How to import a Google SketchUp file to Blender

It is easy to import a Google SketchUp file to Blender if you follow these instructions. With SketchUp Free, you can only export your project into a *.kmz file. This file extension is not understood by Blender, but a script exists that can import *.kmz files into Blender.

Loading a Project with Google SketchUp

Start Google SketchUp. For the following example, we will download the Audi Quattro [5-Cylinder Individual Throttle Body motor]from the [3D Warehouse].

You can download this file directly from the SketchUp Menu using File -> 3D Warehouse -> Get Models with the following keywords Individual throttle body motor. The model will load in the SketchUp application. You have to click the LMB to place the model in the SketchUp universe. Place the engine near the origin point.

After moving it around, export the model under the *.kmz extension File -> Export -> 3D model.

Choose a meaningful name like QuattroDrivetrain.kmz. Save it under Google Earth (*.kmz), not under Google Earth 4 (*.kmz) because our script is not developed for that standard.

The first part is now complete.

Installing the importer

We need to transform our file from *.kmz into *.blend, the native format used by Blender.

Go to [this website] and download the latest version of the script : [Import With Mesh 0.1.9j (March 27th, 2007)]. You can leave a message of thanks to the developer :)

You just have to copy the file into the scripts subdirectory. Under Windows, this will be located in C:\Program Files\Blender Foundation\Blender\.blender\scripts.

The next time you open Blender, you should see the new addition by looking under File->Import->Google Earth 3 (.kml/.kmz)...

Loading our file

Start Blender and delete the default cube.

We can now load a *.kmz file with the File->Import->Google Earth 3 (.kml/.kmz)... menu, choose the saved SketchUp project, click OK to the prompt and voilà!

You have a SketchUp file under Blender that you can modify and enhance.