<p>Our library system just put a 3D printer in one of the branches. I have used SketchUp on the library computers for a number of years just to do artsy things. Suddenly, I have the opportunity to actually print something. (I'm really not sure why the libraries have SketchUp installed. But, I have enjoyed using it.)</p>

<p>There is a plug-in available for SketchUp so that it can export STL files. But, the security on the library computers will not allow me to put a file into the SketchUp plug-ins folder. And, the tech guy at the library doesn't think that the IT guys at the library will update all the copies of SketchUp at all the branches just so someone could do 3D printing.</p>

<p>After doing some searching on this website, I found out that I could export a COLLADA / dae file from SketchUp. I would then import that dae file into Blender (The portable version on my flash drive). I could then export it as an STL file. 
The process appeared to work. I could see my test object in Blender. </p>

<p>I gave the STL file to the branch manager who tried to open it in the Makerbot software so that it could be sent to the printer. But, it gave him a message about the file not being recognized. </p>

<p>I am not familiar with all the details in the importing and exporting processes that are going on. Is there someone out there that can give me some help?</p>

<p>One problem is that, I am using the library computers. I cannot alter them. I can use what portable versions of software are out there, like Blender.</p>

[{'answer_id': 639, 'author': 'David Maulik', 'author_id': 693, 'author_profile': 'https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/users/693', 'pm_score': 3, 'selected': True, 'text': '<p>Here is what I suggest you try. If you have a file that you can view/edit in blender I would export it as both STL and OBJ formats. Then take those files and upload them to Netfabb (<a href="https://netfabb.azurewebsites.net/" rel="nofollow">https://netfabb.azurewebsites.net/</a>) and get a "repaired" file. Have the library try again with the repaired STL and OBJ files. If this doesn\'t work try to get the exact error message/dialog that the makerbot software is giving them as well as the version of the software that they are using.</p>\n'}, {'answer_id': 1190, 'author': 'albseb', 'author_id': 1586, 'author_profile': 'https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/users/1586', 'pm_score': 2, 'selected': False, 'text': '<p>Makerbot will accept obj files also. \nIs there an error while importing the obj file?\nAlso you can see errors of your imported file in your makerbot\nIt will be marked in black.</p>\n\n<p><a href="https://i.stack.imgur.com/pggIz.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/pggIz.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>\n\n<p>Please make sure your object is a watertight mesh. As I have seen its easy to make a surface model in sketchup. A 3D Printer cannot print something in surface. \nYou can also try importing to netfabb to check if the part has errors in it. </p>\n\n<p>If you want a better modeling software, I suggest you to check out OnShape. \nIts a cloud based cad software. Its free as well. (10 private files, beyond that everything is public. 100$ per month i think)\nwww.onshape.com</p>\n'}]
['https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/637', 'https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com', 'https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/users/-1/']