[Plugin] Universal Importer - v1.2.6 - 30 July 2024

samuel_t · 6 Oct 2021, 12:29

How do I install your Universal Importer plugin in Sketchup 2021 Pro?

Follow instructions given in Universal Importer plugin documentation.

TIG · 6 Oct 2021, 13:12

If you use the PluginStore you login, find and download an RBZ archive for an extension.
Typically you save it in your Downloads folder.
In SketchUp use the Extension Manager and in its dialog use the Install... button, select the RBZ and it auto-installs for you...

Alternatively, if you have the SketchUcation Toolset installed then you find an extension's entry in its ExtensionStore³ dialog [red toolbar button opens that] and click the button against its entry in the dialog to install it automatically... [essentially skipping the need to manually download an RBZ file...]

fabrice · 7 Oct 2021, 11:32

Hello
Thank you very much for this plugin.
But I also have a problem with sketchup 2017, unable to import an obj, yet I have given the permissions.
A miracle solution ??

TIG · 7 Oct 2021, 12:22

Find the folder C:/ProgramData/Universal Importer/
Select its icon - select it and right-click > context-menu > Properties > Security > Edit...
Ensure that every entry listed has FULL permissions set...
OK to save changes.
Thereafter you should be able to read/write/delete files in that subfolder or its tmp folder...

fabrice · 7 Oct 2021, 17:02

great, it works THANKS !!!!

ekoek0999 · 1 Nov 2021, 18:41

thanks a million!
I was looking for a way to import pmx files into Sketchup, this one does the trick perfectly
You are a lifesaver!!!

Moltres Rider · 18 Nov 2021, 15:44

Plugin DOES NOT work with Sketchup 2020 STILL NO OPTION to import obj files and fbx files. In fact, it did not add a single new file format to import. Still just the usual default stuff

Rich O Brien · 18 Nov 2021, 15:47

JArtz · 19 Nov 2021, 04:22

Thank you so much. I certainly appreciate this.

I been wanting to use it to import my SVG vector creations - a text I made - (of which I have to export via FBX online), and it has helped a bit, only thing - I have to manually put in the lines of the text.

Still like the plugin.

Many thanks.

chalupsky · 7 Dec 2021, 01:23

So grateful to find this!!

Two questions, importing a .x model from Vehicle Simulator. The model materials do not map to the model (I choose cancel each time), and the scale of the model. I'm asked the maximum height, (1800mm), I cancel, and the model comes in at about 1/18 the size.

Any assistance appreciated!

Ekon · 7 Dec 2021, 19:49

@samuel_t said:

@paladinjnr said:

[...]

Hi Here is a link to the model as requested.

Filehorst wurde abgeschaltet! Filehorst has been shut down!

(filehorst.de)

[...]

Your model had absolute paths to textures. That's not supported by plugin.
I converted absolute paths to relative paths with a text editor. It's OK now:

[attachment=1:ewxujz9c]Fixed DirectX Model.png[/attachment:ewxujz9c]

Fixed model is attached below:

[attachment=0:ewxujz9c]fixed-directx-model.zip[/attachment:ewxujz9c]

Hello Samuel, first off, thank you so much for this superb tool!! I have the same issue about textures. I just installed the plugin and imported and FBX file but it comes in without textures. My base model comes from Revit. How can I re-path the textures so that the plugin car read / load them into Sketchup? (Text editor, ok, but how?)

samuel_t · 9 Dec 2021, 10:51

@chalupsky said:

So grateful to find this!!

@chalupsky said:

The model materials do not map to the model [...]

You don't select materials? Can you elaborate on this?

@chalupsky said:

I'm asked the maximum height, (1800mm), I cancel, and the model comes in at about 1/18 the size.

It's a known issue: sizing doesn't work for all models

samuel_t · 9 Dec 2021, 11:17

@ekon said:

Hello Samuel, first off, thank you so much for this superb tool!!

Hello Ekon! With pleasure

@samuel_t said:

[...] Your model had absolute paths to textures. That's not supported by plugin.
I converted absolute paths to relative paths with a text editor. It's OK now [...]

@ekon said:

I have the same issue about textures. I just installed the plugin and imported and FBX file but it comes in without textures. My base model comes from Revit. How can I re-path the textures so that the plugin can read / load them into Sketchup? (Text editor, ok, but how?)

First, if you can, upgrade Revit to latest version to increase chances to have more export options.
Then, tell me what export options Revit offers to you. Some .x (DirectX) and .fbx files are text-encoded. All .mtl files are plain text. Open exported file with a text editor to see if textures paths are editable.

p11205 · 3 Jan 2022, 03:05

Hi Samuel,
Thanks for making this plug in available. I am having the same issue as others when importing a model. The model itself imports fine but without textures. I have read your response to others about the absolute path but am not sure what to do. I have attached the model file below if you have a chance to take a look and advise. thanks

the file is here:
https://www.dropbox.com/t/cwZOdCb32a1BrBoZ

samuel_t · 3 Jan 2022, 15:56

@p11205 said:

Hi Samuel,
Thanks for making this plug in available.

Hi Paul

@p11205 said:

I am having the same issue as others when importing a model. The model itself imports fine but without textures. I have read your response to others about the absolute path but am not sure what to do. I have attached the model file below if you have a chance to take a look and advise. thanks

the file is here:
https://www.dropbox.com/t/cwZOdCb32a1BrBoZ

I successfully imported model as is on SketchUp 2017. See screenshot below. I followed these steps:

Extract whole archive.
Import "12044_w_Rae_30k.OBJ" file.
Cancel when plugin asks about "DefaultMaterial".

p11205 · 3 Jan 2022, 21:10

Hi Samuel,
Thanks for responding so quickly. I tried again as you outlined.after importing the 12044_w_Rae_30k.OBJ file I never got the message regarding default material from the plug in. The model again came in with no textures. Not sure how to proceed.

MikeG73 · 4 Jan 2022, 05:07

Hello Sam,

Is there a recommended way to get the most out of your model as you reduce its poly count, I mean I keep getting wild responses. I have tried 20/50/70% etc... and my models look like crap up, not at all like your deer example.

Should I break down the model into groups and reduce each group at the same settings??? I hope I am making sense!

Cheers Sam.

samuel_t · 4 Jan 2022, 06:12

@Paul To import this ".OBJ" file with its textures, extract also "12044_w_Rae_30k.mtl" file and "tex" subfolder. Keep folder hierarchy.

@Mike Hello I suppose groups don't matter. I don't know if there's an optimal percent... Poly reduction algorithm is in MeshLab hands.

Moltres Rider · 5 Jan 2022, 17:54

This plugin claims that it works with FBX files not it does not!

Every time I try to import an FBX file I ALWAYS get the following error message:
Universal importer failed to load file FBX-DOM unsupported format.

Obviously this plugin CANNOT handle FBX files

This shocks me that Google has no information on that specific error message since it is EVERY FBX file that results in this error

this plugin obviously does NOT support FBX files Please either fix this or remove the option to import FBX files because as it currently stands, Universal Importer does NOT support FBX files

Rich O Brien · 5 Jan 2022, 19:19

FBX file format can be Binary or ASCII. If your file is in a format the importer doesn't support it will throw errors.

Similar to how an FBX export from SketchUp cannot be opened in Blender.

Also older FBX versions can throw up some issues as well.

Many things can lead to an error. It may not be Samuel's lovely extension that is at fault.