Can You Put a Revit Model Into SketchUp?

Revit and SketchUp are two popular software programs used in the architecture and design industry. Revit is known for its powerful 3D modeling capabilities, while SketchUp is loved for its intuitive and user-friendly interface.

Both programs have their unique strengths, but can you put a Revit model into SketchUp? Let’s find out.

The Challenge

One of the challenges that users face when working with Revit and SketchUp is the lack of direct compatibility between the two programs. Revit uses a different file format (.rvt) compared to SketchUp’s (.skp). This means that you can’t simply open a Revit model directly in SketchUp.

Convert to an Intermediate Format

To overcome this challenge, you need to convert your Revit model into an intermediate format that is compatible with both programs. One such format is the .dwg (AutoCAD) file format. Fortunately, both Revit and SketchUp support importing and exporting .dwg files.

Exporting from Revit

To export your Revit model as a .dwg file, follow these steps:

Select the desired view or sheet in your Revit project.
Navigate to the “File” menu.
Select “Export” > “CAD Formats” > “DWG”.
Choose a location to save your exported .dwg file.
Select the desired settings for export, such as layers and units.
Click “OK” to export the file.

Importing into SketchUp

Once you have exported your Revit model as a .dwg file, you can now import it into SketchUp:

Open SketchUp and navigate to the “File” menu.
Select “Import” > “DWG”.
Navigate to the location of your exported .
Select the file and click “Import”.
Choose the desired options for import, such as units and layers.
Click “OK” to import the file.

Potential Limitations and Considerations

While converting a Revit model into SketchUp using the .dwg format can be a solution, there are some limitations and considerations to keep in mind:

Incomplete Geometry: The conversion process may result in some loss or distortion of geometry. Complex Revit elements like parametric families may not translate perfectly into SketchUp.
Lack of Intelligence: Revit models often contain intelligent data such as parameters, constraints, and relationships. These may not be preserved when converting to SketchUp.
Maintaining Updates: If you make changes to your Revit model after exporting it as a .dwg, you’ll need to repeat the export/import process in SketchUp to update your design.

In Conclusion

While there is no direct way to put a Revit model into SketchUp, you can still achieve interoperability between the two programs by converting your Revit model into an intermediate format such as .dwg. This allows you to import the model into SketchUp, although some limitations and considerations should be kept in mind. With careful planning and understanding of the conversion process, you can effectively work with both Revit and SketchUp to bring your design ideas to life.