panixia,

Right, sounds odd, but this how it is. I use SU 8 Pro and max 2012. The geometry comes ungrouped to single simple solids, not meshes or faces. So as you said MAX doesn't support sub-groups. Yes, I agree that I can group them in MAX, however it's extra work which I wouldn't do.
As for OBJ - I couldn't open in MAX because of some error (don't remember exactly what it was). 3ds is too large (SKP is around 40 Mb) to be converted within acceptable period of time, thus my choice is SKP. Works very well except the above mentioned disadvantage. Probably I should use layers when modelling in SU. It's kind of things I always trying to avoid since it makes work more complicated. Anyhow, thanks for reply, dude.
I can't attach the original SKP since it's too large, sorry.

Hi guys,
I'm trying to open SKP in 2d MAX, however all the objects I have as groups and components in Sketchup come ungrouped. Any suggestions how to keep them grouped in 3d MAX (some magic button, perhaps )?
Thanks in advance,
Andrew.

jasonh1234,

You may like to use another columns at the front entrance (see the attachement).

Regards,
Andrey.

Column_Doric.skp

Here http://www.ogleearth.com/2006/09/google_earth_40_3.html are some suggestions regarding videocard (FireGL in particular)settings for Google Earth. Not sure it will work for SU, but who knows... Hope it will help.