Would there be an import option of .skp (SketchUp) models or a plug-in for Vue7 (I'm assuming that there isn't for Vue 6)?  I have been importing some models I made and have to do it manually by exporting the mesh from SU to Vue 6.

I'm planning on getting the upgrade, but haven't gotten to it.  Just making it from day to day and obligations and all that jazz.

But, just wondering.  I apologize if it have been asked before.

Thank you,

JB

Sketchup has an obj exporter and you could import that into vue, but the meshes are a horrendous mess, and I'm not sure that vue could render them properly.

I imported some things into lightwave, and it would take more time fixing them then to remake them from scratch myself.

Hmmm, interesting.   I really like creating some things in SketchUp, but what they have in rendering, in my opinion, leaves something to be desired; plus to get some of their rendering plug-in it's mostly pay, and I can imagine what they are for SU.

Thanks,

JB

 There's a tute on my blog:

http://blog.chipp.com/2009/04/converting-from-sketchup-7-to-vue.html

Chipp's excellent tutorial really helped me... Unfortunately the obj export plugin had issues with a few of the models I had and they would not export.... :-(

I did download a trial of Sketchup 7.0 Pro and the models in question did export fine...

Quote - Unfortunately the obj export plugin had issues with a few of the models I had and they would not export.... :-(

Before exporting, try to explode all components (and nested ones) until you have a flat structure (not all OBJ exporters handle components).

Bye!!!

Alex
that's sort of what I do for obj models I make in Rhino, anyway ;)
since you can only assing materials to individual objects in Vue, if you break it all apart, you can thus give each part appropriate mats.

Though, many duplicated same objects, say a balustrade on a railing, I just join into one mesh to save hassles, and UVMap them all to tbe the same :p

Quote - > Quote - Unfortunately the obj export plugin had issues with a few of the models I had and they would not export.... :-(

Before exporting, try to explode all components (and nested ones) until you have a flat structure (not all OBJ exporters handle components).

Bye!!!

I have no idea what you are suggesting....

Cheers

Ken

I've been importing Sketchup into Vue 6 using both .skp and .obj export for a long time and only problem that occurs is if the Sketchup models has components into components, that makes it not work at all and you have parts ending up at the wrong place. But as long as you don't have that situation they usually come in just fine.

I've not used sketchup much but as silverblade says you need to explode components and nested ones too because otherwise they don't work very well.  There's info on the SkethUp help site about exploding components.  Once you've exploded a component check it wasn't made of components...

I had to do this with a model which had about 20 components which in turn had multiple nested components so it can be a long and laborious task but it was worth it in the end.  Really.  Honestly.  I keep telling myself it was anyway :unsure:

Probably explains why I don't use SketchUp that much really...

Thanks Chippwalters for all your help.

Modeled in SketchUp7, used Collada export, Imported in Vue 7 PLE.

Do you have a link to the Collada export plugin?

Another option would be to download a demo of the pro version of Sketchup and only use it for exporting....

Can you have both the FREE and a demo of the PRO on the same computer?

Ken,

There's info on the Collada export at:
http://blog.chipp.com/converting-from-sketchup-7-to-vue/ 

Thanks Chipp... I appreciate the link...

 Most of the problems with Sketchup models is how they where made in Sketchup. If you make the model in SU, make sure you color code your surfaces and also note you need to color code the reverse side of each surface as well. Do not group or lock your model in any way. Export it as a 3ds file and drop it into vue. Do your textures in Vue and all is well.  Been doing that for about 5 years now with no problems. Now if you are getting models for example from an architect and they want you to put the model in a Vue scene. I get this request often. You WILL have big problems as you did not make the model in Skechup with importing into Vue in your mind. I have had to rebuild several models for architects to get them to work and look right in Vue. 

Hm, I'd use collada form Rhino, if it has such an exporter (I'm so used ot obj export I didn't check if there's a collada exporter for Rhino!)
but...
I use UV mapper to get very precise uv maps set up for texturing. So I have no idea if there is a uvmapper app for collada?