1. SketchUp basics2. Using SketchUp models in REVIT3. Controlling your SketchUp model4. Presenting with SketchUp

Stewart CaldwellAssociate, Russell & Yelland Architects

SketchUp – What is it?

• A deceptively simple and very powerful 3D tool (@last / Google)

• Uses lines to create planes or ‘faces’ which can be extended and manipulated in 3D space (Autodesk)

• Possibly the most fun you can have at work…? (Stewart)

And best of all…..its free!

SketchUp – What can it do ?

• Create simple shapes by manipulating lines and faces (pushing and pulling)

• Group elements and import ‘components’ for more detailed modeling

• Provide both basic and advanced modelling tools (layering, ‘follow me’, moving and copying, animations)

SketchUp and REVIT

• Importing a SketchUp file into REVITSketchUp files are imported as mass elements

• SketchUp and massing – some important guidelines(REVIT help topic – suitability of imported geometry)(REVIT help topic – Import sketchUp files)

SketchUp and Massing• SketchUp files can be used as either detail

items or building mass elements.• The speed of SketchUp makes massing

studies very quick.• These studies can be imported into REVIT

and transformed into buildings

SketchUp REVIT

SketchUp and Families• The speed of SketchUp makes modeling

some detailed families very efficient• SketchUp models can be either brought into

in-place mass families or exported as 3D dwg’s and imported into external families.(this process is useful for simple geometry only)

SketchUp dwg REVIT

SketchUp and Layers• Using layers helps to organise the model and

ensures adequate performance from your PC.• Layers are also very useful for controlling the

model once it is imported into REVIT(when using the query / hide / visibility commands)

• Setting up default layer export files when exporting from REVIT also helps to control your model in SketchUp

SketchUp & Presentation

• SketchUp is essentially a presentation tool• REVIT projects can be exported as 3D dwg’s

and brought into SketchUp for presentation• Animations and rendering are quick and

effective in SketchUp

REVIT SketchUp

Useful Links

• http://www.sketchup.com/Download SketchUp for freeTraining etc

• http://sketchup.google.com.supportTraining and support

• http://3dchallenge.sketchup.com/A cool challenge run by Google

• http://formfonts.comA great source of SketchUp components

Questions?

Thanks to a whole lot of people who over the years have helped me to learn Revit, and who have contributed some of the tips and images shown here.