SketchUp (.skp) import/export

The file format used by SketchUp.

Rhino reads and writes SketchUp file formats up to the version of 2021.

Import

To open, import or insert a file

  1. From the File menu, click Open, Insert, or Import.

  2. In the dialog box, select a supported file type.
  3. Click Open and configure the settings.
    When you open a non-3dm file and save the model, its filename will be the default 3dm filename.

SKP Import Options

Import faces as

Trimmed planes

Imports mesh faces as planar trimmed surfaces.

Warning: If the SketchUp file has too many meshes, Rhino may crash if your computer runs out of memory.

Mesh

Imports the objects as mesh faces.

Import curves

Specifies if curves in the SketchUp file will be read into Rhino.

Join on import

Determines whether or not objects will be joined on import.

Edges

Joins edges.

Faces

Joins faces.

Weld angle ___ degrees

Sets the angle between faces to determine welding.

Groups

Use group layers

Enable to import objects in a group to the group's layer. Otherwise, objects will import to their layers.

  • "Layer" is called "Tag" since SketchUp 2021.
Add objects to groups

Enable to respect group structures in SketchUp. Otherwise, objects will import without groups.

Textures

Embed textures in the model

Applies textures to the imported mesh.

Use the SketchUp Texture Writer to create textures
Always use these settings. Do not show this dialog again.

Saves the current settings and turns off the dialog display.

To turn the message back on

See also: ResetMessageBoxes command.

Export

SketchUp Export tries to make outer and inner boundaries out of planar mesh regions. This makes the output easier to use.

To save as or export a Rhino model

  1. On the File menu, click Export Selected or Save As.
  2. In the dialog box, the Files of type list displays the currently supported file types for export.
  3. In the Files of type box, select the supported file type.
  4. In the File name box, select or type a file name.
  5. Specify what is to be saved.
    6. Options

    Save small

    Though clearing the render meshes makes the file smaller, it will shade and render more slowly the next time you open the file.

    Save geometry only

    Saves geometry objects only. No layers, materials, properties, notes, or units settings are saved. This is similar to exporting the objects. A new file is made, but it does not become your active Rhino model.

    Save textures

    Embeds external textures used by materials, environments and decals into the model.
    Save plugin data Saves data attached to objects or the document by plug-in applications.
  6. If the export can be configured, click the Options button to specify export settings.
  7. Mesh file types export NURBS surfaces as meshes either with the specified meshing options, or the document render mesh settings.

SKP Export Options

Export planar regions as polygons
Always use these settings. Do not show this dialog again.

Saves the current settings and turns off the dialog display.

To turn the message back on

See also: ResetMessageBoxes command.

See also

SketchUp