Save as External Model - Enscape for SketchUp Specific

This page provides information about the Save as External Model function in Enscape for SketchUp.

Overview

The Save as External Model feature in SketchUp offloads heavy geometry into separate files. This feature helps reduce the file size and enables real-time collaboration between team members. Linked models appear as wireframe placeholders in SketchUp and render as full geometry in Enscape, giving you both performance and visual fidelity.

Key Benefits

Streamlined Performance

Large, detailed SketchUp files can quickly become slow to navigate. When you save a component as an external model, its geometry is moved to a separate .skp file and replaced with a placeholder box.
The project becomes much lighter, while Enscape still renders the full geometry in real time – giving you speed in SketchUp without losing visual detail.

Real-Time Collaboration

Multiple users can work simultaneously. The main file holds placeholders, while each team member edits their own linked external model.
When those models are saved, Enscape updates them automatically – no manual reloading required.

Usage

Steps:

1. Select a component in your SketchUp model.
2. Right-click and select Save as external model for Enscape .
3. Choose where to save the file.
4. The component turns into a wireframe box in SketchUp, while the full geometry remains visible in Enscape.

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Behavior and Details

Materials

• On geometry: Materials applied to faces inside the component are stored in the external file.
• On component: Materials applied to the outside of the component act as overrides in Enscape only.
• The external model's materials do not appear in the main project's Material Editor.

Placeholder Box

• Shows the overall extent of the external model.
• Automatically resizes if geometry changes – but only while an Enscape session is running.

Limitations and Best Practices

Limitations:

• Nested external models are not supported.
• Section planes in external files do not affect the main model.
• Not reliable with Trimble Connect cloud paths.
• No automatic re-import. Manual re-import is required. The placeholder is not replaced with the original geometry automatically when the external model file is deleted.

Best Practices:

• Store all external files in a dedicated folder (for example: _external models).
• Use descriptive file names for clarity (for example: Project_Facade_West.skp).
• For final deliveries, consider re-importing all geometry into one master file.