How To Upload A Revit File Into Chief Architect

How to Export a Revit Model to SketchUp

February 26, 2019 In Revit SketchUp Tutorials

This tutorial volition show you how to export a Revit file to SketchUp. There are ii methods for transferring a model. The first is by using a plugin, and the second is by exporting to a DWG file, so importing into SketchUp. Both methods have their pros and cons. Using the plugin, the model retains it'due south original materials, but editability is sacrificed. Exporting to DWG retains maximum editability while no materials are preserved. Two case studies are used to demonstrate the capability of both methods, and a comparison of geometry complication and file size are included at the end of this tutorial.

Software Required: Revit, SketchUp Pro, SimLab SKP Exporter (Revit Plugin), RVT2SKP (Revit Plugin)

Time Required: v Minutes
Difficulty: Like shooting fish in a barrel

Tip:You must be in a 3D view to export with either method. If in that location are model components (topo contours) or overlays (DWG files) that you don't want in the SketchUp file, turn them off before exporting. The section box should be used to exclude any role of the building or topography that you don't want.

Method 1 – Revit Plugin: SimLab SKP Exporter

Plugin Details: Unmarried ($99) or floating license ($299) available.

Later on installation, the plugin is bachelor in the add-ins menu inside Revit.

Control
Item level of the model is controlled by the setting in the 3D view (grade, medium & fine). The model is always exported with textures, and tin exist changed to shaded, hidden line or wireframe using the view styles in SketchUp. Additional alterations fabricated to textures, such as transparency, stain or tint are not carried over, as these features are not built-in to SketchUp. Model location is too not transferred in the export. The SketchUp file is saved as version 8, to retain maximum compatibility.

Left: Model in Revit,Correct: Model in SketchUp, using SimLab SKP Exporter

Method i – Revit Plugin: SKP2RVT Plugin

Plugin Details: Single ($99 / twelvemonth) bachelor.

After installation, the plugin is available in the add together-ins menu within Revit.

Control
Visual mode, item level and SketchUp file version is controlled by the exporter settings card. Model appearance and geometry is identical to the previously mentioned plugin, while location and sun settings are preserved.

Method ii – Consign to DWG

Details: Uses Revit'south congenital-in DWG consign feature.

Step 1

From the file carte du jour, become to export > options > exports setups dwg/dxf.

Click on the solids tab, and select ACIS solids.

Footstep 3

Hit OK, and return to the export menu > CAD formats > DWG. Make sure you are in the 3D orthographic view when you export the model.

Step 4

Import the model into SketchUp Pro. Here is what the Revit 2019 example house looks like later on the import.

Left: Raw geometry imported into SketchUp,Correct: Geometry after the topography has been smoothed.

Tip: In well-nigh cases, all geometry should reside on layer 0 (read SketchUp Layers: Part 1 – The Sacred Layer0 to find out why). Use the Geometry to Layer0 command in the CleanUp³ plugin for SketchUp to automate this task.

Plugin Vs. DWG Comparison

Equally mentioned above, there is a merchandise off between materials and editability when deciding on which method to apply. The geometry exported using the two plugins above is triangulated, and faces that share a common edge in Revit result in two edges that are very shut together in SketchUp. A box that normally has 6 faces and 12 edges will have 12 faces and xxx edges. This causes a large increase in the number of edges and faces, and geometry cannot be pushed and pulled, as neighboring faces are non joined. A downside to the DWG export is that subregions in topography are not separated from each other, which makes applying materials fourth dimension consuming. If the topo surface is left white, all of the lines that grade the surface, including the subregions, are hidden, which ways that whatever roads, sidewalks or other areas will not be visible in SketchUp. To create an platonic model with readable topography and editable buildings, export any toposurfaces out using the plugins above, while using the DWG export method for any buildings that should remain editable. Statistics for two case study files are presented below.

Model Statistics for the Revit 2019 Instance House

Export Method	Detail Level	Edges	% Change	Faces	% Change	File Size (MB)	% Modify	Layers	Materials
DWG Export	Course	301,669		150,948		17.one		31	ane
DWG Export	Fine	328,297	9%	162,825	viii%	18.1	vi%	thirty	1
Plugin Export	Grade	441,948	47%	216,857	44%	37.2	118%	1	63
Plugin Export	Fine	520,267	73%	242,700	61%	33.3	33%	1	65