Import SVG image and extrude based on contours

SketchUp
1

Hello!
I have a (simple) question. Is there any way to get a SVG Image into Sketchup 2016 and then extrude it based on contours? I’m trying to make a 3D map from a 2D topographical map that I have.
I have looked around a bit and the plugins that i found in the depths of the internet did not work.
So does anyone know how to do this?
I don’t want to put the image into SketchUp and then draw all of the lines by hand, because it is a large file ( the SVG is about 2MB big ).

I would be really thankful for any help!

2

I haven’t see any SVG importers but you could open the file in Inkscape and save it as a DXF file which could be imported into SketchUp. Generally you’ll need SketchUp Pro to import vector files, though.

1 Like
3

So there is not easy and free way to do this?

4

Getting from SVG to DXF is easy enough and Inkscape is free.

5

But to use DXF with SketchUp you would need SketchUp Pro, right?
I already have Inkscape.

6

Yes. CAD imports are a feature of SketchUp Pro. They are considered the sort of thing needed for commercial applications. Of course if you’re using SketchUp for work, you would need to have Pro anyway.

7

Well, thank you for the quick reply! I think I’ll just convert the image to BMP or something, load it into SketchUp and trace the lines by hand. If I had lots of things like this to do, I would buy Pro, but this is the only thing i have to do with SVG and SketchUp.
So, I think i know what i’ll be doing in the next few days …

Thank you for all your answers!

1 Like
8

Thanks for the tip of using Inkscape for the SVG to DXF. That worked great. I used…

  • Save As > Desktop Cutting Plotter (AutoCAD DXF R14) *.dxf.
  • Options: use LWPOLYLINE type of output with a Base Unit of “Inch”.
  • All other default settings.

The contours came into SketchUp (Pro) just as lines, quick and easy. Thanks!