Tips and Tricks

Which SketchUp import and export format to use for CAD, rendering, 3D printing, BIM and the web, and which ones lose data.

How to model watertight solids in SketchUp, check for errors and export a printable STL that slicers accept first time.

Model furniture accurately in SketchUp, build reusable joinery components and generate a cut list ready for the workshop.

Draw an accurate floor plan in SketchUp from scratch or from a scanned drawing, then pull it into 3D walls in minutes.

An honest look at SketchUp for iPad: features, Apple Pencil modelling, AR, file sync, pricing and where the desktop still wins.

Everything about SketchUp textures: built-in materials, free texture libraries, importing your own images, scaling, positioning pins and fixing stretched or blurry textures.

Every SketchUp keyboard shortcut that matters, for Windows and macOS, plus how to create your own custom shortcuts and the modifier keys that unlock each tool.

How to search, download, import and clean 3D Warehouse models without bloating your SketchUp file, plus how to upload your own models and avoid heavy components.

Everything new in SketchUp 2026 — AI features, performance boosts, LayOut updates and the full release notes. What's worth upgrading for and what isn't.

SketchUp crashed without saving? Recover your unsaved SketchUp file using autosave, backup .skb files and hidden temp folders — the complete recovery guide.

Yes — you can recover an unsaved SketchUp file after a crash. Find your autosave and backup files, restore lost work and prevent future SketchUp crashes.

Round corners and fillet edges in SketchUp using RoundCorner, FredoCorner or native tools. Quick tutorial with images and shortcuts.

Getting the "This does not appear to be a SketchUp model" error when opening your .skp file? Here are 5 fixes that actually work to open and repair a corrupted SketchUp file.

Change the measurement unit to millimeters (mm) in SketchUp Web / SketchUp Free. Quick guide to model in metric units directly in your browser.

The best way to export ArchiCAD to SketchUp. Compare the ArchiCAD to SketchUp plugin, IFC and DWG exports — a clean, lightweight workflow for architects.

How to find and calculate the volume of an object in SketchUp. Use Entity Info on a solid group or component to measure exact volume in m³, ft³ or liters.

Step-by-step methods to restore an unsaved or crashed SketchUp file from autosave, backup and temp folders. Works on Windows & Mac.

Free SketchUp version converter. Downconvert SketchUp files from 2024/2023/2022 to 2017 online, no install required. Step-by-step guide.

Import Google Earth terrain, buildings and imagery into SketchUp for site studies and urban design. Free workflow using PlaceMaker alternatives and Trimble tools.

How to push/pull multiple faces at once in SketchUp. The best free plugin and native trick to run a multiple push and pull on curves and grouped surfaces.

Why you can't type in dimensions when creating a rectangle in SketchUp — and how to fix it. Get the Measurements box working again for precise modeling.

Change the dimensions of an existing rectangle in SketchUp — the right way. Fix precise sizing, edit geometry and type exact measurements without redrawing.

Convert IFC to SKP the easy way. This IFC to SketchUp converter guide covers free online tools, the SketchUp IFC importer and the best plugins for BIM workflows.

Step-by-step guide to import IFC files into SketchUp Pro. Open, clean and reuse BIM models from Revit, ArchiCAD or Allplan directly in your SketchUp project.

Learn how to copy multiple objects with equal spacing in SketchUp using the Move + Copy shortcut and the /x, *x multiplier — perfect linear and radial arrays.

Reveal hidden geometry, groups and components in SketchUp with the View menu and Outliner. 30-second solution.

Learn how to unhide all objects, components, hidden geometry and layers in SketchUp Free, Pro and Web. Step-by-step shortcuts and fixes for 2026.

How to import a PDF into SketchUp on Windows and Mac. Free and Pro workflows to convert PDF drawings and plans into editable SketchUp geometry.

The best CPU for SketchUp Pro and rendering in 2026 — Intel and AMD picks compared for modeling speed, V-Ray, Enscape and real-time visualization.

Master the Smoove tool in SketchUp to sculpt terrain, hills and organic shapes from a sandbox mesh. Full smoove tutorial with tips for smoother results.

Every file format SketchUp can import (DWG, DXF, IFC, 3DS, OBJ, STL, KMZ, PDF and more) with size limits and the plugins you need.

How to purge a SketchUp model — remove unused tags, components, materials and styles to reduce file size, boost performance and clean up your project.

Duplicate objects in linear or radial arrays in SketchUp using Move+Ctrl and the /x, *x shortcuts. Beginner tutorial with visuals.

Use the Protractor and Dimension tools to measure any angle in SketchUp. Beginner-friendly tutorial with examples.

How to use SketchUp for free in 2026 — 3 legal ways: SketchUp Free web, the 30-day Pro trial and the student/educator license. Full comparison and setup guide.

Step-by-step guide to create an axonometric or isometric view in SketchUp. Set parallel projection, choose the right camera and export a clean axonometric drawing.

How to scale an image to a real, exact dimension in SketchUp using the Tape Measure tool. Perfect for tracing plans, photos and reference images to scale.

Rotate any object, group or component in SketchUp with the Rotate tool. Learn precise angles, axis locking, and copy-rotate shortcuts. Beginner-friendly guide.

How to change the SketchUp background to white in seconds. Edit the sky, ground and style settings to get a clean white background for exports and renders.

Change the measurement unit in SketchUp — millimetres, centimetres, metres, inches or feet. Model Info settings, defaults and per-file templates.

Learn the real difference between Groups and Components in SketchUp — copy behaviour, editing, performance impact. Beginner-friendly guide with examples.