SketchUp STL
Import and Export STL files for 3D printing
SketchUp STL

The STL file format is widely used across different 3D printing and modeling interfaces. For instance, many of the models you might find on Thingiverse.com are available in STL format, and several popular 3D printers accept STL files to prepare models for fabrication. This extension provides import/export functionality for STL files to and from SketchUp, so you can easily export SketchUp groups to STL, or import an STL design and manipulate it within SketchUp.

Once you install the extension, you’ll find two new options under the File menu:

Export STL: This function requires you to select one or more groups for export (so you’ll need to group your geometry before using this).

Import... (STL): With this plugin, you’ll find STL as a supported format within SketchUp’s Import command. STL files will be imported to SketchUp as a group.

For questions or help with this extension, head on over to the SketchUp help forum.

Note: This extension was originally developed as separate plugins by Jim Foltz, Nathan Bromham, and Konrad Shroeder. Now, it’s in continual development as an open-source project on GitHub that’s hosted by the SketchUp team. Stay tuned for updates!

Reviews

This would be great if it was not such a struggle to install. I know it is simple but finding the directions is pretty tough. Why not just include them here??

I downloaded the extension, ---.rbz. I moved it to my Sketchup2013 Plugins/Ruby/ folder. It is not showing up?

The one I had for Sketchup 8 worked great, but I can not get to even showup at this point. I am sure it is easy, but I can't find the answer.

The RBZ file is a zipped file, I ended up renaming it to xxx.ZIP and unzipping it and then copying to the correct folder in Sketchup2013, now it works, though it is in a different location than in Sketchup8.

Removed

Where is the correct folder?

Okay, finally found it.
From Sketchup menu.

Window
Preferences
Extensions
Install Extension button.

Removed

Thanks for this. In SketchUp Makes, it's:

SketchUp

Preferences

Extensions

Install Extension (lower right corner)

Thanks. They would have been nice to just say that from the beginning.

How do I install this on my Mac? Downloaded and I cannot figure out how to install. Thanks!

Installation instructions on a Mac:
Go to: ~Macintosh HD/Library/Application Support/
Create new directories as follows:
SketchUp 2013/SketchUp/Plugins

Rename your downloaded file to sketchup-stl-2.0.0.zip instead of .rbz. Open that zip and it should create a directory called sketch up-stl-2.0.0.

Copy the contents of that directory to:
~Macintosh HD/Library/Application Support/SketchUp 2013/SketchUp/Plugins

Run the app.
Not sure why SketchUp 2013 doesn't create this directory, why google hasn't natively added the STL support or why the instructions weren't on this page, but it should not have been as difficult as they made it.

I had trouble with just finding the Home folder, found this though and it worked:

"18 ways to view the ~/Library folder in Lion"

http://www.macworld.com/article/1161156/view_library_folder_in_lion.html

https://www.dropbox.com/s/sy583erkgqkhto2/STL_Error.zip

See the above data..

I've exported skp data into STL
and printed with Replicator 2 and 2X
but, the result is different

there is strange bar accross the room

Anyone know the reason?

CMD's picture
CMD

All .rbz files should be installed via SketchUp's "Install Extension" feature.

Go to SketchUp's Preferenses > Extensions area and select "Install Extension".
Now select the .rbz

After it is installed, you can turn on and off the extension in the Preferenses > Extensions area

CMD's picture
CMD

All .rbz files should be installed via SketchUp's "Install Extension" feature.

Go to SketchUp's Preferenses > Extensions area and select "Install Extension".
Now select the .rbz

After it is installed, you can turn on and off the extension in the Preferenses > Extensions area

When I export the stl file a box comes up saying;

1414 facets exported
1635 objects ignored.

I know this is too big for my printer but it happens every time. but the problem occurs when i try to open it into Makerware it just dose not recognize the file.

is there something I'm missing out?

2831 users
Size:
53.93 KB
Version:
2.0.0; May 15, 2013
Category: 
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Extensions: 18
The SketchUp team uses our APIs to build all sorts of specialized tools. Some of these extensions ship with SketchUp as full-blown features, and some are just examples of how to use our APIs.