Exporting Models to SketchUp

[ttaylor47TR5]

Hey Guys,

So I've got a workflow that I use all the time when exporting an architect's model to SketchUp for our designers.  I export to a 2010 DWG and then in the Export Settings I change it to ACIS solids and tell it to export BILAYER (without overrides).  Generally this works really well for me, because then everything is an individual group and when you explode things to merge walls together the edges don't disappear (which happens with some plugins I've used).

Anyways.  We've received a 5 story building from an architect, and all model issues aside, I'm trying to use the section box in order to export the individual floors with this same method so that the designers can have a nice easily grouped file for them to work in.  However.  I can only get the first floor, on a fresh load of the file, to export correctly.  I export the first section, then move the section box up the building and export floors 2-5.  This results in slightly smaller DWG files, but when I import into SketchUp the geometry is exploded.  Individual windows and doors are still grouped correctly but the walls and ceiling are now all connected.

I'm a SketchUp guy, and I'm still very preliminary in my Revit knowledge but I've had to convert many files for my fellow designers in the last year or so.  Now this file is 900MB in Revit which is astronomically large - and it's still missing critical walls and parts of the building.  I mean I've had Full size football stadiums that have clocked in at 1/3 of that MB count.  I'm running a 7700k with 32 GB of RAM and dual 1080Ti's.  I currently have the fastest computer in the office because I use it for a rendering machine primarily (GPU's).  We're working on getting faster machines for the rest of the Revit users.  

So.  I guess what I'm wondering is if anyone has info on two things:  1.  How can I make the file smaller/easier to work with?  2.  Why don't the same export settings apply when I export the DWG multiple times from the same file after moving the section box?

Thanks,

T.

[Viveka_CD]

Hi @ttaylor47TR5

Can you share the file for us to test further?

I can send you a private folder to upload.Let me know.

Regards,

[Viveka_CD · Accepted solution]

@ttaylor47TR5 Take a look at the article HERE and a few tips from this article and the video below:

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question. Kudos welcome!

Regards,

[ttaylor47TR5]

Viveka,

Yes I've tried both of those methods.  I normally do ACIS solids and changing the Layer settings slightly.  It has generally worked flawlessly for us.  I can import full size Football Stadiums and have nice clean, small SketchUp files.  However for some reason this particular Revit file we've been working with has just caused a lot of problems all around.  

In an attempt at importing things faster last week I resorted to the second method you posted, which works but seems to be really time consuming on the front end.  My issue now is copying between the resulting SketchUp files.  

I sent you a PM in order to possibly figure out how to share the Revit file with you to see what all is in it.

Thanks,

T.

[Viveka_CD]

Hi @ttaylor47TR5

Thanks for the update.

I agree that these methods can be time-consuming, but prior coordination between consultants, architects, and the team helps ease the process.

And sure, let me know if you can share the file, I can better help if we see the project.

Regards,