=how to print you sketchup drawing in 3d printer:=

- creat your SketchUp model that you want to print 2- scale your model if it needs to be scaled 3- make sure that the part you want to print is grouped and is positioned in the manner you want the printer to print it. Incorrect positioning of your part will not enable you to print the part after you convert to gcode 4- convert to stl format.

    * You need to download a  plugin to convert SketchUp files to stl format. 

    *The link for dowload can be found at Skp to stl export

After the file is downloaded: open SketchUp and click on the install extensions button. The button is found under Windows> Preferences > Extensions > Install Extension. Clicking this button will bring up a file browser window where you can can select skp_to_dxf.rbz from your harddrive, and SketchUp will then install it for you.

    *To export you . skp file to . stl format

• Select the object you want to be 3d printed.
• Click on the drop down menu for “ Tools” and select “EXPORT TO DXF OR STL”
• Select you export unit, “inches” for example
• Select export format “stl”
• Select the desired location and name for your stl file. Note it may be necessary to type the extension “.stl” to the end of the name depending on what version you SketchUp you are using.

5- Most likely you will need to fix your stl file for a 3d print:

• Go to : netfabb stl files fix
• upload your stl file that you need to fix and proivde your email address
• Make Sure you select the correct measurement "inches or mm"
• few seconds later you will receive an email with a link to your fixed stl file
• download your fixed stl file and save in your computer.
• or you can also download the netfabb application to fix your stl file stl fix

6- you need to download the slic3r software that will enable you to export gcode files. The slice3r software can be downloaded from lulzbot.com