SketchUp allows you to print your designs using any Windows-compatible printing device. You can also Print to Scale and span a print across multiple sheets, allowing you to output a large drawing from a standard printer. Printing is a three-step process:
The Print Setup dialog box is used to select and configure your printer and final output orientation. Select File > Print Setup to invoke the Print Setup dialog box.
The Printer section of the Print Setup dialog box is used to select a specific printer and printer settings. Select the printer to use from the Name drop-down list. Click on the Properties button to configure the printer for printing (the properties dialog box is different for each printer-type).
The Paper section of the Print Setup dialog box is used to select the paper size used for your output.
Size: The Size drop-down list contains different paper sizes that are supported by your printer. Select the paper size that you want to use from this list.
Location: The Location drop-down list contains different trays in your printer. Select the tray that contains the paper you want to use.
The Orientation section is used to select the orientation (landscape or portrait) for your output.
The Print Preview and Print dialog boxes contain the same series of options. The only difference is that the Print Preview dialog box outputs your model to the screen instead of to a printer. Items configured in one of these dialog boxes automatically appear in the other dialog box. Select File > Print Preview or File > Print to invoke the Print Preview and Print dialog boxes.
The Print Preview and Print dialog boxes contain several printing options to consider when printing a SketchUp model.
The Printer section of the Print dialog box is used to select a specific printer and printer settings. Select the printer to use from the Name drop-down list. Click on the Properties button to configure the printer for printing (the properties dialog box is different for each printer-type).
The Tabbed Print Range section of the Print dialog box is used to choose between printing the model in the current Draw Area, or printing all models on all scenes in the file.
The Copies section of the Print dialog box is used to select the number of copies to print Click the collate button if you want each copy to be collate (instead of printing several page ones, then several page twos, and so on).
Print SizeThe Print Size section of the Print dialog box is used to adjust the physical size of your output.
Fit to Page: The Fit to Page option is used to size the model to fit on a single sheet of paper. This option must be disabled in to specify a different size or scale.
Page Size: The Page size fields are used to enter a custom page size for your output.
Scale: The Scale fields are used to scale your model for printing. The first measurement, labeled In the Model, is the measurement of the exported geometry. The second measurement, labeled In SketchUp, is the actual measurement of the object in real scale. For example, for a scale of 1/4" = 1', simply enter 1 inch In the Printout equals 4 feet In SketchUp.
Note - It is not possible to print a perspective image to scale. Ensure perspective is disabled and you are using one of the Standard Views in the Camera > Standard submenu, to enable the scale option.
Note - Even though paraline projection is used to get an output that is to scale, not all angles will be measurable to a scale. This issue is the result of SketchUp using foreshortening, or a technique of shortening lines to create a 3D effect on a 2D medium such as paper.
Use Model Extents: The Use Model Extents option is used to print only the model as viewed using the Zoom Extents Tool. This option might discard any surrounding empty background.
Tiled Sheet Print RangeIf the current Scale is larger than the paper size of your printer or plotter, the entire model can be printed by printing on several pieces of paper. These pieces of paper can then be taped together to create the final scaled model. For example, tiling lets you print proofs of a large model, such as a B size (11" x 17"), on a printer that uses a smaller paper size, such as an A size (8.5" x 11"). Tiling also lets you print banners that are made up of multiple pages.
Tiling is available when you use the Scale fields to scale a model to be larger than the current paper size available in your printer.
You can also print selected page tiles within the set by entering a page number range in the Pages from fields. Page tiles are numbered top to bottom beginning at the top left of the drawing page.
You can display a preview of tile Pages using Print Preview in the File Menu.
Printing large tiled output can be taxing on your computers resources.
Print QualityYou can expedite the printing of print jobs and rough drafts by selecting the appropriate print quality.
Draft
The Draft setting is used to produces quick images (usually output has jagged lines).
Standard
The Standard setting is used to produce output with a the optimum balance of speed and quality.
High Definition
The High Definition setting is used to produce high-quality output.
Ultrahigh Definition
The Ultrahigh Definition setting is used to produce the highest-quality output. This setting can slow down your system, but is best for measured drawings or ultra-fine prints.
Large Format
The Large Format setting produces images that are optimized for large format output or that are meant to be viewed from several feet away. Resolution and line weights are set accordingly. This setting is useful for plotters and tiled sheets.
2D Section Slice Only
The 2D Section Slice Only option is used to output only the section slice outlines in your model (if present).
Use High Accuracy HLR
The Use High Accuracy HLR option is used to send the model information to the printer as vector information.
= Functionality only available in Google SketchUp Pro 6
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SketchUp User Guide (Microsoft Windows): Printing |
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