AR322

UNIVERSITY OF MINDANAO
College of Architecture
Program: BS Architecture
Physically Distanced but Academically Engaged
Self-Instructional Manual (SIM) for Self-Directed Learning (SDL)

Course/Subject: AR 322/S & ARCADD 2/L: Architectural Computer Aided
Design and Drafting 2
Name of Teacher: Nathaniel Don P. Valdez
THIS SIM-SDL MANUAL IS A DRAFT VERSION ONLY; NOT FOR

REPRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION OUTSIDE OF ITS INTENDED USE.
THIS IS INTENDED ONLY FOR THE USE OF THE STUDENTS WHO ARE
OFFICIALLY ENROLLED IN THE COURSE/SUBJECT.
EXPECT REVISIONS OF THE MANUAL.
NOT FOR COMMERCIAL USE.
College of Architecture and Fine Arts Education
4th Floor, DPT Building
Matina Campus, Davao City
Phone No/Telefax: (082) 305-0646 loc 109
Table of Contents
Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................. 2

Course Outline .................................................................................................................................. 4
Course Outline Policy ....................................................................................................................... 4
Course Information ........................................................................................................................... 7
Big Picture in Focus .......................................................................................................................... 8
Metalanguage ................................................................................................................................... 8
Essential Knowledge......................................................................................................................... 8
Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 9
SketchUp Basics ..................................................................................................................... 12
Basic Navigation ..................................................................................................................... 14
Measurements ........................................................................................................................ 14
Precise Modeling .................................................................................................................... 15
Creating Geometry .................................................................................................................. 16
Organizing Geometry with Containers ..................................................................................... 27
Section Planes ........................................................................................................................ 37
Layers, Styles, and Scenes ..................................................................................................... 39
Self-Help ......................................................................................................................................... 44
Let’s Check ..................................................................................................................................... 44
Let’s Analyze .................................................................................................................................. 45
In A Nutshell ................................................................................................................................... 46
Q&A List ......................................................................................................................................... 46
Keywords Index .............................................................................................................................. 47
Big Picture in Focus ........................................................................................................................ 47
Metalanguage ................................................................................................................................. 47
Essential Knowledge....................................................................................................................... 47
Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 47
The LayOut Interface .............................................................................................................. 49
Main Toolbar ........................................................................................................................... 50
Document Setup ..................................................................................................................... 50
Preferences Window ............................................................................................................... 55
Inspectors ............................................................................................................................... 57
Inserting Content ..................................................................................................................... 65
Working with Images ............................................................................................................... 67
Working with Text.................................................................................................................... 67
Working with Tables ................................................................................................................ 68
Managing References ............................................................................................................. 69
Working with CAD ................................................................................................................... 69
Self-Help ......................................................................................................................................... 70
Let’s Check ..................................................................................................................................... 70
Let’s Analyze .................................................................................................................................. 70
In A Nutshell ................................................................................................................................... 71
Q&A List ......................................................................................................................................... 72
Keywords Index .............................................................................................................................. 72
Big Picture in Focus ........................................................................................................................ 72
Metalanguage ................................................................................................................................. 73
Essential Knowledge....................................................................................................................... 73
Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 73
Create a Component ............................................................................................................... 79
Editing a Component............................................................................................................... 83
Making a Dynamic Component ............................................................................................... 86
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Creating Common Types of Dynamic Components ................................................................. 91

Referencing Dynamic Component Attributes, Functions, HTML Tags, and Operators ........... 107
Self-Help ....................................................................................................................................... 116
Let’s Check ................................................................................................................................... 117
Let’s Analyze ................................................................................................................................ 117
In A Nutshell ................................................................................................................................. 118
Q&A List ....................................................................................................................................... 118
Keywords Index ............................................................................................................................ 119
Appendix....................................................................................................................................... 119
Calendar ....................................................................................................................................... 121
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Course Outline: AR322/S - Architectural Computer Aided Design and

Drafting 2
Course Coordinator: Nathaniel Don P. Valdez

Email: donvaldez@umindanao.edu.ph
Student Consultation: By appointment
Mobile: 0917 920 7836
Phone: (082) 3050648 loc. 109
Effectivity Date: August 17, 2020
Mode of Delivery: Blended (On-Line with face to face or virtual sessions)
Time Frame: 90 Hours
Student Workload: Expected Self-Directed Learning
Requisites: AR 313/S
Credit: 3.0 units: Lecture: 1 unit, Studio: 2 units
Attendance Requirements: A minimum of 95% attendance is required at all
scheduled Virtual or face to face sessions.
Course Outline Policy
Areas of Concern Details

This 3-unit course self-instructional manual is designed
for blended learning mode of instructional delivery with
scheduled face to face or virtual sessions. The expected
number of hours will be 54 including the face to face or
Contact and Non-contact Hours virtual sessions. The face to face sessions shall include
the summative assessment tasks (exams) since this
course is crucial in the Architecture Licensure
Examination (ALE).
Submission of assessment tasks shall be on 3rd, 5th, 7th

and 9th week of the term. The assessment paper shall be
attached with a cover page indicating the following: (a)
title of the assessment task (if the task is performance-
based), (b) the name of the course coordinator, (c) date
of submission, and (d) name of the student. The
document should be emailed to the course coordinator. It
is also expected that you already paid your tuition and
other fees before the submission of the assessment task.
Assessment Task Submission
If the assessment task is done in real time through the
features in the Blackboard Learning Management
System, the schedule shall be arranged ahead of time by
the course coordinator.
Since this course is included in ALE, you will be required

to take the Multiple-Choice Question exam inside the
University. This should be scheduled ahead of time by
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your course coordinator. This is nonnegotiable for all

licensure-based programs.
*This provision is contingent to the relevant community

quarantine guidelines that are imposed during the period
of exam.
To ensure honesty and authenticity, all assessment tasks

are required to be submitted through Turnitin or
SafeAssign. This means that if the paper goes beyond
30%, the students will either opt to redo the paper or
explain in writing addressed to the course coordinator the
reasons for such similarity rating. In addition, the student
may be called for a disciplinary action in accordance with
Plagiarism Check the University’s Operation and Procedures Manual (OPM)
on Intellectual and Academic Honesty.
Please note that academic dishonesty such as cheating

and commissioning other students or people to complete
the task for you have severe punishments (reprimand,
warning, expulsion).
The score for an assessment item submitted after the

designated time on the due date, without an approved
extension of time, will be reduced by 5% of the possible
maximum score for that assessment item for each day or
part day that the assessment item is late.
Penalties for Late
Assignments/Assessments
However, if the late submission of assessment paper has
a valid reason, a letter of explanation should be submitted
and approved by the course coordinator. If necessary,
you will also be required to present/attach evidences.
Assessment tasks will be returned to you two (2) weeks

after the submission. This will be returned by email or via
Blackboard portal.
Return of Assignments/ For group assessment tasks, the course coordinator will
Assessments require some or few of the students for online or virtual
sessions to ask clarification to validate the originality of
the assessment task submitted and to ensure that all the
group members are involved.
You should request in writing addressed to the course

coordinator your intention to appeal or contest the score
Assignment Resubmission given to an assessment task. The letter should explicitly
explain the reasons/points to contest the grade. The
course coordinator shall communicate with the students
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on the approval and disapproval of the request.
If disapproved by the course coordinator, you can elevate

your case to the program head or the dean with the
original letter of request.
The final decision will come from the dean of the college.
You should request in writing addressed to the program

coordinator your intention to appeal or contest the score
given to an assessment task. The letter should explicitly
explain the reasons/points to contest the grade. The
program coordinator shall communicate with the students
Re-marking of Assessment on the approval and disapproval of the request.
Papers and Appeal
If disapproved by the course coordinator, you can elevate
your case to the program head or the dean with the
original letter of request. The final decision will come from
the dean of the college.
Major Plate 1 25%

Major Plate 2 25%
Portfolio 20%
Research 20%
Schemes 10%
Grading System
Submission of the final grades shall follow the usual
University system and procedures.
*contingent on the community quarantine guidelines at the

period
Harvard. You may visit the site below.

Preferred Referencing Style
https://libguides.mq.edu.au/referencing/Harvard
Ar. Iluminado Quinto Jr.

Contact Details of the Dean Email: iluminadoquinto@umindanao.edu.ph
Phone: (082) 3050648 loc. 109
Ar. Camilo Quibod
Contact Details of the Program
Email: camiloquibod@umindanao.edu.ph
Head
Phone: (082) 3050648 loc. 109
Students with special needs shall communicate with the
course coordinator about the nature of his or her special
needs. Depending on the nature of the need, the course
Students with Special Needs
coordinator with the approval of the program head may
provide alternative assessment tasks or extension of the
deadline of submission of assessment tasks. However,
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the alternative assessment tasks should still be in the

service of achieving the desired course learning
outcomes.
You are required to enroll in a specific tutorial time for this
course via consultation with the course coordinator.
Online Tutorial Registration Send your coordinator an email about this concern.
Please note that there is a deadline for enrollment to the
tutorial.
You can also meet the course coordinator in person
through the scheduled face to face sessions to raise your
issues and concerns.
For students who have forgotten their email addresses or

Student Communication
passwords, or never have had a umindanao email, copy-
paste the URL to your internet browser
https://bit.ly/35V3X0A and fill in the form. If all else fail,
promptly take this up with your course coordinator.
Contact details of the Head of Leny Gamboa

Guidance Services and Testing Email: gstcmain@umindanao.edu.ph
Center (GSTC) Phone: 0905 892 4090
Ms. Danica Baja
Help Desk Contact Email: umcafaehelpdesk@umindanao.edu.ph
Phone: 0975 560 4691
Ms. Brigada E. Bacani
Library Contact Email: library@umindanao.edu.ph
Phone: 0951 376 6681
Course Information
See/download course syllabus in the Blackboard LMS.
CC’s Voice: Hello future architect! Welcome to this course AR 322/S – Architectural
Computer Aided Design and Drafting 2. By now, I am certain that you really wanted
to become an architect and that you have visualized yourself already being in your
private firm, or a design or construction firm, or any office quite related to the practice
of the architectural profession.
CO Welcome AR 322/S! This is the second course in the using more advanced software
programs for design and drafting. Technology is dynamic and always changing and
this course may likely be outdated by the time you have your license. Our focus on
this course is refine our workflow in the design process as using any software
programs should only enhance our work and design as architects but we will still rely
on our basic knowledge. Whether we present our design using 3D models or just 2D
sketches, visual communication still the primary goal of this course.
That said, you must not forget your previous courses in Design. Using a program is
simply another layer of process to showcase your talent and skill but it is important to
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note that you as an architect should never rely on these technologies. Becoming
advanced in the use of the programs introduced in this course is already a specialty
in the field of architecture in itself, as the design process and workflow involve many
steps. This is to expand your field of knowledge and not hinder you from producing
the best design. Your previous knowledge in AR 313/S should already give you a
basis on what is expected in composing working drawings: how to represent basic
elements of floor plans like doors, windows, walls etc. and to visualize a building
structure in terms of elevations and sections, as well as detailing. The discipline of
labelling correctly, using proper line types and line weights, representing grid lines,
section lines etc. are still crucial as we proceed to 3D modelling.
Let us begin!
Big Picture in Focus
Week 1-2: Unit Learning Outcomes (ULO-a): At the end of the unit, you are expected to:
1. Demonstrate proper use of the templates, program interface and basic functions
of native commands and tools of SketchUp.
2. Apply basic commands and tools in architectural modelling of a basic residential
house
3. Illustrate an efficient workflow for design process integrating different software
programs.
Metalanguage
1. BIM – Building Information Modelling; a process supported by various tools,

technologies and contracts involving the generation and management of digital
representations of physical and functional characteristics of places
2. Workflow – The collection of tools designers uses and the order in which they use
those tools to produce a final design
3. SketchUp – 3D modeling computer program for a wide range of drawing
applications such as architectural, interior design, landscape architecture, civil and
mechanical engineering, film and video game design.
4. LayOut – companion program for SketchUp, this program has tools and features to
help you create high-quality documents and presentations of SketchUp models.
5. Model Organization – Sketchup has certain functions to help organize a model
using layers, grouping elements, and arranging groups and components in Outliner.
6. Visualization – this pertains to how design is communicated in different media.
Each presentation type, stills, animations, virtual tours, and virtual reality all have
respective strengths and weaknesses and appropriate times to be used
7. Construction Documents – These pertains to all building plans, specifications,
and supporting documents used during the completion of a construction project.
Essential Knowledge
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Introduction
Before an architect even starts to think or design, he must have a first established workflow.
Workflow pertains to the collection of tools designers use and the order in which they use
those tools to produce a final design. Different architects and designers utilize different tools
and software to produce their final output, which can range from simply producing rendered
images and construction documents or fully integrated building model with system and data
analysis. Architectural industry advances with technology to help architects efficiently
translate their design into actual built environment.
This course focuses on using SketchUp and Layout but these are merely a fraction of what
an architect use in his own workflow. Architectural software programs can be classified into
three categories, although programs being released today may overlap the functions and
capabilities of these programs. Specialization in all programs is not required but it is best to
be proficient in utilizing at least one in each category. It is important to select as early as
now which program you should be focusing to advance your career. Each program has
their pros and cons and can belong in a spectrum of intuitive design to complex, algorithm-
based system.
However, whichever program you choose, you must understand that no matter how skillful
you use them, it will not matter if your fundamentals in design process are substandard.
Even with manual drafting, you must master yourself as a designer, rather than letting the
tool take control of your design.
1. BIM – main tool for architects in the last decade; stands for Building Information
Modelling where data are basically stored as a designer models his structure which
can be used to influence design process through analysis
2. 2D Drafting – used primarily for creation of 2D drawings, construction drawings,
interior and furniture design
3. 3D Modelling – used for visualization of a structure from different angles and
directions
4. Render engines and real time render engines – used for composing realistic
rendering for 3D modelling as they help observe the structure’s behavior and
appearance in different simulated settings like weather, natural and artificial lighting,
actual nearby buildings etc.
5. Post production – used for enhancement and presentation of the design, not
necessarily architecture-based programs
6. Other specialized programs – depending on the designer’s inclination as he or she
become skilled further in using programs, there are programs that can help further in
specialization in architecture in broader sense, like urban design, lighting and
acoustic design or architecture-based programming.
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Figure 1 – Programs used for architect’s workflow
Sketchup and LayOut may fall under the first four categories. SketchUp in its development,
started out as basic program architects use for schematic phase but added layer of
complexity is its utilization with it extensions feature, where various developers generate
their own tools within SketchUp interface with the use of Ruby computer programming
script. Ruby scripting language allows users to take full advantage of SketchUp’s potential
which is now in the race of becoming one of the most prominent BIM software programs as
designers grew with its development in the last decade.
The core of this workflow is SketchUp and LayOut but this is not a restricted design
process. It is necessary you can adapt all or part of it and use the organizational and design
tips. The process of moving from sketches to construction documents is expedited by the
figure below in using SketchUp and Layout.
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Figure 2 – Architectural Workflow with SketchUp/LayOut
Design is a continuous process with involve steps and phases. There is no right or wrong
way to produce a design and the output will always be judged by non-technical audience or
users and by critics limited only to their visual observation. It is always important to consider
the human factor and sentimentality which these programs have yet to replicate.
While SketchUp is intuitive and has a low learning curve, it is often preferred for quick
modelling. While it is already mentioned that SketchUp has BIM potential and the definition
of BIM has been briefly explained, it is necessary to consider these ideas. “BIM is a digital
representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility … a shared knowledge
resource for information about a facility forming a reliable basis for decisions during its life
cycle,” which is defined as existing from earliest conception to demolition (National BIM
Standard-United States). A BIM is an intelligent model that integrates design, visualization,
simulation, and collaboration into one process. The model becomes a physical
representation which contains information pertinent to design team, construction agents
and other various stakeholders. The model not only shows a client what a building will look
like, but it also gives the client and designer a better understanding of how the building will
function. BIM is essentially a shared, digital building prototype that helps everyone on the
design team make better decisions.
These are some features that are expected to find in a BIM program:
• Three-dimensional (3D) modeling
• Model life cycle use with the building, from predesign to demolition
• Interoperability with consultants and their computer-aided design (CAD) platforms
• Dynamic links between the 3D model and the construction documents (when a
change is made in a
• plan, that change is reflected in all other drawings, sections, elevations, and reflected
ceiling plans)
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• Photorealistic rendering and raytracing

