# STL back to Sketchup? **URL:** \ **Category:** 3D Printing\ **Created:** [November 26, 2015, 4:22pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/stl-back-to-sketchup/18140 "2015-11-26T16:22:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![kburkk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@kburkk](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/kburkk)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2015, 4:22pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/stl-back-to-sketchup/18140/1 "2015-11-26T16:22:18Z")
Hello, I have been designing some prototype files to be 3d printed. Sketchup has been great and I’m very happy with the end results… there have been a few user errors along the way but not a big deal. Anyways I used a SLT exporter to change to STL and then opened them in Netfabb to fix any mesh issues and make them a solid model. So my question is there a way for taking a SLT file that is “repaired” so solid model not mesh issues and bring it back in to Sketchup? The Machine shop down the line wants a PDF file… any thoughts. thank you Keith ---
**Author:** ![DaveR](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/daver/32/7601_2.png) [@DaveR](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/DaveR)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2015, 4:24pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/stl-back-to-sketchup/18140/2 "2015-11-26T16:24:42Z")
The pro version of SketchUp can import STL files. ---
**Author:** ![kburkk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@kburkk](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/kburkk)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2015, 4:28pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/stl-back-to-sketchup/18140/3 "2015-11-26T16:28:44Z")
Dave, Thanks for the quick response. Is there another way? Its just that it 700.00 for pro and this is a home project. I don’t do this for a living. the designs I’m building are components for a 3d printer I’m designing and building so not for re sale even. Keith ---
**Author:** ![DaveR](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/daver/32/7601_2.png) [@DaveR](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/DaveR)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2015, 4:29pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/stl-back-to-sketchup/18140/4 "2015-11-26T16:29:56Z")
I don’t know of another way. ---
**Author:** ![kburkk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@kburkk](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/kburkk)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2015, 4:31pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/stl-back-to-sketchup/18140/5 "2015-11-26T16:31:07Z")
Ok thanks Dave. Keith ---
**Author:** ![DaveR](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/daver/32/7601_2.png) [@DaveR](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/DaveR)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2015, 4:32pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/stl-back-to-sketchup/18140/6 "2015-11-26T16:32:23Z")
What if you just fixed the model in SketchUp so you don’t need to bring the STL back in? ---
**Author:** ![Box](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/box/32/235164_2.png) [@Box](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/Box)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2015, 4:33pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/stl-back-to-sketchup/18140/7 "2015-11-26T16:33:44Z")
The stl plugin from the extension warehouse will export and import stl files. But I don’t know why you need netfab. ---
**Author:** ![kburkk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@kburkk](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/kburkk)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2015, 4:35pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/stl-back-to-sketchup/18140/8 "2015-11-26T16:35:04Z")
Well… lol I tryed to figure that one out a few days but it was beyond my expertise 😉 So I just ran it though netfabb and hit the fix button! I’m thinking you know of another way? Keith Edit: Box & Dave do you guys just wait to help me in the morning lol Again thank you!! I will look for a STL plugin. Really I did not think sketch up would have this. well that and I have Netfabb thank you! Keith ---
**Author:** ![Box](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/box/32/235164_2.png) [@Box](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/Box)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2015, 4:39pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/stl-back-to-sketchup/18140/9 "2015-11-26T16:39:12Z")
I thought we went through this and you fixed your models. Obviously not. But at 3.40am I’m not going deeper, Dave might be in a position to help. ---
**Author:** ![kburkk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@kburkk](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/kburkk)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2015, 4:46pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/stl-back-to-sketchup/18140/10 "2015-11-26T16:46:38Z")
Box, No not at all. I appreciate the help. Yesterday for me was just fixing the parts, the hole segments. I exported in netbabb after that work was done. But it was no issue there the machine shop today just told me they can not except STL files. I’m sorry if this is obvious I really don’t mean to be wasting anytime Ill spend more time researching my questions before I post from now on. Thank you Keith ---
