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  • Sketchup and CAD Video 1: Import and Preparations

  • There are many strategies for CAD files

  • Tailor these techniques to your workflow

  • For this video tutorial...

  • We assume you have a basic knowledge of Sketchup.

  • Sketchup will import .dwg and .dxf formats.

  • Consider the following tips before importing CAD files.

  • Turn off unnecessary layers, simplify drawing to just walls.

  • If showing doors/windows in Sketchup, leave those layers on.

  • Save a new file to import into Sketchup...

  • Do not use your original CAD files.

  • Be aware of the default units in CAD.

  • Let's go to Sketchup!

  • File > Import

  • Navigate to the CAD file you wish to import.

  • Open the options dialogue box.

  • Match settings to those shown.

  • Sketchup shows import results. Close import results.

  • Check size of imported drawing for real world scale.

  • Use tape measure tool.

  • Resize a model using the tape measure tool.

  • Measure. Type in new desired distance. Press Enter.

  • First CAD method: Filling in Walls.

  • Next use the push/pull tool to extrude up 10'.

  • Remove unecessary geometry with eraser tool.

  • Problem: Sometimes wall surfaces won't "close".

  • Reason: Small gaps between edges.

  • A surface requires a closed loop of coplanar edges...

  • These small gaps are very common in CAD files.

  • They are very difficult to find and cause problems.

  • For this reason we recommend another method.

  • Make the CAD file a group, then use as reference.

  • File > New

  • File > Import

  • Select all, right click on geometry, make group.

  • If there is geometry present in Sketchup model...

  • CAD drawing is grouped automatically.

  • Next let's align the axes with CAD drawing.

  • Or, rotate drawing to match axes.

  • Now let's manage our Layers.

  • All layers from the CAD file have been imported.

  • Select all layers and delete.

  • Choose "Move contents to Default layer".

  • Geometry is not deleted, just moved to Default layer.

  • Create a new layer, "floorplan".

  • Add group to new "floorplan" layer.

  • Right click on geometry > Entity Info

  • From layer menu choose "floorplan".

  • Now "floorplan" visibility is controlled by layers.

  • Right click on geometry and choose "lock".

  • Now our reference layer cannot be modified.

  • Window > Styles

  • Under "Edit" tab, toggle off profiles for easier visibility.

  • Window > Scenes

  • Turn "floorplan" layer visibility off.

  • Add scene and uncheck all but "visible layers".

  • Add a scene and rename Floorplan Off.

  • Turn "floorplan" layer visibility on.

  • Add another scene and rename it "Floorplan On".

  • Use Scenes to toggle floorplan visibility on and off.

  • Once you have set up scenes once, it is easier next time.

  • Let's review the steps...

  • 1. Import CAD file, check options.

  • 2. Check size of imported CAD plan.

  • 3. Make sure plan is grouped.

  • 4. Align plan with axis.

  • 5. Delete extra layers and place group on new layer.

  • 6. Lock the group.

  • 7. Adjust edge styles.

  • 8. Create scenes to toggle layer visibility.

Sketchup and CAD Video 1: Import and Preparations

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