The LayOut interface contains the tools and features you need to create 2D documents and presentations from your 3D models. LayOut and SketchUp are made to work together. Many tools and features in LayOut work a lot like they do in SketchUp.

Each part of the LayOut interface provides a different set of options to help you with your documents.

The Menu and the Toolbar

The Menu bar appears at the top of the window and offers the following options:

The default toolbar contains the most used tools in LayOut, along with a few other useful options. See LayOut Tools for details on what tools are available. To customize your toolbar, see Customizing Toolbars and Menus.

The Document Window and Panels

The document window is where you can add SketchUp models, images, text, or whatever meets your design needs. Within the document window you can also set up LayOut’s panels, each containing more features to help you fine tune your models. You can customize which panels appear and where they appear in your interface. To learn more about these features and how to customize them, see LayOut Panels.

Status and Measurements

The Status bar appears at the bottom of your window and lets you know what tool is active, and some tips on how to use that tool, including optional tool modes. On the left you’ll also see a measurements box where you can type in values to help when drawing or modifying your document. To the right, a zoom dropdown appears containing useful zoom options to adjust your document’s view.

LayOut Interface Navigation

LayOut supports using a three-button, one-button, or Apple Magic mouse, as well as trackpad for navigation.

ActionThree-Button MouseOne-Button Mouse/TrackpadMagic Mouse
Click or SelectPress and release the left mouse buttonPress and release the mousePress and release the mouse
Click and DragPress and hold down the left mouse button while movingPress and hold the mouse button while draggingPress and hold the mouse while dragging
ScrollRoll the scroll wheel in the desired directionNot availableMove your finger along the mouse in the desired direction
Context-clickClick the right mouse buttonPress and hold the Alt or Option key while clickingPerform the context click gesture on the mouse surface

For more information on how to move around your LayOut documents, see Use the Zoom and Pan Tool to View Your Model.

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