Free online USDZ to SKP converter

A model received from an Apple augmented-reality workflow may need to be opened and edited in SketchUp, which uses the SKP format. Converting it also creates a SketchUp-native copy for dimensioning, scene setup, and continued model work.

What the USDZ format is

USDZ is a packaged distribution form of Pixar's Universal Scene Description (USD), developed for portable 3D asset delivery with Apple and Pixar support. It is an uncompressed ZIP-based package that can contain USD scene data, meshes, transforms, materials, textures, cameras, lights, and animation data.

Apple uses USDZ for Quick Look augmented-reality content on iPhone, iPad, and macOS. AR applications, product-visualization systems, 3D asset libraries, Blender, Houdini, Maya, Reality Composer, and RealityKit workflows can create or consume USD or USDZ assets. The exact contents depend on the application that exported the file.

What the SKP format is

SKP is SketchUp's native project format. It stores SketchUp geometry, groups, component definitions, tags, scenes, styles, materials, and model metadata for continued editing in SketchUp.

SKP is useful for modifying a model in SketchUp, checking dimensions, arranging scenes, and combining the imported object with other SketchUp components. It is a proprietary application format rather than a general-purpose interchange format, so other 3D programs normally require an importer or an intermediate format.

Convert with the online converter

1. Open the USDZ-to-SKP converter on 101convert.com.
2. Upload the .usdz file and select SKP as the output format.
3. Start the conversion and download the resulting .skp file when processing is complete. The service supports conversion without installing desktop software and can be used for free.
4. Open the file in SketchUp and inspect its scale, orientation, geometry, materials, and grouping before editing.

Do not upload confidential or restricted models unless the service's storage and file-handling terms meet the project's requirements.

Convert with Blender and SketchUp

Blender provides a desktop route when the online result needs checking or the model requires cleanup. USD import and export options vary by Blender version, and direct USDZ import is not available in every version.

1. In Blender, try File → Import → Universal Scene Description and select the USDZ file if the installed version accepts that package.
2. If Blender does not accept USDZ directly, open the package with an archive utility or extract it with unzip model.usdz -d model_usdz. Import the contained .usd, .usda, or .usdc file, keeping texture files in their extracted relative locations. A package that depends on files outside the archive may not resolve all references.
3. Remove cameras, lights, animation, hidden objects, and unnecessary geometry that SketchUp does not need. Correct the model's orientation and scale, then use Object → Apply → Rotation & Scale.
4. Export an intermediate Collada file with File → Export → Collada (.dae). Enable selection-only export when appropriate and include texture files if the exporter provides that option.
5. In the desktop version of SketchUp, choose File → Import, select the .dae file, and use the correct model units in the import options.
6. Check the imported faces, texture paths, scale, and grouping. Repair geometry or materials as needed, then use File → Save As to save the result as .skp.

Quality and compatibility limits

The conversion is not lossless. Static mesh geometry and basic texture assignments usually transfer more reliably than USD cameras, lights, animation, AR metadata, instancing, skeletal rigs, procedural materials, and application-specific shaders.

USDZ materials may use physically based metalness, roughness, normal, opacity, or emissive maps. SketchUp or the Collada intermediate may import only part of that setup, so transparent, reflective, emissive, or highly rough surfaces may need manual material reconstruction.

Verify units before export and import. USD scenes commonly use meters, while SketchUp models may use inches, feet, millimeters, or other project units; a mismatch can make the imported object much too large or too small.

High-polygon scans can produce slow, oversized SKP files. Decimate or simplify unnecessary geometry in Blender before exporting. A USD scene may also arrive as separate meshes rather than editable SketchUp components, requiring manual grouping and component creation.