• Parametric modeling, both input and output
• Clash detection
• Energy analysis
• Cost analysis
• Four-dimensional (4D) construction phasing and schedule management
SketchUp is a surface modeler. All objects created in SketchUp are composed of lines and
surfaces. The process of drawing lines in SketchUp is similar to the process used to draw
lines in 2D CAD. SketchUp could be described as a 2D CAD program that operates in a 3D
environment.
When a designer builds a 3D model in SketchUp, he or she can simultaneously create the
construction documents in LayOut. All 2D plans, sections, and elevations can be
dynamically linked to the 3D model. The basics functions of SketchUp enables its user to
think and design in 3D, while leaving the presentation and construction documents as the
products of the design process.
SketchUp Basics
Sketchup has been updating annually, adding features, and improving its interface and
usability. Regardless the version of SketchUp being used, this manual will only deal with
native tools and features. Examples maybe derived from the higher versions, but they
should essentially appear in lower versions. If there are new features or massive changes
to the base features and native tools, they will be indicated as such, but the res.
There are five core concepts for Sketchup:
1. Sketchup is primarily surface modeling program. Everything in SketchUp is

composed of edges and surfaces. A surface cannot exist without a closed loop of
coplanar edges, and the simplest surface possible is a triangle
2. There are no true no true, perfect vector curves, arcs, or circles. Curves are made of
line segments and increasing the number of line segments produces a smoother
curve.
3. Stickiness of geometry – Adjoining elements stick together and move with one
another.
4. Geometry does not stack - Only one edge or surface can exist between the same
series of points.
5. Inference engine – Sketchup assumes significant relationships between points,

edges, and surface, triggered by specific commands.
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Figure 3 – Inferences with SketchUp Commands
Template
Once SketchUp is installed, click on the icon and the first window that will appear is the
Welcome to SketchUp window. This can also be accessed by clicking on the Help drop-
down menu and choosing Welcome to SketchUp. Learning resources, license information,
and the default template all appear here. Within the Template tab, select the template you
are most comfortable using template, and then click on Start using SketchUp. To start a
new document with the selected template, click on the File drop-down menu and choose
New.
Figure 4 – Welcome screen for SketchUp 2022
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Typically, it is advisable to use a template with dimensions that is consistent throughout the
project workflow (i.e., Architectural-millimeters or meter for metric system or Architectural-
feet and inches for imperial system). In figure 4, the default template for Sketchup 2019 is
indicated with a shaded heart.
Basic Navigation
Navigation in Sketchup is most efficient using a three-button scroll wheel mouse. Left
button is used to select element, right button is used to reveal a menu for specific element.
Pushing down on the scroll-wheel button to orbit, while holding down the Shift key with the
scroll wheel button enables user to pan. Rolling the scroll wheel up to zoom in to the 3d
environment while scrolling down zooms out.
Figure 5 – Basic navigation using mouse
The cursor is the focal point of all navigation. It must be positioned on an object to zoom in
on, pan by, or orbit around for more navigational control. When completing any task in
SketchUp, always navigate to a view that is strategic for the task at hand. Determine the
view that will make it easiest to perform desired action.
Measurements
The Measurements dialog in SketchUp gives complete control over any tool. It is
always ready for numerical input to enter a precise dimension or value. By default, the
Measurements toolbar is docked at the bottom-right corner of the SketchUp interface. This
toolbar can be repositioned by clicking on the View drop-down menu and choosing
Toolbars > Measurements.
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Figure 6 – Measurement Toolbar Changes according to Tool or Command
Precise Modeling
It is important to be a organize a model when using SketchUp. Drawing lines that are
parallel and perpendicular need to stay on axis. Precise and accurate modelling are
composed of flawless geometry that leverages axes, guides, and inferences.
A. Axes are the default red, green and blue lines that represents the x, y and z
directions in the 3D environment. To maximize the utilization this feature, the
following concepts and tools must be understood.
1. Origin – The center point where the axes converge or intersect. Its value is 0,0,0.
2. Move Sketching Context - Right-click on any axis and choose Move to access
the Move Sketching Context dialog box. This enables moving the origin to a
known point or rotate the axes about one axis to a precise degree.
3. Axes Tool – This tool allows moving the axes with the cursor rather than a dialog
box. This useful to align your axes to an object in the model or fix a group's or
component's axes that do not align with the geometry the environment.
B. Guides are a special type of infinite lines in SketchUp 3D environment and can be
aligned parallel to the model’s existing edges or along the axes. They are created
with the Tape Measure tool and the Protractor tool:
1. Tape Measure Tool - used to measure elements within your model and to
create guidelines
2. Protractor Tool - used to measure angles between entities and create a guide
off a reference line, around a defined center point of rotation, at a specified
angle
C. Inferences Engine is a constantly running function in the SketchUp 3D environment

used to keep the model’s geometry aligned in accurately and logically. Often,
inferences speed up the design process by eliminating guides and clicks. Many of
the following inferences work with both the Drawing tools and the Edit tools. It
basically snaps the cursor’s selection to a set of define elements of the model.
1. Multiple Points – making an inference from a point, a midpoint, or even two
points
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2. Parallel to Edge – drawing a parallel line to an existing edge encourages a

Parallel to Edge inference
3. Constrained on Line – Edge Constrained on Line inference allows to either
start or finish an operation along a specific edge
4. Line Intersect – using the Line Intersect inference to takes place of the use of
guides and projects intersections between lines
Creating Geometry
The most frequently used tools for creating geometry in SketchUp can be categorized into
two groups: the Drawing tools and the Edit tools. To get started with any model, geometry
must be created using the Drawing tools (Line, Rectangle, Circle, Arc, Polygon, and
Freehand). Once simple two-dimensional (2D) geometry are created, they can be shaped
and changed into a more complex form using the Edit tools (Move, Push/Pull, Rotate,
Follow Me, Scale, and Offset). Throughout the modeling process, user will often shift
between these toolsets.
Figure 7 Shifting between Drawing tool and Edit tool to create geometry
A. Drawing Tools
The Drawing tools can be further broken down into two

groups: The Surface Drawing tools, and the Edge
Drawing tools. A Surface Drawing tool creates a closed
loop of coplanar edges, including a surface, in a specified
shape. An Edge Drawing tool creates straight and curved
edges (no surface). These tools provide infinite
combinations to complete additive and subtractive modeling
operations.
1. Surface Drawing Tools
The Surface Drawing tools include the Rectangle, Circle,

and Polygon, all of which create a closed loop of coplanar
edges and a surface. It is best to start building a model
using these tools Figure 8
16
To use the Surface Drawing tools, click once to start, move your cursor to suggest a
direction, then click again to finish. Remember to enter precise dimensions during or
after the command until another command is started. The same is true for most
SketchUp tools.
2. Edge Drawing Tools
The Edge Drawing tools include the Line, Arc, and Freehand. These tools create
only edges, not surfaces. Edge Drawing tools can be used to make small additive
and subtractive adjustments to existing surfaces. Although they are not the most
efficient tools for creating surfaces from scratch, you can use them to actually draw
the sides of a closed loop of coplanar edges.
A. Line Tool: the most basic Edge Drawing tool. It has many uses, but it is not the
most effective way to create geometry. The Line tool is best used to make small
adjustments and modifications. Shift key can be used to lock a drawing a line
along an axis. Locking an axis eliminates two of the three dimensions, so all you
need to do is define a distance along the specified locked axis. Precise
dimensions can also be entered into the Measurements dialog.
B. Arc Tool: used to create precise curves. For Two-point Arch, tirst click
determines the starting point of the curve second click sets the end point of the
curve and the third click determines the bulge. Specific distance for the bulge can
be entered using the Measurements dialog.
Arc tool can be used to round the corners of a rectangle. The arc turns magenta
to denote Equidistant and Tangent to Edge inferences. The arc turns cyan to
indicate Tangent at Vertex inference to make a smooth transition between the
two arcs.
C. Freehand Tool: one of the few tools that requires click and drag. It is used to
draw loose, sketchy lines.
B. Edit Tools
After creating the geometry using the Drawing tools, it can be changed using the Edit
tools. These tools can quickly transform 2D geometry into 3D objects and create
complex geometry by scaling, stretching, moving, and copying.
Figure 9 - Edit tools available in the Edit toolbar
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1. Select tool and commands: The Select tool is include in the Principal tools, but
it is critical for using the Edit tools. All Edit operations are complemented by the
Select tool. It is best to preselect an entity before using the Edit tools. Some have
a hot spot that auto selects entities but having complete control can be done by
first preselecting an entity with the Select tool.
Click once on an edge or surface to select it. Double-click on a surface to select

the surface as well as the bounding edges. Triple-click on a surface to select all
the connected geometry.
Figure 10
To perform a window selection, click and drag from left to right over the entities
you want to select. Only the entities that are completely in the selection window
will be selected. A window selection is represented by a solid selection window.
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Figure 11
To perform a crossing selection, click and drag right to left over the entities that
should be selected. A crossing selection will select the entities that are
completely within the selection window as well as any entity that the selection
window touches. A crossing selection is represented by a dashed selection
window. Hold down the Ctrl key (Option on a Mac) while using the Select tool to
add entities to the selection.
Hold down the Ctrl (Option on Mac) and Shift keys while using the Select tool to
remove entities from the selection. Hold the Shift key while you are using the
Select tool to inverse the selection. All of these modifier keys work with selection
windows, too.
Figure 12
To see additional selection options, right-click on an edge or surface. From this

menu, options to select Bounding Edges, Connected Faces, All Connected, All
on same Layer, or All with same Material can be used. These unique selection
options can help make complex selections faster.
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Figure 13
2. Move tool: The Move tool's efficiency relies heavily on the stickiness of the
geometry. Points, edges, and surfaces can be moved using the tool. Doing so
has a different effect on the entity, as well as the adjacent, connected entities.
The Move tool's hot spot is right in the middle of the icon. Place the cursor on an
edge or a surface and note that the Move tool will auto select entities. Click once
to pick an entity up, then click again to put it down.
Figure 14
a. Precise Move
A precise move is executed by preselecting entities and then moving the

selection from a specific spot on the selection to another in the model. A
precise move can be started and ended on an edge, endpoint, midpoint, or
surface, depending on the desired final location.
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Figure 15
To make a precise move, follow these steps:

1. Using the Select tool, preselect the entity to be moved.
2. Activate the Move tool. Hover on the front-bottom corner of the
cube until the Endpoint inference notification can be seen. Click
once to pick up the cube.
3. Move the cursor, and the cube, to the front-bottom of the large
cube. Hover on the corner until the Endpoint inference notification
can be seen and then click to place the cube.
b. Linear Copy and Array
The Move tool is also the “Copy” tool. To toggle the Copy command on
and off, press the Ctrl key (Option on a Mac). As entity is moved, pressing
the Ctrl key (Option on a Mac) will leave a copy of it behind.
To make a copy, follow these steps:
1. Using the Select tool, preselect the entity that you want to copy.
2. Activate the Move tool, and click once on the entity (you can start
the copy from anywhere in the model)
3. Press the Ctrl key (Option on a Mac) to toggle on the Copy
command while you move the cursor along an axis, then click again
to finish.
4. At this point, enter a precise distance into the Measurements dialog,
then press Enter.
5. To create multiple copies at a specified distance immediately after
completing the Move/Copy command, enter the number of copies
you want to make—for example, type 4x, then press Enter. This will
create four copies of the selection in addition to the original.
21
Figure 16
6. Another way to array using the Move tool is to divide the distance
between the copies. After completing a copy, specify the number of
divisions between the two copies within the Measurements dialog,
follow steps 1-4 but Immediately after entering the distance, enter the
desired number of divisions between the two copies—for instance, type
5/—and then press Enter.
22
Figure 17
3. Autofold: If a surface does not have the proper lines, or breaks, to fold the
surface, SketchUp will not allow the selection to move on all axes. The
Autofold command automatically draws all the lines needed to break a surface
and allow the selected surface to move in any direction. While performing a
move, press the Alt key (Command key on a Mac) to toggle the Autofold
command on.
Figure 18
23
4. Push/Pull: The Push/Pull tool is one of the fastest and easiest ways to
generate large amounts of geometry. This tool extrudes 2D surfaces into 3D
forms, perpendicular to the starting face. This means that geometry is typically
on-axis or at least perfectly square with the starting surface. The Push/Pull
tool affects only surfaces.
1. Position the Push/Pull tool on a surface; it will auto select the surface. The
hot spot of the Push/Pull tool is at the tip of the red arrow on the icon. Click
on the surface to start the operation.
2. Move the cursor to push or pull the surface. The surface will extrude
perpendicular to the starting surface. Click again to finish.
3. At this point, you can enter a precise dimension then press Enter.
Press the Ctrl key (Option on a Mac) before or during any Push/Pull operation
to leave a copy of the starting face. This is a toggle, so press the Ctrl key
(Option on a Mac) again, and the starting face will disappear.
5. Follow Me: The Follow Me tool generates massive amounts of complex

geometry with very few clicks. This tool works by extruding a 2D profile along
a path. A path can be a series of connected edges or a surface that defines
the path with its bounding edges. Follow these steps:
1. Using the Select tool, preselect the path—in this example, a surface.
2. Activate the Follow Me tool.
3. Click on the profile to finish.
Figure 19
6. Rotate Tool: The Rotate tool spins entities around a defined center point of
rotation at a specified angle
1. Using the Select tool, preselect the entity to rotate.

2. Activate the Rotate tool. Click and hold at the desired center point of
rotation and drag away to set the axis of rotation. Look for the inference
line to turn red, green, or blue. Release once you have found the desired
axis of rotation.
3. Move the cursor around and to lock at the defined center point of rotation.
Click to define the reference angle. The reference angle can be arbitrary
for most rotations unless the object is being aligned with another.
24
4. Move your cursor and click again to define the degree of rotation away
from the reference angle.
5. You can click at a random angle, or at this point, let go of the mouse and
enter a precise angle into the Measurements dialog then press Enter. This
will rotate the object 90 degrees off the reference angle around the defined
center point of rotation.
Similar to the Move tool, during any rotation, press the Ctrl key (Option on a
Mac) to toggle on the Copy command. This will leave a copy of the selected
object behind. To perform a polar copy and array, follow these steps:
1. Preselect the entity to rotate and copy. Activate the Rotate tool, hover on a
point to encourage an inference, and choose a meaningful starting point.
2. Click and drag and release on the blue axis.
3. Move the cursor to the right and click once to set the reference line. Tap
the Ctrl key (Option on a Mac) to toggle on the Copy command while you
move your cursor down the screen.
4. Click to place the copy.
5. Immediately type a precise degree of rotation int the Measurements
dialog, then press Enter.
6. To make three copies, for example, immediately type the number of copies
as 3x, then press Enter. You can continue to change both the degree of
rotation and the number of copies until you invoke another command.
Figure 20
25
7. Scale Tool: The Scale tool distorts entities based on a scale factor or a “hard”
dimension. The hot spot of the Scale tool is at the tip of the red arrow, but it
usually is best to preselect entities before scaling. Follow these steps:
1. Using the Select tool, preselect the entity you want to scale.
2. Activate the Scale tool and click on the top-center grip.
3. Move your cursor to scale the object and click to finish the command.
4. Immediately enter a scale value then press Enter.
5. A precise dimension can be entered into the Measurements dialog then
press Enter. Be sure to specify feet or inches because the Scale tool
defaults to a scale value rather than the model's default units
Figure 21
26
8. Offset Tool: The Offset tool concentrically copies a series of connected

edges or a surface's bounding edges. Follow these steps:
1. Use the Select tool to preselect a series of connected coplanar edges or

use the tool's hot spot at the tip of the red arrow to auto select a surface
and offset its bounding edges. Hover on an edge and click to set the
starting point.
2. Move your cursor to suggest the direction of the offset and let go of the
mouse.
3. At this point, you can type a precise dimension then press Enter.
Figure 22
Organizing Geometry with Containers
SketchUp has two basic containers for geometry: Groups and Components. These
containers not only separate edges to control stickiness, but they also organize entities and
geometry to make more efficient models.
A. Groups are unintelligent containers that have no connection between copies.

Groups simply hold geometry. A copy of a group will have no connection between
the original and the new copy. Almost every object should be made part of a group. It
is almost impossible to make too many groups. Groups are mainly used to contain
entities, form hierarchy of layers, and control the stickiness of geometry.
The organization techniques utilized during the SketchUp Workflow for Architecture
require advanced layering and organization of groups. Model organization diagrams
are used to complement the text and further explain layering and grouping.
27
Figure 23
To create a group, follow these steps:
1. Using the Select tool, select at least two entities (edges, surfaces, groups, or
components).
2. Right-click on the selection and choose Make Group or click on the Edit drop-
down menu and choose Make Group.
B. Components are intelligent in that each instance is connected. If any instance of a

component is modified, all instances of the same component will reflect those
changes as well. They hold geometry just as groups do, but there is a link between
all copies of a component. Suppose you make a component and then copy it several
times throughout a model. If one instance of a component is edited, all instances of
that component will update simultaneously to reflect those changes
Components are used to make extremely efficient models. When when creating
repeating elements, similar elements, and lines of symmetry, making them into
components should be considered.
To create a component, follow these steps.
1. Using the Select tool, select at least two entities.

2. Right-click on the selection and choose Make Component.
3. In the Create Component dialog, assign the desired properties and choose
Create.
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Figure 24
Making Unique Components
The Make Unique command is used for similar elements. It is similar to a Save Copy
As command in other programs. The original component instance(s) are left
connected and intact, and a new component instance is created based on the
selected component. To make a component, or multiple components,
unique, select them, then right-click on the selection and choose Make Unique.
29
Figure 25
The ability to quickly move in and out of containers is essential to fast and efficient
modeling in SketchUp. The first way to navigate containers is slow and methodical.
To navigate containers; understand which container level of the model is in. Follow
these steps:
1. Right-click on a container, and choose Edit Group or Edit Component,
depending on which type of container you are editing.
2. To close the container, right-click outside of the container bounding box, and
choose Close Group or Close Component.
A much faster method for navigating containers utilizes the Select tool. Use this
method after you have a solid understanding of which container level you are in.
Follow these steps:
1. Using the Select tool, double-click on a container to move in one level.
30
2. To close the container, press the Esc key to back out while the Select tool is
active. Clicking outside the bounding box of the container to enables going
back out one level.
Figure 26
The Outliner shows a file-structure-type diagram of the contents of your model to

help navigate through the various container levels. To open the Outliner, click on the
Window drop-down menu and choose Outliner. Click on entity names in the Outliner
to select them. Double-click or right-click on containers within the Outliner to
navigate in and out of the container.
The Outliner is very helpful when all the groups and components in the model are
accurately named. Groups and components can be named using the Entity Info
dialog. To open this dialog, click on the Window dropdown menu and select Entity
Info Then, use the Select tool to select an entity; its properties will be displayed in
the Entity Info dialog, where they can also be edited. Make sure to assign logical
names. For instance, if a group contains walls, name the group WALLS.
Figure 27 – Outliner
31
Figure 28
Modifying Containers
Containers in SketchUp, including groups and more important components, can be

modified without affecting the contents of the container. For instance, entities can be
moved and rotated a container without affecting its contents. If the contents of a
component were moved or rotated, all instances would reflect that change. Rotating
and moving are fairly easy concepts to grasp, but there are also more abstract ideas
related to modifying containers covered in this section. You will learn to make
components (and groups) different without affecting the contents of the component.
A. Move Tool
Use the Move tool to reposition containers to reposition edges and surfaces. The
Move tool also auto-selects entire containers and offers a rotate option. Follow these
steps:
1. Deselect all entities by right-clicking on the background, activate the Move tool,
and hover over a container. The Move tool auto-selects the container and
displays red crosses on each side that you hover on.
2. Hover on one of the red crosses and position the Rotate tool at the center of the
container. Click once to start the rotation.
3. Move the cursor to rotate the container, then click again to define the actual
rotation of the container.
4. At this point, enter a precise degree of rotation and then press Enter.
32
Figure 29
B. Scale Tool
The Scale tool allows you to stretch and distort geometry as well as containers.
Scaling a container does not affect the contents of the container, so these changes
will not be reflected in all instances of the component.
33
Figure 30
To create a line of symmetry, use the Scale tool and assign a scale factor of –1 to
mirror the component. Copying and mirroring a component creates a line of
symmetry but does not modify the contents of the container.
34
Figure 31
C. Default Material
Any surface in a container that has the default material applied to it will take on the
material of its parent. In other words, suppose there is a cube (six surfaces) in a
container that has the default material applied to each surface. If you paint the
outside of the group with a material, all the surfaces in the group will take on that
material. This default material can be overridden by applying a different material to
the actual surface in the group.
By leveraging the default material behaviors, components can have efficiently linked
geometry but display different materials. This characteristic can come into play when
using repeating elements that need to be slightly different. For example, a chair
component that is efficiently linked can have a different colored cushion.
D. Nested Containers
Nested containers are containers within containers within containers. There is

virtually no limit to the number of levels deep your model can be. Mastering the
concept of nested containers is essential to organizing for the SketchUp Workflow for
Architecture and Construction Documents.
35
Figure 32
Select any two containers, right-click on the selection and choose Make Group or
Make Component, depending on the desired container. The need for nested
containers depends on layering, repeating elements, and lines of symmetry. The
organization techniques utilized during the SketchUp Workflow for Architecture
require advanced layering and organization of nested containers, groups, and
components. Model organization diagrams are used to complement the text and
further explain these layering and grouping strategies.
Figure 33
36
E. Explode
The Explode command could also be called the “Un-Container” tool. Right-click on a
group or component and choose Explode to remove the container. Keep in mind that
when a container is exploded, all entities previously within the container on Layer0
take on the layer previously applied to the exploded container.
Section Planes
The best way to open up a model and look inside is to use section planes. A section in
SketchUp does not delete or modify geometry in any way; it simply hides geometry in front
of the section plane. Follow these steps:
1. Activate the Section Plane tool.

