Stop fighting with GIS data. Meet GisBridge!

Extensions
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Hi everyone! :waving_hand:

If you’ve ever struggled to bring real-world site context into SketchUp—fighting with Coordinate Reference Systems (CRS), dealing with messy un-editable meshes, or worrying about data privacy and “pay-per-megabyte” cloud fees—we’ve built something specifically for your workflow.

We are the team behind Modelur, and today we are excited to introduce the Tech Preview of our new extension: GisBridge.

GisBridge is designed to effortlessly bridge the gap between complex geospatial data and SketchUp’s native 3D modeling environment.

:globe_showing_europe_africa: What GisBridge Does:

  • Import & Export: Seamlessly load local SHP and GeoJSON files into SketchUp. When your design is ready, export your SketchUp geometry back to the GIS world as a clean GeoJSON.
  • Automatic CRS: It handles Coordinate Reference Systems, geolocation, and units automatically. You don’t need a GIS degree to get your site context placed accurately.
  • 100% Local Processing: Your data never leaves your computer. No cloud processing, total privacy, and absolutely no size-based limits or fees.

:hammer_and_wrench: Flexible Geometry & Property Mapping:

GisBridge gives you full control over how your data is translated into SketchUp geometry. You can map GIS attributes —such as elevation, layers, colors, names, etc.—directly to your model geometry.

  • Polygons: Import as outline edges, faces, or extruded 3D volumes.
  • Lines: Import as standard edges or generate 3D tubes (perfect for subways, gas pipes, or infrastructure).
  • Points: Import as construction points, map them to Components (e.g., trees or street furniture), or generate a 3D terrain surface directly from the point data.

:movie_camera: See it in Action:

Check out the below teaser video to see the workflow:

:test_tube: Join the Tech Preview (60-Day Free Trial)

Because this is an early release (Tech Preview), we want to make sure it perfectly fits your professional requirements. We are looking for feedback to help us shape the final version. To give you plenty of time to test it on real projects, we are offering an extended 60-day free trial.

:link: Useful Links:

1. Download the Extension:
:backhand_index_pointing_right: GisBridge on the Extension Warehouse

2. Learn the Workflow:
First time using it? Watch the step-by-step tutorial:

3. Official Website:
gisbridge.com

We would love to hear your thoughts, feature requests, or any questions you have. Drop a comment below and let’s build a better GIS workflow for SketchUp together! :rocket:

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So seamless. Looks promising Jernej!

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Thanks @eric-s! I’m sure there is a lot of room for improvements, but it’s a start. One of key aspects is to try to keep it as simple as SketchUp :slight_smile:

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Great job, I use placemaker to do this kind of work, what does this plugin offers that placemaker doesn’t.

By the way, I’m not trying to argue which plugin is better, just want to find the best plugin for my needs. So far placemaker has supplied my needs.

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That is a great question @franciscofiallosb, glad you asked!

PlaceMaker is a fantastic tool for many SketchUp users, especially when you need a “one-click” solution to generate urban context using their curated, predefined datasets like OpenStreetMap or high-res aerials.

The choice between the two really depends on where your data comes from, how much of it you need, and where it needs to go next.

Here are the 4 main things that make GisBridge different:

1. Custom Data vs. Predefined Data

PlaceMaker works with the data sources they provide (OSM, Nearmap, etc.). GisBridge is built for your own local data.

If a municipality, a surveyor, or a client hands you a specific Shapefile, GeoJSON, PlaceMaker generally cannot process those external files (@mind.sight.studios please correct me if I’m wrong). GisBridge is the “bridge” that allows you to import high-fidelity, official GIS data (parcels, zoning, specific building heights) that isn’t always available in global data sources.

2. Exporting back to GIS (The “Return Trip”)

This is another key differentiator. While PlaceMaker is an import-only tool, GisBridge allows you to EXPORT your SketchUp model back into GIS formats (GeoJSON).

If you design a new building or masterplan in SketchUp, you can export it as georeferenced GIS data to share with urban planners, engineers, or to use in professional GIS software like QGIS or ArcGIS. This makes SketchUp a functional part of the GIS ecosystem.

3. No Credits, No Limits

Because PlaceMaker often relies on paid third-party data providers, it usually operates on a “Credit” or subscription system where you pay for what you download.

GisBridge has no credits and no import limits. Since you are importing your own local files, you can import a whole city’s worth of data as many times as you like without any additional costs or “pay-per-click” restrictions.

4. Smart Attribute Mapping

GisBridge treats GIS data as information, not just geometry, giving you next level of control.

If your municipal data has a column/attribute for “Tree Species” and “Height” you can map those attributes directly to SketchUp. You can tell GisBridge: “Every point labeled ‘Oak’ should automatically be placed as my High-Poly Oak component, and it’s height should match Height attribute.” It turns your database into a 3D scene automatically.

The Bottom Line:

  • Use PlaceMaker if: You need quick, general context and don’t have your own site data.
  • Use GisBridge if: You have official data files (SHP, GeoJSON), need to export your designs back to GIS, or want to import large amounts of data without worrying about credits or usage limits.

Many professionals can actually use both—PlaceMaker for the a quick background context and GisBridge for the high-accuracy project site and export workflows!

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Look forward to testing this out and seeing how it developes

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Im a fan and ill test it out … looks awesome!

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