2 Easy ways to import SKP files to Rhino – 3D modeling software program, along with Rhino and SketchUp, allow customers to create and alter three-D fashions for design and 3-D printing. But their file kinds have a tendency to be one of a kind. SketchUp natively uses .Skp documents and Rhino makes use of .3DM documents.
Rhino documents are used to explain models based totally on NURBS geometry. NURBS, or non-uniform rational basis spline, is a technique of representing curved surfaces in fashions, which makes it ideal for the design and 3D printing of real gadgets.
On the other hand, SketchUp files, or .Skp documents, use wireframes to symbolize an object in conjunction with the capacity to save components to be used in multiple fashions. Given the difference in how these packages represent models, a conversion is important to apply SketchUp files in Rhino.
But why might I want to transform files from SketchUp to Rhino inside the first location? SketchUp has a huge community of unfastened 3D items on 3Dwarehouse but you will be extra cushy editing a model in Rhino. Alternatively, SketchUp is especially adept at bringing a version to existence the usage of pix that overlay a version such as topographical images like one would see in Google Earth. Importing these into Rhino is a lot less complicated than looking to create them in Rhino natively.
So now that we understand why we need to convert, what are the next steps?
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2 Easy ways to import SKP files to Rhino
Opening SketchUp files in Rhino can be a straightforward process. The main thing we need to check is that units are similar from SketchUp to Rhino.
- In Rhino 6, go to “View”, then “Grid Options”. This will open a dialog box where you can select the units.
- Ensure that the units selected here match the units in SketchUp (i.e. millimeters or inches should be selected in both programs). One thing to note is that Rhino only supports SketchUp files up to version 8.
- Go to “File” and “Insert” to open a dialog box. Under “Insertion Point”, deselect “Prompt”.
- Click the folder icon and select the .skp file you want to open in Rhino. This will bring up another dialog box and under “Block Definition Type”, in which you should select “Linked” and press “Apply”.
- Next, press “Apply” again to bring up a third dialog box entitled “SKP Import Options”. Under these options, ensure that “Weld” is set to zero degrees so that Rhino does not change anything about your original geometry. In addition, we’ll import the faces by selecting the “Meshes” button rather than “Trimmed Planes”.
- Press “Import” and your model should now be displayed in Rhino.
What happens if I use trimmed planes?
The model imports similarly, but due to the mathematical conversion, trimmed planes conversion takes longer for complex models. However, the advantage is that trimmed planes are easier to edit in Rhino since this is the format that is used natively by Rhino rather than a mesh.
Read also : 4 easy ways to Unfold Faces in SketchUp
Why can’t I just import directly from file?
Technically, you can choose “Import directly from file”, however, this method doesn’t give you as many options during import (it only shows you the last dialog box), which can be problematic for complex models that require special options.
What can go wrong with the import of SKP files to Rhino?
When importing .skp files into Rhino, one thing that many people forget is that any geometry (including hidden geometries like construction and cutting planes) will show up in the imported Rhino file. Since we selected “Linked” during our import, we can simply delete those objects from the SketchUp file, re save, and update our model in Rhino. Alternatively, the unwanted objects could be deleted directly in Rhino as well.
Overall, opening a .skp file in Rhino isn’t so difficult. As long as you keep in mind units and any construction planes you use, you should have no problems using both programs to design models and obtain the benefits of both.
Alternative Methods import SKP files to Rhino
Read aslo : 2 Steps Create a 3D Floor Plan from Sketch Image
A simple method exists for converting a SketchUp file into Rhino file by exporting the former as a DWG and then importing it into Rhino. This method can be done using the following simple steps:
- Export the model as a DWG file from SketchUp.
- Import the DWG file into Rhino.
Under the “Open AutoCAD File dialog box, do not change any values unless you are using units other than millimeters. If so, change the units to match what you used in the original SketchUp file. - Use the meshtonurb and mergeallfaces commands in the command line on the models to ensure they transfer well. This conversion process may be easier to accomplish by using these commands on one model at a time.
It should be noted that there are many methods of converting a SketchUp file into other types in order to import them into Rhino, as Rhino can import .dwg, .dxf, and .stl.
The more direct import method is recommended if the time-saving method leads to less reliable results through the multiple file type conversions. Nevertheless, with these methods, you should be able to bring SketchUp files into Rhino with relative ease.
So the information we can convey, hopefully useful about 2 Easy ways to import SKP files to Rhino above.