2. Position the section plane on a face that is parallel to the desired section's cut
direction.
3. Once you find the proper section orientation, hold the Shift key to constrain it. The
arrow keys will constrain a section plane to an axis.
4. Continue holding the Shift key until you click again to place the section cut. You will
now see the section plane hiding all geometry in front of it
Figure 34 – Section Command inferences to parallel against nearest plane
Once a section cut is placed, it can be reversed, moved, rotated, copied, deleted,
activated, and deactivated. Right-click on a section plane to access a helpful context
menu. The Reverse command will flip the section plane to point the opposite
direction. Check Active Cut on and off to activate and deactivate the section plane.
Select Create Group from Slice to generate a group containing the 2D linework of
the section cut; this is great for jumpstarting your detail drafting by creating lines for
Construction Document DRAFT mode.
37
Only one section plane can be active at a time in each level of a model. If you want
to have multiple section cuts, you must separate them into containers.
Figure 35
Figure 36
38
Layers, Styles, and Scenes
Layers, styles, and scenes are all related. Layers control the visibility of entities within
SketchUp. Styles control the way in which entities are displayed in SketchUp. Layers and
styles attach to scenes. Clicking on a scene enables to jump to a preset state for layers and
styles, as well as several other properties that can be attached to scenes.
By mastering all three, you will gain full control over any drawing you want to create and
become a faster modeler. In this section, you will learn the basic functions and operations
of these features and how they relate to each other. Use these features and leverage them
to make more efficient models, presentations, and construction documents.
A. Layers
SketchUp layers are different than layers in many other 3D and 2D programs—but in a
good way. SketchUp layers are simple. There is no stacking of layers, so the order in
which layers are displayed in the Layers dialog has nothing to do with the way in which
geometry is displayed in the model. Layers can be assigned to any entity in SketchUp,
including edges, surfaces, groups, and components. Layers can be controlled whether a
layer is visible and the color of the layer when on a color-by-layer style.
Figure 37
The current layer, defined by the dot to the left of the layer name, should always be set
to Layer0. Layer0 cannot be deleted or renamed. Any entity created within or added to
the model will be assigned to the current layer, Layer0. It is possible to change the
current layer but doing so is not advisable. It is required that all edges and surfaces be
drawn on Layer0. To work with layers, follow these simple
guidelines:
• To add a layer, click on the plus sign (+) in the top-left corner of the Layers
dialog. Once a new layer is created, you can immediately rename the layer by
typing over the blue highlighted text and pressing Enter to finish.
• To rename a layer, double-click on the layer name and type over the blue
highlighted text, then press Enter to finish.
39
• To delete a layer, first click on the layer name to select it. Then click on the minus
sign (–) in the top left corner of the Layers window to delete it. If there are entities
on the layer you are deleting, you will be asked what to do with the entities.
• Click on a layer's color swatch to change it. A layer's color will show only when on
a color-by-layer style.
• Click on the check box next to a layer in the Visible column to toggle the layer's
visibility on and off.
• To organize the list of layers by name, visibility, or color, click on the headings at
the top of the columns.
• To assign an entity to a layer, right-click on the entity and choose Entity Info.
Within the Entity Info dialog box, click on the Layers drop-down menu and choose
a different layer.
• A Layers toolbar is available by clicking on the View drop-down menu and
choosing Toolbars and then Layers.
Figure 38 – Changing layers by Entity Info or the Layers toolbar
Once the Entity Info dialog and the Layers toolbar are open, you can simply select an
entity and adjust its layer in one of these dialogs. There is no need to right-click on the
entity every time.
B. Styles
Styles provide a different way to look at your model. Styles do not affect geometry, so it
will not affect any edges or surfaces when making the model edges sketchy, changing
the color of the sky, making all faces render as the same color, or use any of the other
attractive visual settings, for example.
40
To open the Styles browser, click on the Window drop-down menu and choose default
tray > Styles. Within the Styles browser, preloaded styles can be selected by clicking on
the Libraries drop-down menu. Once a style is preferred, click on it.
Figure 39
To change the properties of a style, click on the Edit tab. Five boxes in the Edit tab
represent the Edge, Face, Background, Watermark, and Modeling settings. Change a
few of the settings and see how the display properties of the geometry in your model are
affected.
Figure 40
Changing any of the Style properties means that the style is now out of date. A recycle
watermark will appear on the active style's thumbnail image. In order to save any
changes made, Style must be updating the style by clicking on the Style thumbnail or on
41
the Refresh button in the Style browser. If any property of a style is changed, the style
must be updated to save the changes.
Figure 41
C. Scenes
Scenes are most often associated with a camera. But a scene is more than just a
bookmark for a specific view of the model. Scenes also save many other additional
properties, such as hidden geometry, visible layers, active section planes, style and fog,
shadow settings, and axes locations. By creating complex scenes, any rendering,
drawing, or diagram can be created as needed.
Scenes browser can be found by clicking on the Window drop-down menu and selecting
Default Tray > Scenes. The Scenes browser is where scenes can be added, named,
deleted, and updated in the model.
Figure 42
42
In the Scenes browser, scenes have a name, description, and properties to save. The
name of a scene will appear in the Scene browser as well as on the corresponding
Scene tab at the top of the screen. The description of a scene is displayed in the Scene
browser and also when hovering the cursor over a Scene tab. The properties to save
are the critical attributes of scenes. The check boxes control whether the selected scene
holds onto the named settings. For example, if the Camera Location property is not
checked on to be saved, there will be no camera location information associated with
that scene.
Figure 43
Frequently, the properties to save are confused with the properties to update. All of the
properties to save must be checked on only once the scene is created. To modify the
scene, click on the Refresh button and check and uncheck the desired properties to
update.
Similar to styles, scenes also need to be updated if you want to save any changes to the
scene. The tricky thing about scenes is that there is no visual cue that tells you the
scene needs to be updated.
43
Typically, the only time to uncheck certain properties within the Scene Update dialog is
when applying aspects of one scene to another. For instance, to match the camera
view, go to the scene with the desired camera view by clicking on its Scene tab. Then
click on the scene you want to have the same camera view within the Scenes dialog.
Click on the Update Scene button and uncheck everything but the Camera Location in
the Scene Update dialog. Click on Update, and the two scenes will have the same
camera location.
Plate No. 1
Download the .dwg file provided by the facilitator. Create a 3D model of the house given all
the commands and tools learned in Module 1. Explore how you can be creative through the
given constraints and capabilities of SketchUp.
Be sure to organize your model accordingly by layers and label properly all groups and
components.
Self-Help
You can also refer to the sources below to help you further understand the lesson:
Bielefeld, B. (2013). Architectural design. Basel: Birkhäuser.
Brightman, M. (2018). The SketchUp workflow for architecture: Modeling buildings,

visualizing design, and creating construction documents with SketchUp Pro and
LayOut. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
Roskes, B., & DeWitt, B. (2005). The SketchUp book: Version 5, a collection of exercises,
tips and tricks that will maximize your investment in SketchUp. S.l.: Conceptual
Product Development.
Let’s Check
Activity 1. Answer the following questions briefly:

1. Explore using Surface Drawing tools and Edge Drawing tools.
a. For Surface drawing tools, notice the Measurement toolbar as you draw and
type in numerical value.
b. For Edge drawing tools, observe what happens when you press the arrow
keys.
2. Determine how to use of The Arc, Three-Point Arc, and Pie tools and list down their
possible practical applications in 3D modeling.
Activity 2. What are the differences between creating a Group or a Component? Cite
instances where each command can be useful in creating an architectural model.
44
Let’s Analyze
Activity 1. Based on your knowledge and understanding of the Layers, Styles and Scenes,
combine them to create 5 perspectives by varying the following parameters under the
Scenes dialogue box on the Default Tray:
I. Camera Location
a. Eye Height
b. Field of View
c. Camera Angle
d. Camera Pitch and Roll
II. Hidden Geometry
a. Hide Elements
b. Unhide Elements
III. Visible Layers – Refer to the Layer Dialogue Box
a. Show Layers
b. Hide Layers
IV. Active Section Planes
a. Section Plane
b. Active Cut
V. Style and Fog
a. Display Fog
b. Fog Starting Point
c. Point of Zero Visibility
d. Use Background Color
e. Color Swatch
f. Style – Refer to the discussion on Styles
VI. Shadow Settings
a. Show/Hide Shadows
b. UTC Zones
c. Time and Date
d. Lightness and Darkness
e. Use Sun for Shading
f. Display Settings
g. (Shadow) On Faces
h. (Shadow) On Ground
i. (Shadow) From Edges
j. Solar North
VII. Axes Location
a. Origin Location
b. Red Direction
c. Green Direction
d. Blue Direction
Activity 2. Scenes are also used as a sequence organizer for animation. Create Scenes of
the model, going around the model from an aerial perspective and then going through the
interior.
45
1. Select File > Export > Animation > Video. The Export Animation dialog box
appears.
2. Navigate to the place where you want to save your video file.
3. Type a name for the file in the File Name text box.
4. Select a file format from the Save As Type drop-down list. The following table
explains your file format options.
5. Click Options to open the Export Options dialog box, where you can set the
resolution, aspect ratio, frame size, frame rate, and more. See the upcoming list for
details about each option.
6. After you finish setting your options, click OK in the Export Options dialog box to
return to the Export Animation dialog box.
7. Click Export and SketchUp renders your animation as a video file.
In A Nutshell
1. You should be able to navigate fully in SketchUp 3D environment with ease using
your mouse and keyboard. List down all the commands that you have used and the
corresponding default shortcut keys.
How do you set the set the shortcut for frequently used tool or command again?
2. The most important takeaway from these activities and exercises is to develop a
workflow that will best suit you to work as efficiently as possible. Besides SketchUp
and Layout, what programs are you planning to use in the future that will help you in
visual communication?
How will you incorporate this in your workflow?
Q&A List
You are encouraged to write your questions when you have them and follow up with the
answers when you get them.
Do you have any question or issues for clarification?
Questions/Issues Answers
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
46
Keywords Index
BIM Precise Modelling

Workflow Sticky Geometry
SketchUp Group
LayOut Component
Model Organization Layer
Visualization Style
Construction Documents Scene
Section Planes Outliner
Week 3-4: Unit Learning Outcomes (ULO-b): At the end of the unit, you are expected to:
1. Demonstrate the knowledge on navigation of LayOut interface.

2. Show proficient and effective use of different LayOut tools and commands.
3. Create a professional titleblock template for construction drawings and
presentation.
Metalanguage
1. LayOut – A multifaceted presentation tool. It is a page-creation program that has 3D

presentation capabilities coupled with two-dimensional (2D) crafting tools.
2. Paper Space – Where presentation is placed, organized, and arranged, reduced to
a specific architectural scale. It contains the 2D annotations and text overlaid on 2D
views of the 3D model.
3. Model Space – 3D environment of SketchUp where models are designed and
represented.
4. Viewports – Windows that give vantage views into the Sketchup model.
Essential Knowledge
Introduction
LayOut is a multifaceted presentation tool. It is a page-creation program that has 3D

presentation capabilities coupled with two-dimensional (2D) crafting tools. In LayOut, 3D
perspective views can be arranged and 2D orthographic views can be scaled on a sheet of
paper to graphically explain a design.
LayOut's drawing toolset can add informative annotations on top of those views and provide
an additional layer of information depending on who will be viewing the presentation. With
LayOut's tools, dimensions, text, leader text, callouts, and custom line types can easily be
added and efficiently managed.
47
Figure 44 – Construction Document
Figure 45
48
The LayOut Interface
A. New Tab
Initially, New tab by default as soon as LayOut is opened. Preloaded templates can
be used to create new presentations will appear in the right pane. From the Default
Templates library, select either a title block or a plain piece of paper. To select a
default template, check the Always Use Selected Template box. Typically, this will
not be used as different sizes of paper and title blocks for each presentation are
usually need for various presentation.
B. Recent Tab
The Recent tab displays all the documents that have been worked on recently,
similar to Recent Documents. The best way to open a file already created is to click
the Open an Existing File button at the bottom-left corner of the Getting Started
window. Be aware where files are saved so that the appropriate project folder can be
navigated when needed. To open a file, double-click on its thumbnail or select the
thumbnail and choose Open.
49
C. Recovered Tab
The Recovered tab at the top of the Getting Started window appears when files need
to be recovered; use the recovery feature to get back work that was lost during a
crash. LayOut crashes at times when overloaded, but it also does a great job of
recovering files.
Main Toolbar
The Main toolbar in LayOut contains the most commonly used and basic tools. Undock a
LayOut toolbar by clicking and dragging on the line at its far left. Dock a toolbar by dragging
the header to the top, bottom, or side of the screen.
Figure 46 – LayOut Main Toolbar
Document Setup
The Document Setup settings apply to the currently open document; they are not global
settings for LayOut. In other words, these settings can travel with a template or a
presentation file, but they will not change globally for every document opened in LayOut. To
open the Document Setup dialog, click on the File drop-down menu and choose Document
Setup.
A. Auto-Text Tab
Auto-text is a simple internal reference system within LayOut. This allows to swap a
simple tag with more complex text, eliminating the need to comb through a document
repetitively replacing text. With Auto-text a piece of text can easily be changed and
be propagated through the entire presentation.
50
Figure 47
1. Double-click on an auto-text tag to modify the identifying tag.

2. Click on the plus sign to add a new auto-text tag. Choose from Custom
Text, Page Number, Page Name, File Name, Current Date, Date
Created, Date Modified, and Date Published.
3. Click on the duplicate button to make a copy of the current auto-text
tag.
4. Click on the minus sign to delete an auto-text tag.
5. When a tag is selected above, modify the text that will be swapped in
the presentation area.
B. Grid
The Grid tab is where the size and visual properties of the grid can be modified.
1. Show Grid can be checked or unchecked to toggle between making the grid
visible and invisible.
2. Use the radio buttons to set the grid type to lines or points. Typically, a traditional
line grid is the most useful option
51
Figure 48
3. Click the Major Grid check box to toggle the visibility of the thicker grid lines on
and off.
4. To adjust the major grid spacing, click in the Spacing text field, enter the grid
spacing you want, and then press Enter. Use decimal format, or separate inches
(the default units) from fractions.
5. To change the color of the major grid, click on the color block. This automatically
opens the Colors inspector a color can be selected from several different tabs:
Wheel, RGB, HSB, Grays, Image, and List. Typically, the first three tabs offer the
easiest way to make the color selection you want.
6. Click the Minor Grid check box to toggle the visibility of the thinner grid lines on
and off.
7. The minor grid is composed of thinner lines and fills in the major grid by the
specified number of subdivisions. Change the number of subdivisions by typing a
new number into the Subdivisions text field, and then press Enter. Use the up
and down arrows to the right of the Subdivisions field to adjust the number of
subdivisions.
8. To change the color of the minor grid, click on the color block. This automatically
opens the Colors Inspector to select color from several different tabs: Wheel,
RGB, HSB, Grays, Image, and List. Typically, the first three tabs offer the easiest
way to make the color selection.
9. When the Print Grid box is checked, the grid will always be printed. This feature
is helpful when working with schematic drawings and field notes.
10. The Clip grid to page margins setting limits the grid to the extents of the margins.
The presentation margins are controlled in the Paper tab.
11. When the Draw grid on top box is checked, the grid will appear on top of any
viewports and geometry created in LayOut.
C. Paper Tab
The paper properties are indicated by the overall size of the sheet of paper used for
the presentation and where quality of the renderings will be determined within the
presentation.
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Figure 49
1. Click the Paper drop-down menu to choose from preloaded standard paper sizes.
2. The Landscape and Portrait radio buttons allow you to select the orientation of
the sheet.
3. A custom paper size can be created by entering the dimensions of the sheet into
the Width and Height text fields. Press Enter to lock in the dimension entries.
4. Change the color of the paper, or presentation background, by clicking on the
color block. This automatically opens the Colors inspector, where a color can be
selected from several different tabs: Wheel, RGB, HSB, Grays, Image, and List.
Typically, the first three tabs provide the easiest way to make the color selection.
5. Check the Print Paper Color box only if using another printer. This wastes
expensive ink by reproducing the background color on the paper, which is rarely
necessary.
6. Turn on the margins by clicking the Margins check box.
7. Set your margin depths by entering the dimensions in the Left, Right, Top, and
Bottom fields.
8. Change the color of the margin lines by clicking on the color block. This
automatically opens the Colors inspector, where a color can be selected from
several different tabs: Wheel, RGB, HSB, Grays, Image, and List. Typically, the
first three tabs provide the easiest way to make the color selections.
9. Click the Print Margin Lines check box so that the margin lines will appear on the
final prints and exports.
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10. The Display Resolution setting determines the rendering quality while working in
a LayOut presentation. In other words, it indicates the quality, or how clear the
SketchUp models and images will appear on the screen while working in LayOut.
11. The Output Resolution setting determines the final rendering quality when the
project is exported or printed. In other words, it determines how clear the
SketchUp models and images will appear on the paper that comes out of the
printer.
D. Reference Tab
A reference is an external file that is inserted into your LayOut presentation and
connected with a link (or path). The References tab allows to control what files are
linked, and it shows whether those files are current. LayOut can reference text,
spreadsheet, image, and SketchUp files.
Figure 50
E. Units Tab
Units Tab
The Units tab is where the type of measurement units to be used is indicated, as well
as the level of precision or accuracy.
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Figure 51
1. Click the Format drop-down menu to choose Fractional or Decimal.

