How to Reduce Sketchup File Size

There are a few reasons you may want to reduce your Sketchup file size: maybe you are an architect who received a file from a consultant, and you need to remove some components to make it smaller, or perhaps you are working with a really large file and you simply want to reduce it so it is easier to work with and faster to load.
In this tutorial, we’ll go over a simple way to decrease your file size no matter what the reason may be!
Delete Components to Reduce Sketchup File Size
Default Tray > Components. If you go to the default tray on the righthand side of your screen, you will notice a “components” tab. Click on the tab to view a list of the different components within your model. You can begin to delete certain components that you don’t need in your model, but it won’t make the file size significantly smaller. To do this, you will have to purge the components from your actual Sketchup file.

SAVE A COPY AS! Before continuing, make sure you save a copy of your original Sketchup file! This way, if you end up needing a component you deleted later, you have a way to go back to it. Once you save a new document, you won’t have a way to get back to the original, so make sure you save!
Window > Model Info > Statistics. In order to make a significant difference in the Sketchup file size you will need to open the “model info” window. Navigate to “window” and select “model info” from the dropdown menu. Then, click on the “statistics” tab. Check the box that says “show nested components.” This will help you visualize what’s going on within the model.

Purge Unused. In the “model info” window, click on the button that says “purge unused.” If you look at the numbers in the “statistics” tab it may not look like much happened, but it actually deleted all of the components you weren’t using. Now, if you hit save and look at the size it should be significantly smaller than the original.

Reduce Sketchup File Size within the Web App
You can also reduce the file size within the Sketchup Web App. With the app open, click on the “components” icon in the righthand toolbar to open the “components” tab. There is a button at the top of the tab with a recycling icon on it. Click on this button to purge any unused components in your model.
You can check out this tutorial if you need help importing components into the Sketchup web app.

Trying to work with a large file can be frustrating, but with these easy steps you’ll be able to reduce your file size and speed up your work time! What other Sketchup tips do you want to learn? Let us know in the comments!
Happy Hacking!
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Thank you for this website. The practice questions are helpful.
Taking this test on Saturday. Last 4.0 exam to complete for the trio, then on to 5.0. This site is my go-to place when organizing what materials I’ll be studying
Hi , very good article.
thanks for sharing, keep up the good work
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Great post!
In the NCARB ARE 5.0 handbook they reference Fundamentals of Building Construction: Materials and Methods in both of their example questions for cost estimating. Unfortunately there isn’t a specific chapter on cost estimating, it’s woven throughout the content.
What is the best reference for cost estimating for PDD.
Thanks! Great advice
Deciduous trees should only be used for shade (especially in temperate climates). Deciduous trees lose their leaves in the fall and will have little protection against wind in the winter when it is most needed. Likewise, the leafless trees allow solar heat gain in the winter when it is desired, and shade in the summer.
Coniferous trees are only to be used to block wind and views. Since they don’t lose their needles, they work great for these two items year-round.
Hello. My name is Shahid. This comment is for anyone who would like to reply. On the Siteplanning test. To block the wind, can you use a Deciduous tree or must you use a Coniferous tree?
Hi Tony,
I need to take 5.0 PPD & PDD. Do you plan on posting notes such as “Caroline’s Notes” that you had posted for the various 4.0 exams for either of those sections? I found those notes to be some of the best resources in studying for the 4.0 sections. If so any idea when? Thanks
Hi Tony,
Any updates on the SS exam ? If there’s an expected release date ? Thanks
Paige,
We are releasing practice exams for the SS exam later this fall.
Best,
Tony
Will you have SS questions on here at some point?
Great post, very helpful with the lists of suggested materials, I just passed CDs in July and am taking PPP in November so I definitely needed the list.