SketchUp to Arkio and back

The Arkio SketchUp plugin allows you to export and update models from SketchUp 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 to Arkio. We currently support models with materials and textures, and exporting your Arkio creations back to SketchUp in the same coordinates. More functionality will be added in the coming months. The latest Rhino, Revit and Sketchup plugins come with our Windows installer that can be downloaded from our website.

Sketchup to Arkio

To export your models from SketchUp you need to have the Arkio plugin installed, then open a model you want to export and press the export button found under the Arkio toolbar.

Once in Arkio, the SketchUp exports will be visible on your create>import drawer. The files saved in your import folder will be automatically converted to Arkio objects at runtime. You can also copy and import the file on mobile devices but it's easiest to import your models on a PC/Mac and just share them with mobile devices using an Arkio meeting.

Use placed on table to load the model as a locked reference with the same coordinates (to draw a new design on).

Or use place as object to place your sketchup model as an editable object (e.g. a piece of furniture that you want to move, or place in the scene multiple times).

Automatic Updates

When a change is made in SketchUp you can overwrite your model with a new version by exporting from SketchUp again. A spinning indicator shows on the file overview when models are loaded. When the new version of the model is available a yellow update icon will show above the model in the Arkio scene. Clicking this icon with your VR laser or mouse will update that model with the new version. You can update all imported geometry in your scene at once by clicking on the "update all" icon on the top left of your import drawer. Arkio will keep the old versions of your imported models so you can always revert back when needed. You can access all the older models in the import model dialog date dropdown.

Arkio to SketchUp 

To import your models from Arkio back to SketchUp you can open the design option models overview and click the export button. Once the export is made for SketchUp an export confirmation will be shown on your models.

Back in SketchUp you can open our SketchUpPlugin import and go to the Arkio/Export/Rhino folder and select the file you want to import. All Arkios geometry, components, sketches and 3D map buildings will then be converted to SketchUp geometry.

Known issues/limitations:

• Loading of heavy files is not recommended, try to keep your models below 200K polygons to avoid crashes and VR performance loss when working with mobile devices like the Oculus Quest.
• If you experience issues loading your models try to load the OBJ exports in the Windows 3D viewer, 3DSMax or Rhino to see if the files load well there and what geometry might be causing the issue.
  
• Sometimes failing imported models affect the loading of other files. Cleaning your temporary ResourceCache files can solve most issues.

Best practices SketchUp modeling

• Arkio only supports one-sided faces (for now) please make sure your SketchUp models have closed polysurfaces and your single face surfaces are modeled with the normal (white surface) facing outward.