Does anyone know of any best practice model set-up and procedure/s for SketchUp models that will need to be exported or imported into Revit . I would like to know that I am simplifying the process and accuracy when I issue to sub-consultants.
Regards
DebT
Only ever done it one way (Revit to SU) which is always painful. Maybe ask these guys: https://www.rvt2skp.com/ They might do the reverse also. (Don’t expect an instant response)
Thanks. I will.
DebT
What do your sub-consultants need? Are you in the design phase?
You can inspect clashes from different models and different software in Trimble Connect. No need to import natively.
Hi Deb,
Some stuff that has helped me, in the case of using your Sketchup model for model coordination. i.e. Import full model into Revit and Export to Navisworks for clash detection.
Order your Sketchup model in layers where possible to distill the information. These can then be controlled easier through visibility setting in Revit. Helps the consultants order your information using native tools in Revit.
Best file export option I have found so far from Sketchup to Revit is AutoCAD.dwg - There is a Sketchup importer in Revit I found does next to nothing.
Have a grid referencing system in your model, so they can link your model where it is supposed to go and at the correct level. OR vice versa, Shared Coordinates is a big deal in Revit on a huge project. So ensuring your coordinates are in the same place as the design team saves a lot of time later trying to move models into place using grids and levels.
“Link” or attach the file and relink model to check shared coordinates are working OK. Do not import the model into Revit otherwise it will bring in all the line and object styles into Revit.
Interestingly I also found the .FBX export format from Sketchup imported into Navisworks does extremely really well.
Hope that helps, as mentioned by MikeWayzovski the tips provided are dependent on phase of project. The above will help with the general coordination of models i.e. BIM Management, at the construction phase of project.
Cheers,
Jay
Its a very small urban design project for a local council. I will be doing all stages in SketchUp. The consultants just require backgrounds that can be updated through the process for hydraulic and electrical layouts.
I have just read JV_Fletcher’s comments and they seem reasonable. My main concern is that I do have or use Revit so I don’t really understand what they get and how they can use it.
Thanks for commenting.
Thanks JV. See my reply to Mike.
I use a layering system so that should be fine. I provided .IFC & .DWG export files as well as a .SKP copy.
If my skp layers come through into Revit in a usable manner that should work for them. I will continue to encourage them to use SketchUp.
Cheers
Are they truly doing the work in 3D? If not just export your LO file in 2D dwg. If not export 3D ACAD. just remember what you put into your model comes out on the other end. Simple layering of groups and components really helps.
Probably the best advice you can get anywhere on the planet, right there Deb.
What is wrong with the sketchup importer that comes with revit?
Thanks Nick,
Basically I’m doing the right thing…
For this project my engineers will probably only be doing 2D overlays over 2D extractions of my work Thats not a problem. I have a .dwg viewer and can load into SketchUp so I can look at but they should get before I send it. The consultants are just starting with Revit so I want to establish protocols for future more complicated projects. I would like them to be comfortable working in 3D with me when that’s appropriate. The majority of the architects they work with use either Revit or Archicad.
I’ve just gone out on my own again after leading the local arch team for a large multi dip international. The team would take my Sketchup files and do what they needed to without complaining to me. I refuse to use Revit (that companies arch and building design standard) as I believe it is (or was) the least intuitive CAD program available BUT the US side of the multi national won out over Archicad (not so bad but not SketchUp either).
Cheers and Thanks from the socially & culturally isolated NW of Tas.
I don’t know because I don’t have Revit…
I have sent them files (including .skp). They haven’t complained yet
Probably a few here need to get the atlas out to understand where you live.
Good stuff and yes the .IFC file format works great in Revit MEP. If you need them to send something back for your own checks, the .IFC format as an import into Sketchup works great as well as the .dwg format. Check the “preserve drawing origin” checkbox in options when importing then check to see where their model lands. If it lands in the correct spot in relation to your model - awesome, if it lands offset from your model, this is where having 2D grids come in use - by moving their model with the grids as a group and lining them up with yours. You can check the level with a section in their drawings.
Check out this thread on BIM for a question I posted 5 years ago. If you scroll down AK_SAM, CAD110 and AndrewRubSketchup also provide some great insight on model coordination between Revit & Sketchup.
All the best!
My family had to get the atlas out when I first moved here…