Question:

Google Sketchup is a simple 3D-modeling application, and all sorts of 3D models in the Google Sketchup (*.skp) format are available for free download from the Google Sketchup 3D Warehouse. Is it possible to use these models in my MicroSurvey or MapScenes drawings?

Answer:

Yes! You just need to convert the model from the native Google Sketchup .skp format to a compatible .dwg or .dxf drawing file format.

Google Sketchup Pro can export .skp models to a .dwg or .dxf drawing file, which can then be imported as a block into your MicroSurvey or MapScenes drawings.  A Pro license currently (at time of writing this article) costs $495.  This export to DWG/DXF feature is not available in the free edition of Google Sketchup.

Google Sketchup (both the free and Pro editions) is also extendable via a scripting language called Ruby, and luckily for us a couple guys at www.guitar-list.com have published a free script which you can use to export DXF files. You can download this script at http://www.guitar-list.com/download-software/convert-sketchup-skp-files-dxf-or-stl  (If this link dies, just do a search for "skp_to_dxf.rb")  This .rb script simply needs to be saved into the \Plugins folder within your Sketchup installation folder, and it will then automatically be loaded and added to the Tools menu whenever Sketchup is loaded.