converting to DXF files - free version

[Don Baer]

OK I might have missed this discussion so I'll ask the question again. I have used Sketchup for a long long long long time...(ok I'm old, I'll admit it). Now that I have embarked on the dark path know as CNC I am finding that free free version of sketch up wont let me convert to dxf or stl files. I would need the pro version. I found a plugin but when i tried to install it sketchup wouldn't let me and tried to force me to upgrade to the latest version. what am i doing wrong .

 

[Brent Dowell]

What exactly are you trying to accomplish? I.e. what program is your intended destination?

Vcarve can import vectors from skp files directly. I used that when I designed my record crates in sketchup, then used vcarve to create the tool paths.

 

[Don Baer]

i was trying to get a part into Lazy Cam.

 

[Brent Dowell]

Ahh, Don't know about lazy cam. Yeah, I'm not sure I had success trying to get an skp file -> DXF, but will be very interested if there is a way.

 

[Darren Wright]

There used to be a dxf plugin for SU 2016, but I'll have to see if it works with 2017 or later. There is an stl import for 2017, I use it quite often.

 

[Dave Richards]

DXF export from SketchUp is a pro feature. There is a basic DXF exporter at Sketchucation. Would be worth a try.

GKWare_Simple_DXF | SketchUcation

3D SketchUp Community for Design and Engineering Professionals.

sketchucation.com

 

[Darren Wright]

i was trying to get a part into Lazy Cam.

I remember using lazy cam early on, but was a lot of trial/error. Depending on what you're wanting to do, there may be a vectric tool that is in budget. Give them a try and you'll save yourself a lot of head aches. It took me a while to swallow that pill, but not sorry I did...now.

 

[Don Baer]

I remember using lazy cam early on, but was a lot of trial/error. Depending on what you're wanting to do, there may be a vectric tool that is in budget. Give them a try and you'll save yourself a lot of head aches. It took me a while to swallow that pill, but not sorry I did...now.

right now i am just studying whats available while waiting for parts....lol. I haven't decided what direction i want to take.

 

[Bill Arnold]

... I am finding that free free version of sketch up wont let me convert to dxf or stl files. ...

There's an extension that works in SU Make 2017 to export and import STL files. I've used it for several years to export drawings for 3D printing.

 

[Don Baer]

There's an extension that works in SU Make 2017 to export and import STL files. I've used it for several years to export drawings for 3D printing.

I don't have 2017, I Have sketchup verion 8 which I believe is newer than 2017 and there is one for it also but when I try to install the plugin I get...and error.

 

[Dave Richards]

I don't have 2017, I Have sketchup verion 8 which I believe is newer than 2017 and there is one for it also but when I try to install the plugin I get...and error.

No. Version 8 is ancient by software standards. (Initial release 9-1-2010) It was replaced by SketchUp 2013. SketchUp 8 was the last of the Google versions and their web interfaces haven't been functional for a long time because Google discontinued those links. Versions between 2013 and 2016 no longer function with the old web interfaces either so the Extension Warehouse and 3D Warehouse aren't supported. (This is due to Windows discontinuing support for IE)

You can go to the Extension Warehouse in your browser and download the .rbz file. Assuming you have V8 M2, you should have an Install Extension button in Window>Preferences>Extensions. You can use that to install the extension. Restart SketchUp after the extension has been installed.

 

[Leo Voisine]

Lazy Cam is one of the freewares that I played with about 13 years ago. I think it WAS an extension of Mach3, but no longer supported. I didn't like it.

V-Carve Cut2D desktop is by far better than lazycam ever thought about being. It is $149.00 and there is a free trial. I would recommend that.

 

[Brent Dowell]

You can download the 2017 version here https://help.sketchup.com/en/downloading-older-versions

What plugin were you trying to use? I found 3, none of them are really free, that I can tell. I downloaded one, and it would be good for a 7 day free trial. I uninstalled it.

 

[Dave Richards]

You can download the 2017 version here https://help.sketchup.com/en/downloading-older-versions

Also sketchup.com/download/all

 

[Vaughn McMillan]

There's an extension that works in SU Make 2017 to export and import STL files. I've used it for several years to export drawings for 3D printing.

Thanks, @Bill Arnold! I've been seeking such a tool.

 

[glenn bradley]

I have no CNC or 3D printer. I do see the tone of this thread leading away from Lazy Cam. I just want to toss out there that I have been a lot happier moving to something others have posted success with when I am struggling with something new. I tend to get hooked on what I think the product should do. This is a time killer. I just mean to share one of the things I used to do a lot and do less now as I have learned that change can be good ;-)

 

[Don Baer]

I found an easy fix, This site has two versions, one for the older versions of Sketchup and one for the new version, I tested both and seems to be pretty simple.

Convert Sketchup SKP files to DXF or STL | guitar-list

This is a plugin script for Google's free 3D design program Sketchup. The free version of Sketchup has limited file export options and many CAM programs will not recognise the native Sketchup (SKP) file format. This plugin allows you to export your Sketchup model as a DXF or STL files readable...

www.guitar-list.com

Oh and Dave I tried the newest version and decided I wasn't ready for it but i did upgrade to 2017.