Can I Hide Dimensions in SketchUp?

If you are a SketchUp user, you may have wondered whether it is possible to hide dimensions in your models. Dimensions are an essential part of architectural and engineering designs, but sometimes you might want to present your models without the clutter of dimensions. In this tutorial, we will explore the various methods to hide dimensions in SketchUp.

Method 1: Hide Dimensions by Layer

The first method involves using layers to control the visibility of dimensions. Here’s how:

Create a New Layer: To start, create a new layer specifically for your dimensions. This will allow you to toggle their visibility on and off as needed.
Select Dimensions: Use the Select tool to choose the dimensions you want to hide.
Assign Layer: Right-click on the selected dimensions and choose “Entity Info.” In the Entity Info dialog box, assign them to the new layer you just created.
Show/Hide Layer: To hide or show the dimensions, simply toggle the visibility of the layer using the Layer panel.

Method 2: Hide Dimensions with Tags

Sometimes, using tags can be a more efficient way to manage dimension visibility. Here’s how:

Create a Tag: Start by creating a new tag specifically for your dimensions.
Assign Tag: Right-click on the selected dimensions and choose “Entity Info.” In the Entity Info dialog box, assign them to the new tag you just created.
Show/Hide Tagged Objects: In the Tags panel, you can toggle the visibility of the tag to hide or show the dimensions assigned to it.

Method 3: Hide Dimensions with Scenes

If you want to hide dimensions only in certain views of your model, using scenes can be a powerful option. Here’s how:

Create a Scene: Start by setting up your model with the desired camera position and visibility settings.
Hide Dimensions: Use one of the previous methods (layer or tag) to hide the dimensions in this specific view.
Create New Scene: In the Scenes panel, click on the “+” button to create a new scene. Make sure to check “Properties to Save” and select “Hidden Geometry” and “Tags” if you used tags method.
Switch Between Scenes: You can now switch between scenes using the Scenes panel, and each scene will have its own dimension visibility settings.

Conclusion

In conclusion, hiding dimensions in SketchUp is possible through various methods such as using layers, tags, or scenes. Choose the method that suits your workflow best. Remember that these techniques are not exclusive; you can combine them to achieve more control over dimension visibility in your models.

By incorporating these techniques into your SketchUp projects, you can present your designs with clarity and focus on what matters most – without distractions from dimensions cluttering up your visuals.