Hello everyone

The 1.2.6 version:

• Allows you to specify the source model units (millimeters, centimeters, etc). Most probable units, for the model you are importing, are preselected to accelerate the workflow. However, be still attentive with unitless formats such as OBJ, real scale depends on specifications.

• Automatically fixes, on SketchUp 2018 and newer versions, bad texture coordinates of some glTF models and "unexpected face count after polygon reduction" issue. If you are a SketchUp 2017 user, you will find a manual solution in the Troubleshooting FAQ of the plugin.

• Handles polygon reduction of STEP/IGES/BREP models during the import.

• Automatically fixes orientation of STEP/IGES/BREP models for last time?

Download latest Universal Importer plugin from SketchUcation PluginStore.

@RLGL No but can I ask you for a coffee in exchange? I need more blood in my veins to fix the wrong scale problem

1.2.5 version:

• Provides finally a good support of STEP (AP203, AP214, AP242) files, thanks to the included Mayo command-line converter.

• Supports two new file formats: IGES (v5.3) and BREP, thanks again to the Mayo software and the Open CASCADE Technology.

Note 1: For the moment, reducing polygons when importing a STEP/IGES/BREP file is not possible. While waiting for a future version which will fill this gap, you can always reduce the polygons by clicking on the swan icon in the plugin toolbar.

Note 2: Although I can't confirm it, the import of STEP/IGES/BREP files should work on macOS as well.

Download latest Universal Importer plugin from SketchUcation PluginStore.

Hey @Gunner77,

It should works on SketchUp 2024. Let me know if not.

Hi @Jorgensen,

What exactly do you mean by "to control materials"?

In the Nodes Editor, it is possible to apply a material to the group resulting from a Draw pyramid node, for example.

This material comes from the active model. If this parametric schema is then imported into another model which does not have this material, it is then substituted by a random color.

Hi @Jorgensen,

The "Copy / Paste this node" feature is on my TODO list

@Jorgensen

You can extract, the shape from a group or component already available in the model, a shape a priori created outside the Nodes Editor.

Once imported into the Nodes Editor, this entity is represented by a “Draw shape” node, this entity is not as configurable as a pure parametric entity but you can still apply parametric operations to it, such as “Copy”, “Move”...

I can explain the formula inside this “Move”, if needed.

Note iterations can be slow if you use heavy shapes like those corinthian columns. I must optimize the performance of this plugin, at lost time :'D

Hi Jorgensen,

I am the author of the Parametric Modeling plugin, I am glad you are interested in it.

The problem is that I have too many projects in parallel and I develop them on my free time...
I intend to improve this plugin but I cannot give a release date.

I remain open to your ideas.

Cordially,
Samuel Tallet

1.2.4 version:

• Tries to preserve the original materials names. You should see less materials named <auto>1, <auto>2, etc.
• Enhances compatibility for (non textured) 3MF files and IRR files, thanks to Assimp's contributors!
• Supports an unlimited number of embedded textures (previously the maximum number was 1000).
• Includes an Assimp CLI tool compiled for the Intel Mac and Apple Silicon processors: M1, M2, etc.

Download latest Universal Importer plugin from SketchUcation PluginStore.

@jamesdavies0211 said:

[...] having some issues with importing blend and obj files.

Hi James!

Your .blend model was created with which version of Blender? Could you send it to me via PM please?

@waltersch said:

Here my workflow.

Construction on Sketchup 17. Export as collada file.
Import to 3DCoat for texturing. Export as obj file.
Import to Model Converter X for checking and file conversion. Export as obj file.

I do check the polygons in every step and they are the same in every step. Pic1 shows the correct wireframe so far.

Import to Sketchup with "Universal Importer Plugin". Now the wireframe is not as it was in all the steps ahead. Some of the edges are missing. I´m not using any polygon reduction. Pic2 shows the result after the import.

My question to you is only, why the imported wireframe is not the same as it was in all the other steps ahead. Because the wireframe is broken in some area, the texture does´nt fit any more.

For an additional explanation. The workfrlow may seam strange and all can be done with different software solutions much easier. You are all right, but this is my workflow I´m used to it.

Hi Walter,

I don't want to criticize your workflow, but try to have less conversion steps as this can cause problems.

Hello Pilou

It should be compatible with SketchUp 2017+.

The PBR 2.x plugin for SketchUp could render the atmosphere with volumetric clouds in real-time.

@ottown said:

Hi Samuel,

Have downloadeed the latest version along with sketchup pro 2023 for mac, but every time i try to import a model fbx or obj im getting the errow shown.
Any advise
Universal Importer Error: Command failed: cd "/Users/davidott/Downloads/Test" && "/Users/davidott/Library/Application Support/SketchUp 2023/SketchUp/Plugins/universal_importer/Applications/Assimp/Mac/assimp" export "uir-source.3ds" "uir-inter.obj" -tri

Hi David,

In this situation, the error message does not provide enough details. Maybe your macOS is not allowed to run Assimp executable?

@romanencom said:

Dear samuel_t, I just installed your plugin, but I can't import the step file, I get this message. At the same time, a duplicate of it with a different name is created in the folder with this file. You can help me?

Dear Roman,

Unfortunately, compatibility with the STEP format is low.

1.2.3 version doesn't display anymore the "Source dir of model to import is not writable" error message.

Download latest Universal Importer plugin from SketchUcation PluginStore.

@Sondre_S

Thanks for the technical details. I will solve this problem as soon as possible.

@rizkymfadh19 said:

this amazed me, really thank you for the plugin

I'm glad to hear that!

@poltava said:

Does not want to export FBX and other files. Reinstalling doesn't help

Try importing a 3D model stored in a folder to which you have write access.

@m_schulze said:

Universal Importer V1.2.2 does not import any stl file. Universal Import Error: No such file or directory @ rb_sysopen - C:/3D/bottle-opener/uir-inter.mtl
C:Users/ABC/. . ./SketchUp/Plugins/universal_importer/import.rb:170:in'read'
Please help (Sketchup Make 2017, Windows 10)
M_S

Could you please send me this STL file via Dropbox, for example?