Import SketchUp File to 3ds Max 2010 connection extension

3ds max 2010 connection extension or newer - It is able to import .skp files.

This tip for 3ds max 2010 connection extension. There is a scale issue.

Even if you created a model in SketchUp using the Decimal Meters, it looks like only you can use a system unit for inches in 3ds max when you are importing the SketchUp file, because only inch system units give you an absolute scale of 100 for objects.

Absolute scale is really important for editing and using UVWs. If you don’t have absolute number of 100, those functions don’t work correctly. You can fix this problem using Reset XForm but if there are many objects and some objects are instance, it is not good idea to do.

To me, this is all very inconvenient, because I often need to deal with international projects that using the metric scale. My main 3ds max file system is usually meters for these kinds of projects.

If your working file that system unit is meters and need to import a SketchUp file to the scene. Here is how.

1) Open new file and make sure your system unit is inches then import SketchUp file. Save this file.
2) Open new file again then change system unit to meters. Also, check Respect System Units in Files. No necessary to save this file.
3) Go to open file, then choose the file you just saved.
4) A message will pop up in a screen; File Load: Units Mismatch. Choose Rescale the file Objects to the System Units Scale? Ok to exist then save this file.
5) Open your main working file that system unit is meters. Import > Merge the file you created.

Now, your objects from SketchUp have absolute scale of 100 and the correct dimensions.