I am not a max user, but I know if you export 3ds from sketchup it does that(bunch everything into one layer). If Max lets you import dxf --I would say do that..because dxf keeps all layers intact.

If you have sketchup pro, try exporting individual groups as separate .3ds files, and then import them one by one into MAX. If your co-ordinates and units are set up right, then they will come in in place. You may have to invert normals on some of the faces, depending on how your model has been built in sketchup.

good thinking! i'll try it now... thank you!

I do this all the time, especially for simple geometries, which obviously is the intrigue for sketchup...Anyway, as suggested above, you need to model EVERYTHING as separate objects that you would like to assign as different materials in max. Easiest way to achieve this is simply to group things in sketchup.

For example- if you are have a wall with a window in it, you need to group presumably three different objects.

1) the actual wall itself
2) the window frame
3) the glass

its just key to understand that max will treat any face that is not separated from another face as ONE object. From my experience, this is only achieved with sketchup groups and/or components.

hope that helps

ditch sketchup....


model everything in Max (or I have to Say it in Rhino)

haha i would like to ditch sketchup. I learned max a long time ago and I like it much better. However.... I am not the boss. ;) Thanks for everyone's help. This is my first time to try to do this and I appreciate all the knowledgeable (and quick!) responses.

if you don't need the squigly lines (which could be made in Max via some tricks)...try "Ink'n'Paint" in Max...I do that a lot and everyone asks me if I use Sketch-up.

Save the sketchup model as an autocad.dxf file. That will definitely maintain your layers. This is how I did it back int eh days.