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Using SketchUp with Other Applications

Many Sketchup users also use other modeling software or programs as part of their workflows. With that in mind, SketchUp can help you import a file created in another program, or export your model into a different file format.Use the following table to find the type of file you are working with, the SketchUp

Last updated 17 July 2026

Many Sketchup users also use other modeling software or programs as part of their workflows. With that in mind, SketchUp can help you import a file created in another program, or export your model into a different file format.

Use the following table to find the type of file you are working with, SketchUp subscription you need to access options associated with that file type, and a link to learn more about how SketchUp works with the files:

File Type

File Extension(s)

Subscription Type

Learn More

CAD files

.dwg,.dxf

Go
Pro
Studio

Importing and Exporting CAD Files

Image files

.jpg, .png, .tif, .bmp, .psd, .tga, .eps

Go
Pro
Studio

Importing and Exporting Image Files

PDF files

.pdf

Go (iPad only)
Pro

Importing and Exporting Image Files

COLLADA files

.dae

Go
Pro
Studio

Importing and Exporting COLLADA Files

3D Studio (3DS) files

.3ds

Go
Pro
Studio

Importing and Exporting 3DS Files

Digital elevation models (DEM files)

.dem, .ddf

Go
Pro
Studio

Importing DEM Files for Terrain

FBX files

.fbx

Go
Pro
Studio

Exporting FBX Files

Google Earth files

.kmz

Go
Pro
Studio

Exporting KMZ Files for Google Earth

OBJ files

.obj

Go
Pro
Studio

Exporting OBJ Files

VRML files

.wrl

Go
Pro
Studio

Exporting VRML Files

XSI files

.xsi

Go
Pro
Studio

Exporting XSI files

IFC files

.ifc

Pro
Studio

Classifying Objects

USDZ files

.usdz

Pro
Studio

Working with USDZ files

gITF

.gib

Pro
Studio

Working with GLTF files

3D Printing a Model

Before you print a model on a 3D printer, you need to make sure your 3D printer can understand your model data. Here's a quick overview of how to set up your SketchUp model for 3D printing:

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Adding an Environment to a Model

Environments allow you to add 360°panoramic backgrounds and image-based lighting conditions to your SketchUp models. The Environments panel is where you can add and manipulate environments, or import High Dynamic Range Image (HDRI) files or OpenEXR files to create a new environment.

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Adding Attributes

Attributes make components dynamic by telling SketchUp what to do. You can choose from predefined attributes or create custom attributes:

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Adding Premade Components and Dynamic Components

Components in SketchUp turn geometry in a model into reusable entities. For example, most buildings have at least one door and window. Instead of modeling these common objects, you can insert a component that you have already made, or even one made by someone else.Like all geometry in SketchUp, a component is still

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Adding Text, Labels, and Dimensions to a Model

In SketchUp, you can add four types of text:

SketchUp desktop

Still need help?

Technical support from our New Zealand team is available to customers with a current Procadsys SketchUp Pro Plus or SketchUp Studio Plus subscription. Self-help articles are public.

Contact SketchUp support