SketchUp DWG/DXF Import and Export: A Guide for Architectural Drawings

According to SketchUp’s official help documentation, DWG and DXF drawings can be imported, and models can be exported in these CAD formats. The steps below are based on the desktop SketchUp CAD import and export documentation, updated on 29 September 2026; the document does not specify a current software version number. CAD file options are listed under Go, Pro, and Studio in the subscription table. Checking the file contents and units before importing is the most reliable way to reduce scale and geometry issues later.

Before importing a DWG or DXF file

First, make a copy of the original drawing and make changes to that copy. When SketchUp imports a CAD file, it converts the information into basic geometric elements, so keeping the source file lets you return to the original drawing if needed.

1. Convert unsupported elements. SketchUp can import elements such as lines, arcs, circles, faces, 3D faces, polyline-based solids, nested blocks, splines, and layers. Dimensions, text, XREFs, and custom ADT or ARX objects are not supported. If you need these elements, try exploding them in your CAD software to convert them into geometry supported by SketchUp.

2. Clean up unnecessary layers. SketchUp may skip some elements that have no 3D significance during import, while the layers containing them can remain as empty tags. Cleaning up unused layers beforehand reduces unnecessary tags in the model.

3. Move geometry closer to the origin. A drawing located far from the axis origin can cause performance issues. Check the geometry’s position in the source CAD file before importing.

4. Reduce file size and verify units. Files larger than 15 MB can cause performance issues. Keeping only the required geometry or splitting the drawing across several files are options. Saving files from older CAD versions in a more recent format can also help with import compatibility.

Importing a CAD drawing into SketchUp

1. Go to File > Import, locate the file, and select AutoCAD Files as the file type.

2. In Options, set the drawing’s position and import format. Preserve Drawing Origin keeps the geometry at the origin in the DWG or DXF. If this option is not selected, SketchUp places the geometry near its own origin.

3. To preserve the layer structure along with groups, use Import Layers as Groups. This setting creates groups corresponding to the CAD layers; the imported layers also have their own tags.

4. If you do not want height differences along the Z axis in the drawing, select Import Linework Flattened. This sets the Z value of the imported geometry to 0. Merge Coplanar Faces can remove triangulation lines from coplanar faces, while Orient Faces Consistently can make face orientations consistent. Select Import Materials to bring in materials from the source file.

5. Set the scale unit. Options include model units, inches, feet, yards, miles, millimeters, centimeters, meters, and kilometers. Confirm the settings with OK, then complete the import by clicking Import.

After importing, check the dimensions; if the units used in the file are unknown, the geometry may appear larger or smaller than expected. Lines may not have joined to form faces, so check for small gaps. Organize the geometry into a single group, align the floor plan with the drawing axes, delete unnecessary tags, and assign the CAD group a separate tag.

Exporting a model as DWG or DXF

Before exporting a 2D drawing, choose a standard view from Camera > Standard Views and use Parallel projection. According to the official documentation, this approach can help preserve the scale of the exported drawing. Then go to File > Export > 2D Graphic, choose DWG or DXF, and set the AutoCAD version and drawing scale in Options. Full scale is selected by default; deselect it to enter a custom scale.

You can also choose how profile lines are exported: as lines with standard thickness, as polylines with width, or as AutoCAD wide-line entities. The option to keep profile edges on a separate layer is enabled by default. SketchUp line extensions can make endpoints or intersections harder to identify in some CAD applications. If you expect this kind of incompatibility, turn off Show Extensions in the export settings.

For a 3D export, go to File > Export > 3D Model and choose DWG or DXF. In Options, you can set the AutoCAD version and the types of elements to export: faces, edges, construction geometry, dimensions, text, and materials. SketchUp faces are exported to the CAD file as triangulated polyface meshes with internal lines, so check how faces are displayed in the receiving software. The exported DWG or DXF uses the unit of measurement specified in the SketchUp model.

What to consider in architectural and visualization workflows

These steps are useful for architects and interior designers who plan to use floor plan or drawing geometry for massing in SketchUp, as well as visualization specialists working with teams that send models to other CAD applications. Importing layers as groups can make editing easier, but check the tags and group structure after importing. Import Linework Flattened can be useful when bringing a floor plan into a model as a reference; however, if the drawing needs height information, assess whether this option is appropriate, as it moves the geometry to Z=0.

Common mistakes include choosing the wrong units, importing geometry far from the origin without checking it, leaving empty tags in the model, and assuming that every element in the CAD file will transfer to SketchUp. In particular, remember that dimensions, text, and XREF data are not supported. Also keep in mind that faces are exported as triangulated geometry and that line extensions can cause issues in the receiving software. The documentation does not specify particular hardware requirements; the practical checks it explicitly recommends for performance are reviewing file size and geometry location.