The Export to Raw STL tool is available for Pro users only.
Export to Raw STL provides a method of exporting triangles from SketchUp as a binary STL. The file that is exported this way is not necessarily 3d printable. It should not be used in place of resurfacing your geometry.To use the tool, click on the CADspan icon in the tool bar and log on to your account. Once your account status has been verified the tool is enabled. Next select the geometry you want to export and then click on the tool. If no geometry is selected all of the geometry currently visible will be exported.
The export tool is provided to enhance geometry creation and 3d printing workflows within Sketchup. For example, when used with the Import tool you can composite multiple resurfaced files in Sketchup and then export a single STL. Alternately you can import a resurfaced file, make modifications and then export the result.
There are resources available on the web to help you model in Sketchup in such a way that you do not need to use the resurfacer when writing a 3d file. This is known as "drawing to the machine". If you are knowledgeable about 3d printing and prefer to use these workflows, the Export to Raw STL tool can be a powerful way to create stl files without going through a 3rd file format.
"Drawing to the Machine " techniques can also be used in conjunction with resurfaced geometry or post processing tools such as Magics to create buildable STL files. The advanced user should review these techniques at the AEC community site.
If you are not familiar with how to "Draw to the Machine" it is unlikely that using the Export to Raw STL tool on native Sketchup geometry will result in a successful model. It is best used in conjunction with resurfaced data.
