Exporting Google Sketchup models

 

This plug-in is for FREE and we offer no warranty for it.

For improving it please send us an email to contact@optimalprograms.com

- version 1.4 -

 

 

Google Sketchup is a program for designing 3D models. By using it you can rapidly draw objects like furniture, buildings, 3D structures.

 

Optimal Programs offers you a free plugin which export the size of pieces from a Google Sketchup model to Cutting Optimization pro.

 

For exporting the models created with Google Sketchup please follow the steps:

 

1. Download the Google Sketchup plugin from:

 

http://www.optimalprograms.com/cut.rbs

 

2. The program works only with version 7 (or newer) of the Google Sketchup. If you don't have this version please download it from here.

 

3. Close all instances of Google Sketchup.

 

4. Locate the folder where Google Sketchup has been installed. By default it should be:

 

C:\Program Files\Google\Google SketchUp 7\

 

5. Copy the file cut.rb (previously downloaded) in the Plugins folder.

 

The full path should be C:\Program Files\Google\Google SketchUp 7\Plugins

 

6. Start Google Sketchup.

 

In Plugins menu you should see a submenu called Cutting Optimization pro

 

7. Load a model (structure) in Google Sketchup.

 

The model must meet some basic requirements:

 

- Parts must be either of type Group or ComponentInstance 

- We dont export faces, simpled edges, etc. For instance, the walls of a locker must be 3D components (or groups) which have Height, Width and Depth.

- The pieces which are NOT placed parallel with the axes of coordinates must be initially created as Component having the edges parallel with the axes of coordinates and then moved to the new position. If this requirements are not implemented, the size of the pieces will not be correctly exported.

 

An example of a 3D model can be found here (click for download).

 

google sketchup cutting optimization pro

 

 

8. Select the components and groups that you want to export to Cutting Optimization pro.

 

9. Press menu Plugins | Cutting Optimization pro

 

10. You will be asked about the label of your piece. It can be either the name of the piece or the name of the piece + name of the layer. Press OK.

 

11. If the export was successful, then a message will appear that contains the file name and the path where the data have been saved. The file has the same name with the Sketchup file, but with dbt extension (which is the native extension for Cutting Optimization pro files). The folder where the file is saved is the same with the folder where the Sketchup file is located.

 

12. Now you can load the .dbt file in Cutting Optimization pro (like a Demand). You need at least version 4.x or 5.x of the Cutting Optimization pro. If you have an older version please download a newer one from here.