Can You Transfer SketchUp to Revit?

SketchUp and Revit are two popular software programs used in the architecture and design industry. SketchUp is known for its ease of use and intuitive modeling capabilities, while Revit is renowned for its powerful building information modeling (BIM) features. As an architect or designer, you may find yourself wondering if it is possible to transfer your SketchUp models to Revit without losing any of the details or geometry.

The Short Answer

Yes, it is possible to transfer SketchUp models to Revit.

However, it’s important to note that the process may not always be seamless, as the two programs have different file formats and functionalities. Nonetheless, with the right approach and some additional steps, you can successfully bring your SketchUp models into Revit for further development and collaboration.

Exporting from SketchUp

If you want to transfer your SketchUp model to Revit, you will first need to export it from SketchUp in a compatible format. The most common format for transferring models between these two programs is the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) file format.

To export your SketchUp model as an IFC file:

Open your model in SketchUp.
Select ‘File’ from the menu bar.
Choose ‘Export’ > ‘3D Model’.
Select ‘IFC (.ifc)’ as the file type.
Specify a name and location for the exported file.
Click ‘Save’ to export your model as an IFC file.

Note: Depending on the complexity of your model, the export process may take some time. Be patient and wait for SketchUp to finish exporting the file.

Importing into Revit

Once you have exported your SketchUp model as an IFC file, you can import it into Revit for further editing and integration with other elements of your project.

To import the IFC file into Revit:

Open your Revit project or start a new one.
Choose ‘Import/Link’ > ‘IFC’.
Navigate to the location where you saved the exported IFC file.
Select the file and click ‘Open’.
In the ‘Import IFC Options’ dialog box, choose your desired settings for units, positioning, and other options.
Click ‘OK’ to import the IFC file into your Revit project.

Note: Depending on the size and complexity of your SketchUp model, importing it into Revit may take some time. Ensure that you have enough memory and system resources available to handle the transfer smoothly.

Post-Import Considerations

After importing your SketchUp model into Revit, there are a few important things to consider:

Cleanup:

Clean up any unnecessary geometry or objects that may have come in during the import process. This will help optimize your model and improve performance within Revit.

Adjustments:

Make any necessary adjustments to the imported model to align it with the rest of your Revit project.

This may include resizing, repositioning, or modifying certain elements to ensure consistency and accuracy.

Materials and Components:

Check and update the materials and components of your SketchUp model within Revit. This will help maintain visual consistency and enable accurate quantity takeoffs, schedules, and renderings.

The Verdict

In conclusion, you can transfer SketchUp models to Revit using the IFC file format. While the process may require some additional steps and adjustments, it allows for seamless collaboration between these two powerful software programs. By following the export and import instructions outlined in this article, you can successfully bring your SketchUp models into Revit while preserving their geometry and details.

Note: It’s always recommended to test the transfer process with a small-scale project or a backup copy of your model before attempting it on a large-scale or critical project.

Now that you know how to transfer SketchUp models to Revit, you can take advantage of both programs’ strengths and enhance your architectural and design workflows!