Tips to open SKP file
Can't open the SKP file? You are not the only one. Thousands of users face similar problems every day. Below you will find tips on how to open SKP files as well as a list of programs that support SKP files.
SKP file extension
| File Name |
SketchUp Document |
| File Developer |
Trimble |
| File Category |
3D Image Files |
The SKP file is supported on 2 operating systems. Depending on your operating system, you may need different software to handle the SKP files. Below is a summary of the number of programs that support and open the SKP file on each system platform.
What is SKP file?
A .SKP file is a Trimble SketchUp design file. It is a 3D graphics project. SketchUp is considered fast and easy to use. The advantage of this software is the ability to use ready-made components, which significantly speeds up the work. A wide range of ready-made solutions makes it possible to create three-dimensional graphics even by not fully qualified people. Some CAD programs can open .SKP files, but cannot use the components.
How to open SKP file?
The main problem with SketchUp Document is that the SKP file is incorrectly associated with programs. Thus, when you open SKP, the program selection wizard or some other program starts. This can be quickly resolved by following the instructions below.
The first thing you should do is just "doubleclick" on the SKP file icon you want to open. If the operating system has an appropriate application to support it and there is also an association between the file and the program, the file should be opened.
Step 1. Install SketchUp
The first step is to check if the computer has the SketchUp program installed. This can be achieved by typing SketchUp into the operating system search engine. If it is not, installation may solve the problem, as most applications create file associations during installation. Below you will find a list of applications that support SKP files.
Programs to open SKP file
Remember to download programs supporting SKP files only from verified and safe sources. We suggest using the websites of software developers.
Step 2. Create association of SketchUp with SKP files
If, despite the installed application, the SKP file does not start in the SketchUp application, you must create a file association. This option is available from the level of Properties of a specific file available in the context menu. The displayed window will contain information about the program that supports this type of file. Using the "Change" button we can select the desired program. The program should be visible in the window, otherwise it should be selected manually using the "Browse" button and the program installation directory should be indicated. The "always use the selected program ..." field will set the SketchUp application as the default for handling the SKP file.
Step 3. Update SketchUp to the latest version
The fault may also lie with the SketchUp program, it is possible that SketchUp Document requires a newer version of the program. In this case, use the Trimble Navigation Limited website or update the program from the application.
Step 4. Check for the following problems with the SKP file
Of course, it may happen that despite the above steps, the file still does not work. This could be due to the file itself, the cleanest issues are:
The affected file may be 0 KB or smaller than expected. This suggests truncating the SKP file contents when downloading or copying. The file should be downloaded again, making sure that the process has finished correctly.
The most common cause here is computer viruses. A virus scan using an up-to-date antivirus program should fix the problem. If this is not possible, you can use the online scanner. However, it is important to scan the entire system, not only the file SKP or the program directory. Sometimes virus-infected SKP files cannot be recovered, so make a backup in advance.
Older version of SKP file may not always be supported by the latest software version. These problems are known and are often very easy to fix using the software developers's website.
The file may be corrupted in a number of ways. The repair method must be adapted to the type of file and damage. Some programs offer the ability to automatically repair SKP file corruption. The easiest way is to restore the file from a backup, if there is one, or contact Trimble
The program indicates that the file is encrypted or corrupted. The encrypted file SKP except for the special designation, works normally, but only on the device where it was encrypted, before transferring it to another machine, decryption is required.
The operating system protects files in some locations (e.g. the root of the system partition) against unauthorized access. These directories are write-protected to them and it's very hard to fix this problem. It is best to move SKP to a different directory.
This problem usually affects more complex files. In this case, the SKP file is blocked by the first application to open it. Just close unnecessary programs. If the error persists after closing other programs, wait for a while. Antivirus programs or a backup being made may lock the file for a while without the user's knowledge. If this does not work either, restart the device.
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