Exporting Files to Be Opened in Sketchup

On occasion you may get asked to provide a file from SOLIDWORKS in a different format. This could even be a file that can be opened in  Google Sketchup.

For instance this part file

https://www.sketchup.com/

There are a number of versions of the Sketchup and the Pro version can open some CAD files but the free version can not.

If someone only has the free version there is a workaround.

Firstly save the file out as an .STL file.

Next we need to save it to a format that the free Sketchup can open. The Pro version can open DWG files but the free version is limited and one of the only options is a DAE file.

Luckily Meshlab can import STL files and export DAE files.

Download and install the free meshlab software.

http://www.meshlab.net/#download

Next open the STL file you saved out:

You can now save this as a DAE file.

Finally you can now open this in  Sketchup.

Result:

Hopefully this helps!