Objects transfered from Google Sketchup to Makerware are rotated wrong

[Cory S]

This isn't just for Google Sketchup. I originally made the design in Blender and tried to export the .obj it was rotated wrong. It is a flat, horizontal object with lettering like a small sign with raised letters. When it is imported, Makerware stands it up on one end. It's an easy fix, but annoying to deal with. I thought by using Sketchup, I wouldn't have this problem but no, it still does. Any idea why it's importing wrong?

Thanks.

[Damian Gto]

Sketchup is not a good program to make 3d stuff that you want to use in a 3D printer, even in a game the object you get is often bad.

Also make sure you use nefabb or a good program to fix up the object from Sketchup. They are often weird.

Blender is a lot better, even if I prefere Maya and 123D Design.

The problem is easy to fix, you just rotate the object before you do export it from Blender. It is easy when you know what axes you need to rotate around.

The problem is often that 3D program do not have the same axis preference.

[Joe Larson (aka Cymon)]

There are 2 conventions for axis orientation. They come because of an argument about where the z-axis is supposed to be when moving from a 2D X/Y plane to a 3D space. The mathematician says the Z-Axis is "up" and the XY-plane is the flat surface of the world. However the math student sees the XY-plane on a white board and the Z-Axis is coming out towards you. Your screen uses the latter convention with Z-Depth defining which elements go on top of other elements. However, most 3D programs use the XY as the base plane with Z being altitude.

Either way a 90 degree rotation around the X axis will turn one into the other.

That said, Sketchup can be used for 3D design and many people have done it, but I would prefer almost anything else.

[PrettySmallThings]

To build on what Joe said - in addition to a world coordinate system, some CAD programs allow/require you to reorient the axis as you model.  In AutoCAD for example, if you are in a side view when you export your STL, your STL will be oriented differently than if you are in a plan view when you export.  It's been awhile since I've used Sketchup - I don't know if it behaves like this - but it's worth trying if you feel your exported results are unexpected.

Ditto on what Joe said: Sketchup is a fine tool for 3D printing, you just need to be careful because sketchup does not automatically produce manifold STLs.  Neither does Blender, for that matter.  You, the designer, need to model watertight STLs.  Michael Curry (skimbal, also posting under makerbot's thingiverse ID) made some incredible 3D printable designs in sketchup - so it can be done.