How to Import SketchUp and Navisworks Scenes into Unreal Engine with Datasmith

What will you learn in this guide?

This guide brings together the essential steps for preparing to transfer a design scene from SketchUp Pro or Navisworks into Unreal Engine with Datasmith. First, we’ll check which software versions are supported, then cover installing the exporter plugin and verifying that it is enabled in SketchUp. The final section explains the role of the .udatasmith file in the workflow and what to keep in mind for architectural visualization.

Datasmith is designed to make scenes from different design applications transferable to Unreal Engine. According to Epic, it is suited to bringing across large scene layouts rather than just individual models. So if you plan to continue using an architectural model in Unreal Engine for presentation or visualization, consider the impact of the transfer on the scene’s organization as well as its geometry. Since the source documents do not guarantee the same results for every scene, it’s a good idea to test with a small sample before moving to a production file.

Requirements and version checks

First, identify the version of your source application and the Unreal Engine version you’ll use. Epic’s supported software table lists SketchUp Pro 2019–2025 and Navisworks 2019–2026. For SketchUp, it lists exporter plugin and DirectLink support; for Navisworks, it lists file transfer via the exporter plugin. Don’t assume compatibility for versions outside these ranges; check the latest support table.

Before you begin, confirm the following:

• Source application: SketchUp Pro or Navisworks, including the exact version number.

• Target: The Unreal Engine version you’ll use.

• Plugin: The Datasmith Exporter that matches the source application and target Unreal Engine version.

• Import: The Datasmith importer to be used in the Unreal Engine project.

Epic’s documentation does not guarantee backward compatibility across all exporter and Unreal Engine versions. So don’t assume that a .udatasmith file created earlier will work without issues in a different Unreal Engine version. Choose the plugin based on the target version, and check the exporter again if your team changes Unreal Engine versions.

The installation documents do not specify account requirements, pricing, or minimum hardware specifications. Rather than making assumptions, verify the requirements of the software and project you plan to use. It’s also important to check operating system support: Epic states that most exporters and Datasmith importers in Unreal Editor are available on Windows. SketchUp Pro’s macOS export support is listed only for versions 2019–2025.

Installing Datasmith Exporter

1. Close the application. Close any open instances of SketchUp or Navisworks. According to the installation documents, running the installer while the application is open may cause the process to fail.

2. Check for an older plugin. If a Datasmith Exporter is already installed on the computer, removing it before upgrading is recommended. This can help avoid confusion about which plugin is in use. You can use the operating system’s standard program-removal tools to uninstall it.

3. Download the right installer. Choose the package for SketchUp or Navisworks from Epic’s Datasmith Exporter download page. Take your Unreal Engine version into account as well. Epic updates plugin versions alongside Unreal Engine versions, so it’s important to get the package that matches your project.

4. Run the installer and select options. Open the downloaded setup file, follow the on-screen steps, and accept the license agreement. The installer detects supported application versions on the system. Select the version or versions where you plan to use the plugin, then complete the installation.

5. Verify the SketchUp plugin. In some installations, you may also need to enable the plugin in SketchUp. In SketchUp’s main menu, go to Window > Extension Manager and check that the UnrealDatasmith plugin is enabled. If it appears disabled, use the option in the Enable | Disable column and click Apply Changes. These instructions are for SketchUp; do not use the same menu steps for Navisworks.

There is also a restriction on sharing plugins: you can send installation links to team members, but you should not distribute the plugin files themselves. Team members who need the installation package should use the download link.

Moving to a .udatasmith file

Once the plugin is installed, you can export the source scene as a .udatasmith file. Then import the file into your Unreal Engine project using the appropriate Datasmith importer. Epic’s support table lists plugin-based export and DirectLink for SketchUp, while Navisworks is listed as supporting export through the plugin.

The source installation guides do not explain scene-specific export settings or every in-app step. So it’s best not to assume the existence of menus or options that aren’t documented. If you encounter a problem during transfer, first check the application version, confirm that the plugin is installed and enabled, and then verify that its version matches Unreal Engine.

Testing with a copy of the scene rather than the main production file is a cautious way to review the transfer result. Confirm that the scene imported into Unreal Engine contains the expected content and organization. If more than one method is listed, decide which method your team will use and stick with it throughout the project.

Common issues and next steps

If the installation won’t start, first check whether SketchUp or Navisworks is still open. If the plugin is installed but doesn’t appear in SketchUp, check the status of UnrealDatasmith in Extension Manager. Do not use these SketchUp-specific checks for Navisworks.

Updating the software and plugin independently is another potential source of problems. Epic’s documentation recommends treating the exporter and target Unreal Engine version as a pair; compatibility across different versions isn’t guaranteed. When the project version changes, review the plugin as well and test the new workflow with a sample scene first.

SketchUp users on macOS should also consider the specific information in the support table: although export support is listed for SketchUp Pro 2019–2025, most Datasmith importers in Unreal Editor are available on Windows. So checking support for the source application alone isn’t enough; verify the target side of the transfer pipeline too.

What changes in an architecture and visualization workflow?

Architecture firms, interior designers, and visualization teams looking to bring scenes made in SketchUp or Navisworks into Unreal Engine can use this workflow. Datasmith provides a way to bring scene data into Unreal Engine, where the project can then be used for real-time visualization or presentation. However, the scope and result of the transfer should be checked for each scene.

Allow time in your production plan for version compatibility, operating system support, and plugin distribution. The documentation does not specify pricing or hardware requirements, so it cannot provide a definitive answer on costs or system suitability. Running the first transfer on a test file and having everyone on the team use the same exporter–Unreal Engine pairing can help reveal potential issues early.

Sources and license

This guide has been adapted into Turkish from Epic Games’ Datasmith supported software and file types documentation and its exporter installation guides for SketchUp and Navisworks. The sources are marked for free use. Since version support may change, check Epic’s latest documentation before installation.