Home » How to import files from SketchUp to SolidWorks?

SketchUp is design software that Civil engineers use to design Architectural buildings and Interiors design. It also has a broad range of design and drawing applications. Many industries also use this software for designing. Industries like Civil, Mechanical, Film, and Video game developers. You can render the product and apply textures to make the product presentable.

Solidworks is also a designing software with a broad range of design and drawing applications. Along with designing it is also used for creating rendered images of the design. Creating animation, motion study, and videos with realistic graphics are added on with this software.

Importing Files from SketchUp to SolidWorks

  • Open the design in the SketchUp software by, Clicking on File > Open. Browse the file and click ok to open the file.
  • To export the file in Solidworks compatible file Click on the File > Export > 3D Model or 2D Graphics according to the requirement and type of design.

  • In the Export Model screen give the name of the file. Using the drop-down arrow explore and search for the .stl file type. STL file format is compatible with Solidworks.

  • Open SolidWorks to import the STL file. Click on Open form Standard Toolbar. Browse for the file and select it. When you select the .stl file type one option will appear at the bottom above the file name as Options.

  • One pop-up window will come up that makes sure that the Graphics body is selected. Click on OK and then on Open.

The design will import into Solidworks. If the file is large it will take some time so just wait for a couple of minutes. This loading time also depends on the device hardware configuration.

The file imported will not look smooth or the mesh line will appear on the design. This is because in STL file format the design surfaces are created in triangular shapes. So to hide those you can change the Display style in Solidworks.

  • To change the Display style Click on Display Style from the Heads up view Toolbar and Select the Shaded.