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

samuel_t · 17 Feb 2022, 09:34

Hi there, appreciate the effort!

I have been trying to use it on obj and 3ds file, but it keeps showing error

Universal Importer Error: invalid byte sequence in UTF-8

Any idea how to solve this? Thank you

Hi,

Does your input model filename or path contain non-ASCII characters?

maxicus · 18 Feb 2022, 15:19

Problem with dxf files

When I try to import a dxf file no error occurs and SU recognises the dxf file as a new component, but there is no content!

I get a prompt to place the import, but then there is nothing there.

Any idea what might be wrong?

Many thanks,

Max

samuel_t · 25 Feb 2022, 10:57

@arakon said:

Found an issue with "small" models.
Example: I'm importing a functional model that is 95x46x75.45mm in size. The STL is 75.45 tall, however, in order for it to import semi-properly, I have to use the 46mm as height.
However, the model, when imported, is actually 99.12x47.99x78.72mm in size, so it's actually 104.3261% of the original size in all directions.
If I import it at a factor of 100 (telling it that the STL is 4600mm in height), then downscale it to 0.01 in Sketchup, the size is correct.

Sorry for the late reply. Thanks for your report. Universal Importer plugin contains too many hacks (scaling is one of them). This plugin needs a partial or full rewrite, but I can't promise it will happen.

samuel_t · 25 Feb 2022, 15:58

@maxicus said:

Problem with dxf files

When I try to import a dxf file no error occurs and SU recognises the dxf file as a new component, but there is no content!

I get a prompt to place the import, but then there is nothing there.

Any idea what might be wrong?

Many thanks,

Max

Can you please send us the DXF file you try to import?

RBC60HzVolts · 18 Apr 2022, 21:29

Am I missing something? I followed the steps in the video (I think anyway) and all I can get is the mesh. I tried several times with an export from Blender - just mesh. Tried a stock obj file "Lego man" - same thing even when opening the jpg & png files. I tried uninstall the re-install (only wat I could find was Extension manager (just a clue after one of your comment replies).

samuel_t · 19 Apr 2022, 16:20

@rbc60hzvolts said:

Am I missing something? I followed the steps in the video (I think anyway) and all I can get is the mesh. I tried several times with an export from Blender - just mesh. Tried a stock obj file "Lego man" - same thing even when opening the jpg & png files. I tried uninstall the re-install (only wat I could find was Extension manager (just a clue after one of your comment replies).

It seems to me glTF import works better. Try to export your model to a .gltf file from Blender then import this .gltf file into SketchUp with Universal Importer plugin.

sketchgirl1 · 3 May 2022, 20:42

Hello: I downloaded it but when I click on it, the computer asks how I want to open it. What do I do now? I have Windows 11 and SketchUp 2017. Thanks.

Rich O Brien · 3 May 2022, 21:22

@sketchgirl1 said:

I downloaded it but when I click on it, the computer asks how I want to open it. What do I do now?

Use SketchUp to install it. You can't open .rbz files

TIG · 3 May 2022, 21:25

You don't 'open' an RBZ file.
You 'save' it onto your computer.
Make sure your web-browser is set up to do this...

When you have your RBZ in your Downloads folder you need to 'install' the RBZ's contents.
Open SketchUp and use the Extension Manager - it's menu location depends on the SketchUp version.
In the dialog that opens there's a button 'Install Extension...'
Click that, find the saved RBZ and SketchUp does the rest to it, and extracts its contents into your Plugins folder etc...

sketchgirl1 · 3 May 2022, 22:00

Okay I got it (Universal importer) showing up in extensions but when I click it it sends me to a donation page. I guess that means I must donate a dollar? I just tried free (for 15 days) FluidImporterPro and my SketchUp program crashed when I tried to import an FBX file chair. I have SketchUp 2017. Not sure how I know this one (Universal importer) will work. Maybe I might as well buy SimLab Obj Importer since that is already installed, from my free trial, and I know it works. Thank you.

sketchgirl1 · 3 May 2022, 22:22

Not sure exactly how to reply to your post in the right order. But anyway I finally imported my FBX chair file with Skimp importer, which worked very well. But it's expensive (a yearly charge of $80 I think - Simlab is that much for permanent license). But free for 5 days. So I guess this Universal Importer is a good option. I would just like to know, is that true that I must donate and then the importer will be accessible (the words "import" will show up when I press Universal extension, under extensions tab?) Thank you.

