I’ve published a new 3D model and it won’t load in the viewer. It’s 35 megabytes large. How can I reduce it to a more manageable size?
It depends on why it’s 35 Mb.
Share the .skp file so we can see what might be done to reduce the size. Upload it to DropBox or We Transfer and share the link.
What version of SketchUp are you using? Complete and update your forum profile please.
Here’s the Dropbox link. I was able to upload the model, but I can’t view it.
I’m running SketchUp Pro 2025
Fix your forum profile.
The file you linked to is only 19Mb. I was able to reduce it to 15.7 with a few cleanup steps. First I fixed incorrect tag usage …
And then I purged unused stuff from the model. Next I reduced the largest textures a bit.
Then I ran CleanUp3.
There is a bunch of entourage that could stand to be simplified. For example the kitchen sink. Do you really need the grates in it?
Have you tried opening the file in the online viewer? The downloadable viewer is not supported anymore. There are several threads on that topic in the Viewer category.
Thank you. I’m using the online viewer. I’ll try it again. I don’t need the great in the sink.
There´s a free plugin in the sketchucation website called CG Impact report, it will show you what models are making the file heavier.
in the extension warehouse, no need to go to sketchucation for that one.
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Hi Dave -
What would be the ideal file size for the viewer? I published a new model. Where can I find the tool that “purges” unused layers, etc.?
I don’t know if there’s a real “ideal” size but the smaller the better. The file you shared wasn’t very large. It wasn’t the 35 Mb you reported in your original post. It should work OK in the online viewer.
A big part of optimizing your models no matter how you use them is to avoid adding unneeded details. If it doesn’t convey important information don’t put it in.
I used Purge All which is available from the Sketchucation ExtensionStore but you can also use Purge Unused in Model Info>Statistics to do the purging.
Would you please complete your forum profile? That information helps us help you.
I removed the elevations and some of the scenes. It’s 18 megs now but the viewer doesn’t load it. Can you see it in the viewer?
I just uploaded the file to my Trimble Connect storage and opened it in the viewer. It works fine on my end.
I hadn’t noticed before but the viewer doesn’t handle the fake openings cut by components such as windows. Maybe @daniel_pidcock might have insight on that.
Thanks. Can you go inside and see the new stairs?
Here’s the link that gets generated from 3D Warehouse:
app.sketchup.com/app?3dwid=f52594bf-948d-47bf-be74-5ad33689e24e
It loads and looks fine in the 3D Warehouse preview, but that not the online viewer… ???
I can see the model and work with it in the 3D Warehouse Viewer (see screenshot),
but it won’t load in the online viewer. It just keeps showing the oscillating 3D icon…
Also of some interest is I have never seen my windows and doors not display perfectly in the Viewer, on any of my models, ever.
I just uploaded it to my Trimble Connect and all is working, but I do see that only the windows in the rear of the second floor are semi-normal. See below:
As I wrote, I don’t know why the fake openings from the windows aren’t displayed by the online viewer. I pinged Daniel to see if he has any input.
Thank you Dave. I’m trying to get the homeowner to see this thing. I’ve shared my screen with him, and he’s enthused, but the link doesn’t work!
When I said “online viewer”, I meant app.sketchup.com, not the trimble connect viewer. The link you get from “share a link” in sketchup desktop/web, e.g.:
If that has problems with rendering windows, I’d be surprised (and if it does please raise a bug ticket).
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Hi Dan -
The link below is to my model that I uploaded to the 3D Warehouse. The model is 18 megs and I can’t see it in the viewer. I’m trying to send a link to the homeowner so we can get started with construction. So there’s skin in the game.
http://app.sketchup.com/app?3dwid=f52594bf-948d-47bf-be74-5ad33689e24e