Part Three. Advanced Modeling

Chapter 13. Revit – Sketchup models

Session Objectives

Upon completing this session, students will be able to:

  • (CO 1) Create an advanced Revit Site model (Surroundings)
  • (CO 2) Import Sketchup models into a Revit project with material changes
  • (CO 3) Import Sketchup models into a Revit project without the complex lines using 3Ds Max

 Session Highlights

At the end of the session, students will be able to create the graphics below.

It is the final expected result at the end of this lecture. Readers can import SketchUp models into Revit with materials. It is three same shape chairs with different format.

 Lecture Contents

(CO1) Create an advanced Revit Site model (Surroundings)

Examples of how I create architectural surroundings/backgrounds

[METHOD 1] For a rendered scene.

  • [STEP 1] I usually create a site model in a smaller boundary like just the next buildings and a few trees.
  • [STEP 2] Then set perspective views that have similar angles with site photographs.
  • [STEP 3] After the final render of the perspective views, photoshop the views with the photographs.
    It is an example of exterior rendering with site surroundings from SketchUp, Revit, and Photoshop works.
    image credit: Bee Breeders (bottom-left)

    It indicates how a rendering changed with post-production using Photoshop.

[METHOD 2] For an animation a VR, and a panorama view.

  • [STEP 1] I build a detailed site model including topo, road, trees, other buildings in Revit.
  • [STEP 2] After the final render of the perspective views, photoshop the views with the photographs.
    It shows a process work for an exterior rendering with a site model.

Various site modeling techniques in Revit

In Revit
  • [STEP 1] Create [toposurface] using CADMAPPER model (dxf). Please refer to the video link.
  • [STEP 2] If you need detailed surrounding buildings, you must build the model by using massing (apply a material) or a wall and roof. If you don’t need detailed surrounding buildings, you can use the model from CADMAPPER. You can add material on [Object Styles] from the [Manage] tab. You can find the CAD layers from the [Imported Objects] tab in [Object Styles].
  • [STEP 3] Draw Building Pad for your building area to make the site flat. If your site needs, you need to add/adjust the [toposurface].
  • [STEP 4] Add [Property Line] if you know.
  • [STEP 5] Use [Split Surface] to crop the [toposurface] and/or add different materials on the surfaces.
  • [STEP 6] Use [Subregion] to divide the surface, usually, this tool is used for roads.
  • [STEP 7] Use [Site Component] to add trees and other street elements. But I prefer to use [Component] from [Enscape library].
In Sketchup

(Based on the author’s practice experience, many firms are still using Sketchup for their design including site model, building models)

[OPT 1] Geolocation (Accurate GIS information, but not detailed model).

  • [STEP 1] Open Skechup application > Click [Add Location] > Add [Address] >Zoom in or out for a desire size of map.
  • [STEP 2] Click [Region] > Change the four corners of the rectangle > Click [Import].
  • [STEP 3] Open [Layer] panel > hide [Location snapshot] layer and show [Location Terrain].
    It shows how to import site information including scaled topography in SketchUp.

[OPT 2] Use the 3D model from CADMAPPER (only a certain size of the map is free).

  • Visit [Cadmapper] > Sign in > Enter [Address] and find the site > Download in [Sketchup] format > Open the model (Make sure this model is in Metric system).

[OPT 3] Use the SANDBOX tool (Need GIS information for the modeling, but you can create a detailed model).

(CO2) Import Sketchup models in Revit project with material changes

Although many manufacturers provide Revit Family and Revit also provides numerous libraries, designers always seek new models and objects for their design and renderings. Sketchup 3D Warehouse provides a great library for designers and manufacturers. I added three Video tutorials to import the Sketchup model to Revit Family for your reference. You may try.

