Bringing a SketchUp model into Revit is often the first step for architects and designers moving from conceptual massing to detailed documentation. This process allows you to preserve your initial design intent while gaining access to Revit’s powerful scheduling, detailing, and coordination tools. Understanding the best methods for this import workflow can save hours of re-modeling and ensure that your BIM workflow remains efficient.
Preparing Your SketchUp Model for Import
The quality of the import starts long before you open Revit. SketchUp files, especially those not optimized for BIM, can contain excessive geometry, unneeded textures, and messy layer structures that bloat the Revit file. Before exporting, take time to clean up your model by purging unused materials and components. Ensuring that faces are solid and groups are properly organized will result in a much cleaner and more manageable import, reducing the risk of errors downstream.
Exporting from SketchUp
Revit does not support direct imports of .skp files; instead, you must export your geometry into a compatible format. The preferred method is to export your SketchUp file as a DWG file, as this preserves the layers and line work most effectively. When exporting, ensure that the units match your Revit project settings to avoid scaling issues. Selecting the correct export resolution for geometry, particularly for curves and arcs, will also help maintain the accuracy of your forms once they are inside Revit.
Importing Methods and File Formats
Once you have a clean DWG file, the import process within Revit is straightforward, but the settings you choose matter. You can link the DWG as a reference or import it as a separate CAD file. Linking is useful for coordination, as updates to the original file can be reloaded, while importing bakes the geometry directly into the Revit model. Understanding the difference between these options helps you maintain control over the model’s flexibility and performance.
Advanced Import Options
For those working with complex massing, the FBX export from SketchUp can be a viable alternative. While not as precise as DWG, FBX preserves the group hierarchy and some material information, which is useful if you are moving massing studies rather than detailed construction documents. When using FBX, be prepared to do additional cleanup in Revit, but the benefit of retaining spatial relationships often outweighs the extra effort.
Workflow Strategies for Different Project Phases
In early design phases, you might treat the imported SketchUp model as a temporary reference to establish scope and layout. Here, placing the DWG on a reference plane and locking it down allows you to trace over it with Revit elements without altering the original file. For final documentation, however, you will want to convert the imported geometry into actual Revit elements. This usually involves separating layers, assigning correct materials, and modeling missing components like openings or structural elements that were not present in the original SketchUp file.