Rich O Brien · 3 May 2022, 22:38

@sketchgirl1 said:

is that true that I must donate

No, the tool resides under the File menu. The donation to Samuel is in the Extensions menu.

Donation are entirely up to the user.

sketchgirl1 · 14 May 2022, 08:22

@rich o brien said:

@sketchgirl1 said:

is that true that I must donate

No, the tool resides under the File menu. The donation to Samuel is in the Extensions menu.

Donation are entirely up to the user.

Yes now I see. I did watch that video showing you how to import, over on the left at bottom. But first donated a dollar trying to get it to work. No wait.. I made a mistake and requested a dollar first, then donated and cancelled the request. But I tried it on a chair and it worked. It insists that you assign a material though, before it will import. But it's great. Now I am going to try a large complicated HVAC Obj model; we'll see how that goes. Thank you!

DougJoseph · 24 May 2022, 21:22

Thanks for such a helpful plugin!

Whenever I try to import a simple 3mf file, the plugin asks me first for the model height. It shows a default of 1800 or some such. I don't know the height of the items I am importing. I have no way to know. Is there any way I can get it to accept the height of the model that is included in the model, which has a "unit" (almost always) of mm?

samuel_t · 17 Jun 2022, 12:55

A new version of Universal Importer plugin is coming... It will be less verbose and smarter about missing textures. Stay tuned!

samuel_t · 5 Jul 2022, 11:05

@dougjoseph said:

Thanks for such a helpful plugin!

@dougjoseph said:

Whenever I try to import a simple 3mf file, the plugin asks me first for the model height. It shows a default of 1800 or some such. I don't know the height of the items I am importing. I have no way to know. Is there any way I can get it to accept the height of the model that is included in the model, which has a "unit" (almost always) of mm?

If you are unsure about model height: cancel dialog, import continues. Wrong scale is a known issue

gomo25mail · 13 Jul 2022, 20:19

Hello, great idea, BUT when I tried to reduce the face count on many items, they only went up in face count.
Windows 11, SketchUp Make 2017.
Example: Used a simple vehicle (Jeep.skp) with 7537 faces. Tried to reduce to 4000. Ended up with more faces.

virtualbreizh · 15 Jul 2022, 15:21

Bonjour Samuel,
Merci pour votre plugin, cependant je n'arrive pas à le faire fonctionner sur Sketchup 19 Pro sur Mac. Je vois bien l'extension dans la liste des extensions mais la seule option disponible est "faire un don à l'auteur de l'extension" (ce que j'ai d'ailleurs fait )
Tristan Langlois

samuel_t · 15 Jul 2022, 16:36

@virtualbreizh said:

Bonjour Samuel,
Merci pour votre plugin, cependant je n'arrive pas à le faire fonctionner sur Sketchup 19 Pro sur Mac. Je vois bien l'extension dans la liste des extensions mais la seule option disponible est "faire un don à l'auteur de l'extension" (ce que j'ai d'ailleurs fait )
Tristan Langlois

Hello Tristan,

You don't need to donate. This plugin is free. In SketchUp menu, use "File > Import with Universal Importer...". Do you want a refund?

--

Bonjour Tristan,

Vous n'avez pas besoin de faire un don. Cette extension est gratuite. Dans le menu de SketchUp, utilisez "Fichier > Importer avec Importateur Universel...". Voulez-vous être remboursé ?

samuel_t · 15 Jul 2022, 16:40

@gomo25mail said:

Hello, great idea, BUT when I tried to reduce the face count on many items, they only went up in face count.
Windows 11, SketchUp Make 2017.
Example: Used a simple vehicle (Jeep.skp) with 7537 faces. Tried to reduce to 4000. Ended up with more faces.

Hello. Can you please send me this "Jeep.skp", as it is before polygon reduction attempt?