Sketchup model to Revit with updating material changes

  • [STEP 1] Sketchup Model to DXF file.
    • Open the Sketchup model in Sketchup, or download a furniture model from a 3D warehouse. In this process, you may need Sketchup Pro.
    • Create layers by material. If you have 3 materials, create 3 layers with unique names (e.g. 000_Chair_sk_seat_01, 000_Chair_sk_leg_01, 000_Chair_sk_base_01).
    • Explode all models until nothing is to be exploded.
      It indicates how to explode a grouped sketchup model.
    • Select one material > Mouse right click and Select > All with the same material.
      It indicates how to select objects with the same material.
    • Change layer in [Entity Info] Tray by selecting the layers that you made.
      It indicates how to define the selected element to a layer.
    • Do the same procedure (material selection and layer change) for other materials.
    • Export > 3D model > Select DXF file > Click option > Select only Faces > Version 2007> OK > Export.
      It indicates how to set dxf option to export the SketchUP model.
      Modeling credit: Vojislav N. downloaded from 3D warehouse
  • [STEP 2] DXF file Properties change.
    • Open AutoCAD.
    • Open the DXF file in AutoCAD. It will show in a 3D view.
    • Select all lines by pressing [Ctrl+A].
    • Change Object color from [Home] tab > Color [By Layer].
    • Save the DXF file with Version 2007.
      It indicates how to adjust the layer color setting for defining materials in Revit.
  • [STEP 3] Import DWF file (Furniture) to Revit.
    • File > New > Family > Select Family Template file (Furniture).
    • Insert tab > Import CAD > Change files of type to DXF > Select the file > Click [Open] > Save the family file > Load into Project.
      It indicates how to import the dxf file to Revit.
  • [STEP 4] Change materials for an imported file in the Revit project file.
    • Manage tab > Object Style.
    • Click Imported objects.
    • Change material by clicking the material slot.
      It indicates how to change the materials of the imported dxf model in Revit.

(CO3) Import Sketchup models in Revit project without the complex lines using 3Ds Max

This lecture contents from this video tutorial on importing from 3DS max to Revit. Complex 3D max Model to Revit – Hide the complex model lines in Revit (Super advanced level).

Sketchup model to Revit without the complex model lines

  • [STEP 1] and [STEP 2] are the same as CO2.
  • [STEP 3] Open [3Ds MAX] application.
  • [STEP 4] Click [File] > Click [Import] > Click [Import] > Select the [DXF] file > Click [Open] > Click [OK] on [AutoCAD DWG/DXF Import Options].
    It indicates how to import dxf file to 3Ds Max.
  • [STEP 5] Click [Default Shading] on the view > Select [Edged Faces].
    It indicates how to see the model edges in the 3Ds Max view.
  • [STEP 6] Select all by pressing [Ctrl+A] > Click [Modify] tab > Select [ProOptimization] > Check [Merge vertices] > Click [Calculate] > Adjust [Optimization Level].
    It indicates how to apply ProOptimization tool in 3Ds Max to avoid a potential issue for an error.
  • [STEP 7] Select [Edit Mesh] from [Modifier List] > Select [Edge] > Select [Invisible].
    It indicates how to change the edges to invisible.
  • [STEP 8] Save the DXF file.
  • [STEP 9] Import DWF file (Furniture) to Revit.
    • File > New > Family > Select Family Template file (Furniture).
    • Insert tab > Import CAD > Change files of type to DXF > Select the file > Click [Open] > Save the family file > Load into Project.
      It shows the imported dxf file with the additional settings with 3Ds Max. It was removed the unnecessary lines.
  • [STEP 10] Change materials for an imported file in the Revit project file.
    • Manage tab > Object Style.
    • Click Imported objects.
    • Change material by clicking the material slot.
      It indicates how to add materials to the imported model.

Compare a family file without edges (left) and a family file with edges (right).
It indicates the two imported chairs with 3Ds Max setting and without the setting.

 References

Balkan Architect. (2018). Importing SketchUp Files into Revit Tutorial. Retrieved December 24, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VFK-KEOMZc.

Bee Breeders. (n.d.). Monte d’Oiro Wine tasting room architecture competition winners revealed! Retrieved December 24, 2021, from https://architecturecompetitions.com/wineroom/

M.T.H Revit tutorials. (2018). Revit Architecture | Convert SketchUp Models Into Revit(With Materials). Retrieved December 24, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_1g3077jxI

Pedroeron. (2011). Amazing Revit 1 – from 3ds max to Revit without viewing triangles edges. Retrieved December 24, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_1g3077jxI

Vojislav N. (2014, March 30). Chair. 3D Warehouse. Retrieved December 24, 2021, from https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/151bf5bba187132266ce260f78a5fa20/Chair

License

Icon for the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License

Tutorials of Visual Graphic Communication Programs for Interior Design 2 Copyright © 2022 by Yongyeon Cho is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.