Using GoogIe SketchUp 6 to Produce 3D PrintabIe ModeIs

By
Dan Topjian
Z Corp Application Engineer

Google provides two versions of their popular software which you can use to create,
modify, view and share 3D models. Although Google SketchUp 6 is free for anyone, it
does not allow for the exportation of 3D models in a 3D format which is supported on Z
Corporation 3D printers. Google SketchUp Pro 6, however, adds the ability to share
your data in various formats, and currently retails for $495. Below is a comparison of
Google's SketchUp 6 & SketchUp Pro 6:



Z Corporation's 3D printers support VRML, 3DS, STL & PLY file formats. Since many
users choose to use the free version of Google SketchUp 6, we'd like to share a data
path which will allow SketchUp 6 users to export their file to VRML, and produce full
colored/textured 3D pintable models.

One quick and easy way to export SketchUp 6 files to VRML is with the aid of Media
Machines' free Flux Studio 2.1

www.mediamachines.com

"Flux Studio 2.1 is a powerful modeling and animation application for creating real-time
Web 3D (X3D) content and virtual worlds on the Web.

"Flux Studio 2.1 has many new features including: Google Earth/SketchUp 3D file
import; Extruded text; Avatar Studio 2.0 support; Smart object editor; Javascript editor.

"Flux Studio 2.1 is free for personal and academic use.

Exporting SketchUp 6 files to VRML is quick and easy. Simply follow the following
steps and you will be on your way to producing 3D printable models.

SketchUp 6 to VRML Data Path:



Create / Open your 3D model in SketchUp 6 color and texture accordingly.
Above modeled and textured an angle bracket for demonstration purposes.



Select File > Export > 3D Model.


Select "Google Earth 4 (*.kmz) as the Export type. Name your model and "Export.



Open Media Machines' Flux Studio 2.1
Select File > mport Google Earth (.KML/.KMZ).





Locate/Select/Open your SketchUp 6 .KMZ file.



Select File > Export X3D or VRML.



A folder (with the name of your file) will automatically be created. Save your VRML
(.WRL) file to this folder. All texture maps will also be stored in this folder in the
conversion process. Select "VRML File (*.wrl) as the file type, and select
"Uncompressed. Select "Save to create a VRML file.



Within your file folder, will be your VRML (.wrl) file
(highlighted above) and its associated image/texture maps.



Since the Flux Studio 2.1 download includes Flux Player 2.1,
you can double click your VRML file to view it in Flux Player.
Be sure to select your desired viewpoint (located above the nfo,
Preferences and Help buttons) for better viewing of your model.



With your VRML file completed, you can now open it in ZPrint.


As a best practice, it is recommended that you review your model (simply step
through the layers) in 2D mode (3D / Layer View) within ZPrint to make certain
that your 3D model is indeed a complete, printable solid.



Angle Bracket model printed on Spectrum Z510.
A Word About SketchUp 6

Whether you use Google's SketchUp 6 or SketchUp Pro 6, you can certainly create
great models for printing on Z Corporation's 3D printers. However, you must take into
consideration that SketchUp does not automatically create solid model geometry for
printer output. Since SketchUp creates models in polyframes, and not polymeshes, you
must remember to close off all open shells so that each shell is without holes (and that
each shell is capable of "holding water). f you maintain this principal when creating
your SketchUp model file for 3D printer output, you will less likely encounter potentially
problematic geometry; geometry which could then require post file fixing efforts.

SketchUp provides an easy and unique way of modeling (adding) new geometry onto
existing geometry; for example, quickly adding one smaller box on top of another larger
box. Since SketchUp does not automatically close off existing shells, this type of
modeling can cause problematic geometry. t is this potential for problematic geometry
within SketchUp, that Z Corporation recommends that you create each object/shell
individually to ensure that each shell is completely closed off, and that a joining surface
is not accidentally shared between two adjoined shells; hence causing one shell to be
potentially open (not a complete solid). After which, each closed shell can then be
placed into position to create the desired model.

For more information on creating 3D printable models, please see Z Corporation's
"Architecture Design Guide located on Z Corporation's 3DP User Website.

https://www.3dpuser.com/applications/docs/Architecture%20Design%20Guide.pdf