How SketchUp Advanced Workflow Helps You Import Revit Files Directly into SketchUp

For many SketchUp users, Revit can feel like that overachieving cousin who brings spreadsheets to a braai. Powerful? Yes. Intimidating? Also yes.The good news is that SketchUp Advanced Workflow bridges the gap, allowing you to bring Revit models directly into SketchUp without losing your sanity—or your geometry.

The Traditional Pain Point

Historically, moving a model from Revit into SketchUp involved:

  • Multiple exports (DWG, FBX, IFC… pick your poison)

  • Broken geometry

  • Missing materials

  • Exploded components

  • A strong urge to start again from scratch

Advanced Workflow changes this completely.

What Is SketchUp Advanced Workflow?

SketchUp Advanced Workflow (often abbreviated as SketchUp Studio / Import Workflow) is Trimble’s optimized pipeline for BIM-to-SketchUp interoperability, specifically designed to handle Revit data cleanly and intelligently.

At its core, it allows SketchUp to read native Revit files (.RVT) and convert them into usable SketchUp geometry with structure, hierarchy, and materials intact.

No Revit license required. Revit can stay over there, doing Revit things.

How the Direct Revit Import Works

1. Native RVT Import

SketchUp Advanced Workflow allows you to:

  • Import .RVT files directly

  • Select specific views or 3D perspectives

  • Control level of detail during import

This means:

  • No intermediary exports

  • No manual cleanup before import

  • No guesswork about scale or units

SketchUp understands the Revit file as a BIM model, not just dumb geometry.

2. Clean Geometry Translation

One of the biggest advantages is how the workflow handles Revit’s complexity.

  • Walls, floors, roofs, windows, and doors are translated accurately

  • Geometry is optimized for SketchUp (lighter, cleaner, faster)

  • Curves and solids are rebuilt in a SketchUp-friendly way

Instead of receiving a single, angry mesh, you get usable surfaces and solids that behave like proper SketchUp geometry.

3. Preserved Model Hierarchy

Advanced Workflow maintains Revit’s structure:

  • Categories

  • Families

  • Levels

  • Components

These come through as:

  • SketchUp Groups and Components

  • Well-organized Tags

  • Logical Outliner hierarchy

Result:You can isolate floors, hide systems, or edit components without detonating the entire model.

4. Material and Metadata Retention

Revit materials are translated into SketchUp materials with:

  • Correct scale

  • Color fidelity

  • Texture mapping where applicable

In addition, metadata (BIM information) can be retained:

  • Object names

  • Categories

  • Parameters

This is especially valuable if you’re:

  • Doing design development

  • Creating visualizations

  • Coordinating with BIM teams

  • Producing client presentations from technical models

5. Faster Design Iteration

Once the Revit model is in SketchUp, the real magic begins.

You can:

  • Add conceptual massing

  • Modify façades

  • Apply custom materials

  • Add entourage and context

  • Explore design options visually

SketchUp becomes the creative front-end, while Revit remains the documentation engine. Everyone stays in their lane. Everyone is happier.

Ideal Use Cases

SketchUp Advanced Workflow is particularly powerful for:

  • Architects doing early-stage design on Revit models

  • Visualisers working with BIM teams

  • Interior designers needing clean base models

  • Urban designers importing large federated models

  • Contractors reviewing design intent visually

If your job involves thinking visually rather than documenting obsessively, this workflow is for you.

Key Benefits at a Glance

  • ✅ Direct RVT import (no Revit license needed)

  • ✅ Clean, optimized SketchUp geometry

  • ✅ Preserved hierarchy and organization

  • ✅ Retained materials and metadata

  • ✅ Faster iteration and visualization

  • ✅ Less swearing at your computer

Final Thoughts

SketchUp Advanced Workflow doesn’t try to replace Revit—and that’s exactly why it works so well.

It allows SketchUp users to:

  • Leverage BIM data

  • Stay in a fast, intuitive modeling environment

  • Collaborate seamlessly with Revit-based teams

In short, it lets Revit do the paperwork while SketchUp does the thinking.

And honestly, that’s a partnership worth having.

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