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title: "Save as External Model - Enscape for SketchUp Specific"
canonical: "https://documentation.chaos.com/space/ENSCAPE/840892463/Save%20as%20External%20Model%20-%20Enscape%20for%20SketchUp%20Specific"
format: markdown
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This page provides information about the Save as External Model function in Enscape for SketchUp.


## **Overview**

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The **Save as External Model** feature in SketchUp offloads heavy geometry into separate files. This feature helps reduce the file size and enables real-time collaboration between team members. Linked models appear as wireframe placeholders in SketchUp and render as full geometry in Enscape, giving you both performance and visual fidelity.

 

## **Key Benefits**

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### **Streamlined Performance**

Large, detailed SketchUp files can quickly become slow to navigate. When you save a component as an external model, its geometry is moved to a separate .skp file and replaced with a placeholder box.  
The project becomes much lighter, while Enscape still renders the full geometry in real time – giving you speed in SketchUp without losing visual detail.


### **Real-Time Collaboration**

Multiple users can work simultaneously. The main file holds placeholders, while each team member edits their own linked external model.   
When those models are saved, Enscape updates them automatically – no manual reloading required.

 

## **Usage**

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> ℹ️ Before you begin:
> ℹ️ 
> ℹ️ - This function works only on components (not groups or raw geometry).
> ℹ️ - Only one component can be exported at a time.
> ℹ️ - To export several objects, nest them inside one parent component.


## **Behavior and Details**

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## **Limitations and Best Practices**

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### **Limitations:**

- Nested external models are not supported.
- Section planes in external files do not affect the main model.
- Not reliable with Trimble Connect cloud paths.
- No automatic re-import. Manual re-import is required. The placeholder is not replaced with the original geometry automatically when the external model file is deleted.


### **Best Practices:**

- Store all external files in a dedicated folder (for example: _external models).
- Use descriptive file names for clarity (for example: Project_Facade_West.skp).
- For final deliveries, consider re-importing all geometry into one master file.