How to Save SketchUp 2024 to Lower Version: A Complete Compatibility Guide

Upgraded to SketchUp 2024 but now your clients or collaborators can't open your file? You're not alone — this is a common issue in multi-version project teams.

Many designers, architects, students, and cross-functional collaborators often need to save .skp files from SketchUp 2024 to earlier versions like 2020, 2018, or even 2017 for sharing, compatibility, or archival reasons.

This article explains not only how to do it step-by-step, but also why you need to — addressing version compatibility, multi-device editing, and reliable project delivery.

 Why Save to a Lower Version? | Team Compatibility, Multi-Version Use & File Safety

Here are the most common user intentions behind this operation:

1. Collaboration Compatibility: Your teammates or clients are still using older versions like SketchUp 2020 or the free SketchUp Make and can’t open 2024 files.
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3. Multi-Device Workflow: You may have SketchUp 2024 on your office computer but an older version at home — requiring cross-version file use.
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5. Third-Party Software Limits: Some rendering plugins or construction tools only support files up to SketchUp 2020 or 2021.
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7. File Archiving or Handover: You want to keep a long-term compatible version of your model or deliver a file that works across various platforms and teams.

How to Save SketchUp 2024 Files to a Lower Version

Luckily, SketchUp has a built-in 'Save As' function that lets you select the version format.

Follow these steps:

Open your model in SketchUp 2024

Go to the top menu: File > Save As

Or use the shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + S (Windows) / Cmd + Shift + S (Mac)

In the Save window, find the 'Save as type' dropdown (Windows) or 'Format' dropdown (Mac)

1. Select the target version, such as: SketchUp 2023, SketchUp 2021, SketchUp 2020, SketchUp 2017
2. Choose your file location and rename if needed
3. Click Save, and you're done!
4. Now your file will be compatible with the selected lower version of SketchUp.

 Important Notes About Saving to Lower Versions

1. No Automatic Downgrade: You must manually save as a lower version. Older versions cannot open .skp files made in newer versions directly.
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3. Feature Loss Risk: New features (like materials, tags, or extensions) used in SketchUp 2024 may not carry over perfectly.
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5. Always Keep the Original File: Save the original 2024 file as a backup for future editing or re-exporting.

Pro Tips for Batch Conversion & Multi-Version Teams

If you're working with multiple files or a team using different versions, here’s how to streamline your process:

1. Use plugins like Eneroth File Version Converter
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3. Sync models via Trimble Connect, then export them in bulk
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5. Developers or power users can use Ruby scripting for command-line batch conversion

Alternative Method: Export to Universal Formats

If saving as an older .skp version isn’t an option, export to neutral 3D file formats, then import into older software:

1. .DAE (Collada) — for Blender, Lumion, Unity
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3. .OBJ / .3DS — for general 3D modeling and rendering
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5. .DWG / .DXF — for use in AutoCAD, Revit, Rhino

Final Thoughts: File Downgrade = Essential for Cross-Version Collaboration

Saving SketchUp 2024 files to a lower version is essential for project handoff, multi-platform work, and ensuring software compatibility. Whether you're a freelance designer, a student, or working with external contractors, this step can save you hours of back-and-forth troubleshooting.

Pro Tip: After saving to a lower version, always test open it in the target SketchUp version to ensure the model loads correctly and nothing is missing.