How to import SketchUp to Revit

Most architects start with programs such as Sketchup during the early phases of designing buildings. It makes it easy for them to draw and visualize a building without going into the depths. A Revit model, for example, will be more time-consuming and contains more details you won’t need in the early phase. So how do we import SketchUp to Revit?

This article will show you how to import a SketchUp model into a Revit file. There are several ways to transfer the model. The best method depends on the project goals and how much the SketchUp model is worked out correctly.

Import SketchUp model to Revit methods

The most used format to import a model from SketchUp to Revit is the .skp extension (default Sketchup file type). A more complicated way is to export the SketchUp file to an IFC.

Besides different methods to export the model from SketchUp, there are also three different approaches to importing these files into Revit with built-in tools.

• SketchUp model as a Linked model
• SketchUp model as a Revit In-Place component
• Sketchup model as an IFC

The import quality depends on how detailed and organized the SketchUp model is. Good preparation is key to a better and more useful import. It is also very important to know the end goal of your import, so you can choose the right method to import a model.

Tip

Ensure you installed your Revit version’s latest hotfixes to avoid not being able to import a SketchUp file. Sometimes the Revit importing function can be outdated, a workaround will be to save the SketchUp model to an earlier version. For example, to import a SketchUp model into Revit 2022, save the SketchUp model to: SketchUp 2020 (*.skp).

Method 1 – SketchUp model as a Linked model

This method can be used to link large SketchUp models inside of Revit to visualize things in Revit. This allows you to use the models as a blueprint in Revit. The advantage of linking detailed models is that you can keep it apart from Revit.

The advantage of this method is that you can change the model in SketchUp and reload the updated model in Revit. This way you can easily update your Revit model after the architect, for example, made changes in SketchUp.

Tip

Try avoiding using Import CAD. Import CAD does make your model heavier, because the entities will be inside of your project and will lower the performance. It will also load a lot of subcategories you maybe don’t want inside of your project.

To get your SketchUp model linked in Revit follow the steps below:

1. Open the Insert tab
2. Click on Link CAD

3. Choose Files of type: SketchUp Files (*.skp)
4. Click on the file you want to link in
5. Specify the import settings (default settings are recommended) > Open the file

See the picture below for an example of a linked SketchUp model inside of Revit.

Method 2 – SketchUp model as a Revit In-Place component

In-Place components have some advantages over just linking in directly in Revit. These advantages act like any other In-Place family. So what does this mean exactly? This means you can:

• Filter by category inside any Revit view or view template
• Graphics: Visible on or off
• Graphics: Visibility/Graphics Overrides
• Add information to the Identity Data tab inside (Edit Type)
• Tag elements of the In-Place linked model

It can be very difficult and time-consuming to make a very detailed family like a kitchen or stairs for example. The advantage of SketchUp is that it can be used to download models from the 3D warehouse like furniture from Ikea for example.

To get the SketchUp model to Revit as an In-Place component:

1. Open the Architecture tab
2. Click on the dropdown menu of Component and choose Model In-Place
3. Choose a Family Category depending on what u need (mostly chosen: Furniture, Generic Models, and Mass) > Press ok > In-Place editor will open

4. Inside the In-Place editor go to the Insert tab
5. Click on Link CAD

6. Choose Files of type: SketchUp Files (*.skp)
7. Click on the file you want to link in
8. Specify the import settings (default settings are recommended) > Open the file

See the picture below for an example of a linked SketchUp model, inside an In-Place model in Revit. The Revit Category I used for this was furniture.

Method 3 – Sketchup model as an IFC in Revit

This method is a less common one but can be used as a reference to your own model. It can also be used as a coordination model between different companies. You can either link or open the file in Revit.

Inside SketchUp prepare your model with the IFC mapping. Then follow the next steps:

1. Open the File tab
2. Hover over Export
3. Click on 3D Model…

4. Choose File name
5. Save as IFC2x3 File (*.ifc) > Export

Inside Revit, we can go further to link in the IFC model, which is exported from SketchUp.

6. Open the Insert tab
7. Click on Link IFC
8. Choose Files of type: IFC Files (*.ict)
9. Click on the file you want to link in > Open the file

See the picture below for an example of a linked IFC file exported from a SketchUp model.

Wrapping Up

Importing models from SketchUp and linking in Revit can be very useful if you collaborate with different companies. Also if you need components that are very detailed like a kitchen, for example, it is possible to download them from the 3D Warehouse and then easily link them inside Revit.

Use one of the three different methods that are described above and see what fits the best for your type of work. If you really need some visibility or graphics overrides of the linked models, then use the In-Place link method.

I hope this article helped you to import models from SketchUp to Revit. If you have any questions, just drop a comment below.