Revit to SketchUp

For SketchUp Studio subscribers using Microsoft Windows, our Revit Importer makes it easy to import your Revit project into a SketchUp model.

Note: The Revit Importer is only available for Microsoft Windows and requires a SketchUp Studio subscription. If you don't have a Studio subscription, you can set up a trial here.

The Revit Importer is available through the Windows Installer or Extension Warehouse and includes:

  • Compatibility with SketchUp 2021 and any version after that; up to and including the newest version.
  • The ability to import a file without a current Revit installation or a Revit license.
  • Compatibility with .rvt files created using versions of Revit starting with 2011 and up to the current version available when we update SketchUp.
Note: Revit updates their software on their own schedule. That means we may be out of sync with their newest release and will need some time to make things compatible with the new version on our end. If you have the newest version of Revit you may be unable to import your .rvt files into SketchUp until the next SketchUp update. If that’s the case, see Alternative Revit to SketchUp Options for other solutions.

When you use the Revit Importer to incorporate a .rvt file into your SketchUp model, SketchUp automatically creates the following:

  • SketchUp Components - Converts all Revit families into components, converts identical Revit objects to identical components, and names components using the Revit family name/family type.
  • SketchUp Tags - All Revit families receive tags named after their equivalent Revit categories.
  • SketchUp Sections - Sections are created from Revit Levels, point downward, and placed 4' above Revit levels.
  • SketchUp Materials - Revit Materials become SketchUp Materials and appear as if rendered using the Consistent Colors option in Revit. Transparent Materials are also supported.
  • Geometry Optimization - SketchUp optimizes redundant triangulation and lowers the segment count on curves in imported Revit projects.
  • Revit Links Support - When an imported Revit project contains one or more linked .rvt projects, the importer creates a proxy object for each. These proxy objects appear with the <Revit Missing Link> tag. We've included some workflows for using Revit links in SketchUp here.

The Revit Importer only imports geometry visible in the selected 3D view. Turning off or hiding unnecessary families and geometry keeps your model clean and reduces the size of your imported file. When importing, the Revit Importer imports uses the following logic:

  1. The Starting View if it contains visible elements.
  2. If (1) fails, import a view containing visible elements with 3D or {3D in its name.
  3. If (2) fails, import the first 3D view that contains visible elements.
  4. If (3) fails, create a default 3D view.
  5. If (4) fails, returns an error.

Import Options

The Revit Importer offers two ways to bring Revit projects into SketchUp, from a local drive or from Trimble connect.

Importing From a Local Drive

If your .rvt file is saved locally, import the file in SketchUp by clicking File > Import. In the File Manager you will see Revit File (*.rvt) listed as an option in the list of supported files. Select a file and click Import.

Importing From Trimble Connect

Tip: For more information on how to publish .rvt files in Trimble connect, see the Trimble Connect for Revit Add-In User Guide.

If you have uploaded a .rvt file to a project in Trimble Connect, click File > Trimble Connect > Import File or Import Visual Reference.

If you have the Trimble Connect toolbar, use Import File or Import Reference Model. The interface may vary depending on which version of SketchUp you are using.

The Trimble Connect window will appear. Locate your published .rvt file and click Import.

When an imported Revit project contains one or more linked .rvt projects, the Revit Importer creates a proxy object for each in SketchUp. These proxy objects appear with the <Revit Missing Link> tag. There are three ways you can add these linked projects to SketchUp.

Option 1 - Any Revit Projects
  1. Import the main Revit project using the Revit Importer.
  2. Open a new, empty, SketchUp model and import the linked project.Save and close that model.
  3. Return to your main SketchUp model, locate the <Revit Missing Links> tag and make sure that tag is visible.
  4. Select and double-click the component associated with the imported Revit project.
  5. In that component's details find and select the proxy component.
  6. Right click the linked project's component and click Reload.
  7. Select the new model you created in step 2 and click Open.
  8. The proxy component is now replaced by the SketchUp model you made for the linked Revit project.
Option 2 - Any Revit Projects
  1. Import the main Revit project using the Revit Importer.
  2. Import the linked Revit project into the same model.
  3. Delete the component corresponding to the linked Revit project you just imported.
  4. Locate the <Revit Missing Links> Tag in the Tags panel and make it visible.
  5. Double-click the component associated with the imported Revit project
  6. Find and select the proxy component representing the linked Revit project.
  7. In the Components panel right click the imported linked Revit project and click Replace Selection.
  8. The proxy component is now replaced by the imported linked Revit project.
Option 3 - For Use With Revit Projects Sharing a Coordinate System
  1. Import the main Revit project using the Revit Importer.
  2. Import the linked Revit project into the same model.
  3. Because the two projects share a coordinate system, the linked model replaces the proxy component.
Tip: Check Extension Warehouse for extensions that can help after the import from Revit to SketchUp. For example, Material Replacer can help quickly update shaded materials to a more realistic appearance.
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