2. Click on the next drop-down menu to set the default units of the current
presentation to Inches, Feet, Millimeter, Centimeter, Meter, or Points.
3. Click on the Precision drop-down menu to set the precision of the units used.
Fractional units can be displayed at a precision from 1” to 1/64”. Decimal units
can be displayed at precisions up to .01”.
Preferences Window
The Preferences window is where the system preferences is set up for LayOut. It contains
the default settings that will be the same every time LayOut is opened, regardless of which
presentation will be opened or whether a new one is started. To adjust the settings, click
the Edit (LayOut on a Mac) drop-down menu and choose Preferences.
I. Applications Tab
The Applications tab contains the settings for default programs. These programs
will launch automatically when you right-click on a reference and choose Edit
from the menu or from the References tab in the Document Setup window.
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Figure 52
1. Set the Default Image Editor to your favorite image editor, such as Adobe
Photoshop.
2. Set the Default Text Editor to your favorite text editor, such as Microsoft Word.
3. Set the Default Table Editor to your favorite text editor, such as Microsoft
Excel.
II. Backup Tab

Use the Backup settings to keep the file safe by creating additional files and
automatically saving the file in case a file crashes or is corrupted.
III. Folders Tab

Users can add their own personalized Template and Scrapbook collections to be
accessed in LayOut. By default, the collections folders are already pathed
(referenced) to the program files provided by LayOut, so now personalized folder
locations can be added. This will also easy access to the user’s custom title
blocks, templates, and scrapbooks.
IV. General Tab

The General settings are the catchall settings that just don't fit anywhere else.
V. Presentation Tab
When using multiple monitors to make a presentation, the presentation can be
displayed on the same monitor as window, the primary monitor, or the secondary
monitor.
56
VI. Scales Tab

Under the Scales tab, the available scales can be managed at which to render
the drawings.
VII. Shortcuts Tab

Add keyboard shortcuts to expedite the drafting process in LayOut in the
Shortcuts tab.
VIII. Startup Tab

Assign LayOut what to do first being opened in the Startup tab.
Inspectors
Inspectors give full control over LayOut's geometry, viewports, and annotations. Be familiar
with all the LayOut inspectors, which can be accessed from the Window drop-down menu in
LayOut.
A. Colors Inspector
The Colors inspector does not stand alone; it mainly supports the Text Style and
Shape Style inspectors, along with any dialogs or menus that require a color
selection. When choosing colors for strokes, fills, and text, use the color selection
tools in the Colors inspector.
Figure 53
57
B. Pattern Fill Inspector
The Pattern Fill inspector is similar to the Colors inspector, but patterns can be
controlled and applied to LayOut entities. Patterns are repeating images, similar to a
texture image in SketchUp.
Figure 54
C. Shape Style Inspector
The Shape Style inspector is where you change the appearance of shapes and lines.
If an entity is selected, modifying the shape style will affect the selection. If no entity
is selected, modifying the shape style will set the current tool's shape style defaults.
Figure 55
58
D. SketchUp Model Inspector
The SketchUp Model inspector provides settings that affect the manner in which
SketchUp models are displayed in LayOut. There are two tabs: View and Styles.
View Tab
The View tab contains the settings to adjust what is shown in the selected
viewport as well as how it is shown. The most effective workflow is to first create
scenes in SketchUp that already have all the camera view, style, and shadow
properties assigned. Then in LayOut, select a scene from the View tab within the
SketchUp Model inspector. Select a viewport in order to use the SketchUp Model
inspector to modify a viewport's properties.
Figure 56
1. Use the Scenes drop-down menu to choose from scenes already created in
the SketchUp model. This gives you the most control over a viewport and is
by far the best method to use for this workflow.
2. Use the Standard Views drop-down menu to access Top, Bottom, Front,
Back, Left, and Right views.
3. With the viewport selected, click on the Ortho button to toggle between
perspective and parallel projection views.
4. Click on the Scale drop-down menu to assign an architectural scale to the
selected viewport. A viewport must be selected, and Ortho must be on to
assign a scale.
5. The Preserve Scale on Resize button will keep your drawing at scale
regardless of how you modify the viewport. When this check box is
unchecked, the drawing will change scale to match the modified viewport.
6. Click the Shadows button to display shadows in the selected viewport. You
can modify the shadows by adjusting the time of day and date.
7. Click the Fog button to display fog in the selected viewport. Click on the color
swatch to change the color of the fog or check the Use Background Color box
to set the fog color to be the same as the Style's background.
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Styles Tab
The Styles tab gives you access to any style in your model and even in your
Styles library.
Figure 57
1. Click on the house icon to navigate through the In Model styles. Also use the
drop-down menu to navigate through your entire Styles library.
2. Change the style applied to a viewport by first selecting the viewport and then
clicking on a style within the Styles tab.
3. Display the Styles in list view or thumbnail view, depending on your personal
preference.
4. Click on the Background check box to fill in the background of a viewport. This
means that nothing behind the viewport will be visible through the images in
the foreground. This setting comes into play when you are creating a collage
of several views and models and do not want the sky or background to show.
5. An exclamation mark on a yellow triangle next to the Render button indicates
that a viewport needs to be rendered. To do this, select the viewport and then
click on the Render button in the SketchUp Model inspector. Once the
viewport is rendered, the Render button will change to Rendered.
6. Check the Auto check box to automatically render all viewports when they are
out of date. This setting is also available in the Preferences dialog on the
General tab.
7. Change the overall line weight applied to the selected viewport by entering a
new number.
8. To change the rendering settings of a selected viewport, click on the
Rendering Settings drop-down menu and choose Raster, Vector, or Hybrid.
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E. Scaled Drawing Inspector
The Scaled Drawing inspector allows you to draft two-dimensional (2D) scaled
diagrams right inside of LayOut and also overlay accurate 2D accent lines on top of
viewports
Figure 58
1. Click on the Make Scaled Drawing button to start a new drawing. This launches
the Scaled Drawing interface.
2. Select an architectural scale to apply to the new drawing. These scales are pulled
from the architectural scales set up in the Preferences > Scales dialog.
3. Choose a different length to work in different units.
4. Begin drafting using the standard tools in LayOut. While drafting, enter units in
full model space scale, and the scaled drawing will do the math to create the
drawing at the right size on the page.
F. Dimension Style Inspector
The Dimension Style inspector gives you full control over dimensions. Use it to set
the default properties for the Dimension tool. Also, you can select a dimension and
modify the properties of the selection within the Dimension Style inspector.
Figure 59
61
1. Adjust the placement of the dimension text as above, centered with, or below the
dimension line.
2. Set the dimension text orientation to vertical, horizontal, aligned, or
perpendicular. Typically, dimensions are best shown aligned.
3. Toggle whether the units are displayed at the end of the dimension text.
4. Auto Scale will automatically set the dimension scale, depending on the scale
assigned to the viewport you click on with the Dimension tool.
5. When the Auto Scale feature is turned off, you can set the Dimension Scale
manually.
6. Length can be displayed as Decimal, Architectural, Engineering, or Fractional.
7. The unit type can be set to Inches, Feet, Millimeters, Centimeters, Meters, or
Points only when the Length value is set to Decimal.
8. The Precision of the dimensions can be set to .01” or 1/64”, the same precision
tolerances used in SketchUp.
9. Angular dimensions can be set to radians or degrees. The precision tolerances
can be set up to .0001 radians or .01 degrees. The Angular Dimension tool must
be activated to adjust these settings.
G. Text Style Inspector
The Text Style inspector has a familiar interface that is used in most word
processors and e-mail programs. Activate the Text tool and then use the Text Style
inspector to set the default text properties. You can also select a piece of text within
a text box and modify the properties of the selection with the Text Style inspector.
H. Pages Inspector
The Pages inspector is where pages are managed in the presentation.
Figure 60
1. Click on the plus sign (+) to add a new page.

2. Click on the minus sign (−) to delete the current page.
3. Click on the Duplicate Page button to make a copy of the current page. Use this
button frequently to create new pages and at the same time copy annotation
pieces of the title block from page top page. It is easier to just erase what is not
needed on a duplicated page.
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4. Display the pages in list view or thumbnail view. Typically, list view is sleeker and
allows you to see more of the pages in your presentation.
5. The current page is highlighted in blue. Double-click on a page name to rename
it. Click and drag a page to reposition it within your presentation.
6. Click on the monitor icon to the right of the page name to toggle whether that
page is included in the screen presentation.
I. Layers Inspector
Layers in LayOut are similar to most page-creation software in that they control what
is shown on top by the layer order, as well as what layers are visible by managing
them in the Layers inspector.
Figure 61
1. Click on the plus sign (+) to add a new layer.

2. Click on the minus sign (−) to delete the selected layer. If a layer is deleted with
entities on it, the user will be prompted to delete the entities completely or move
them to the active layer.
3. The active layer is highlighted in blue and is also indicated by a pencil icon to the
left of the layer name.
4. A selected entity's layer is represented by a small box to the left of the layer
name.
5. Click on the eye icon to toggle the layer visibility on and off. Layer visibility is set
on a per-page basis, meaning that if you turn a layer off on one page, it is still
visible on other pages.
6. Click on the padlock icon to lock the layer. Locking a layer prevents the entities
on it from being deleted or modified. Locking a layer applies across all pages.
7. Click on the last icon to toggle whether the layer is shared. A shared layer's
contents will appear the same on every page. If the contents of a shared layer
are modified, they will be modified on every page. Repeating entities, such as
title blocks and guides, should be on a shared layer.
J. Scrapbooks Inspector
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The Scrapbooks inspector allows you to seamlessly access collections of prebuilt

pieces of annotation from preloaded libraries as well as your own. A scrapbook is a
LayOut file containing lines, shapes, text, and fills grouped together into meaningful
symbols. User can create and organize their own custom collection of Scrapbooks
Figure 62
1. Select a scrapbook collection from the drop-down menu. LayOut comes with
several scrapbooks that stylistically match the preloaded title blocks.
2. Use the arrows next to the Collections drop-down menu to navigate through the
pages of the scrapbook.
3. Click on the Edit button to edit the scrapbook. This automatically opens the
LayOut scrapbook file. Add, edit, or delete scrapbook pieces, and then close the
file and save your changes. The updated scrapbook will appear in the Scrapbook
inspector.
4. Add a scrapbook by clicking on a Scrapbook symbol in the Scrapbook area, and
then click in your presentation to place it.
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Plate No. 2
Using your title block and the model from Plate No. 1, prepare construction documents with
the following sheets. Include gridlines and proper labels. Observe proper labels, northing
and scale.
Cover page:
- Two (2) Perspectives (Arial and Approach)
- Design Concept
- Table of Contents
A-1 Site Development Plan
A-2 Floor Plan and Reflected Ceiling Plan
A-3 Front and Right-Side elevation
A-4 Rear and Left-Side elevation
A-5 Longitudinal and Cross Section
A-6 Door and Window Schedule
Inserting Content
To move a three-dimensional (3D) design into a two-dimensional (2D) LayOut presentation,

simply insert the SketchUp model into LayOut. All sorts of content, including SketchUp
models, images, text, and spreadsheets to describe your design can be inserted and lightly
edited in LayOut. Content can also be seamlessly sent to a program more suited for editing
the specific file while maintaining the dynamic link.
The most important file to insert to LayOut is the SketchUp file (.skp). The dynamic link
between a SketchUp file and a LayOut presentation allows more than one person to work
on a project. For example, someone could work on the design while someone else works
on the presentation. By presenting the 3D model as 2D drawings and diagrams, the design
and ideas can be accurately and efficiently described within the program.
A. New Presentation
To begin a new LayOut presentation, follow the steps:
1. Open LayOut and start a new presentation. Select the title block created from Plate
No. 2
2. Within the Layers inspector, make sure that there are three layers: DRAWING,
ANNOTATION and TITLE BLOCK. DRAWING layer should be unlocked and set to
the current layer. Anything that is inserted from SketchUp will typically be assigned
to this layer.
B. Inserting the SketchUp file
To insert the SketchUp file, follow these steps:

1. Click on the File drop-down menu and select Insert. This launches the Open dialog
box.
2. Navigate to the location of the Single-Story Residential House file from Plate No. 1.
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3. Click on the Open button at the bottom-right corner of the dialog box. The SketchUp
model will be inserted into a viewport in your LayOut presentation.
C. Assigning a Scene
The new viewport will be set to the last saved scene. This is the camera view that was
shown when the model was last saved. It is always best to assign a static view, or
scene, to the viewport. To assign a scene in the SketchUp Model dialog, follow these
steps:
1. Using the Select tool, select the viewport.

2. In the SketchUp Model Inspector, set the Viewport Scene to a Perspective 1 view
and the Rendering setting to Raster.
3. If Auto-Render is off, render the models manually by right-clicking on the
presentation background and choosing Render Models on Page.
D. Clipping Mask
A clipping mask lets you control what part of an object you see. This is helpful when
you're cropping viewports and images in LayOut. Clipping masks work with images and
SketchUp model viewports. Just follow these steps:
1. Activate the Rectangle tool. Click once to start the rectangle in the top-left corner.
2. Move your cursor away from the start point to draw a shape covering the portion of
the viewport you want to see.
3. Using the Select tool, select both the viewport and the clipping mask shape.
4. Right-click on the selection and choose Create Clipping Mask.
5. Move the clipped viewport to the top-right corner of the page, then reduce the size by
about 15 percent, or a scale factor of .85.
6. Using the Select tool, click and drag on the viewport while holding the Ctrl key
(Option on a Mac) to make a copy. Also hold the Shift key to lock the axis.
7. In the SketchUp Model inspector, set the Viewport Scene to Perspective 01.Because
this is a copy of the Perspective 01 viewport, the rendering settings are already set
to raster.
To edit a clipping mask, double-click on the masked viewport/image with the Select tool.
Use the Select tool to move and scale the clipping mask shape. Tap Esc to exit edit
mode. It is also easy to right-click on the clipped object, choose Release Clipping Mask,
and then edit the shape and recreate the clipping mask.
E. Editing the Model.
A SketchUp model can be opened directly from LayOut, which will create a seamless
link between SketchUp and LayOut. To enhance the design and see the results within
the presentation immediately, follow these steps:
1. Right-click on the viewport and choose Open with SketchUp.

2. Make your changes to the SketchUp model.
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3. Close the model and save it.

4. All the viewports linked to that model will be updated when the file is saved. If Auto-
Render is off, you will need to render the viewports manually.
Working with Images
Images provide another level of information and complement the style of visual information.
All sorts of images, including locator maps from Google Earth or Google Maps, project
photographs, watermarks, photorealistic renderings, and other diagrams can be inserted
into LayOut.
A. Inserting Images
LayOut offers the option to insert images as several formats, the most used are .jpg,
.png, and .tif files. A .jpg file is light weight and probably the most common image
format. A .png file contains an alpha or transparency layer. This transparency gives you
the ability to create watermarks without having to create elaborate clipping masks in
LayOut. A .tif file holds layers for more complex editing in Photoshop. To insert an
image, just follow these steps:
1. Click on the File drop-down menu and choose Insert.

2. Navigate to the folder location and select the image file. Click the Open button at the
bottom-right corner of the dialog.
3. Using the Select tool, scale and reposition the image on the presentation area.
4. When scaling, be sure to use a corner grip and hold the Shift key to lock the aspect
ratio.
B. Editing Images
The Edit Image command allows you to work seamlessly between LayOut and your
favorite image editor. Use an image editor to touch up photos and crop, scale, and
resize images. Just follow these steps:
1. Right-click on an image and choose Open with Adobe Photoshop or whatever image
editor to Modify the image within the image editor.
2. Close and save the file.
3. The image automatically updates in LayOut. If it does not update immediately, right-
click on the image and choose Update Reference.
Working with Text
Insert text into a presentation to explain the graphics and include details such as schedules,
notes, and drawing lists. The dynamic link enables the text to be edited in a word
processor, which will have additional helpful features such as spell check.
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A. Inserting Text
You can insert text as a .txt file or an .rtf file. You can't save visual text properties (such
as colors, fonts, and formatting) in a .txt file, which limits its usefulness as an import. An
.rtf file can store all the visual properties you apply to the text. Once you have created
your text in a word processor, you can save the file as an .rtf file and insert into LayOut.
Just follow these steps:

2. Navigate to folder where the text file is located (.doc, .docx, .txt or .rtf)
3. Click on Open.
4. Reposition and scale the text to fit the width of the inserted image.
B. Editing Text
1. Right-click on the text and choose Edit Text.