**Author:** ![DaveR](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/daver/32/7601_2.png) [@DaveR](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/DaveR)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2015, 4:52pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/stl-back-to-sketchup/18140/11 "2015-11-26T16:52:40Z")
I haven’t looked at the STL extension in the Warehouse and maybe that’ll do what you need. As for making your model solid in SketchUp, I can’t imagine that it’s not possible. I’ll bet your mesh isn’t anymore complex than the one in my screen shot and as you can see, it is solid. ![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/original/2X/e/e042f1f909410b9f5e2ee694c9558c2f2ae049cd.png) (39.5K entities) I think the things that cause most folks problems when modeling is they get sloppy and don’t keep up on the housekeeping. ---
**Author:** ![Box](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/box/32/235164_2.png) [@Box](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/Box)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2015, 4:54pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/stl-back-to-sketchup/18140/12 "2015-11-26T16:54:58Z")
That’s ok, no it’s not obvious, but I don’t understand any machine shop asking for PDFs, but not being a Mac person they have always been a strange format for me. Perhaps they work differently for others. Most importantly would be to find out what file formats they can work with and what best suits them. ---
**Author:** ![colin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/colin/32/70101_2.png) [@colin](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/colin)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2015, 4:58pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/stl-back-to-sketchup/18140/13 "2015-11-26T16:58:33Z")
If you have a recent version of Photoshop, that can import STL or DAE (and 9 other formats), and export several different formats, including those two. ---
**Author:** ![kburkk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@kburkk](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/kburkk)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2015, 5:00pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/stl-back-to-sketchup/18140/14 "2015-11-26T17:00:08Z")
Dave, My parts are basic along with my skills. I’m just happily working my way though modeling. When I ran my models though Netfabb there was only one minor issue in the 8 parts and netfabb repaired that, so I’m sure the STL extention will be a great solution. It also saves me a step in the future if I don’t have to run my part though Netfabb so that’s great also. Ill go find a plug in now and give it a go! thanks for the help. Keith ---
**Author:** ![kburkk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@kburkk](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/kburkk)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2015, 5:04pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/stl-back-to-sketchup/18140/15 "2015-11-26T17:04:45Z")
Box, I agree when he said pdf??? the next question I asked him was if he was doing the machining manually or with a cnc. The fellow is getting back to me on how and with file type… I may be looking for a new shop also. Colin, I do have Photoshop I’m going to try the STL import export plugin but Ill definitely keep that in my back pocket! Thanks Keith ---
**Author:** ![Box](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/box/32/235164_2.png) [@Box](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/Box)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2015, 5:07pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/stl-back-to-sketchup/18140/16 "2015-11-26T17:07:18Z")
> [@kburkk](#): > > I may be looking for a new shop also. Sounds like a Good plan! ---
**Author:** ![colin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/colin/32/70101_2.png) [@colin](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/colin)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2015, 5:27pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/stl-back-to-sketchup/18140/17 "2015-11-26T17:27:43Z")
If you do try Photoshop, the sequence would be: 3D menu - New 3D Layer from File… 3D menu - Export 3D Layer… ---
**Author:** ![kburkk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@kburkk](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/kburkk)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2015, 5:31pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/stl-back-to-sketchup/18140/18 "2015-11-26T17:31:02Z")
Ill give it a try thanks Colin ---
**Author:** ![kburkk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@kburkk](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/kburkk)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2015, 5:57pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/stl-back-to-sketchup/18140/19 "2015-11-26T17:57:50Z")
I down loaded the STL import tool it worked great! I’m also calling around to a couple of other shops! thanks again Keith ---
**Author:** ![7clement](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/7/b3f665/32.png) [@7clement](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/7clement)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2015, 8:17am UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/stl-back-to-sketchup/18140/20 "2015-12-04T08:17:27Z")
Hi, I’ve been using two plugins within sketchup. Get them from the extension warehouse : solid inspector and STL plugin. Solid inspector will find holes and other issues with your model. It’ll show them to you and you fix them yourself. Using long enough snap distance in preferences will also help. PDF is 2D format and if your 3D printing shop doesn’t know of STL, change quick ! You also have an option with online services like Sculteo. Have fun.