Migrating After Updating

When updating SketchUp to a new version, you can migrate several settings and customizations from your old installation. 

Migrating Files

SketchUp files (.skp) made with supported versions of SketchUp are version-less. When you save a model created in an older supported version of SketchUp to Trimble Connect, SketchUp retains and incorporates all Classifications, Components, Materials, and Styles found in that model. 

If you want to migrate each element manually, follow the steps:

Before installing the new version:

1. In SketchUp, click Window > Preferences on Windows or SketchUp Preferences on MacOS.

2. Navigate to the Files section.

3. Open each file type you want to migrate to a new version.

4. In the Explorer or Finder window, copy and save the files in an easy-to-find location.

After installing the new version:

1. Locate the copied files.

2. Open the new version of SketchUp and open Preferences.

3. Go to the Files section.

4. Copy and paste the files you copied in the new version’s Files dialog.

Extension Migrator

The Extension Migrator is available in Extension Warehouse and comes bundled with SketchUp by default. Extension Migrator can help you migrate your extensions from older supported versions to a newer version of SketchUp.

When you update SketchUp, the tool prompts you to migrate the first time you run the application. The Extension Migrator also runs the Migrate Preferences utility, transferring your preferences from an earlier supported version. If you need to run the extension manually, follow these steps:

1. Click Extensions > Migrate Extensions.

2. In the window that appears, use the options to search your device for your extensions folder.
   

   

3. Click Next. Extension Migrator will then import all of those extensions into the new version of SketchUp.

4. Restart SketchUp.

Migrating Preferences

The Migrate Preferences utility provides a quick and efficient way to transfer all customized settings from Preferences. You can choose to migrate your Preferences when you run Extension Migrator. If you have already migrated your extensions, but haven’t migrated your preferences, you can run Migrate Preferences from the File menu.

When you run the tool, a window will appear prompting you to select the version of SketchUp you want to migrate preferences from. After selecting a version, click Migrate. Restart SketchUp after running Migrate Preferences.

Finding Older Material Libraries

SketchUp 2025 introduced a new set of default material libraries along with an expanded SketchUp material library in 3D Warehouse. To access the classic material libraries you used in older versions of SketchUp and save them as a collection, follow these steps:

Windows

1. Open File Explorer.

2. Navigate to C:\ProgramData\SketchUp\SketchUp[Version Number]\SketchUp\Materials

3. Save the folders you want to keep in an easy-to-remember location.

4. In the new version of SketchUp, open the Materials panel.

5. Click Details ().

6. Select Add collection to favorites.

7. Locate the folder you saved with those classic materials and click Select Folder. The new collection will appear in the list of collections on an ongoing basis.

MacOS

1. Open Finder. Navigate to a previously installed version of SketchUp.

2. Right-click the SketchUp application in Finder and select Show Package Contents.

3. Navigate to ~/SketchUp/Contents>Resources>Content>Materials

4. Copy any individual material collection folder you want to continue using in SketchUp.

5. In the new version of SketchUp, click SketchUp > Settings to open SketchUp Preferences.

6. In the Files section, click Open This Folder in Finder next to Materials.

7. In the Finder window that appears, paste the folders you copied.

8. SketchUp will now include those collections in the Colors panel.