Convert EASM to SKP

A supplier may provide an EASM assembly for review, while the receiving team needs an SKP file to place the equipment in a SketchUp building, layout, or presentation model. SketchUp does not open EASM files directly, so conversion requires a CAD translator or an export permitted by the file publisher.

What the EASM format is

EASM is an eDrawings Assembly file, most commonly published from a SOLIDWORKS assembly. It is intended for viewing, measuring, markup, and review without distributing the editable .SLDASM assembly and referenced .SLDPRT part files.

An EASM file contains a published model representation and may retain assembly names, configurations, colors, animations, and metadata. It does not provide the original parametric feature history, sketches, mates, or editable mechanical design data. The publisher can also restrict measuring, exporting, or access with a password.

eDrawings Viewer opens EASM files but does not provide a standard direct export to SketchUp .skp.

What the SKP format is

SKP is SketchUp’s native model format. It stores SketchUp geometry, materials, groups, components, tags, scenes, and model settings.

An imported mechanical assembly is normally used in SketchUp as reference geometry, not as a parametric CAD assembly. A converted model may preserve an assembly tree as groups or components, but the result depends on the converter and on the data published in the EASM file.

Best conversion methods

Request a source export first when accuracy matters. Ask the sender for a STEP AP242 or AP214 file, a Parasolid .x_t file, or the original SOLIDWORKS assembly with all referenced parts. These deliver substantially better geometry than an EASM viewing file. SketchUp does not natively import STEP or Parasolid, but CAD translation software can convert them to SKP with better results.

1. Use CAD Exchanger Lab for direct EASM-to-SKP conversion. Open the EASM file in CAD Exchanger Lab, inspect the model tree and visible geometry, then use File → Save As or File → Export and select SketchUp .skp. Set the required output units and, if offered, an SKP version compatible with the recipient’s SketchUp release.
2. Open the exported file in SketchUp Desktop and use Camera → Zoom Extents. Check a known dimension with the Tape Measure tool, then correct scale before placing the model in a larger SketchUp file. Use Window → Model Info → Statistics to check edge and face counts before working with a large assembly.
3. Use STL only as a fallback. If the installed eDrawings edition offers File → Save As with STL output and the publisher has allowed export, save an .stl file. In SketchUp, use File → Import, select STL, and set the source units correctly. If STL is not listed as an import type, install SketchUp’s STL Import/Export extension or use a desktop converter.

CAD Exchanger Cloud is a reasonable browser-based option for non-confidential files when its current format matrix accepts the specific EASM file and offers SKP output. Upload the EASM file, select SKP, download the result, and inspect it in SketchUp. Do not upload supplier or customer geometry without permission.

Quality and compatibility limits

Do not expect an EASM conversion to recreate SOLIDWORKS features, mates, dimensions, or edit history. Curved surfaces may become faceted polygon meshes, and holes, threads, small fillets, hidden parts, and internal mechanisms may be simplified or omitted.

STL is especially limited: it contains triangles and usually loses assembly hierarchy, part names, materials, colors, and editable curved surfaces. It is suitable for visual placement, not for mechanical editing or manufacturing use.

If eDrawings does not expose an export command, the file may have been published with export disabled or may not contain usable export data. Do not attempt to bypass those restrictions; request STEP, Parasolid, or the original source assembly from the author instead.

Large mechanical assemblies can create excessive polygon counts and slow SketchUp substantially. Keep imported parts grouped, remove hidden or irrelevant internal components, and request a simplified supplier model when the SKP file is needed only for architectural context.