2. Modify the text in the default text editor.
3. Close the file and save your changes. The text update can be seen within LayOut.
When double-clicking on text and edit in LayOut, dynamic link will be broken
between the inserted file and the LayOut text. There is no way to relink edited text
without reinserting the original file. It is usually best to just work with text in LayOut,
rather than trying to maintain a dynamic link.
Working with Tables
Insert tables into a presentation to create schedules. The user can use Microsoft Excel or,
better yet, Google Sheets to create spreadsheets. It is possible to format within the
spreadsheet program, but often it is easier to edit the data in Google Sheets then format the
visual style in LayOut. Work with a visual style that will help organize the information.
A. Inserting Tables
Ian insert tables from three different formats: .csv, .tsv, and .xlsx. A .csv file will not
hold formatting or sheets. The best format to use is Google Docs, which downloads as
an .xlsx file and holds formatting, and sheets.

2. Navigate to the folder where the file is located and select the file.
3. Click on Open.
4. Adjust the Excel Reference Options as needed and check on Import Excel
Formatting.
5. Reposition and scale the table as shown. Select the table, then turn off the stroke in
the Shape Style inspector. Also, you will likely need to double-click to resize the rows
to fit.
B. Editing Tables
Once a table is inserted, you should avoid editing its data contents in LayOut unless you
prefer to work with the table only in LayOut. The best workflow is to work in Google
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Sheets or Excel, redownload, then update the reference without formatting. To update a
table reference in LayOut, follow these steps:
1. Adjust your data in a spreadsheet program

2. In LayOut, right-click on the table and choose Excel Reference Options. Uncheck
“import excel formatting.”
3. In LayOut, right-click on the table and choose Update table reference.
It is much easier to work with numbers and data in the spreadsheet interface; also you
have access to cut and paste and formulas. On the other side, it is much easier to
control the visual style within LayOut. Typically, Import Excel formatting after the initial
import is unchecked and is handled this in LayOut.
Managing References
All SketchUp, image, text, and table references can be managed from the Document Setup
dialog. Click on the File drop-down, choose Document Setup, then click on the References
tab.
1. Click on a reference to edit its properties.

2. Click on the Update button to refresh the link. This is the same function as right-
clicking on an object in the presentation area and choosing Update reference.
3. Click on the Relink button to choose a different file to fill the link. Keep in mind that
relinking to a file that has differently named sheets, or scenes, will be filled with the
last saved SketchUp view or the subsequent sheet.
4. Click on the Unlink button to embed the linked reference file within the LayOut
document.
5. Click on Edit to open the reference in an external editor.
6. Click on the Purge button to remove any unused references within your layout
presentation. This is important because linked files will continue to travel with the
layout file until purged, increasing the file size while decreasing performance.
Working with CAD
Computer-aided design (CAD) files can be inserted into the LayOut Presentation in .dxf
and .dwg formats. Importing CAD into LayOut allows user to easily incorporate consultant's
work into the drawing set and revive old CAD libraries. Keep these tips in mind when
working with CAD.
✓ There is no reference link or external editor. Once a CAD file is imported it becomes
LayOut geometry.
✓ You can choose to import the CAD model space or paper space. Typically, model
space is the best choice
✓ CAD drawings come in as a “scale drawing.” Right-click on the scale drawing and
choose Scale to select a new scale.
✓ When importing old CAD details, once optimized for LayOut consider saving them as
scrapbooks for easy use in future projects.
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✓ Beware of importing large complex CAD files. It is best to use the wblock command
in your CAD program to isolate just the pieces you need into one file before
importing.
Self-Help

Let’s Check
Activity 1. Answer the following questions briefly:
1. What is the Dynamic Link between SketchUp and LayOut?

2. In the Document Setup, what are the different types of Auto-Text? What should you
do if you what you want to add another type?
3. What are the similarities in the navigating LayOut and SketchUp? What are the
similarities in the Drawing tools of SketchUp and LayOut?
Activity 2. Create customized toolbars by organizing the commands into their respective
categories.
Activity 3. In the Scrapbook Tray, what are the default elements for reference in a
construction drawing? Create your customized scrapbook elements (drawing references
and symbols) needed to layout a drawing in a construction document.
Activity 4. To be efficient in navigating within LayOut, you need to use at least three layers:
Drawing, Annotation and Titleblock. What information should be in each respective layer?
Let’s Analyze
Activity 1. How will you keep your LayOut workspace clean and organized to increase your
speed and efficiency? What factors should you consider?
Activity 2. Tables can be created in LayOut using the Table Command. At what instances
are tables need in a construction document?
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Activity 3. Create and design your own title block. Make sure it is professional and
complete with the following information:
• Your firm name and logo

• Contact details (number and email)
• Your name (Architect)
• Student number (In place of PRC number)
• Subject code ARCADD 2/L – XXXXX (In place of the IAPOA Registration)
o School year, Semester and Term
• Course’s Facilitator’s name (In place of Client’s name)
• Project name
• Project location
• Sheet contents
• Drawn by
• Date drawn
• Sheet number
• Remarks
• Date
In A Nutshell
1. You should be able to create your own construction documents using LayOut by
importing your scenes and views from a SketchUp Model. Research on the actual
drawings or sheets needed for construction and list them down. How should be they
organized?
Example:
A. Architectural
a. Perspective drawing
b. Floor plans
c. __________________
d. __________________
e. __________________
f. __________________
g. __________________
h. __________________
B. Mechanical
a. __________________
b. __________________
C. Electrical
a. __________________
b. __________________
c. __________________
D. Plumbing
a. __________________
b. __________________
E. Structural
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a. __________________
b. __________________
F. Fire Protection
a. __________________
b. __________________
Q&A List
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Keywords Index
Week 5-9: Unit Learning Outcomes (ULO-c): At the end of the unit, you are expected to:
1. Explain the underlying principles of dynamic components in SketchUp

2. Use the different functions and operators to formulate equations to achieve a
certain attribute for the dynamic component.
3. Apply different attributes to architectural components like doors, windows, fences,
stairs, and fixtures.
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Metalanguage
1. Dynamic Component – reusable design elements with special attributes:

parametric functions, interactivity, animation, etc. Creating your own dynamic
components allows user to build a library of custom designs and easily share them
with others.
2. Attributes – make components dynamic by telling SketchUp what to do. There are
predefined attributes or user can create custom attributes. Predefined attributes
enable user to quickly and easily set up dynamic behaviors for common features,
such as constraining a dynamic component's size or applying a material.
3. Functions – like in math, functions are binary relationships between two sets that
associates every element of the first set to exactly one element of the second set. It
is basically a formula that tells a dynamic component specific actions or its
description.
4. Operators – like in math, operators are generally a mapping or function that acts on
elements of a space to produce elements of another space.
5. Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) - A data model is intended to describe
architectural, building and construction industry data. It is a platform neutral, open file
format specification that is not controlled by a single vendor or group of vendors.
Essential Knowledge
Introduction
In terms of using components follow these basic rules of modeling in SketchUp.

• Rule #1: If something is going to be used more than once in the model, make a
Component of it.
o This applies to copying things. Make a Component of it first, then copy the
Component.
• Rule #2: Draw everything on Untagged (Layer0). (This is the default tag/layer)
• Rule #3: Before copying a Group, first consider making it into a Component.
• Rule #4: Context click (or Right-click) the select Make Unique to change some
components to be different than others of the same definition.
Groups and Components vs Tags (Layers)
The process of modeling complex items requires internal order or structure to the 3D file,
keeping separate things separate, and similar things together. In SketchUp this order can
be attained using Groups or Components.
Tagging or Layering in SketchUp is for display only. Think of them as light switches that
illuminate something or turn it off. Tags (Layers) in SketchUp are not for individual edges
and faces. This is because of the shared nature of faces and edges. All native geometry in
SketchUp (edges and faces) belong on Untagged (Layer0).
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After making something into a Group or Component, then you put it on a Tag/Layer, the
organization of components in a SketchUp model greatly affects the speed at which the
design and modeling work can progress.
By definition, a Group is a single instance of a collection of geometry. A Component is a

named collection of geometry that can exist at multiple locations within the model. Each
instance is a repetition of all others. A change to one instance changes all other instances.
Working in context
All the tools act only on entities within the current editing context. This means that the Erase
tool cannot touch anything outside the current context even if you click on something
unintentionally. The Select tool will not select anything outside the context, even when
using a crossing window.
The drawing window can sometimes become too crowded with information during editing.
View > Component Edit > Hide Rest of Model is a toggle that shows or turns off
everything outside the current context. You can also toggle the visibility of similar
components while component editing View > Component Edit > Hide Similar
Components. Learn to use these features to become a faster, more efficient modeler.
Figure 63
Component nesting and context
Components can contain other Components and Groups in addition to faces and edges.
This is called nesting. Each time a Component (or Group) is included within another
Component or Group, it is nested one level within the outer context.
Context means the immediate container for entities (edges, faces, groups, components,
dimensions, text, etc.). A model is the largest context that SketchUp can have; it is the
uppermost level of organization. When entities are selected and included in a Component,
the Component becomes the context for those entities. If a Component is made from three
other Components, that Component becomes the context for those three sub-entities.
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Figure 64
The orange lines indicate the outer bounds of the main Component’s context. The blue
lines indicate the first nesting level of sub-Components within the main Component. Each
blue box represents the context for the items within the box. Finally, the magenta lines
indicate the second nesting level down of sub-Components within the first (blue) nesting
level. Notice that the magenta objects are within context of each of the nested blue
components.
Context editing components and nested components
Components and groups may be edited (modified) at any time by Right clicking [context
clicking] on the object and selecting Edit from the context menu, or by double clicking the
select tool on the object. To finish editing, right click [context click] in white space outside
the bounding box and select Close Group or single click the select tool outside the
bounding box.
Figure 65
Editing a component is like working on another SketchUp model within the main model.
SketchUp uses in-place component editing. This allows user to see the rest of the model in
context for reference while you make changes to the component. When editing a
component, the limit of the current context for the component being edited is shown by a
gray bounding box. The axes directions and origin for the component are shown with a red,
green, blue icon. When editing a component, the rest of the model is low lighted (dimmed).
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This cannot be changed as any of the rest of the model outside of the current context, but it
can be inferred to anything throughout the entire model.
Complexity / Level of detail in a model
Level of detail (LOD, or Complexity of detail) has important implications for a product
manufacturer. Complexity refers to the materials, nesting levels, and number of polygons
used to represent geometry.
Many products are modeled using engineering CAD programs to allow the models to drive
the manufacturing process and machinery. To do this, a great deal of detail is required of
the CAD models. When these types of models are brought directly into SketchUp, however,
they can immediately bog down the performance of the designer’s model and therefore may
not be a very useful product for the designer to integrate into their design.
Figure 66
There may be times, however, when a designer desires a more detailed representation,
especially when they are planning on using the model to create section details. This is a
good opportunity for two product models of differing levels of detail to be swapped one for
another using a consistent origin point.
Adding intelligence using Dynamic Components
A. Basic attributes
SketchUp lets user assign extended attributes to a Component, things like Name,
Summary, Description and ItemCode using Dynamic Components. Below is a screen
capture of the Dynamic Component Attributes dialog box. By default, it shows the
Component name at the top, with the additional attributes below in an editable box.
The bottom image shows how this information will be displayed in the Options dialog.
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Figure 67
B. Advanced attributes and user interaction
SketchUp offers four attributes that can be easily applied to a component using the
Dynamic Component interface: Name, Summary, Description and Item Code. The
diagram above shows where to place the four pieces of recommended information
so that it displays when the Component Options dialog is opened. Additional
attributes to the Component can be added to affect the display of the component,
such as arrangement of subcomponents, product color, and standard options, to
name just a few.
Attributes are assigned to a Component within the context of the Component. The
attribute is applied to either the whole Component, or to its subparts. Attributes can
set colors, product options, sizing and more.
All of these attributes exist inside the context of the component and travel with the
component when it is imported into another model. But to allow the user to interact
with these settings, there has to be a series of attributes that are applied to
the outside of the context, setting values that are used by the attributes inside the
context. These outer attributes get displayed to the user in the component options
dialog.
Dynamic component case study
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Figure 68
Attributes can manipulate text and numbers from other attributes to dynamically
create labels (for example build the full product name based upon chosen options).
Figure 69
Attributes can perform calculations (for example, placement of subcomponents) or

control display of sub parts, hiding or showing them. (for example, add a steering
wheel).
Figure 70
Attributes can control options (for example panel color, age group, panel style).
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When creating components, SketchUp geometry are created uniquely that it also becomes
reusable and separate from other geometry.
To add attributes to create dynamic components, the user must have installed SketchUp
Pro. Users can then configure certain aspects of the component, or the component can add
steps to staircases or pickets to fences as you scale the dynamic component.
This module will go through specific examples that walk through the steps to building
complex dynamic components and references and examples for the building blocks of
dynamic components: attributes, functions, and operators.
When transforming geometry into a component, the 3D model has all the behaviors and
capabilities of a component:
• The component is reusable in other files or models.

• The component’s geometry becomes separate from any geometry to which it is
currently connected. (This is similar to groups.)
• Anytime the component is edited, component instance or the definition is also edited
• The component may stick to a specific plane (by setting its gluing plane) or cut a
hole in a face (by setting its cutting plane).
• Metadata, such as advanced attributes and IFC classification types, can be
associated with the component. Classifying Objects introduces classification systems
and how you can use them with SketchUp components.
Create a Component
Components are created right in the model or in a separate SketchUp file. Either way, open
Create Component dialog box, as shown in the following figure.
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Figure 71
Follow these steps to create a component:

1. Select the geometry to be included in your component.
2. Choose Edit > Make Component from the menu bar, or context-click the selection
and choose Make Component. The Create Component dialog box appears.
3. In the Definition box, type a meaningful name for the component. The name must
be specific enough that the component can easily be located in the Outliner among
your other geometry.
4. In the Description box, add a short description of the component. The description
must include details that will be meaningful to the user or others over time.
5. Set your alignment options.
6. Add advanced attributes and select an option from the Type drop-down list if you're
using classification data. With this metadata, the component works with BIM
workflows and the Generate Report feature.
7. Leave the Replace Selection with Component checkbox selected if you want to
transform the geometry you selected in Step 1 into a component. Deselect this box
to leave the geometry as-is but create a component definition based on it. The
component definition becomes available in your In Model collection.
8. Click the Create button to complete your component.
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Figure 72
A. Choose Alignment Options
You have alignment options for gluing a component to a plane or aligning a

component or its shadows. Here's how those options work:
• To set a gluing plane: Select one of the following options from the Glue
To drop-down list: Any, Horizontal, Vertical, Sloped. When selecting a gluing
plane, the Cut Opening checkbox becomes active, and the Always Face Camera
and Shadows Face Sun options become inactive. If a gluing plane is set, the user
can enable the component to cut an opening in a face by selecting the Cut
Opening checkbox.
• To make the component a 2D form: Select the Always Face Camera option,
which increases performance by eliminating the need to render the component as
a 3D model. SketchUp comes with several 2D people components that are
examples of 2D forms that always face the camera. If you select this option, the
Shadows Face Sun option becomes active.
Select the Shadows Face Sun checkbox to cast shadows from the component's
current position as though the component were facing the sun. The shadow
shape does not change as the component rotates to face the camera.
• To move the component's axis origin or the cutting plane: Click the Set
Component Axes button. After clicking the button, the cursor enables user to set
a new axis origin in the same way the Axes tool is used. After setting a new
component axis origin, the Create Component dialog box becomes active again.
The axes can be changed for the following reasons:
o The component's axis origin determines what corner of the component is

loaded onto the Move tool cursor when you insert a component instance in a
model.
o The red/green plane's orientation also defines the cutting plane. If user
desires a vertical cutting plane, like the back of a window, to cut a face, then
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the red/green plane must be moved to the back of the window. The following
figure shows a window component in the making, after the component axis
origin was reset to place the cutting plane on the back of the window.
o If user is using the Shadows Face Sun option, position the component's axis
origin at the bottom center of the component for best results.
B. Set Advanced Attributes
The Advanced Attributes section in the Create Component dialog box, enables user
to attach information to components. This information helps teams make design
decisions and supports the eventual construction process.
For example, if the user designs a door and adds a price, size, and type to the
component, a report can be generated that can help estimating how much using that
door in the project would cost. To see how using a different type of door might
impact the cost, one door component can be swapped for another using
SketchUp's Replace Selected component feature and see an updated report with
new cost estimates.
Set the following attributes in the Create Component dialog box:
1. Price: To do simple price calculations based on content you create, enter the
cost of your component in the text box. Note that the Price attribute does not
support different currencies that this time. Simply enter a numerical value.
2. Size: Enter a simple indication of size. For example, you might
enter 80x210cm to indicate the size of a door. Note that scaling does not
update the string-based attributes. To add that kind of logic, it must be
converted to a dynamic component.
3. URL: Enter a web page address that is relevant to the component, such as
the page where you can purchase a door or window and find other technical
specifications from the manufacturer.
4. Type: Select an option from the Type drop-down list if you're using IFC
classification data.
After creating a component, attributes can also be added for the status and owner on
the Entity Info panel. With the component selected and the Entity Info panel open,
click the Show Advanced Attributes icon. The list of advanced attributes added in
the Create Component dialog box as well as options to enter details about the
component status or owner. Simply type the desired information in the appropriate
text box. Keep in mind that the instance values apply only to an instance of the
component. When changing an instance value (status or owner), the change applies
only to that specific component instance, not all components with that definition.
In the Entity Info panel, the values for the Price, Size, URL, and Type attributes,
which are part of the component definition, can also be edited. Changing a definition
value changes all instances of the component.
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Figure 73
When you use LayOut to create construction documents, any component attributes
that are specified in SketchUp flow into LayOut. First, in SketchUp, generate a report
as a .csv file. Then, in LayOut, the .csv file data can be imported into a table. This
compatibility is useful not only for creating tables, but also labeling items
automatically.
Editing a Component
When editing a SketchUp component, the component definition or the instance can be
edited. When the definition is edited, every component instance is also edited. When the
instance is edited, the component becomes an unique component and no longer reflects
changes to its fellow components.
For example, the following model is a picket fence. In the fence model, shown in the
following figure, the Fence Panel component contains subcomponents: Post, Rail, and
Picket.
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Figure 74
1. To edit all instances of a component, follow these steps:
a. Open the context for the component to be edited. In this example, that’s
the Picket component. To open the context, double-click the component.
Or select it, context-click the selection, and choose Edit Component, or
simply hit Enter.
b. Use the SketchUp drawing tools to edit the component. In this example,
the Line, Tape Measure, 2 Point Arc, and Push/Pull tool to change the top
of the Picket component. All component instances are changed as they
are drawn.
Figure 75
c. Click outside the component’s context and save your work. SketchUp
automatically updates the component definition to reflect the edits.
2. To change or edit a single component instance, but leave the other component
instances as they are, follow these steps:
a. Select the component instance that to be edited.
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b. Context-click the selected instance and choose Make Unique, as shown in

the figure. If you have the Entity Info panel open, you see that SketchUp
changes the Definition by adding #1, or something similar. By making the
instance unique, you’re basically creating a new component based on your
original.
Figure 76
c. Open the context for the unique component. To open the context, you can
double-click the component. Or select it, context-click the selection, and
choose Edit Component.
d. Use the SketchUp drawing tools to make changes to the component. In this
case, we made a slight change by selecting the edges on each side of the
picket and moving them inward 5/16 inch. This made the picket width slightly
narrower.
Figure 77
e. Click outside the component context when you’re done editing.
3. To replace one component with another, follow these steps:
85
a. In the Components panel, click the In Model icon.

