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SKB SKP
File conversion

Convert SKB to SKP

Verified by Adam B.· reviewed by FE Editorial ·updated Aug 3, 2026
QUICK ANSWER
Is it possible to convert SKB to SKP?
Yes - SKB converts to SKP.

An .skb file is byte-for-byte identical to a .skp - it is the same binary SketchUp model saved with a different extension. Changing the extension is the only step required before SketchUp can open the file. Always rename a copy, not the original.

Also to SKP: LWO · PLN · SKM

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Tested on macOS, Windows & Linux
Last verified Oct 2026

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Why convert SKB to SKP?

You would do this when the main .skp is corrupted, missing, or accidentally overwritten and the .skb backup is the only copy of your model. Renaming restores access to the previous save and lets you continue working in SketchUp.

How to convert SKB to SKP

Windows Explorer FREE

Copy the .skb, right-click the copy and choose Rename, change the extension from .skb to .skp, then open it in SketchUp and use File > Save As with a new name.

About these formats

.SKB SketchUp Backup File

An SKB file is an automatic backup of a SketchUp 3D model, saved by SketchUp alongside your active .skp file. It holds the previous saved state of the model. To open it, make a copy, rename…

Open .SKB details →
.SKP SketchUp Document

An SKP file is a 3D model saved by SketchUp, a program now owned by Trimble (formerly @Last Software, then Google). The easiest free way to open one is SketchUp Free, a browser-based app…

Open .SKP details →

Quality & what to watch

  • The .skb is one save behind - it holds the state from before the last manual save, so any edits made after that save are not in the backup.
  • Always rename a copy, not the original .skb; if SketchUp corrupts the file during a failed open, the original remains intact.
  • Version mismatch is the most common problem - a backup written by a newer SketchUp cannot open in an older desktop install; use SketchUp Free (web) to work around this.

Frequently asked questions

Is an SKB file the same as an SKP file?
Yes - the binary content is identical; only the extension differs, and SketchUp uses it to distinguish the backup from the active project file.
Why won't SketchUp open the .skb file directly?
SketchUp filters the open dialog to .skp files by extension; renaming to .skp makes the file visible and openable.
What if the renamed file shows an unsupported version error?
Upload it to SketchUp Free (web) at app.sketchup.com - the web version always runs the latest SketchUp and opens files that older desktop versions cannot.