export views of your models in PDF and EPS formats. These are perfect for further editing in vector graphics programs such as Illustrator and Freehand. For resolution-independent 2D images, exporting in these formats is the best choice.
Export 3DS, OBJ, XSI, FBX, VRML, and DAE (Pro only).
If you use SketchUp Pro, you can export your models into a variety of useful 3D formats. These exporters enable integration of SketchUp into professional workflows by providing interoperability with almost any well-known 3D modeling program available.
New features in Google SketchUp 6
Google SketchUp 6 includes many new features, such as new ways to view your model, develop models from photographs, create 3D text objects, performance improvements, and more. The Pro version of SketchUp 6 also includes LayOut, a brand-new tool for creating professional 2D presentations from your SketchUp models.
Match Photo: Use photos to develop 3D models.
SketchUp 6 introduces a new Match Photo feature that enables you to create 3D models by tracing photographs. You can use multiple photos to build a model, and even use photos to “paint” your model once finished. Match Photo also lets you match the camera view of an existing model to the angle of a photo, which is handy when creating composite images of an unbuilt project on a site photograph.
Styles: Fine-tune the appearance of your model.
The latest SketchUp version includes Styles — a new way to control your model’s look. With Styles, you can change the background, edges, and face colors. Choose from a library of sketchy edge styles if you want your lines to look hand-drawn. Use watermarks (new in SketchUp 6) to add your logo or paper textures as backgrounds. Best of all, Styles can be saved and shared across projects to give all your work a consistent appearance.
Watermarks: Add logos, backgrounds, and more.
With the new Watermark function in SketchUp, you can add 2D images to your models. Place them behind or underneath models, or in front or over them. Watermarks under your model can add a sky background or make your model look drawn on textured paper such as watercolor paper. Applying a watermark over your model views is an easy way to include your logo or other graphics. Watermarks can be managed in the new Styles dialog.
Sketchy edge effects: Make your models look hand-drawn.
SketchUp’s new style feature includes sketchy edge effects that make your views appear as if hand-drawn. The built-in library covers options like pencil, pen, marker, charcoal, and more. If you’ve ever printed a SketchUp model and traced it by hand to look less “digital,” you’ll appreciate the new sketchy edge styles in SketchUp 6.
Fog: Add depth and visual meaning to your work.
In SketchUp 6, you can add fog effects to your models. This is ideal for adding depth and nuance, and is simple to use: just click a button, select a color, and adjust sliders to control how “foggy” your model looks.
3D Text: Create 3D text for signage and more.
We are proud to introduce the long-awaited 3D Text feature in SketchUp 6. Now you can create 3D objects from any entered text string, in any font installed on your computer. You can also control what kind of objects SketchUp creates: simple vector outlines, filled 2D faces, or fully extruded 3D letters.
Other improvements: Faster, easier to use, and more reliable.
Along with new features, SketchUp 6 includes performance enhancements that make the program faster and more enjoyable than ever. See the full list for details.
LayOut: Create professional 2D presentations
Google SketchUp Pro 6 includes LayOut (Beta), a powerful new feature that helps you create impressive multi-page 2D presentations from your SketchUp models. It’s a completely separate program designed for seamless integration with SketchUp. LayOut saves you time and effort compared to manually creating 2D presentations—for both print and digital formats.
Update: No more exporting images from SketchUp.
In LayOut, you can insert as many views of the same SketchUp model into your presentation as you want. When you make changes to your model in SketchUp (and you will), you don’t need to export new images—just click a button in LayOut, and all your model views update automatically. Simple.
Navigate: Rotate, pan, and zoom your models directly in LayOut.
After inserting a SketchUp model view into your LayOut presentation, you can change your viewing angle anytime. Just double-click and then use your mouse to rotate, zoom, and pan until you get the view you want. Right-clicking opens a menu with display options: shadows, specific scenes (if set up), toggling perspective on and off, and more.
Scaled views: See your models at any drawing scale.
You can display SketchUp model views inserted into LayOut at any scale you choose. This lets you generate orthographic views, such as plans and elevations, directly from your SketchUp model. When your model changes, your views in LayOut update accordingly.
Full screen: Use LayOut for digital presentations.
With LayOut, you’ll never need to create a PowerPoint design presentation again. You can view your presentations in full screen, navigating between pages using arrow keys or mouse. You can even write notes onto your pages during the presentation. SketchUp model views can be rotated and SketchUp animations played—all without leaving your LayOut presentation.
High-resolution prints and PDF exports: Showcase your work.
LayOut lets you print your presentation at any resolution you need: high-resolution for detailed design packages or low resolution for posters and boards. If you need to share presentations digitally, you can export your work as PDF files.
Text: You have full control.
LayOut’s powerful text tools let you create callouts, headers, annotations, and full paragraphs. You have complete control over font, color, and alignment for everything you create.
Callouts: LayOut simplifies labeling.
LayOut includes a unique callout tool that makes it easy to create labels. You can even design your own leader lines by customizing color, weight, and endpoint styles. Using callouts is simple: click on an anchor point, click again at the end of the leader line, and enter your label text.
Example: Quickly duplicate graphic and text attributes.
Copying graphic styles from one object to another is easy in LayOut using the eyedropper tool. It even works on text objects. This lets you change the look of your presentations quickly and effortlessly.
Collections: Keep everything you need in one place.
Collections are libraries of graphic elements (e.g., north arrows, scales, logos, and other symbols) you use frequently in your presentations. They appear in a convenient dialog and are immediately available when you need them. LayOut comes with several starter collections, but you can also create your own and share them with your team.
Master Layers: Work smarter and achieve professional results.
LayOut lets you work with two types of layers: normal and master layers. Anything placed on a master layer appears automatically on every page of your presentation—except on those where you disable master layer visibility. This makes it easy to create multi-page presentations with elements like logos, headers, and other graphics consistently positioned on each page. Making changes is simpler too—edit once, and the change reflects everywhere.
Vector graphics: Draw beautiful vector art.
LayOut offers a smoother, more user-friendly experience for drawing vector graphics. The tools are more approachable than others you may have tried. Draw shapes and recolor, scale, rotate, stretch, and combine them. You’ll be surprised at how easy it is to create beautiful vector graphics in LayOut.
Templates: Make life easier for you and your team.
LayOut helps your team create presentations with consistent style, no matter the project. Set up a template with your company’s branding—logo, colors, cover page, header—and use it every time you design a new presentation. You can even share your template with the rest of your team. This streamlines your workflow and ensures your company’s output looks polished and professional.
The standard version is free. There is a professional version that is commercial and offers a few more features.
It also runs on Vista, no problem.
However, the computer needs to have decent performance. Unfortunately, this is true for all 3D programs.
As a CAD engineer, I find the operation somewhat unusual and less precise than I am used to. I don’t think it is suitable for proper building planning since you cannot create technical drawings.
It also runs on Vista, no problem.
However, the computer needs to have decent performance. Unfortunately, this is true for all 3D programs.
As a CAD engineer, I find the operation somewhat unusual and less precise than I am used to. I don’t think it is suitable for proper building planning since you cannot create technical drawings.
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