Question on importing OBJ and STL files

SketchUp Pro
1

Hi guys, I recently received an OBJ and STL file of a table base. I could not seem to import the OBJ file? It is in my downloads but when I try to import it into sketchup and go to my downloads it does not show up? But, It does show up in downloads when I don’t try to import through sketchup? Kinda weird.

I was able to download the STL file and I attached a screen shot of that. Is there a way I can get rid of all the geometry lines quickly and easy? I have exported OBJ files but never imported them.

Any help would be greatly appreciated?

Thank you

Jay

STL FILE
STL FILE1317×1548 399 KB

2

Use soften and smooth on the object will make it look more like you are used to seeing.

There are also extensions that will physically remove the additional diagonals you don’t normally see in SketchUp.

Cleanup3 will do both in one go

3

When importing STL you can go into Options, and choose the merge coplanar faces option. That will get rid of a lot of lines.

4

Also, after importing, run CleanUp3 to merge coplanar faces. In my experience it will further reduce the number of edges from what Merge Coplanr Faces in the importer does.

If I had to work with the model you show in your screenshot, I would model the pase from scratch and I would extract the profile of one of the columns to use with a circle of 48 or at most 96 sides and Follow Me, make that a component and copy it to the other location. Then I’d delete the import. That would help to keep the file bloat to a minimum and performance up.

5

Thank you guys! Great info here. Dave, maybe a dumb question but is there a way to extract that profile without trying to draw it ? If that make sense :slight_smile:

Thanks guys!

Jay

6

Yes. That makes sense. The importeed object comes in as a component. Draw a rectangle on the centerline and extending out through one side of the column. Select the face of the rectangle, right click on it, choose Intersect Faces>With Model. Then you can move the component out of the way or hide it, or even delete it from the model space. Erase what isn’t the profile for the column and use the profile for Follow Me.

Something like this:
extract

7

WOW!!! Thanks Dave! I never knew you could do that :slight_smile:

Jay

8

You’re welcome. It’s a great way to extract profiles for complex shapes to use again.

9

Thanks again Dave! Worked great!!

Jay

meghan base
meghan base1920×2560 587 KB