How to Import a 3D Model into SketchUp for Free

Short answer: SketchUp has no native glTF/GLB import, but it imports Collada (.dae) perfectly. The free MorfVision plugin handles this for you — it finds the model in the catalog, converts it server-side and drops it into your project in one click. Below: both paths, plugin and manual.

Which formats SketchUp imports

SketchUp Free (web) and SketchUp Pro support different format sets. .dae (Collada), .obj and .kmz import natively at no extra cost. But glTF/GLB and FBX don't open directly — they need paid extensions or conversion. Most free models online ship as GLB/FBX, which is exactly the snag.

Option 1. The MorfVision plugin — one click

The easiest path. The plugin converts a GLB model to Collada on our server and imports it for you — no manual conversion.

1. Download and install the extension from the MorfVision plugins page (Extensions → Extension Manager → Install Extension → pick the .rbz).
2. Open Extensions → MorfVision and type a query (e.g. “chair” or “table”).
3. Pick a model badged “SketchUp ✓” and hit Import — it lands in the scene with CC-BY attribution attached.

Details and requirements are on the MorfVision for SketchUp page.

Option 2. Manually

If you prefer control or are importing from another source:

1. Download the model as .dae or .obj (if you only have GLB/FBX, convert it — e.g. in Blender: import GLB → export Collada).
2. In SketchUp: File → Import → choose the format → select the file.
3. Check the scale (model units may differ) and its position relative to the axes.

What imports from the MorfVision catalog

The catalog has thousands of CC0/CC-BY models. Assets badged “SketchUp ✓” work in SketchUp — these have a GLB or FBX and are converted to Collada server-side. Web-only formats (e.g. bare .max) are marked “Web only”. Start from the chairs, tables and sofas categories, or open the full catalog.

Licensing and next steps

Every model is CC0 or CC-BY and usable commercially (CC-BY with an author credit; see the license breakdown). To lay out a scene fast without heavy software, open a model in the browser-based Vision-AI editor.

Next: install the MorfVision SketchUp plugin or open the morfvision.store catalog and find your first model.