Collada support in Trimble warehouse

[Puybaret]

Hi,
I just discovered that Trimble completely redesigned their 3D warehouse and removed Collada files. [:(]
Actually, the Collada files seem to have been replaced by KMZ files (see this model for example) which contain a Collada / DAE file. Thus, replacing .kmz extension by .zip will let you import such files in Sweet Home 3D. To make it simple again, I might add .kmz extension support directly in a coming version of Sweet Home 3D if it's supposed to always contain a .dae file as it seems.

[hansmex]

I imported some kmz-files just as they are.
Looks as if SH3D already recognizes it's the same?

[Puybaret]

Actually, a .kmz file is a zip file that contains a .dae file. But Sweet Home 3D doesn't accept files with a .kmz extension at this time, obliging users to change first the extension of the file to .zip or extracting its content. I would be very astonished that you don't need to do either operations to use a .kmz file in Sweet Home 3D!

[hansmex]

Oops, I made a mistake...
The file was exported as DAE.

[okh]

To me, it seems the server is moved as well (much slower her). On a general level it raises some concern as to the future of the free version of Sketchup. Whether it will allow .dae export. Legacy Sketchup versions are available at http://help.sketchup.com/en/article/60107 - probably a good idea to stock up if you want to use the warehouse.

.kmz could also contain other (xml?) stuff, I use .kmz to calibrate maps for gps. But I guess that isn't a problem. I just got an error message when feeding a map .kmz renamed .dae to SH3D.

ok

[Puybaret]

I'm more concerned about the direct usability of the 3D warehouse for Sweet Home 3D users, i.e. the fact that it will continue to contain some files at Collada format that can be imported without using Sketchup.
Personally, adding .kmz file support to Sweet Home 3D isn't complicated: I just have to extend the file extensions list supported by furniture import wizard, and document it. But if at the end, there are less and less .kmz files, it won't be so interesting for Sweet Home 3D users. Something that raises my doubts is that the new search engine doesn't provide any option to search for .kmz files. If Trimble doesn't change its search engine, how users are going to find them?

.kmz could also contain other (xml?) stuff

It's not a problem for Sweet Home 3D as long as it contains a .dae file.

I just got an error message when feeding a map .kmz renamed .dae to SH3D.

A .kmz file is a zip file containing a .dae file, not some kind of .dae file itself. Change .kmz extension to .zip, and try again.

[dijck]

In win7 you might have a problem. Download and install winrar, select the kmz file and open the kmz file with winrar. Select also, "open all these fils" with winrar. Out of the winrar menu you can drag everything to the folder as you wish.