SketchUp STL to SVG TinkerCAD proportions

aloha_wahine59 · February 1, 2021, 12:35am

Hi all,
I am trying to convert a SketchUp STL to SVG in TinkerCAD. I saw an earlier post that explains how to do it, however, the issue I am having is the STL is importing into TinkerCAD in a much smaller proportion. I have confirmed that SketchUp is in Feet and Inches, my object is 4 x 6 x .122 inches.

I have also confirmed TinkerCAD is in Inches and that the imported shape has the correct dimensions. However, once the object is placed the measurements are now 0.155 x 0.236 x 0.002. I am rather new to both SketchUp/TinkerCAD so any help to get the STL imported to TinkerCAD to export to a SVG at the same proportion would be greatly appreciated!

deirdrebeth · February 1, 2021, 12:43am

I don’t use either of those programs but that issue between programs has always been the dpi equivalent. The defaults to (I believe) 96 dpi, so if you can find that setting in both those programs that’s where you’ll want it to be. Some programs also have a “responsive” checkbox that you’ll want to turn off.

Hopefully someone will come along who knows those programs specifically, but that gives you something to dig for in the settings.

aloha_wahine59 · February 1, 2021, 12:50am

I didn’t see a “responsive” checkbox like Illustrator or any options regarding DPI, but I appreciate your response.

ekla · February 2, 2021, 2:20am

Do you have SketchUp Pro? GF just announced DXF support, so you could export that format instead of STL and skip the tinkercad step

aloha_wahine59 · February 2, 2021, 5:15am

Right now I am using the SketchUp free web version to learn how to use it. I can’t yet justify spending $119/year for SketchShop that allows DXF export as well. I will keep looking around. Thanks for your reply!

aloha_wahine59 · February 4, 2021, 3:01am

@deirdrebeth @ekla I found a resolution to my issue using this YouTube video. Instead of inches I switched to mm in both SketchUp and TinkerCAD and created a 480x280mm boundary box to match the GF print area just like the video. At first I tried without the boundary box and still was coming across issues with how the svg was exporting. Unsure why the boundary box would make a difference but it did and now I can create my 3D object and export to 2D to print on . YAY! Thank you both for your replies!