SKP Editor V1.2

# SketchUp Importer & Exporter for Blender

**Current Version: 1.2 (Windows)**

## ✨ Key Features

### New in Version 1.2

- **Object Grouping Control** — Choose TOP level or BOTTOM level grouping when importing groups/components.

- **Improved Scene Import**:

  - Per-scene hidden objects

  - Layer visibility states per scene

  - Scene Axes support (creates arrow empties)

  - Enhanced RenderScenes integration with preview image support

- **Layer Support** — Imports SketchUp layers into a "SKP Layers" collection hierarchy.

- **Loose Edge Import** — Imports standalone edges that are not part of faces.

SKP Editor V1.1

**A powerful bidirectional SketchUp (.skp) importer and exporter for Blender with advanced Project Linking capabilities.**

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## ✨ Key Features

### 1. Import & Export

- **Import** `.skp` files into Blender with groups, components, materials, UVs, scenes, and cameras.

- **Export** Blender meshes back to `.skp` while preserving materials, UVs, smooth/soft edges, and line visibility.

- Supports SketchUp versions 2021–2026.

### 2. **Project Linking Mode** (Recommended Workflow)

- Open a `.skp` file as a **linked project**.

- Incrementally update **only modified objects** (very fast).

- Automatically detects added, modified, and deleted objects.

- Preserves Blender-side materials, modifiers, and RenderScenes data.

- Backup support and version awareness.

### 3. Advanced Capabilities

- **Faster Converter**: Native C++ DLL for dramatically faster handling of complex geometry.

- **Material & UV System**: Accurate UVs, texture packing, and automatic Base Color baking.

- **RenderScenes Integration**: Bidirectional sync between SketchUp Scenes and Blender RenderScenes.

- **Per-Object Settings**: Hide lines, force merge coplanar faces, bake resolution, etc.

- **Smart Selection Tools**: High-face-count objects, objects needing triangulation, etc.

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## 📥 Installation

1. Download and extract `sketchup_importer_1_1_windows.zip`.

2. Copy the `sketchup_importer` folder into Blender's add-ons directory:

   - `Edit → Preferences → Add-ons → Install` (or manually place in `addons` folder).

3. Enable **"SketchUp Importer & Exporter"** in the Add-ons panel.

4. **First-time Setup**:

   - Go to **Edit → Preferences → Add-ons → SketchUp** tab.

   - Set SketchUp C API path if needed.

   - Click **"Setup Converter"** to build the Faster Converter (requires MSVC Build Tools on Windows).

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## 🚀 Basic Usage

### Standard Import / Export

- `File → Import → SketchUp (.skp)`

- `File → Export → SketchUp (.skp)`

### Project Workflow (Best Practice)

1. **Open Project**: `File → SketchUp Project → Open SKP Project`

2. Edit your model in Blender.

3. **Save Changes**: `File → SketchUp Project → Save SKP Changes`

4. **Save As**: `File → SketchUp Project → Save SKP As`

5. **Update from SKP**: `Update Linked SKP` (pull latest changes from the linked file).

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## 📋 Detailed Usage

### SKP Setting Panel (N-Panel → SKP Setting)

- Project status (linked / modified / new objects)

- Object Settings List (per-object rules)

- Quick selection tools:

  - Select Objects Above Face Count

  - Need Triangulate (for Fast UV mode)

  - Select Objects In List

### Add-on Preferences

- SketchUp C API folder

- Default export/save behaviors

- Bake resolution, units, backup path, etc.

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## ⚙️ Advanced Features

- **Faster Converter v2**: Significantly faster face creation for large models.

- **Base Color Baking**: Automatically bakes complex node materials.

- **Auto Hide Lines**: Intelligently hide edges based on angle.

- **Merge Coplanar Faces**: Optional geometry optimization.

- **Scene Synchronization**: Cameras and RenderScenes round-trip support.

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## 🛠️ Troubleshooting

**Faster Converter not ready**:

- Run **"Setup Converter"** in the SKP Setting panel (requires Visual Studio Build Tools).

**Cannot open newer SKP files**:

- Point to the correct SketchUp C API version in Preferences.

**UV issues**:

- Try `EXACT` UV mode or triangulate problematic objects first.

**Performance**:

- Use `FAST` UV mode for large textured models.

- Enable "Apply Modifiers" and "Merge Coplanar" when appropriate.

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## 📄 License

- Copyright (C) 2023-2025 Interior Blender

- Licensed under **GPL-3.0-or-later**

- Requires official SketchUp C API (not included).

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**Author**: Interior (Jack)  

**Version**: 1.1 (Windows)  

**Updated**: July 2026

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**Enjoy efficient SketchUp ↔ Blender workflows!**

Feel free to contribute or report issues.