b. In the area that lists all the components in the model, context-click the
component you want to replace and choose Select Instances.
c. Still in the Components panel, navigate to the component you want to use
instead.
d. Context-click the new component and select Replace Selected from the menu
that appears.
Making a Dynamic Component
To create a dynamic component, add attributes to a basic component and then create
values for those attributes.
For simple dynamic components, the process is easy to start with SketchUp’s predefined
attributes and be familiar with SketchUp’s basic drawing tools and spreadsheet programs’
common functions.
As attributes and subcomponents are added to a dynamic component, the setup becomes
more complex. It’s normal to have bugs that need to be fixed before the dynamic
component works the way that it is envisioned which is part of the dynamic component
development.
Follow the following steps to create a dynamic component:
1. Create a new component that’s made entirely of groups or subcomponents. Creating

a Basic Component explains how to turn selected geometry into a component.
Organizing a Model gives you the lowdown on groups and nesting groups and
components in hierarchies.
2. Add attributes that make the component dynamic (that is, tell the component to do
something). They can be chosen from predefined attributes or create custom
attributes.
3. For each attribute added, define a value that tells the attribute how to take action.
These values can be a simple number that constrains a component’s size, a formula
that uses mathematical operators, or a function that iterates through several options
that are defined in the formula’s parameters.
4. Test the dynamic component to make sure it works correctly. As mentioned earlier,
there will likely be a need to go back to Step 1 or 2 a few times before the dynamic
component works the way as hoped.
5. Save the component in a separate file that they can be imported into other models
via the Components browser or share with others via the 3D Warehouse. For the
component to work, make sure to context-click the highest level of the component
and select Save As from the menu that appears. Then save the resulting .skp file in
a component collection.
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1. Befriending all the axes
In dynamic component development, component axes can be complicated unless

user remains aware of these axes and must keep them working for, rather than
against them. Before creating one attribute, review the following tips for using axes in
dynamic components:
• Every component and subcomponent has its own axis origin point. If user
uses attributes to set the dimensions of, position, or move a dynamic component,
the values entered are relative to the component’s axis origin. If user positions
more than one subcomponent, each one will have a different axis origin. It is
important to know the whereabouts of each component’s axes origin, and
reposition it if needed.
• The axes’ colors become letters. Everything in SketchUp is referenced to the
red, green, and blue axes — except in the Component Attributes dialog box.
Here, the red axis is X, the green axis is Y, and the blue axis is Z. For example,
the LenX attribute defines the length of the X, or red, axis.
• Gluing and cutting planes can turn the axis origin sideways. When creating a
component, both gluing and cutting planes can be set. When a component glues
to only vertical surfaces, the blue (Z) and green (Y) axes are swapped: LenZ has
a length value for the green axis, and LenY’s value is typically the blue axis. For
example, to constrain a gluing component that glues to vertical surfaces, such as
window, to a specific height, your formula needs to constrain LenY, not LenZ. If
the component has a cutting plane, remember that to create that cutting plane on
a vertical face, you had to move the axes, because the red/green plane
determines the cutting plane.
2. Adding attributes
Attributes make components dynamic by telling SketchUp what to do. You can
choose from predefined attributes or create custom attributes:
• Predefined attributes enable to quickly and easily set up dynamic behaviors for
common features, such as constraining a dynamic component’s size or applying
a material. User can browse predefined attributes in the Component Attributes
dialog box or check out the Dynamic Component predefined attributes reference.
• Custom attributes enable adding user’s own attributes. To add attributes, follow
these steps:
1. Select the component to make dynamic.

2. On the Dynamic Components toolbar, click the Component Attributes tool or
select Window > Component Attributes. Either way, the Component
Attributes dialog box opens, as shown in the following figure. In this example,
the Component Attributes dialog box shows the DynamicCylinder component.
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Figure 78
3. Click the Add Attribute plus sign icon to see a list of options.
4. Select a predefined attribute or select the Or Enter a Custom Name option at
the bottom. If you selected a predefined attribute, you’re ready to add values.
5. If you selected to add a custom name, type a name to replace the Enter
Name placeholder text that appears.
In this example, you see the Material attribute added to the DynamicCylinder
component.
Figure 79
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3. Defining attribute values
After setting up an attribute or three, values can be added to tell the attributes what
to do. This step can be completed in different ways, depending on the attributes
chosen. Generally speaking, attribute values can be defined in the following ways:
1. Type in the attribute value text box. For example, add a Description
attribute and type a description directly in the value text box. When user is
defining formulas, type an equal sign (=) and then enter your formula.
2. Insert a function from the drop-down list. To see the drop-down list, click
the Functions tab. Open the drop-down list to select from any of the dynamic
component functions. After selecting a function, a brief description (in very tiny
text) below the drop-down list appears. Select the attribute value text box
where you want to insert the function and click the Insert button to add the
function to the text box. Then you need to customize the value based on the
function you chose.
3. Click the Details arrow in the attribute value field. You see a drop-down
list that enables you to set display values for the attribute. Select whether or
not users can see the attribute, and if so, whether the value appears as a text
box or a drop-down list. If you select the Users Can Select from a List option,
you can then define what values users can select. In this example, adding
different materials values enables users to select from a limited range of
materials.
Figure 80
When you create formulas, here are the rules that must be followed:
• Put text in quotes.
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• Concatenate a string with the ampersand (&). For example: ="I am a table
with the cost of" & variable name
• To display quotes in a text string, use a backslash (\). For example: ="This is
the "\official\" retail price for this item:" & variable name
• Formulas that return numbers will return them as floating values, never as
integers. So, the formula 𝑖𝑓(5 = 5,1,0) will return 1.0 instead of 1.
• All lengths are in inches and angles in degrees.
• Use an exclamation point (!) to refer to a value outside of the current
subcomponent. For example, Fence!spacing refers to the value of
the spacing variable in the Fence component.
This overview of the basic options can help you connect the features in the
Component Attributes dialog box to the attribute, function, and operator references.
These references contain the building blocks for adding dynamic features to
components, as seen in the dynamic component examples.
4. Testing a dynamic component
After you define the attributes and values for a dynamic component, test how it
works in the Component Options window, which you can open in any of the following
ways:
• Click the Component Options tool on the Dynamic Components toolbar.
• Select Window > Component Options.
• Context-click the component and select Dynamic Components >
Component Options.
In the following figure, you see that each attribute appears in a drop-down list. Select
an option and click Apply to change the component’s color.
Figure 81
90
Creating Common Types of Dynamic Components
I. Repeating a sub-component within a dynamic component (1 Dimension)
A repetitive dynamic component is a component containing a sub-component that

repeat, such as the pickets of a fence component, or the steps of a stair
component.
Following is an image of the fence component. This component contains 4 sub-

components: a top rail, a bottom rail, a picket, and a post. You are going to
replicate the picket sub-component as the component is scaled in the X direction.
The main issue when creating a replicating sub-component is the spacing
between each replicated part and how the part is replicated (linearly for a fence,
diagonally for stairs, circular for circular stairs, and so on).
Figure 82
1. Create the component with one of the replicating subcomponents, such as the
fence with one picket.
2. Context-click on the component. The component's context menu is displayed.
3. Select the Dynamic Components > Component Attributes menu item. The
Component Attributes dialog box is displayed.
4. Click the plus (+) button next to the Fence component. A list of attributes
appears for the component.
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Figure 83
5. Click on the Add attribute button in the last row of the Fence component. A
list of predefined attributes is displayed. The field is opened for editing.
6. Type spacing and press the Enter (Microsoft Windows) or Return (Mac OS
X) key. An attribute named 'spacing' is placed in a list of attributes called
'Custom.' The field next to the spacing attribute is opened for editing.
7. Type 2.
8. Press the Tab key to accept the value. Establish a spacing value of 2"
between pickets. The following image shows the results of steps 5 through 8.
Figure 84
9. Click the plus (+) button next to the Picket component. A list of attributes
10. Click on the add attribute button in the last row of the Picket component. A
11. Click on the 'Copies' attribute in the list. The field is populated with the word
'Copies' and the field next to the 'Copies' attribute is opened for editing. You
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need to create a formula that will yield a number of copies given the length
of TopRail (or BottomRail) component.
12. Type = (𝑇𝑜𝑝𝑅𝑎𝑖𝑙! 𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑋)/(𝑃𝑖𝑐𝑘𝑒𝑡! 𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑋 + 𝐹𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒! 𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑛𝑔) − 1.
13. Press the Tab key to accept the value. The first part of this
formula, 𝑇𝑜𝑝𝑅𝑎𝑖𝑙! 𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑋 is the length of the TopRail component in the X
direction. This number is then divided by the width of a picket plus the spacing
(𝑃𝑖𝑐𝑘𝑒𝑡! 𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑋 + 𝐹𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒! 𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑛𝑔). A value of 1 is then subtracted from the
total. As mentioned, this formula yields the number of pickets that are created
given the length of TopRail. These copies are placed at the same X, and Z
coordinate as the original Picket component (so all your pickets are exactly at
the same spot). Use a formula to position, in the X direction, each copy of
Picket.
The Outliner to see the copies being made as the component is scaled. The
copies of the original picket will display as Picket copy 1, Picket copy 2, Picket
copy 3, and so on.
14. Double-click on the value in the value field for the 'X' attribute.
15. Press the Backspace (Microsoft Windows) or Delete (Mac OS X) key to
delete the current value for the 'X' attribute.
16. Type = 5 + 𝐶𝑂𝑃𝑌 ∗ (𝐹𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒! 𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑛𝑔 + 𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑋).
17. Press the Tab key to accept the value. This formula uses a predefined
attribute called 'Copy' to determine X positioning for each picket. The Copy
attribute is simply a counter that begins at 0 (for the original Picket) and adds
one for each additional copy. So, Copy is equal to 1 for the first copy, equal to
2 for the second copy, equal to 3 for the third copy, and so on. However, the X
value for the original Picket component can only be seen in the Component
Attributes dialog box. The following image shows the results of steps 9
through 17.
Figure 85
18. Click on the close button.

19. Use the Scale tool to scale your component in the X direction. The component
should add pickets as you scale. The following image shows the Fence
component after scaling along the X axis.
You might consider hiding the scale handles so that only the handles in the X
direction are visible when using the Scale tool. Refer to Hiding scale handles
for further information.
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II. Repeating a sub-component within a dynamic component (2 Dimensions)
A repetitive dynamic component is a component containing a sub-component that

replicate, such as the tiles within a floor component. In the case of a floor and
tiles, the component scales in 2 dimensions, X, and Y.
Create a component whose subcomponent replicates in one direction prior to

creating a component whose subcomponent replicates in two directions. This
document assumes you are familiar with 1 dimensional replication. Refer to
'Repeating a sub-component within a dynamic component (1 Dimension)'.
Following is an image of the Floor component containing 1 Tile sub-component (it
simply looks like one tile). The Tile sub-component replicates as the Floor
component is scaled in the X and Y directions (using the Scale tool).
Figure 86
Following is an image of the Floor component after it has been scaled. Now the
Floor has 8 copies of the replicating Tile subcomponent.
Figure 87
To replicate a subcomponent within a parent component (in two dimensions):
1. Create your component with one subcomponent, such as a floor with one tile.
4. Ensure that the attributes for all components are visible.
5. Create a 'Columns' attribute in the Floor component to hold the number of
rows in your dynamic component.
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6. Create a 'Rows' attribute in the Floor component to hold the number of rows in
your dynamic component.
7. Create an attribute, in the Floor component, that represents the size of the
replicating subcomponent. For example, this example contains a 'TileSize'
attribute.
8. Set 'TileSize' to some value, such as 12.
9. Set the 'LenX' and 'LenY' of the Tile subcomponent to the size in the parent
component. For example, set 'LenX' to equal 𝐹𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑟! 𝑇𝑖𝑙𝑒𝑆𝑖𝑧𝑒 and 'LenY' to
equal 𝐹𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑟! 𝑇𝑖𝑙𝑒𝑆𝑖𝑧𝑒 (for the Floor Tile subcomponent).
10. Use a formula in the field next to the Floor component's 'Columns' attribute to
determine the number of columns in the parent component. This formula will
be based on the size of the replicating subcomponent (Tile) and overall size of
the parent component (Floor). For example:
= 𝐶𝐸𝐼𝐿𝐼𝑁𝐺(𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑋/𝑇𝑖𝑙𝑒𝑆𝑖𝑧𝑒)
The ceiling function, with only one argument, rounds the result
of 𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑌/𝑡𝑖𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑧𝑒 to the nearest bigger whole number.
11. Use a formula in the field next to the Floor's 'Rows' attribute to determine the
number of rows in the parent component. This formula will be based on the
tile size of the replicating subcomponent (Tile) and overall size of the parent
component (Floor). For example:
= 𝐶𝐸𝐼𝐿𝐼𝑁𝐺(𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑌/𝑇𝑖𝑙𝑒𝑆𝑖𝑧𝑒)
12. Add the Copies attribute to the Tile subcomponent.

13. Use a formula in the field next to the 'Copies' attribute to calculate the number
of copies of the replicating subcomponent. The copies are calculated by
multiplying the rows by columns and subtracting one (for the original). For
example:
= 𝐹𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑟! 𝑟𝑜𝑤𝑠 ∗ 𝐹𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑟! 𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑛𝑠 − 1
14. Establish the position of each replicating subcomponent (the exact column
and row). Position is determined by establishing a multiplier that represents
the row or column and then multiplying the multiplier by the size of the
subcomponent to establish its X and Y location.
15. Create an attribute to hold the row multiplier, such as myRow, in the Tile
subcomponent.
16. Use a formula in the field next to the 'myRow' attribute that iterates through
each copy and determines the row where the copy will be placed. For
example:
= 𝐹𝐿𝑂𝑂𝑅(𝐶𝑂𝑃𝑌/𝐹𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑟! 𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑛𝑠)
If Copy equals 7, and there are 3 columns in the object, then myRow will be
equal to 2. Note that rows start at 0, so 2 represents the 3rd row. The floor
95
function, with one argument, rounds the result down to the nearest whole
number.
17. Create an attribute to hold the column multiplier, such as myColumn, in the
Tile subcomponent.
18. Use a formula in the field next to the 'myColumn' attribute that iterates
through each copy and determines the column where the copy will be placed.
For example:
= 𝐶𝑂𝑃𝑌 − (𝑚𝑦𝑅𝑜𝑤 ∗ 𝐹𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑟! 𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑛𝑠)
If copy equals 7, myRow equals 2 (calculated previously) and there are 3

columns in the object, then myColumn will be equal to 1. Note that columns
start at 0, so 1 represents the 2rd row. The floor function, with one argument,
rounds the result down to the nearest whole number.
19. Use a formula in the field next to the Tile subcomponent's 'X' attribute to
calculate the location of the sub-component. For example:
𝑋 = 𝑚𝑦𝐶𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑛 ∗ 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑟! 𝑡𝑖𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑧𝑒
20. Use a formula in the field next to the Tile sub-component's 'Y' attribute to
calculate the location of the sub-component. For example:
𝑌 = 𝑚𝑦𝑅𝑜𝑤 ∗ 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑟! 𝑡𝑖𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑧𝑒
The Tile replicating subcomponent is copy 0 and only the values for copy 0
are displayed in the Component Attributes dialog box.
The following is an image of the Component Attributes dialog box with all
Floor and Title attributes:
96
Figure 88
III. Making components that animate
Watch the video posted by the course facilitator.
IV. Making components that copy
Watch the video posted by the course facilitator.
V. Constraining attributes of a Dynamic Component

A constrained dynamic component is a component that has elements (sub-
components or sub-groups) that, when scaled with the Scale tool, will not change
size or orientation to the axes. To constrain entities of a dynamic component:
1. Create a new component that is comprised entirely from groups or sub-

component instances, each with a unique name. Following is an image of the
fence component used in this example. This component contains 4 sub-
components: post,top rail, bottom rail, and picket sub-components. The parent
component and each sub-component have a unique name. For example, the
parent component is called Fence and it contains Post, TopRail, BottomRail,
and Picket sub-components.
97
Figure 89

