.skp

What is a .skp file?

SketchUp's native format — architecture and interior design in 3D.

Safe format
Type Cad
By Trimble (formerly Google / @Last Software)
MIME application/octet-stream

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What is it

SKP is the native file format for SketchUp, the 3D modelling tool that made architectural visualisation accessible to people who aren't CAD engineers. Originally developed by @Last Software, acquired by Google in 2006, then sold to Trimble in 2012, SketchUp has had more owners than some of the buildings modelled in it.

The format stores 3D geometry as edges and faces (not NURBS — SketchUp is a polygon modeller), plus components, groups, materials, textures, scenes, and section planes. It supports layers, tags, and geolocation data. The file is binary and proprietary, though Trimble publishes a C API and SDK for reading and writing SKP files programmatically.

SKP's sweet spot is architectural concept modelling, interior design, woodworking plans, and urban planning. It's not a precision engineering format — you won't machine parts from it — but for quickly sketching a building or laying out a kitchen, nothing else comes close to SketchUp's push-pull simplicity.

Technical details
Full Name
SketchUp Model
MIME Type
application/octet-stream
Developer
Trimble (formerly Google / @Last Software)
Magic Bytes
FF FE 46 46
Safety
.skp is a known, safe format.
What opens it
SketchUp Free
FREE Web
SketchUp Pro
Subscription Win / Mac
Blender (via add-on)
FREE Win / Mac / Linux
Trimble Viewer
FREE Web / Mobile
FAQ
Can I open SKP files without SketchUp?
Yes — Trimble offers a free web viewer, and Blender can import SKP files with a community add-on. The free web version of SketchUp also opens them.
What's the difference between SKP and SKB?
SKB is SketchUp's automatic backup file — a copy of your last saved version. Rename it to .skp if your main file gets corrupted.
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