Created with Adobe Firefly

Before We Continue...

Final House Check

Avoid problems and having to backtrack from Blender back to Sketchup for repairs. Check all faces and groups for splash damage and remove materials by assigning the Default Material to strip the colors and textures that don't belong.

Exporting the FBX Version

Now to ship our house off to Blender for animating! We are exporting using the FBX format so we can import into Blender. Keep the settings the same and submit the request - it can take a while before you can download the Zip file.

Organizing Folders

Since we are going back and forth between two programs, we are going to have a lot of files. Let's keep them separated by making some sub-folders (folders inside of other folders) and take extra care where we export and save to. Make the following new folders inside the current OneDrive 3D project folder:

Extra 3D Folders

Before we even open the Blender we installed from the software center, let's make some folders to stay organized

Creating a Better Default Starting Point in Blender

Blender Template 2.1

The factory settings when you open Blender have a number of settings that make this project much, much harder and creates lousy output. We're going to change the default Startup file (the one that includes the Cube) to something that will work much better.

Watch on YouTube

Changing the Blender Defaults

The simple solution is to download the Blender file I provide, change where the output files go), and then make it the new default starting point for fresh Blender projects. You have to do this again if you run a fresh Blender on another computer. Click on Blender_Template 2.1 to download the new startup file.
Close Blender after making the changes and test the new Startup by closing, then opening Blender to check for that cube.

Blender Startup Checklist:

Change Output location to the new Output folder you made using File Explorer
Go to Edit --> Preferences --> System --> Cycles Render Devices --> OptiX... check Nvidia graphics card
Go to File --> Defaults --> Save Startup File and replace the factory settings (See GIF below)

then... close Blender, open it again and see if there's still a cube there! If not, save it as a new project file in your Blender folder: 260205 Blender House - YourName for example.

Step 3 - New Startup

This GIF shows where to click to teach Blender to remember the improvements the next time you open Blender.

CLOSE Blender and open it AGAIN to make sure the defaults have been changed. Do not import your house into the file you downloaded for this step!

Edit --> Preferences --> Navigation --> Orbit Sensitivity
Zoom like Sketchup with Zoom to Mouse Position

To Help With Navigation...

If zooming in on your house is SUPER slow, or orbiting sends you everywhere except where you want to go, change the Navigation settings. Check all three orbit boxes and "Zoom to Mouse" (to make it more like Sketchup).

Watch Video

Introducing Blender

An Epic Journey Through Nature

Watch on YouTube

Hilarious Space Shuttle Chaos

Watch on YouTube

2D Anime in 3D

Watch on YouTube

Their official YouTube channel also includes some playlists that are perfect for beginners.

More Blender Magic Here

What is Blender??

Blender.Org is the official website for this free yet incredibly powerful 3D package. We use the Software Center for school installs, but you can download the version 5.0 installer for your home computer as well. I recommend keeping the same version at home and at school. The "demo reel" videos show some of the best work from animators who prove that professional results are possible with open source software.

You can also download the ZIP FILE VERSION of 5.0 (or any other version) directly from Blender.Org HERE.

Professional Tools for Every Creator

Watch on YouTube

Photorealistic Art by Students

Watch on YouTube

Mind-Blowing Independent Projects

Watch on YouTube

From Sketchup to Blender via FBX

Once you have exported the FXB Zip, download it.

Click the Download button on the Status Dashboard (last thing on the Export list).
Navigate to the Zip file in the Downloads folder. It needs to be in your Downloads folder!
Right-Click and choose Extract All. Do not navigate anywhere... just click on Extract.
Open Blender and Save As --> Blender folder --> 260205 Blender House - YourName
Use File --> Import --> FBX and navigate to that new folder in DOWNLOADS and import the FBX.
If there are any errors (weird flickering faces mean painted on the reverse side or transparency, usually) in Sketchup if necessary, if not, you are good to go!

The 2 Biggest Errors

There are two things that tend to crop up on most models: First, you have to make sure you just have one (1) Sketchup item in your Outliner panel. If your house is grouped and centered correctly, you can manipulate it; if not, spinning it is almost impossible.

Exporting to the FBX File Format

If there are any textures in a model, a zip file is created that has the FBX file and a folder with the same randomized name. Paint-only houses need no special folder, so there is no Zip file for houses with no Textures. DO NOT rename the folder or the FBX file won't be able to find the textures. You must extract both as a pair and keep them together in the Downloads folder. Then we are ready to run Blender and import it!

Watch on YouTube

Getting a Model Into Blender

Before we do any actual work, we need to see our house in Blender and make sure there are no errors. Make sure you save the file with a good name in your Blender folder if your house looks good to go!

Starting Blender, but for REAL This Time

With a good FBX file and a proper stage for our Simple House to sit in, we are ready to actually begin working in this new program. Start Blender, then immediately save the project file (they end in .blend) in your Blender folder with a name that makes sense, such as:

260202 Simple House - YourName

Then you are ready to import your FBX file and adjust the camera position so it shows your entire house. You can lock the camera so it moves with you as you zoom and orbit - this lets you render and save a few images for turning in and using on your Portfolio:

Press F12 or Render --> Render Image
Image --> Image Save As and save to your Output folder

Use the proper naming convention for your files!

Pictures of Simple House

Render and save more realistic PNG pictures of your house, including adjusting angles, colors and lighting.

Page updated

Report abuse