[Plugin] Universal Importer - v1.1.7 - 18 Jan. 2022

[ekoek0999]

thanks a million!
I was looking for a way to import pmx files into Sketchup, this one does the trick perfectly
You are a lifesaver!!!

[Moltres Rider]

Plugin DOES NOT work with Sketchup 2020 STILL NO OPTION to import obj files and fbx files. In fact, it did not add a single new file format to import. Still just the usual default stuff

[Rich O Brien]

[JArtz]

Thank you so much. I certainly appreciate this.

I been wanting to use it to import my SVG vector creations - a text I made - (of which I have to export via FBX online), and it has helped a bit, only thing - I have to manually put in the lines of the text.

Still like the plugin.

Many thanks.

[chalupsky]

So grateful to find this!!

Two questions, importing a .x model from Vehicle Simulator. The model materials do not map to the model (I choose cancel each time), and the scale of the model. I'm asked the maximum height, (1800mm), I cancel, and the model comes in at about 1/18 the size.

Any assistance appreciated!

[Ekon]

[...]

Hi Here is a link to the model as requested.

https://filehorst.de/d/dhiIBdiy

[...]

Your model had absolute paths to textures. That's not supported by plugin.
I converted absolute paths to relative paths with a text editor. It's OK now:

Fixed DirectX Model.png

Fixed model is attached below:

fixed-directx-model.zip

Hello Samuel, first off, thank you so much for this superb tool!! I have the same issue about textures. I just installed the plugin and imported and FBX file but it comes in without textures. My base model comes from Revit. How can I re-path the textures so that the plugin car read / load them into Sketchup? (Text editor, ok, but how?)

[samuel_t]

So grateful to find this!!

The model materials do not map to the model [...]

You don't select materials? Can you elaborate on this?

I'm asked the maximum height, (1800mm), I cancel, and the model comes in at about 1/18 the size.

It's a known issue: sizing doesn't work for all models

[samuel_t]

Hello Samuel, first off, thank you so much for this superb tool!!

Hello Ekon! With pleasure

[...] Your model had absolute paths to textures. That's not supported by plugin.
I converted absolute paths to relative paths with a text editor. It's OK now [...]

I have the same issue about textures. I just installed the plugin and imported and FBX file but it comes in without textures. My base model comes from Revit. How can I re-path the textures so that the plugin can read / load them into Sketchup? (Text editor, ok, but how?)

First, if you can, upgrade Revit to latest version to increase chances to have more export options.
Then, tell me what export options Revit offers to you. Some .x (DirectX) and .fbx files are text-encoded. All .mtl files are plain text. Open exported file with a text editor to see if textures paths are editable.

[p11205]

Hi Samuel,
Thanks for making this plug in available. I am having the same issue as others when importing a model. The model itself imports fine but without textures. I have read your response to others about the absolute path but am not sure what to do. I have attached the model file below if you have a chance to take a look and advise. thanks


the file is here:
https://www.dropbox.com/t/cwZOdCb32a1BrBoZ

[samuel_t]

Hi Samuel,
Thanks for making this plug in available.

Hi Paul

I am having the same issue as others when importing a model. The model itself imports fine but without textures. I have read your response to others about the absolute path but am not sure what to do. I have attached the model file below if you have a chance to take a look and advise. thanks

the file is here:
https://www.dropbox.com/t/cwZOdCb32a1BrBoZ

I successfully imported model as is on SketchUp 2017. See screenshot below. I followed these steps:

1. Extract whole archive.
2. Import "12044_w_Rae_30k.OBJ" file.
3. Cancel when plugin asks about "DefaultMaterial".

12044_w_Rae_30k.png

[p11205]

Hi Samuel,
Thanks for responding so quickly. I tried again as you outlined.after importing the 12044_w_Rae_30k.OBJ file I never got the message regarding default material from the plug in. The model again came in with no textures. Not sure how to proceed.

[MikeG73]

Hello Sam,

Is there a recommended way to get the most out of your model as you reduce its poly count, I mean I keep getting wild responses. I have tried 20/50/70% etc... and my models look like crap up, not at all like your deer example.

Should I break down the model into groups and reduce each group at the same settings??? I hope I am making sense!


Cheers Sam.

[samuel_t]

@Paul To import this ".OBJ" file with its textures, extract also "12044_w_Rae_30k.mtl" file and "tex" subfolder. Keep folder hierarchy.

@Mike Hello I suppose groups don't matter. I don't know if there's an optimal percent... Poly reduction algorithm is in MeshLab hands.

[Moltres Rider]

This plugin claims that it works with FBX files not it does not!

Every time I try to import an FBX file I ALWAYS get the following error message:
Universal importer failed to load file FBX-DOM unsupported format.

