Convert Sketchup SKP files to DXF or STL

Availability: Free
Latest Version:
Release Date:
Works in: Win & Mac
With SketchUp Versions: v.8 M3, v.8 M2
Plugin ID: 692

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This is a plugin script for the free 3D design program Sketchup. The free version of Sketchup has limited file export options and many CAM programs will not recognise the native Sketchup (SKP) file format. This plugin allows you to export your Sketchup model as a DXF or STL files readable by most CAM and 3D printer software.

Using the plugin

After copying this file, start Sketchup and you should now have an extra menu option (Export to DXF or STL) in the Sketchup Tools menu.

There are five export options:

  • STL  triangles. Use this for Makerbot or Reprap style 3D printers
  • DXF polyface mesh. This will give the most faithful reproduction of your original Sketchup model.
  • DXF polylines: exports the outlines of each face as a polyline, sometimes useful for CAM toolpaths.
  • DXF triangular mesh: breaks all the faces up into triangles
  • DXF lines. This option exports the edges in your model as lines.

Please post on the forum any problems or suggestions

Known limitations

The plugin will not work if you try to save the exported file in a location where one of the folders contains non latin or non unicode characters, eg: “ą, ż, ź, ć, ń, ó, ł”.

CAD/CAM software compatibility

The plugin’s output is compatible with the following CAD/CAM programs tested so far:

DXF: Cambam, Sketchup, A9CAD, DeskProtoLite, Vectric Cut-2D, Corel Draw, Inkscape, LibreCAD.
STL: SkeinForge, FreeMill, Vectric Cut-3D, Roland Modela Player, Boxford’s 3D GeoCAM, Carvewright Designer software, DeskProtoLite, MeshCAM Art, Art Cam.

Posted on by Alex Schreyer
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