4. Click the + button next to the Fence component. An empty list of attributes
5. Click on the add attribute button in the last row of the Fence component. A
6. Click on Position in the list of predefined attributes. All of the position
attributes are displayed for the component.
7. Click on the add attribute button in the last row of the Fence component. A
8. Click on 'Size' in the list of predefined attributes. All of the size attributes are
displayed for the component. The following image shows these attributes
within the Fence component.
98
Figure 90
9. All of the attributes are faded gray color to indicate they are not constrained to
a specific value.
10. Double-click in the field next to the LenY attribute in the Fence component.
The field is opened for editing.
11. Erase the current value.
12. Type = 4 in the 'LenY' field to constrain the length of the Fence component in
the Y direction (the fence cannot be scaled in the Y direction).
13. Press the Tab key to accept the formula. The value for LenY (4) is displayed
in black to indicate it is constrained (the fence cannot be resized using the
Scale tool).
14. Click on the + next to the TopRail sub-component to display its attributes.
15. Click on the add attribute button in the last row of the TopRail component. A
16. Click on Position in the list of predefined attributes. All of the position
attributes are displayed for the component.
17. Click on the add attribute button in the last row of the TopRail component. A
18. Click on 'Size' in the list of predefined attributes. All of the size attributes are
displayed for the component.
19. Double-click in the field next to the X attribute in the TopRail sub-component.
The field is opened for editing.
21. Type = 4 in the 'X' field of the TopRail to constrain the TopRail to 4" along the
X axis from the Fence's origin (to accommodate the 4" width of the Pole).
Generally, you want all of your sub-component's values constrained. Some of
the parent's values might be constrained depending on the type of component
you are creating. For example, the Fence's thickness (LenY) is constrained to
4". But all other values, including Fence's location to SketchUp's axes (X,Y,
and Z) are unconstrained so it can be moved anywhere and scaled in the X
and Z directions (LenX and LenZ). Constrained values appear in solid black
text. Unconstrained values (values that could be altered when scaling a
component) are in light gray.
22. Press the Tab key to accept the formula.
23. Double-click in the field next to the Y attribute. The field is opened for editing.
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25. Type = 1.25 in the 'Y' field of the TopRail to constrain the TopRail to 1.25"
along the Y axis from the Fence's origin (the middle of the Pole).
27. Double-click in the field next to the Z attribute. The field is opened for editing.
28. Type = 𝐹𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒! 𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑍 − 9 in the 'Z' field of the TopRail to constrain the Pole's Z
value using a formula based on the overall height of the Fence (Fence!LenZ).
29. Press the Tab key to accept the formula. The value of TopRail's Z is
constrained to 9 inches below the length of Fence (Fence!LenZ). The
following image shows the changes made in steps 9 through 29:
Figure 91
30. Double-click in the field next to the LenX attribute. The field is opened for
editing.
32. Type = 𝐹𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒! 𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑋 − 𝑃𝑜𝑠𝑡! 𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑋 in TopRail's 'LenX' field. The length of the
TopRail will be constrained to the length of Fence minus the length of the post
(4").
34. Double-click in the field next to the LenY attribute. The field is opened for
editing.
36. Type = 1.5 in TopRail's 'LenY' field. The thickness of TopRail is set to 1.5".
38. Double-click in the field next to the LenZ attribute. The field is opened for
editing.
40. Type = 3.5 in TopRail's 'LenZ' field. The height of TopRail is set to 3.5".
41. Press the Tab key to accept the formula. All of TopRail's default attributes are
now constrained so that the component will not change its position and size
when scaled. The following image shows the changes made in steps 30
through 41:
100
Figure 92
42. Continue constraining all of the default attributes (X, Y,Z, LenZ, LenY, and
LenZ) for each of Fence's sub-components. Hint: you will want to constrain
the LenZ of the picket to some value that is relative to the Fence's LenZ so
the picket resizes proportionally to the fence in the Z (blue) direction.
43. Click on the Close button.
44. Use the Scale tool to scale your component. The component should only
scale in the directions that are unconstrained (the X and Z directions). Sub-
components should retain their dimensions (such as post and picket width
and depth).
VI. Creating a Dynamic Component that snaps to a specific size
A component can be constrained to a series of predefined sizes by placing

specific formulas in the LenX, LenY, or LenZ fields of the parent component.
1. Snapping to the nearest rounded value

Place the following formula in the LenX field for a component to snap the
component's LenX to the nearest width within 2 inches after scaling:
𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑋 = 𝑅𝑂𝑈𝑁𝐷(𝐶𝑈𝑅𝑅𝐸𝑁𝑇("𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑋")/2) ∗ 2
This formula is useful for components that represent items that only come in
whole number sizes.
2. Snapping to one of a series of specific values
component's LenX to the nearest value (24, 36, or 48 inches) in a list after
scaling:
𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑋 = 𝑁𝐸𝐴𝑅𝐸𝑆𝑇(𝐶𝑈𝑅𝑅𝐸𝑁𝑇("𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑋"),24,36,48)
This formula is useful for components that represent items that come in a pre-
defined series of sizes, such as kitchen cabinets.
4. Snapping to a smallest or largest size
component's LenX to 20 inches wide when a scale operation scales the
component beyond 20 inches:
𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑋 = 𝑆𝑀𝐴𝐿𝐿𝐸𝑆𝑇(𝐶𝑈𝑅𝑅𝐸𝑁𝑇("𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑋"),20)
component's LenX to 10 inches wide when a scale operation scales the
component below 10 inches:
101
𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑋 = 𝐿𝐴𝑅𝐺𝐸𝑆𝑇(𝐶𝑈𝑅𝑅𝐸𝑁𝑇("𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑋"),10)
These formulas are useful for components that represent items that must not
be smaller than or larger than a specific size.
VII. Implement dynamic pricing

You can create a component whose pricing changes based on the type of
material or size of component the user chooses. To implement dynamic pricing in
your dynamic component:
1. Create a component, such as a cabinet door.
Figure 93

Component Attributes dialog box is displayed. Notice that the top-level
component is listed.
4. Click on the add attribute button in the last row of the component. A drop-
down list of attributes appears.
5. Click on the Material attribute in the list. The field is populated with the word
'Material' and the field next to the Material attribute is opened for editing.
6. Click on the Details button to the right of the Material value. A drop-down list
of display rules appears.
7. Select Users can select from a list from the 'Display rule' drop-down list. The
Display label and a table appear. The following image shows the Display rule
drop-down list, Display label field, and table.
102
Figure 94
8. Replace the word Material with Wood Type in the 'Display label' field.
9. Click the Add option icon in the List Option column of the table. A row is
created with the field in the List Option column open for edit.
10. Type Cherry in the 'List Option' field. This text will appear in a drop-down list in
the Configure Options dialog box.
11. Press the Tab key.
12. Type Wood_Cherry_Original in the 'Value' field. This is the name of a specific
material in the Materials Browser.
13. Press the Tab key to accept the value.
14. Plywood, Wood_Plywood_Knots
The following image shows the attribute details panel with all completed fields:
Figure 95
15. Press the Apply button. The attribute details panel closes.
16. Click on the Add attribute button in the last row of the component. A drop-
down list of attributes appears.
17. Type Cost and press the Tab key. An attribute named 'Cost' is placed in a list
of attributes called 'Custom.' The field next to the Cost attribute is opened for
editing.
103
18. Type = 𝑖𝑓(𝑀𝐴𝑇𝐸𝑅𝐼𝐴𝐿 = "𝑊𝑜𝑜𝑑_𝐵𝑜𝑎𝑟𝑑_𝐶𝑜𝑟𝑘", 40.00, 𝑖𝑓(𝑀𝐴𝑇𝐸𝑅𝐼𝐴𝐿 =

"𝑊𝑜𝑜𝑑_𝐶ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑦_𝑂𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙", 60.50,15.25))
19. Press the Tab key to accept the formula. This formula assigns a cost for the
door based on the material (wood) that is selected by the user.
20. Click on the Close button.
22. Select the Component Options menu item. The Component Options dialog
box is displayed. The following is an image of the Component Options dialog
box for the Television dynamic component:
Figure 96
Choosing different Wood Types from the drop-down list not only changes the
SketchUp material applied to the component (to reflect the wood type) but
changes the MSRP of the door to reflect the wood type.
User can also use the CHOOSE and OPTIONINDEX functions in place of
nested if statements (as in step 17). For example:
𝑀𝑆𝑅𝑃 = 𝐶𝐻𝑂𝑂𝑆𝐸 (𝑂𝑃𝑇𝐼𝑂𝑁𝐼𝑁𝐷𝐸𝑋("𝑀𝐴𝑇𝐸𝑅𝐼𝐴𝐿"), 40, 60.50, 15.25)
In the previous example, if the first choice in a drop-down list of materials is

chosen (Cork), the price $40. If the second choice in a drop-down list of
materials is chosen (Cherry), the price is $60.50. And, if the third choice in a
drop-down list of materials is chosen (Plywood), the price is $15.25.
VIII. Making attribute values end-user configurable
You might want to allow the users of your dynamic component to configure some
values of your dynamic component, such as the spacing between pickets in a
fence or the width of your stairs. Values that are configurable will appear in a
Component Options dialog box accessible from the component's context menu.
To make a value configurable:
104
1. Context-click on the component. The component's context menu is

displayed.
2. Select the Dynamic Components > Component Attributes menu item.
The Component Attributes dialog box is displayed. Notice that the top-level
3. Click the + button next to the component's name. A list of attributes
4. Click on the Details button to the right of the attribute you want to make
end-user configurable. A drop-down list of display rules appears. There
are two display rules allowing users to configure the attribute: 'Users can
edit as textbox' and 'Users can select from a list.' This article explains how
to configure the more complex display rule: 'Users can select from a list."
5. Select Users can select from a list. The Display label and a table
appear. The following image shows the Display rule drop-down list,
Display label field, and table.
Figure 97
6. Type a label in the in the 'Display label' field. This field contains the user-
friendly name you want to appear in the configuration box for this attribute.
7. Click the add option icon in the List Option column of the table. A row is
created with the field in the List Option column open for edit.
8. Type Small in the 'List Option' field. This text will appear in a drop-down list
in the Configure Options dialog box.
9. Press the Tab key.
10. Type 1 in the 'Value' field.
11. Press the Tab key to accept the value.
12. Repeat steps 7 through 11 using the option and value pairs of:
o Medium , 2"
o Large , 3
o Extra Large , 4
The following image shows the attribute details panel with all completed fields:
105
Figure 98
13. Click on the Apply button. The attribute details panel closes.
14. Click on the Close button. The Component Attributes dialog box closes.
The user of this component can now configure the component's Slat
Spacing attribute using the Configure Options dialog box. Refer to
Configuring a Dynamic Component for further information.
IX. Hiding the Scale Handles in a Dynamic Component
Add the Scale tool attribute to your Dynamic Component to toggle display of
scale handles on the component (limiting how users can scale the component).
To hide scale handles using the Scale tool attribute:

Component Attributes dialog box is displayed. Notice that the top-level
3. Click the + button next to the component's name. An empty list of attributes
4. Click on the add attribute button in the last row of the attributes list. A list of
predefined attributes is displayed. The field is opened for editing.
5. Click on the Scale tool attribute in the list. The field is populated with the word
'Scale tool.'
6. Click on the Details button to the right of the Scale tool attribute. The attribute
details panel is displayed. The following image shows the attribute details
panel:
106
Figure 99
7. Deselect the checkboxes next to the scale handles you want to toggle off. Or,
alternatively, select the checkboxes next to the scale handles you want to
toggle on.
8. Click on the Save button. The attribute details panel closes.
9. Click on the Close button. The Component Attributes dialog box closes.
10. Select the Scale tool. The cursor will change to a box within another box.
11. Click on the Dynamic Component. The scaling grips that are toggled on will
appear around the Dynamic Component.
Referencing Dynamic Component Attributes, Functions, HTML Tags, and Operators
To develop dynamic component interactions, use the following references to the predefined
attributes, functions, and operators. These are the building blocks for any dynamic
component behavior that you can imagine.
I. Dynamic Component Predefined Attributes. Following is a list of all predefined

attributes for use in creating your dynamic components.
1. X, Y, Z
The X, Y, and Z attributes contain the value for the component's X (red), Y
(green), or Z (blue) coordinate.
2. LenX, LenY, LenZ
The LenX, LenY, and LenZ attributes contain the length of the component in
the X (red), Y (green), or Z (blue) direction.
3. RotX, RotY, RotZ
The RotX, RotY, and RotZ attributes contain the rotation about the X, Y, or Z
axis, in degrees.
4. Hidden
The Hidden attribute contains either a 1 (TRUE) to hide the component or 0
(FALSE) to unhide the component.
5. Copies
The Copies attribute contains the number of copies of the component to be
created by SketchUp. Every copy will be created at the exact X, Y, and Z
coordinates of the original. The Copies attribute is usually used in conjunction
with the Copy attribute.
6. Copy
107
The Copy attribute contains the copy number of a specific copy. So for
example, if Copies is equal to 3, Copy can contain 0 through 3 (0 being the
original). Copy is generally used within formulas (so it's more of a variable
than an attribute) to refer to a specific copy (usually to position that copy to
different X, Y, and Z coordinates). For example, you might have a formula that
positions copies of pickets on a fence horizontally along the X axis. The
formula for X would look like = 5 + 𝐶𝑜𝑝𝑦 ∗ (𝐹𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒! 𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑛𝑔 + 𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑋).
If 'Fence!spacing' for the picket is 4" and the width (LenX) of the picket is 2.5",
this formula resolves to 5" for the X value of the original component
(5+0*(4+2.5)). The formula resolves to 11.5 for the first copy (5+1*(4+2.5)), 18
for the second copy (5+2*(4+2.5)), and so on for each copy of the picket.
You can only see copies of a component in the Outliner (Window > Outliner),
not in the Component Attributes dialog box. Therefore, you can never look at
the attribute/value pairs for a copy.
7. Name
The Name attribute contains the name of the component as you would like it
to appear in the Component Options dialog box.
8. Summary
The Summary attribute contains a brief, one sentence summary of the
component for the Component Options dialog box.
9. Description
The Description attribute contains a longer description of the component for
the Component Options dialog box.
10. ItemCode
The ItemCode attribute contains a manufacturer item code for the product
represented by the dynamic component.
11. ImageURL
The ImageURL attribute contains a URL to a GIF, JPG, or PNG file on the
Internet that you want to appear in the Component Options dialog box. For
example, if ImageURL is equal to http://mysite.com/myimage.gif, then
'myimage.gif' image would appear, instead of the SketchUp-generated
thumbnail, inside the Component Options dialog box.
12. DialogWidth
The DialogWidth attribute contains the width, in pixels, of the Component
Options dialog box.
13. DialogHeight
The DialogHeight attribute contains the width, in pixels, of the Component
Options dialog box.
14. onClick
The onClick attribute contains a simple script identifying how the component
will react to being clicked (using the Interact tool). For example, if the onClick
attribute contained alert("Hello World");, an alert box would display when a
user clicked on the component. Refer to 'onClick functions' for further
information.
15. Material
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The Material attribute contains the material to apply to the component. The
material can be in several formats:
• A named color, such as 'Blue'
• A hexadecimal string, such as '#FFFF00' or '3399A0' (the # is optional).
• A three-number list of RGB values (between 0 and 255). For example,
255, 128, 0.
• A material name that exists in the InModel material list. The dynamic
component needs to have a tiny swatch of the material displayed
embedded somewhere on the component. The material also needs to
have a custom name. For example,"0002_HotPink' will not work unless
renamed to '0002_MyHotPink').
II. Dynamic Component Supported Functions. Following is a list of all functions

supported within the dynamic components. Many of these functions are identical to
functions found in spreadsheet applications such as the spreadsheet application that
is a part of Google Docs.
Math Function Description

The ABS function returns the absolute value of
ABS(number)
number.
The CEILING function rounds a number to the
nearest integer or multiple of significance. The
CEILING(number, significance) significance argument is the value whose multiple of
ten is the value to be rounded up (.01, .1, 1, 10,
etc.).
The DEGREES function converts the number (in
DEGREES(number)
radians) to degrees.
The EVEN function rounds the number up to the
EVEN(number)
nearest even integer.
The EXP function returns e raised to the power of
EXP(number)
number.
The FLOOR function rounds the number down to
FLOOR(number, significance)
the nearest multiple of significance.
The INT function rounds the number down to the
INT(number)
nearest integer.
The ISEVEN function returns TRUE if the number is
an even integer, or FALSE if the number is odd. If
ISEVEN(number)
the number is not an integer, the function evaluates
only the integer part of the number.
The ISODD function returns TRUE if the number is
an odd integer, or FALSE if the number is even. If
ISODD(number)
value is not a number, the function evaluates only
the integer part of the number.
THE LN function returns the natural logarithm
LN(number)
based on the constant e of the number.
109
The LOG10 function returns the base-10 logarithm

LOG10(number)
of the number.
The ODD function rounds the number up to the
ODD(number)
nearest odd integer.
The PI function returns the value of PI to fourteen
PI()
decimal places.
The RADIAN function converts the number (in
RADIANS(number)
degrees) to radians.
The RAND function returns a random number
RAND()
between 0 and 1.
The RANDBETWEEN function returns a whole
RANDBETWEEN(bottom, top)
number between the bottom and top number.
The ROUND function rounds the number to a
certain number of decimal places according to valid
mathematical criteria. The count argument is
ROUND(number, count)
optional and represents the number of the places to
round the number. If the count argument is
negative, only the whole number portion is rounded.
The SIGN function returns the sign of the number.
SIGN(number) The function returns the result 1 for a positive sign, -
1 for a negative sign, and 0 for zero.
The SQRT function returns the positive square root
SQRT(number)
of the number. The number must be positive.
SketchUp Function Description

The CHOOSE function returns a value from a list of
parameters, at the location of the index value. This
function allows you to create a single drop-down list
that drives multiple attribute changes at once.
Use CHOOSE and OPTIONINDEX together as a

CHOOSE(index,value1,value2,
mechanism to assign different values depending on
...valueN)
a user's choice in the Component Options dialog
box. For example, if the Component Options dialog
box allows the user to choose different materials to
assign to a component (and the price changes
depending on material chosen), you can create a
formula for the MSRP
The CURRENT function accepts a string name of
an attribute, and returns the size or position attribute
CURRENT("attributeName") that the SketchUp user just applied. This function
allows you to do validation of Scale Tool or Move
Tool actions.
110
The EDGES function returns the number of

