
Only entities that are currently visible in SketchUp are output to the 3DS file.
Show all the geometry you want to export. Or, instead of checking and reversing faces, you can select the Export Two-Sided Faces option when you export your 3DS file, as explained later in this section. Or, in the Styles browser, you can use the Face Settings to edit the default back face color so that the backs of faces stand out more than they do in the default gray. If you’re having trouble, orbit so you have a straight-ahead view of the face. Tip: Sometimes, it’s difficult to determine whether a face is truly facing outward or just shaded to show perspective. The left, side face needs to be reversed. In the following figure, you see a basic model with materials (left) and in monochrome (right). To reverse a face, context-click it and select Reverse Faces. By default, the face fronts are white and face backs are dark gray. (Remember that every face in SketchUp has a front and back.) To check that the face fronts point outward in SketchUp, select View > Face Style > Monochrome to see whether the back sides of a any faces point outward. Make sure the front of all your SketchUp faces point outward. Prepare your SketchUp modelīefore you export your SketchUp model, you need to do a little preparation:
The following sections explain how to prepare your SketchUp model for export, export to a 3DS file, select export options, and handle known issues with 3DS exports. PRO If you’re a SketchUp Pro user, you can export your SketchUp models as 3DS files. After you drop the file, any relevant Import dialog box opens so you can select your desired options. Tip: You can also drag and drop importable files into the drawing area.
From the Format drop-down list, make sure 3DS Files (*.3ds) is selected. If SketchUp doesn’t detect a units value in the 3DS file, SketchUp imports the 3DS file in inches, unless you specify a different value here. A 1cm x 1cm face imports into SketchUp with dimensions of 1 in x 1 in if you choose Inches in the drop-down list. For example, a face that is 1 cm x 1 cm is imported into SketchUp as 1cm x 1cm if your 3DS file has its units value set to centimeters and you select Model Units in this drop-down list. Or change the scale by changing the units.
(Optional) From the Units drop-down list, select the unit of measure that the 3DS file uses to import your 3DS geometry at a 1:1 scale. Leave the option deselected to leave triangulated faces as they are. If you want to remove these lines, selecting this option tells SketchUp to remove the lines automatically and saves you the tedious work of removing these lines by hand. (Optional) When selected, the Merge Coplanar Faces option removes triangulated lines from coplanar faces. The 3DS Import Options dialog box appears. From the Files of Type drop-down list, make sure 3DS Files (*.3ds) is selected.
Navigate to your 3DS file and select it.