Importing vector shapes?

[J Wilson]

A few weeks ago I was playing with SketchUp, and I was really wishing there was a way to import vector shapes from Illustrator, since I'm much more comfortable with Illustrator's environment for making vector shapes. Maybe I just didn't look hard enough, but I couldn't find anything. Is there a way to do that?

[AsaB]

Yes, there is a way!

Are you familiar with the .dwg or .dxf formats? After I've drawn shapes or ground plans in a CAD program like AutoCAD or Vectorworks, I then export my contours into SU. You have to own SU Pro to be able to import and export such 'advanced' formats, though, so make sure you have that :)

So, just export your vector work from Illustrator into these CAD formats (dwg or dxf), and then import that file into SU.

Feel free to ask me if you need any further explanations :)

[darkwolf29a]

So, I'm guessing from your explanation that you cannot do it with the free version. :(

Oh well...I'll do it the old fashion way, by hand.

[AsaB]

Ah no, I'm fairly sure that'd be impossible with the free version :( I'm an architecture student so I use these export and import options a whole lot, but I guess the owners saw no need for that option for regular users. It's quite silly!

But if it's something that'd save you loads of time, I'd definitely recommend the pro version, it's not that expensive.

[J Wilson]

Thanks AsaB! I'll check into the full version if I find myself using Sketchup more than I currently do. For the time being I use it to fool around, or to mock up perspective quickly for an illustration.

[AsaB]

Ok cool, glad to help! It's a real pity the free version doesn't have this exporting option.

[darkwolf29a]

I understand why though. If they allowed a lot of exporting and importing...No one would pay for it. ;)

Thanks for the information though. I won't waste any time looking around for it, that's for sure.