Google sketchup, guys, I need your help!

[J_Walker]

So I'm working on a headlight mounting bracket's, out of flat 1/8th thick PVC. I don't have the ability to machine any sort of metal. and figured the PVC was strong enough to use a few hand tools to cut and strong enough to be used for what I need it for. Also is very easy to paint!

ANYWAY, I did an exact mock up template on sketchup. [Picture related] I just need to find a way to get the lines that are drawn in sketchup to get a printable template. the whole thing is a little bigger then 5x6" so it should easily be printable on a 8x11 paper without cropping.

Anyone know how to do such thing?

 

[itsid]

*shrugs* Camera-> view-> top
File-> preview (to check the dimensions on the paper first)-> scale 100%

I'm not sure that it'll work, but afaik sketchup (free) doesn't have a properly scaled 2D export.

The other option:
View top (as above) and then 2d export to png.
Open the png in any photo editor (gimp or photoshop for example) crop at the edges of your item, then scale to the exact proportions and print

'sid

 

[J_Walker]

Thanks Sid, Your post pointed me in the right direction only took me like 2.5 hours to figure it all out..!

Note though, make the model white, and only the black lines will show up. I made the mistake of leaving it blue.. and went through a lot of blue ink! [I only have a small simple printer.]

 

[itsid]

Sorry, I always transform images to black/white if they're meant as a template... often enough that I forgot to mention that step.
(the "fill in fuel" step )

I do think there is an export for that in the "pro" version of sketchup.
If you happen to find a v7 pro demo (lasts for 8hours afair) download that.
I used to have the pro demo to convert from one 3d format to another (and ONLY for conversion ), but now after some heavy using my demo time is up, so I cannot tell for sure.
It's good enough for some month of converting and exporting though

'sid

 

[J_Walker]

Well. Don't you think Google has enough money already?!

It's the least you can do, after they bought and ruined youtube...

 

[itsid]

demo.. free to try (for said few hours) the moment my free hours were used up I uninstalled it (including the free v8 sketchup )
I'd rather use blender all the way.

'sid