Obviously this plugin CANNOT handle FBX files

This shocks me that Google has no information on that specific error message since it is EVERY FBX file that results in this error

this plugin obviously does NOT support FBX files Please either fix this or remove the option to import FBX files because as it currently stands, Universal Importer does NOT support FBX files

[Rich O Brien]

FBX file format can be Binary or ASCII. If your file is in a format the importer doesn't support it will throw errors.

Similar to how an FBX export from SketchUp cannot be opened in Blender.

Also older FBX versions can throw up some issues as well.

Many things can lead to an error. It may not be Samuel's lovely extension that is at fault.

[samuel_t]

@Moltres Rider

Obviously, you have NO LUCK Universal Importer plugin works in most cases with recent versions of FBX format. Try to upgrade model with Autodesk FBX Converter then try again to import model...

[Arakon]

Awesome plugin, but it doesn't seem able to handle decimals on the model sizes.. i.e. I have a model that is 53.69mm tall, when importing and entering that value, I get the following error, both with a comma and a decimal point:

2022-01-10 00_00_02-Start.png

[TIG]

Maybe it expects 53.69 but is receiving 53,69 - so does your system use a . or a , as the decimal separator ?
What do you actually type in the input-box ??
Also it seems to expect an integer, rather than a float in any case ???

[Arakon]

Maybe it expects 53.69 but is receiving 53,69 - so does your system use a . or a , as the decimal separator ?
What do you actually type in the input-box ??
Also it seems to expect an integer, rather than a float in any case ???

I did type both 53.69 and 53,69 and both cause the error.
I ended up having to import it at 100x scale and scale it back down.. it's a workaround, but not really ideal.

[TIG]

I suspect that the default scaling factor is set as an integer, so trying to use a decimal float will cause an error in the input-box.

The extension's author [samuel_t] should be able to re-code it to suit ??

[samuel_t]

I locked target height to an Integer. Since scaling is hacky in this plugin, I must test Float carefully

[samuel_t]

1.1.7 version allows you to import in SketchUp models exported from Blender 2.80 or newer at .blend format.
Expect better compatibility for many formats. Thanks again to Assimp's contributors who made this happen!

Download latest Universal Importer plugin from SketchUcation PluginStore.

[Arakon]

Found an issue with "small" models.
Example: I'm importing a functional model that is 95x46x75.45mm in size. The STL is 75.45 tall, however, in order for it to import semi-properly, I have to use the 46mm as height.
However, the model, when imported, is actually 99.12x47.99x78.72mm in size, so it's actually 104.3261% of the original size in all directions.
If I import it at a factor of 100 (telling it that the STL is 4600mm in height), then downscale it to 0.01 in Sketchup, the size is correct.

[EarthMover]

Hi Samuel,

I'm getting this error in 2017 Make (Pro trial). I've tried with a .DAE and .FBX file and get the same error. The extension is working as expected in my licensed SU 2021 version, but failing with 2017 only. Any suggestions? Thanks for all your hard work on this amazing free tool!

[TIG]

I see C:\ versus C:/ in paths in the error message ?
Is the path inside '...' or "..." - which will give different result ?
Best to force the paths to use all / ??

[samuel_t]

The extension is working as expected in my licensed SU 2021 version, but failing with 2017 only.

Hi EarthMover

When you import a model with this extension, are SU 2017 and 2021 running in same time and OS?

[samuel_t]

I see C:\ versus C:/ in paths in the error message ?
Best to force the paths to use all / ??

I agree, it's better to normalize dir separator but I don't think EarthMover's issue come from this...

[TIG]

Does the .mtl file exist in the special tmp folder ?
If that tmp file read/writeable ?
The error msg says it can't read it ??

[samuel_t]

@TIG Yes, it seems plugin can't read "export.mtl" file. Normally, plugin reads "export.mtl" after conversion of input model to "export.obj". Maybe this conversion silently fails...

@EarthMover Can you follow these steps, please?

1. Import a model in SketchUp 2017 with Universal Importer plugin.
2. When plugin error message is shown: don't click on "OK" button!
3. Open "C:\ProgramData\Universal Importer\tmp" in File Explorer.
4. Display files with details so we see each file present and its size...
5. Send us a screenshot of File Explorer and "assimp.log" if it exists.

[EarthMover]

@samuel_t I don't get a .log file, I get this assimp.nfo here - https://www.dropbox.com/s/wl0v2chqcap2s ... p.nfo?dl=0

File explorer looks like attached

Also, here is the .dae file I'm trying to import if that is helpful. It's from Home Designer (Chief Architect) Again, I don't have a problem importing the file into 2021, but this is to provide an option for my students who are looking for a free solution.-

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/r4z2nhdmzhd3 ... dKGza?dl=0