How to Import Google SketchUp Into Blender

12th August, 2010

SketchUp is a simple-to-use 3D modeling program offered by Google. It comes in two versions: freeware and commercial. The commercial version has added features, such as the ability to export models you create in a number of 3D formats. This is useful if you are using SketchUp for your modeling but doing rendering and animation in another program. Exporting a model from SketchUp Pro to the freeware animation application Blender takes just a few simple steps.

Instructions

• Open Google SketchUp. Select "File" from the menu and choose "Open." In the dialog that appears, locate a file with a 3D model you would like to export and open it.
• If there are any extra models or elements in the scene that you don't want, delete them before doing anything else.
• Select "File" from the Menu and choose "Export." From the listed options, choose "3D Model." Name your file.
• Click on the "Export Type" drop-down and choose one of the more common 3D model types, such as OBJ or 3DS. Click "Export."
• Open Blender. Select "File" from the menu and choose "Import." From the options, choose the file type you exported. In the dialog, browse to and open your file.

Source: www.ehow.com