Import a DeckDraft model into SketchUp

Download the model from DeckDraft

The export starts inside the DeckDraft job—not in SketchUp. Open the job you want to share, switch to the 3D view, and use the Download menu in the workspace control bar.

1. 1Open the job in DeckDraftOpen the saved customer job and confirm this is the revision you intend to send.
2. 2Choose 3DSelect 3D in the workspace view row and wait for the assembled model to appear.
3. 3Click DownloadIn the 3D workspace control bar, open Download, then choose SketchUp ZIP. On a compact layout, choose Export SketchUp ZIP in the 3D controls.
4. 4Keep the downloaded ZIP togetherYour browser saves a file beginning deckdraft-sketchup-. Keep that original ZIP intact until you choose the Desktop or Web instructions below.

Choose the SketchUp import path

DeckDraft exports a COLLADA handoff package rather than a native .skp file. SketchUp reads the DAE geometry and its referenced texture images, after which you save the imported result as a normal SketchUp model.

Use the standard import for most handoffs. The optional component helper is useful only when the recipient plans to edit many repeated boards, posts, pickets, or similar parts in SketchUp.

Keep the package contents together

The ZIP is a small folder-based model package. Desktop users should extract the entire archive to one folder; moving only the DAE commonly causes missing materials.

Import into SketchUp Desktop

1. 1Extract the complete ZIPCreate a job-specific folder and extract every file. Confirm deckdraft-model.dae and the textures folder are side by side.
2. 2Start with an empty SketchUp modelA clean file makes scale, origin, hierarchy, and accidental duplicates easier to verify. You can move the imported deck into a larger site model after checking it.
3. 3Choose File > ImportSet the file type to COLLADA File (*.dae), browse to the extracted folder, and select deckdraft-model.dae.
4. 4Review DAE import optionsLeave Validate COLLADA File enabled. For a normal presentation import, leave Merge Coplanar Faces enabled; retry with it disabled only when you specifically need the original triangulated faces or are diagnosing a surface issue.
5. 5Import and frame the modelChoose Open on Windows or Import on macOS. When the model is not visible immediately, use Zoom Extents before assuming the import failed.
6. 6Verify, then save as SKPMeasure one known deck width or projection, inspect the named category groups, repeated component instances, and materials, then use Save As to create the working .skp file. Keep the extracted source folder until verification is complete.

• Use Outliner to find high-level groups such as Deck boards, Support beams, Support posts, Rails, House walls, Roof surfaces, and References; repeated equal parts should appear as component instances where the import path preserves COLLADA node definitions.
• Keep the imported hierarchy grouped while orienting the model; exploding the whole project turns separated component geometry back into connected raw faces.
• Move or rotate the top-level imported groups only after the known-dimension check passes.

Import into SketchUp for Web

SketchUp for Web uses a ZIP package for DAE models with external textures because the browser cannot freely read a sibling folder on your device. In this path, keep the DeckDraft download zipped.

1. 1Leave the DeckDraft ZIP intactDo not upload deckdraft-model.dae by itself. The archive carries the texture folder and paths SketchUp needs.
2. 2Open ImportFrom the SketchUp for Web main menu, choose Import, then My Device.
3. 3Choose the DeckDraft ZIPBrowse to the downloaded deckdraft-sketchup-.zip file and complete the import. If the ZIP or DAE choice is unavailable, the current SketchUp plan may not include that import capability.
4. 4Frame and verify the modelUse Zoom Extents if necessary, measure a known deck dimension, inspect materials and hierarchy, then save the working model to the intended Trimble Connect project.

Verify the handoff before editing

A successful import is more than seeing a deck on screen. Check scale and content before adding site context, rendering assets, dimensions, or customer-facing scenes.

Optional fallback: convert repeated groups into components

The DAE already defines reusable component nodes for equal repeated parts. Use the included helper only when a SketchUp Desktop version or import path turns those leaf nodes into ordinary groups; skip it when Outliner already shows component icons.

As a fallback, the helper matches repeated leaf groups by category, exact rounded dimensions, and material names. Equal boards, posts, pickets, joists, and similar repeated parts can then share one component definition while retaining their individual placements.

1. 1Work in a fresh or just-imported fileExtract the package and import the DAE normally first. If repeated leaves are ordinary groups, run the helper before manually exploding or regrouping the model; if they are already components, do not run it.
2. 2Open Ruby ConsoleIn SketchUp Desktop, choose Window > Ruby Console.
3. 3Load the extracted helperEnter a load command using the actual extracted path and forward slashes, for example: load "C:/Users/Name/Downloads/deckdraft-sketchup-job/deckdraft-componentize.rb"
4. 4Read the completion messageSketchUp reports how many groups were converted, how many component definitions were created, and how many repeated instances were reused.
5. 5Inspect and saveReview Outliner and Components, measure the model again, then save the working .skp file under a new revision-aware name.

Troubleshoot common import problems

Know what transfers—and what does not