SketchUp File Formats Explained: SKP, DWG, STL, OBJ, 3DS, IFC
Leave a Comment / By How to SketchUp / August 1, 2026
Pick the wrong export format and you lose materials, scale or geometry, sometimes all three. This guide explains every format SketchUp reads and writes, what survives the trip, and which one to choose for each destination. If you are new here, the SketchUp beginner guide covers the basics first.
SKP: the native format
The .skp file holds everything: geometry, materials, tags, scenes, styles and component hierarchy. It is also version-locked, which trips people up constantly. A file saved in a newer release will not open in an older one. Use File > Save As and pick an earlier version, or use a dedicated tool such as downconvert-sketchup-files.com when you receive a file newer than your installed release.
DWG and DXF: exchanging with CAD
The standard route to AutoCAD, Revit and most engineering tools. SketchUp Pro imports and exports both; the free versions do neither. Export 2D DWG from a Parallel Projection scene for plans and sections, or 3D DWG for solids. Materials do not survive, layers map to tags, and text and dimensions can shift, so always check the result in the receiving application.
STL: 3D printing
Geometry only. No colours, no materials, no units embedded beyond the export choice, so always export in millimetres. The model must be a watertight solid or the slicer will refuse it. Full details in our SketchUp 3D printing guide.
OBJ and FBX: rendering and game engines
Both carry geometry, UV mapping and material references, and both are SketchUp Pro exports. Use OBJ for render engines and Blender, and FBX for Unreal, Unity and Twinmotion, since FBX also supports cameras and animation data. Textures export as a separate folder; keep it with the file or the materials arrive blank.
3DS: legacy but still around
Limited to 65,536 polygons per mesh and 8-character material names. Only use it when a legacy application demands it; OBJ or FBX is better in every other case.
IFC: BIM exchange
SketchUp Pro exports IFC 2x3 and IFC 4, carrying classification data as well as geometry. Useful for handing models to Revit, ArchiCAD or Solibri. It only works well if you have classified your components properly through the Advanced Attributes and Classifier tools; otherwise you export a pile of untyped solids.
COLLADA (DAE) and glTF: web and AR
DAE is the classic route into Google Earth and older web viewers. For modern web and AR, glTF/GLB is the format to target because it packs geometry, PBR materials and textures into a single compact file. SketchUp reaches glTF through extensions or an intermediate OBJ conversion.
PDF, EPS and images: presentation
2D vector output from a Parallel Projection scene exports as PDF or EPS, which is what you want for line drawings and printing. For raster images, export PNG at two or three times your target size and always tick anti-aliasing.
Quick recommendations
- To AutoCAD: DWG
- To a 3D printer: STL
- To Blender or V-Ray standalone: OBJ
- To Unreal or Twinmotion: FBX
- To Revit or BIM: IFC
- To web or AR: glTF/GLB
- To an older SketchUp: SKP saved down to that version
Format-conversion and export plugins are listed in our best SketchUp extensions roundup, and the full interoperability workflow is covered in the SketchUp Master course.
FAQ
What file format does SketchUp use?
SketchUp uses the native .skp format, which stores geometry, materials, tags, scenes and styles. The format is version-specific, so newer files will not open in older releases.
Can SketchUp Free export DWG or STL?
The free web version exports STL and a few other formats, but DWG and DXF import and export are reserved for SketchUp Pro and Studio.
How do I open a newer SketchUp file in an older version?
Ask the sender to use File > Save As and pick your version, or run the file through an online SketchUp downconverter that rewrites it to an earlier release.
Which format keeps materials and textures?
OBJ, FBX, DAE and glTF carry material and UV data. STL and DWG carry geometry only, so colours and textures are lost.
What is the best format for exporting SketchUp to Blender?
OBJ is the most reliable, keeping geometry, UVs and material assignments. FBX also works and is preferable when you need cameras or hierarchy data.