Free online BREP to SKP converter

CAD software often stores solid geometry as BREP, while SketchUp requires its native SKP format for editing and project sharing. Converting between them transfers the model into SketchUp, but the original parametric CAD history and exact surface representation may not remain intact.

What the BREP format is

BREP means boundary representation: a model is defined by its vertices, edges, faces, surface boundaries, and topology rather than by a polygon mesh. BREP files commonly use the .brep extension and can be produced by Open CASCADE-based applications, FreeCAD, and other CAD systems; some applications use related extensions such as .brp.

You encounter BREP when exchanging mechanical parts, precision surfaces, architectural components, or other solid CAD data between applications. The extension does not identify one universal BREP specification, so the program that created the file can affect import compatibility, units, and supported surface types.

What the SKP format is

SKP is SketchUp’s native 3D project format. It stores SketchUp edges and faces together with groups, components, materials, layers or tags, scenes, cameras, and model metadata.

SKP is suitable for architectural visualization, layout work, design presentation, and editing in SketchUp. It is easier to use in SketchUp than a neutral CAD file, but it does not retain BREP solids, NURBS surfaces, feature history, constraints, or parametric dimensions as editable CAD entities.

How to actually convert BREP to SKP

Direct conversion with Rhino

1. Make a copy of the source .brep file and confirm the model’s measurement units in the originating CAD program.
2. In Rhino, use File → Open or File → Import and select the BREP file. BREP support depends on the Rhino version and installed import modules; if the file is rejected, use the FreeCAD workflow below.
3. Check that all solids, trimmed surfaces, holes, and object orientations imported correctly. Repair naked edges or invalid objects before export.
4. Select the objects to transfer and choose File → Export Selected. Set the file type to SketchUp (*.skp).
5. Choose a SketchUp version supported by the destination installation. In the export options, use a sufficiently fine mesh or a tighter deviation tolerance for curved surfaces, then complete the export.
6. Open the resulting .skp file in SketchUp, inspect dimensions and curved areas, and save it again in the required SketchUp version if necessary.

Using FreeCAD and SketchUp

1. Open FreeCAD and select File → Open, then load the .brep file in the Part workbench.
2. Confirm the imported shape is present and check its unit scale. Use Part validation or geometry checks if faces are missing or the object is not a valid solid.
3. Select the model and choose File → Export. Export to .dae or another mesh format that the installed SketchUp version can import. Set mesh deviation and angular quality high enough for the required curved surfaces.
4. In SketchUp, choose File → Import and import the exported file. Organize the imported faces into groups or components, assign materials, and use File → Save As to create the SKP file.

For a no-install conversion, use the converter on 101convert.com: select BREP as the input format, select SKP as the output format, upload the file, run the conversion, and download the generated file. Test the result in SketchUp because automatic converters can choose different tessellation and unit settings.

Quality, compatibility, and limitations

SKP is face-based rather than analytic BREP. Curved CAD surfaces must be tessellated into SketchUp faces, so a coarse setting produces visible facets and a fine setting increases polygon count and file size. Tightening tolerance improves shape fidelity but can make SketchUp slow or exceed practical model-size limits.

Parametric features, sketches, constraints, construction history, exact radii, and Boolean relationships generally become ordinary SketchUp geometry. Layer assignments, colors, names, and assembly structure may also require manual cleanup. Check scale after import, especially when the source uses millimeters and SketchUp interprets the intermediate file as inches or meters.

Invalid BREP topology, open shells, self-intersections, very small faces, and unsupported trimmed surfaces can cause missing faces or holes. Repair the source model before conversion, and verify critical dimensions in SketchUp rather than assuming that a visually complete import preserves CAD accuracy.