SketchUp hidden edges appear on print — style override (LayOut raster/vector)
Joe B.
Reviewed for technical accuracy
Specialities: SketchUp & LayOut printing, Styles & Back Edges, PDF export line weights, Vector/Hybrid/Raster rendering
SketchUp prints show hidden geometry — back edges, profiles, dashed lines in LayOut PDF (Raster vs Hybrid vs Vector)
Technician
• Are you printing directly from SketchUp or exporting from LayOut? Which render mode: Raster, Hybrid, Vector?
• In your scene’s Styles → Edge Settings, are Back Edges, Profiles, Endpoints enabled?
• When the PDF opens, do thin “hairlines” appear only on paper/Acrobat, or already inside LayOut’s viewport?
Technician
Technician
1) In LayOut, select the viewport → SketchUp Model panel → set **Render = Raster** to honor your style exactly (best for Back Edges/Hidden Line style).
2) Open File → Document Setup → Rendering → **untick** any **Output override** so export doesn’t flip to Vector/Hybrid.
3) Re-render the viewport. If you need crisp linework without textures, try **Vector** but then ensure your style has Back Edges OFF and **Profiles = 1** so thick outlines don’t print.
Technician
• Window → Styles → Edit → Edge Settings: turn **Back Edges OFF** if you must export Vector/Hybrid. For Raster exports that need hidden detail, keep Back Edges ON but stick to Raster.
• Set **Profiles = 1** (or 0 if you want uniform edges). Large profile weights make “halo” outlines in PDFs.
• Set **Endpoints = 0** to prevent dots on corners when vectorized.
• Update the style (blue arrows icon) and **Update Scene** so LayOut actually receives the changes.
• In Tags, keep non-print layers OFF (Hidden Geometry/Guides/Section Planes).
Technician
• In LayOut’s **Export PDF**, raise Raster DPI (e.g., 300–600) for sharp edges.
• In Acrobat/Reader, disable **Enhance thin lines** if hairlines look inconsistent; it can alter the perceived weight on screen vs paper.
• If you need razor-sharp vector edges without reintroducing hidden lines, switch the viewport to **Vector** after you’ve turned **Back Edges OFF** and set **Profiles = 1** in the style.
• For mixed sheets (textured model + crisp edges), use **Hybrid** but verify that Back Edges remain OFF and no Output override re-enables them.
Technician
1) In each **Scene**, store Camera, Style, and Tag visibility; update the scene.
2) In LayOut, for each viewport: set **Render = Raster** (or Vector), then right-click → Render and **don’t** tick any global **Output override** in Document Setup → Rendering.
3) Duplicate viewports for alt looks (Raster for hidden detail sheets, Vector for dimension sheets). Avoid switching a single viewport back and forth.
Technician
• **Back Edges** (Styles → Edge Settings) show obscured edges as dashed — design intent view, not for clean prints.
• **Hidden Geometry/Objects** (Model settings) shows dotted edges of hidden elements for editing — usually keep OFF for documentation.
• **Profiles** emphasize outer silhouettes; high values = thicker lines in PDFs. Keep low for construction drawings.
Technician
• Bottom viewport: **Raster** (textures on, Back Edges OFF).
• Top viewport: **Vector** with the same scene, **Profiles=1**, **Edges ON**, **Back Edges OFF**, transparent background — align perfectly. This gives crisp vector linework without Hybrid’s occasional edge artifacts.
Technician
Quick answer: the accepted fix
Accepted fix when SketchUp/LayOut prints show hidden edges: set the viewport to **Raster** and turn **Back Edges OFF** (or keep Raster if you need them visible). In Document Setup → Rendering, untick **Output override** so export doesn’t switch modes. In the model’s Styles → Edge Settings set **Profiles=1** and **Endpoints=0** before exporting the PDF.
Why hidden edges come back (Styles, Back Edges & LayOut rendering)
Back Edges are a style visualization that shows obscured edges as dashed. They’re honored in Raster, while Vector/Hybrid re-vectorize the geometry and can reintroduce masked edges and amplify Profiles. To control print appearance, adjust the style (Edges/Profiles/Endpoints), save the scene, and match the LayOut render mode accordingly.
How to verify your override worked
In LayOut, select the viewport and confirm **Render = Raster** (or Vector with Back Edges OFF). Export a **300–600 DPI PDF** and check a diagonal edge at 200% zoom — it should be uniform with no dashed hidden lines. If artifacts return, re-open Document Setup → Rendering and ensure **no Output override** is enabled.
Clean prints — quick troubleshooting tips
Most “hidden edges on print” cases are render-mode overrides or style settings (Back Edges/Profiles).
Quick path: **Styles → Edge Settings** (Back Edges OFF, Profiles=1) → update Scene → in LayOut set **Render = Raster** for style-accurate output, or **Vector** with Back Edges OFF → export higher DPI → in Acrobat turn off “enhance thin lines” if preview looks odd. This resolves the majority of **SketchUp hidden edges** print/export issues.
Disclaimer: This information is AI-generated and intended for general guidance only. For advice specific to your environment, please consult a verified expert on Whizz-Tech before making decisions.
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FAQ
Why do hidden edges reappear in my PDF?
Hybrid/Vector re-vectorize edges and can ignore Back Edges masking. Use **Raster** for style-accurate output, or turn **Back Edges OFF** and lower **Profiles** before Vector export.
Raster vs Vector vs Hybrid — which should I use?
Raster = matches SketchUp style exactly (best for Back Edges/Hidden Line). Vector = crisp scalable linework (no textures). Hybrid = textures + vector edges, but may show stray edges if styles conflict.
How do I keep LayOut from changing my render mode at export?
In File → Document Setup → Rendering, disable any **Output override**. Then set each viewport’s **Render** explicitly in the SketchUp Model panel.
Profiles look too thick on paper. How do I fix line weight?
Set **Profiles=1** (or 0) in Styles, turn **Endpoints=0**, and export higher DPI. In Acrobat, disable “enhance thin lines” if preview misrepresents weight.
Sources
- SketchUp Help — LayOut rendering (Raster, Vector, Hybrid) modes
- SketchUp Help — Edge Styles (Back Edges, Profiles, Endpoints)
- SketchUp Forum — Back Edges show only in Raster; untick Output override
Filed under: Printers
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