EDGES() "ungrouped" edges inside the component or group
that this function is called within.
The FACEAREA method returns the area (in square
inches) of every "ungrouped" face that is painted
FACEAREA("materialName") with the materialName. The FACEAREA method
returns the total area of all ungrouped faces when
the materialName is not provided.
The FACES function returns the number of
FACES() "ungrouped" faces inside the component or group
that this function is called within.
The LARGEST function returns the largest of the
LARGEST(value1,value2,...valueN)
values in a list.
The LAT function returns the latitude of the current
LAT()
SketchUp model.
The LNG function returns the longitude of the
LNG()
current SketchUp model.
The NEAREST function compares the originalValue
NEAREST(originalValue, value1,
with a list of target values, and returns the target
value2, ...valueN)
value that is closest to the originalValue.
The OPTIONINDEX function returns the currently
selected index from its option list given a string
name of an attribute. For example, if an attribute
OPTIONINDEX("attributeName")
can be "red","blue", or "green", and blue is the
current value, this function returns 2. If no match is
found, 0 is returned.
The OPTIONLABEL function returns the currently
selected label form its option list given a string
name of an attribute. For example, if an attribute
OPTIONLABEL("attributeName")
can be "Red=red","Blue=blue", or "Green=green",
and blue is the current value, this function returns
"Blue". If no match is found, an error is raised.
The SMALLEST function returns the smallest of the
SMALLEST(value1,value2,...valueN)
values in a list.
The SUNANGLE function returns the angle (in
SUNANGLE() degrees) between the sun and the current model's
North direction.
The SUNELEVATION function returns the elevation
(in degrees) of the sun from the current model's
SUNELEVATION() shadow settings. The elevation is defined as the
angle between a vector pointing at the sun and the
ground plane.
111
Text Function Description

The CHAR function converts a number into a
character according to the current code table. The
CHAR(number) number argument can be a two-digit or three-digit
integer number between 1 and 255 (representing
the code value for the character).
The CODE function returns a numeric code for the
first character in a text string. The text argument is
CODE(text)
the text for which the code of the first character is to
be found.
The CONCATENATE function combines several
CONCATENATE(text1, text2, text strings into one string. The text1, text2, ...textN
...textN) arguments are text strings that are combined into
one string.
The DOLLAR function converts a number to an
amount in the currency format, rounded to a
specified decimal place. The value argument is the
number to be converted to currency. The value
argument can be a number, a reference to a cell
DOLLAR(value, decimals) containing a number, or a formula which returns a
number. The decimals (optional) argument is the
number of decimal places. If no decimals value is
specified, all numbers in currency format will be
displayed with two decimal places. The currency
format is set in the system settings.
The EXACT function compares two text strings and
returns TRUE if they are identical. This function is
EXACT(text1, text2)
case-sensitive. The text 1 and text 2 arguments are
the text strings.
The FIND function looks for a string of text within
another string. The findText argument is the text to
be found. The text argument is the text string to be
FIND(findText, text, position) searched. The position (optional) argument is the
position in text where the search starts. The
findText argument can be a number or any string of
characters. The search is case-sensitive.
The LEFT function returns the first character (or
characters) in a text string. The text argument is the
LEFT(text, number) text string. The number (optional) argument is the
number of characters to be returned. One character
is returned if the number is not defined.
The LEN function returns the length of a text string
LEN(text) including spaces. The text argument is the string
whose length is returned.
112
The LOWER function converts all uppercase letters

LOWER(text) in a text string to lowercase. The text argument is
the string to be converted.
The MID function returns a text segment of a text
string. The text argument is the text string. The start
MID(text, start, number) argument contains the position of the first character
in the text to extract. The number argument is the
number of characters to return.
The PROPER function capitalizes the first letter in
PROPER(text)
all words of the provided text string.
The REPLACE function replaces part of a text string
with a different text string. The text argument is the
text string of which part will be replaced. The
position function is the position within the text where
the replacement will begin. The length argument is
the number of characters in the text to be replaced.
The new argument is the replacement text.
REPLACE(text, position, length, This function can be used to replace both

new) characters and numbers (which are automatically
converted to text). The result of the function is
always displayed as text. To perform further
calculations with a number which has been
replaced by text, convert it back to a number using
the VALUE function. Any text containing numbers
must be enclosed in quotation marks so it is not
interpreted as a number and automatically
converted to text.
The REPT function repeats a text string. The text
argument is the text to be repeated. The number
REPT(text, number)
argument is the number of repetitions. The result
can be a maximum of 255 characters.
The RIGHT function returns the last character or
characters in a text string. The text argument is the
RIGHT(text, number)
text string. The number (optional) argument is the
number of characters to be returned.
The SUBSTITUTE function substitutes new text for
old text in a string. The text is the old text string.
The searchText argument is the segment in text to
be replaced. The newText argument is the
SUBSTITUTE(text, searchText,
replacement text. The occurrence
newText, occurrence)
(optional)argument indicates the number of
occurrences of searchText to be replaced. If the
occurrence is missing, the search text is replaced
throughout.
113
The TRIM function removes spaces in front of a text

string (or aligns cell contents to the left). The
TRIM(text)
argument contains text string or cell whose contents
will be left-aligned.
The UPPER function converts a text string to
UPPER(text) uppercase. The text argument contains the lower
case letters you want to convert to upper case.
The VALUE function converts a text string into a
VALUE(text) number. The text argument is the text to be
converted to a number.
Trigonometric Function Description

The ACOS function returns the inverse cosine of
ACOS(number)
the number in degrees.
The ACOSH function returns the inverse hyperbolic
ACOSH(number)
cosine of the number in degrees.
The ASIN function returns the inverse sine of the
ASIN(number)
number in degrees.
The ASINH function returns the inverse hyperbolic
ASINH(number)
sine of the number in degrees.
The ATAN function returns the inverse tangent of
ATAN(number)
The ATANH function returns the inverse hyperbolic
ATANH(number)
tangent of the number in degrees.
The COS function returns the cosine of the number
COS(number)
in degrees.
The COSH function returns the hyperbolic cosine of
COSH(number)
The SIN function returns the sine of the number in
SIN(number)
radians.
The SINH function returns the hyperbolic sine of the
SINH(number)
number in radians.
The TAN function returns the tangent of the number
TAN(number)
in radians.
The TANH function returns the hyperbolic tangent
TANH(number)
of the number in radians.
Logic Function Description

The AND function returns TRUE if all arguments are
TRUE. If any element is FALSE, this function
AND(logicalValue1, logicalValue2,
returns the FALSE value. The logicalValue
...logicalValueN)
arguments are conditions to be checked. All
conditions can be either TRUE or FALSE.
114
The False function sets the logical value to FALSE.

FALSE() The FALSE function does not require any
arguments.
The IF function identifies a logical test. The test
argument is any value or expression that can be
TRUE or FALSE. The thenValue (optional) is the
IF(test, thenValue, elseValue)
value that is returned if the logical test is TRUE. The
elseValue (optional) is the value that is returned if
the logical test is FALSE.
The NOT function reverses the logicalValue. The
NOT(logicalValue)
logicalValue argument is any value to be reversed.
The OR function returns TRUE if at least one
argument is TRUE. This function returns FALSE if
OR(logicalValue1, logicalValue2, all the arguments have the logical value FALSE.The
...logicalValueN) logicalValue arguments are conditions to be
checked. All conditions can be either TRUE or
FALSE.
The TRUE function turns the logical value to TRUE.
TRUE() The TRUE() function does not require any
arguments.
OnClick Function Description

The ALERT function displays the value of the
ALERT("message")
message in an alert box.
The ANIMATE function starts an animation that will
change the value of the attribute to the next value in
a list of parameters every half a second. For
example, if the ONCLICK attribute contains
ANIMATE("X",0,100), and the user clicks on the
component, the component would animate the
value of the "X" attribute between 0 and 100. A
subsequent click would animate back to 0 from 100.
If more than two animate states are passed, then
the value will toggle between them in order. So, if
ANIMATE(attribute, state1, state2,
the ONCLICK attribute equals
... stateN)
ANIMATE("ROTZ",0,-130,10,100) the animation
would go through each of the 4 values with each
click.
This function animates with default easing. Easing

is the speed of the animation (on a scale of 0 to
100, 0 being fastest). Easing is represented by two
numbers, the first number (easein) identifies the
speed at the start of the animation. The second
number (easeout) identifies the speed at the end of
115
the animation. Default easing is 0,100 (animation

starts fast but slows down at the end).
ANIMATESLOW(attribute, state1, The ANIMATESLOW function does the same thing
state2, ... stateN) as animate, but slower (one second).
ANIMATEFAST(attribute, state1, The ANIMATEFAST function does the same thing
state2, ... stateN) as animate, but faster (a quarter of a second).
The ANIMATECUSTOM function does the same
ANIMATECUSTOM("attribute",
thing as animate, but with over an arbitrary time
time, easein, easeout, state1,
with easing. Refer to the ANIMATE function for
...stateN)
information about easing.
The GOTOSCENE function moves to a scene
GOTOSCENE("sceneName," time,
identified by a name or number. Refer to the
easein, easeout)
ANIMATE function for information about easing.
The REDRAW function redraws the component that
REDRAW()
contains this function.
SET("attribute", state1, state2, The SET function sets a given attribute to the next
...stateN) state in a list.
Plate No. 3
Improve your model with the use of dynamic components. Dynamic components can also
improve your animation as components move as you pass by them.
Render a short, animated walkthrough with your model with the scenes you prepared in
Let’s Analyze Activity 2 in Module 2. Make sure that your components move as you pass by
the view or the scene.
Start from the aerial perspective to around the house to its interior.
Self-Help

116
Let’s Check
Activity 1. Using your knowledge about creating Dynamic Components in SketchUp, it is

time to apply them:
Design and create the following:
1. Single Flush Door, animating door panel to swing

2. Double Swing Door, animating both door panels to swing
3. Sliding Door, animating door movement left to right
4. Casement Window, animating window sash opening
5. Sliding Window, animating movement of window sash
6. Fence (Multiplies on scale)
Activity 2. When should you use dynamic components?
Let’s Analyze
Activity 1. Observe the following images
Both Window A and Window B are dynamic components. Upon clicking on both windows,
movement of the window sash reflected as such. Based on their actions, which window
matches the attributes below?
117
In A Nutshell
SketchUp dynamic components are reusable design elements with special attributes:
parametric functions, interactivity, animation, and more. Creating your own dynamic
components allows you to build a library of custom designs and easily share them with
others. This course shows how to use SketchUp Pro to build dynamic components from
scratch. By reviewing the premade dynamic components found in the Components panel
and 3D Warehouse, you can easily base your own design and create your own. Explore the
build process: adding attributes, creating formulas, nesting component parts, and assigning
materials and show how to add a dialog box to change attribute values from a user-friendly
interface. Try adding materials and scaling these materials along with your dynamic
components.
Q&A List
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
118
Keywords Index
Dynamic Component Math Function

Attributes SketchUp Function
Functions Text Function
Operators Trigonometric Function
Industry Foundation Classes Logic Function
OnClick Function
Appendix
Basis for grading: (FOR EVERY WEEKLY ACTIVITY)
Name: Program:
Permit No.: Year:
Date: Time and Room No.:
Project Title: Course Title and Code:
Course Objective: Create architectural 3D model presentation using prescribed program.
LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE (RATING)

PERCENTAGE
CRITERIA
SCORE
Excellent Satisfactory Mediocre Poor
Concept and Effective and Reasonable use Very limited skill. Very limited
design proper use of of techniques, Little evidence of view/focus.
development techniques and showing basic advance Unable to use
(40%) process, showing knowledge and application of the elements /
exemplary skill in design process principles of art
knowledge and programming and as a whole part.
skill in and conceptualization (10 and below)
programming conceptualization (20-11)
and for design.
conceptualization (30-21)
for design.
(40-31)
Planning and Effective use of Reasonable Little use of Off task for
organization of laboratory time; utilization of laboratory time; majority of the
the work (30%) demonstrates laboratory time; acknowledges laboratory time;
clear focus and illustrates the need for failure to produce
intent through- intelligent use of planning in and dis-tinct plan or
out the creative innovations as throughout the adequately
process. applied in the creative process. innovate or
(30-32) model. (23-16) redesign.
(31-24) (15 and below)
Utilization of Follows in- Follows in- Follows little of Unable to follow
software program structions structions with the instruction. instructions;
(20%) properly and few mistakes (10-6) hindered by
efficiently, goes evident in the limitation.
beyond what is final output. (5 and below)
lectured in class. (15-11)
(20-16)
119
Presentation of Organized Reasonable Disorganized Important

work (10%) presentation of presentation of presentation of elements of
work exceeds work. Minimum work. No logical presented works
basic require- standards are sequence or are missing.
ments in met. organization Incomplete
rendering and (7-5) followed. submission.
research. (4-3) (2 and below)
(10-8)
Prepared by: _________________________________________________

Subject Instructor’s printed name & signature
Reviewed by: Noted by: Approved by:
AR. CAMILO P. QUIBOD AR. ILUMINADO D. QUINTO, JR. PEDRITO M. CASTILLO, Ed.D
UM-CAFAE-BSA Program Head UM-CAFAE Dean AVP, Learning Innovation and Design
COMMENT SECTION:
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION SECTION:
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
120
Calendar
Week Activity
Introduction to the course; Orientation LMS
Lesson: Basics of SketchUp Online Demonstration
Week 1
Diagnostic Test: Redesigning an Existing Model Assignment
Lesson: Model Organization - Components, Groups and Layers Online Session
Lesson: Creating Scenes Open Forum
Submission of Activity 1: Single Story Residential House LMS
Week 2
Submission of Exam Plate 1: Improved Single Story Residential
House Exam 1
Lesson: Introduction to LayOut Online Session
Lesson: Basic Layout Concepts Online Demonstration
Week 3
Lesson: Creating Scrapbook Elements Open Forum
Per request/Open
Consultation Forum
Submission of Activity 2: Create and design Titleblock LMS
Week 4
Submission of Exam Plate: Construction Drawings using
LayOut Exam 2
Lesson: Introduction to Dynamic Components Online Lecture
Lesson: Basic Dynamic Component Functions Online Demonstration
Week 5
Lesson: Doors and Windows Open Forum
Per request/Open
Consultation Forum
Week 6 Submission of Activity 3: Dynamic Components
Submission of Exam Plate: Model with Dynamic Components Exam 3

Lesson: Site Modeling Online Demonstration
Per request/Open
Week 7 Consultation Forum
Submission of Activity 4: Residential Struction on Site LMS

Lesson: Rendering Animation Online Demonstration
Week 8
Per request/Open
Consultation Forum
Final Exam
Per request/Open
Week 9 Consultation Forum
Submission of Final Exam: Site Walkthrough Final Exam
121
Prepared by: Reviewed by:
NATHANIEL DON VALDEZ CAMILO QUIBOD

BSArch, Program Head
Recommending approval: Approved by:
ILUMINADO D. QUINTO JR. RONNIE V. AMORADO, PhD

Dean, College of Architecture and Fine Arts SVP, Academic Affairs (Main)
122

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UNIVERSITY OF MINDANAO

Physically Distanced but Academically Engaged

Self-Instructional Manual (SIM) for Self-Directed Learning (SDL)

Name of Teacher: Nathaniel Don P. Valdez

THIS SIM-SDL MANUAL IS A DRAFT VERSION ONLY; NOT FOR

Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................. 2

Creating Common Types of Dynamic Components ................................................................. 91

Course Outline: AR322/S - Architectural Computer Aided Design and

Course Coordinator: Nathaniel Don P. Valdez

Course Outline Policy

Areas of Concern Details

Submission of assessment tasks shall be on 3rd, 5th, 7th

Since this course is included in ALE, you will be required

your course coordinator. This is nonnegotiable for all

*This provision is contingent to the relevant community

To ensure honesty and authenticity, all assessment tasks

Please note that academic dishonesty such as cheating

The score for an assessment item submitted after the

Assessment tasks will be returned to you two (2) weeks

You should request in writing addressed to the course

on the approval and disapproval of the request.

If disapproved by the course coordinator, you can elevate

You should request in writing addressed to the program

Major Plate 1 25%

*contingent on the community quarantine guidelines at the

Harvard. You may visit the site below.

Ar. Iluminado Quinto Jr.

the alternative assessment tasks should still be in the

For students who have forgotten their email addresses or

Contact details of the Head of Leny Gamboa

Big Picture in Focus

1. BIM – Building Information Modelling; a process supported by various tools,

Figure 1 – Programs used for architect’s workflow

Figure 2 – Architectural Workflow with SketchUp/LayOut

• Photorealistic rendering and raytracing

There are five core concepts for Sketchup:

1. Sketchup is primarily surface modeling program. Everything in SketchUp is

5. Inference engine – Sketchup assumes significant relationships between points,

Figure 3 – Inferences with SketchUp Commands

Figure 4 – Welcome screen for SketchUp 2022

Figure 5 – Basic navigation using mouse

Figure 6 – Measurement Toolbar Changes according to Tool or Command

C. Inferences Engine is a constantly running function in the SketchUp 3D environment

2. Parallel to Edge – drawing a parallel line to an existing edge encourages a

The Drawing tools can be further broken down into two

1. Surface Drawing Tools

The Surface Drawing tools include the Rectangle, Circle,

2. Edge Drawing Tools

Figure 9 - Edit tools available in the Edit toolbar

Click once on an edge or surface to select it. Double-click on a surface to select

To see additional selection options, right-click on an edge or surface. From this

A precise move is executed by preselecting entities and then moving the

To make a precise move, follow these steps:

b. Linear Copy and Array

To make a copy, follow these steps:

5. Follow Me: The Follow Me tool generates massive amounts of complex

1. Using the Select tool, preselect the entity to rotate.

8. Offset Tool: The Offset tool concentrically copies a series of connected

1. Use the Select tool to preselect a series of connected coplanar edges or

Organizing Geometry with Containers

A. Groups are unintelligent containers that have no connection between copies.

To create a group, follow these steps:

B. Components are intelligent in that each instance is connected. If any instance of a