SketchUp Exporter

Latest release

Using the auto-update service

The VU.CITY Auto-Update Service is a companion app that resides in your Windows system tray and keeps the plugin up-to-date. Right-click on the service icon to access the Installers and Check For Update options. You can also enter proxy server details to ensure the update service functions within secure network environments.

Using the Exporter

The VU.CITY SketchUp Exporter is a standalone application designed to facilitate the export of SKP models to FBX format. It does not require SketchUp or a SketchUp license. The plugin enables:

• Merging multiple meshes into a single, selectable mesh;
• Converting from ASCII to binary;
• Optimising the geometry;
• Correcting visual issues;
• Geolocating models by converting the Latitude and Longitude coordinates within the model to OSGB supported by VU.CITY.

Upon installation, the following shortcuts will be available:

Desktop Shortcut

Auto-Update Service Menu

Open the exporter to reveal the following menu:

Under Select SketchUp File, drag and drop your SKP file into the designated area, or click Browse to locate and select your file.

In the Select Destination File section, choose where to save the exported FBX file:

• Tick Save FBX in the same folder as the source file if you want the exported file saved alongside the original SKP file.
• Specify the file name in the Enter File Name field (the .FBX extension will be added automatically).

The Optimise Mesh option allows selecting one of the following optimisation levels:

• Coarse (smaller): Significantly reduces file size but may sacrifice detail.
• Medium (recommended): Balances file size and model detail.
• Fine (bigger): Preserves more detail but increases file size.

Under Unify Mesh, tick Unify selection into one block to combine all geometry into a single object. This simplifies handling within VU.CITY.

The Swap YZ Axis option lets you adjust the model orientation.

Export units and orientation

The exported FBX will preserve the scale units of the original SKP (usually inches). Tick the checkbox for SketchUp orientation (default), untick for AutoCAD.

If you come across any issues while using SketchUp Plugin, please raise a support case and attach your original SKP file with a brief explaination of the issue.