Spur productivity by combining SketchUp workflows with Trimble technology
Break down project team silos with these easy ways to connect SketchUp with Trimble technology: Tekla for structural engineering, Site Vision for construction, and Trimble Business Center for surveying.
The architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry faces a data connectivity issue. Despite the remarkable growth of the construction industry, construction productivity has not kept up. Even with the adoption of emerging technologies, more than 50%* of projects still rely on paper forms and spreadsheets. Moreover, 85%* of projects exceed their predicted budgets and 92%* run behind schedule. Architects, structural engineers, civil engineers, and project managers must use connected construction technology for seamless data communication at every project stage to boost productivity. However, achieving connection is challenging due to the siloing of specialized construction software.
Rapidly create AI-generated conceptual renderings from a basic 3D model using Diffusion.
When Trimble acquired SketchUp in 2012, the change in ownership facilitated communication between SketchUp and Trimble's developers. These collaborations have resulted in exciting new software developments, like in-app AI-generated images, that align with SketchUp's continuous evolution to meet customer demands.
Using software across the Trimble ecosystem helps with data connectivity, speeds up workflows, and facilitates better collaboration. Some people only use SketchUp for architectural design, but it can also be used across more project phases and by more team members than just architects. Let's explore some effective workflows SketchUp enables for structural engineering, geospatial analysis, civil engineering, and project management.
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Graphic showing the different construction phases and what tools you can use during each phase.
SketchUp and Tekla: connected structural workflows
SketchUp is known for its easy-to-use interface, seamless collaboration, and quick visualization tools — that's why it’s ranked as the #1 architectural software program. SketchUp can be used throughout the construction process, but architects most commonly use it. Structural engineers gravitate toward another industry-leading 3D modeling software: Trimble’s Tekla creates high-performance, cost-efficient designs that promote collaboration. Each software is tailored to a specific skill set, but those purposes can overlap and complement each other for smoother project workflows.
Taking advantage of pre-built, lightweight SketchUp models
Structural engineers will often receive SketchUp models developed by architects. These architectural models can then be used as reference files to build more detailed structural models in Tekla Structures. Integrating SketchUp with Tekla in the initial file transfer and throughout your design and construction process will help save time.
It would be inefficient to build a crane within Tekla Structures; you don’t need the structural details for test fitting. It’s much simpler to open SketchUp’s 3D Warehouse, which hosts millions of prebuilt models, to source the machinery. Search with words or even drop in an image of the equipment using it’s powerful AI search engine. If you need to modify the equipment size or shape, that can be easily done via SketchUp’s nimble modeling interface. From there, it’s easy to sync that SketchUp model within Tekla Structures with your changes.
Machinery modeling included a shear wrench from SketchUp’s 3D Warehouse inserted into Tekla structural models.
Tekla to SketchUp for visualization
Moving a model from Tekla Structures into SketchUp is a good way to prepare for a client or stakeholder presentation. Bring a Tekla Structures model into SketchUp to create compelling visuals by adding materials and new geometry that can serve as contextual elements for the structure. It’s easy to create animations in SketchUp, so you can save time by making walkthroughs of your 3D model for clients or other contractors to envision site logistics.
Video of the plan for excavation and construction on a job site.
Set scenes in SketchUp to export views of a combined Tekla and SketchUp model for communication. Those are often enough to communicate project updates to stakeholders. Still, if you want more advanced renders with additional realistic detail to showcase major project milestones, you can use extensions like V-Ray or Enscape.
GIF showing different structural elements in a rendering.
Creating complex geometry
Sometimes, it’s quicker to create complex shapes in SketchUp first and then import them into Tekla Structures. Once the SketchUp model is imported into the structural model, you can simply trace that model to create a native Tekla Structures object. Alternatively, if you want to forgo the tracing, the SketchUp model can be imported into Tekla Structures as an “Item” and merged with another structural object. Either route allows you to harness both the power of SketchUp’s intuitive modeling capabilities and Tekla’s robust structural BIM modeling tools.
SketchUp models can be used in Structures as a tracing element to help in the creation of complicated Structures objects.
3D scans for accurate data and site planning
Anyone with Studio, SketchUp’s subscription for advanced workflows, can import and model on point clouds. Architects use this tool to accurately model existing conditions for new builds, renovations or expansions. Construction companies can also use Scan Essentials, the point cloud integration with SketchUp, to help with site planning. They can view the point cloud in SketchUp to better understand site data. Move the model you generate from the site data in SketchUp into Tekla Structures to detail the structural components of the building and manage the BIM process. Drop in construction equipment models from 3D Warehouse for site logistics planning.
Video showing how to use the Ground Mesh tool to create a model from point clouds in SketchUp.
You can use SketchUp to show different stages of the progress of the construction project site, communicate progress, and identify areas that may need special equipment — a major cause of delays and costs in construction projects. Planning the project stages in SketchUp can help identify requirements much earlier, helping prevent delays in waiting for equipment.
Using point cloud data to verify the fits of Tekla Structures models is a big advantage for structural engineers. For example, Lex’s Welding Company uses Tekla Structural Designer and point clouds in SketchUp to help ensure semi-fabricated steelwork can be installed without clashes. For one project, this workflow helped them work around a large HVAC unit and several low-clearance areas of concern.
“Using the point cloud, it was easy to see the lack of clearance for the structural steel to the large HVAC unit near the bathroom. The scan also gave us accurate measurements for the beams under the restroom structure. Fitting everything in this tight space would have been a nightmare or just impossible without the point clouds.”
Lex Bolewski, Lex’s Welding Co
Semi-fabricated steelworks Tekla Structures model imported into SketchUp and shown with point cloud data.
Once Lex Bolewski found a way forward, he used SketchUp to communicate his solution to his client quickly. Lex pulled screenshots and screen recordings from SketchUp to show the client the clearance issues and modeled solutions.
View, review and reference with Trimble Connect
Trimble Connect is a cloud-based common data environment (CDE) and collaboration platform designed specifically for the construction industry. It makes it easy to move and view files across Trimble technologies. It integrates with SketchUp, Tekla, ProjectSight, TerraFlex and more. This software is the tissue that connects professionals across the AEC industry. Trimble Connect combines different Trimble technology files into one file. You can also bring in files from software programs like Revit and AutoCAD and view them alongside the SketchUp and Tekla models. All files can be exported as a TrimBIM file, designed specifically by Trimble to be used across its software.
Structural engineers can use Trimble Connect with Tekla Structures and SketchUp to provide up-to-the-minute, project-ready information. Through this power trio, you can view the architectural, mechanical, and structural models together or separately. If the models use the same coordinate system, you can toggle between them or view them as a whole. Within Trimble Connect, you can run clash detection to see if any sticky points between the models will cause chaos during construction.
Import the TrimBIM file into SketchUp for client presentations — you can use it within SketchUp like any other model. For example, you can use a section plane to cut through a section of the model, and the Section will show all the information: the structural steelwork, architectural model and mechanical.
SketchUp and SiteVision: augmented reality for designers and builders
Many architects use SketchUp’s augmented reality (AR) tools to project models of furniture, structural systems, and whole buildings into the physical world. AR is a powerful way for designers to see how an object will fit in real space and communicate that spatially to clients. Construction companies typically use Trimble SiteVision, a user-friendly outdoor AR system that helps builders explore complex information accurately. SiteVision has advanced AR capabilities for construction, such as geolocation and tools to measure accurately. Move between the software depending on what phase of the construction process you are in with interoperable files.
Site modeling workflow using SiteVision and SketchUp.
SiteVision accepts any TrimBIM file, so you could combine a SketchUp model and a Tekla Structures model in Trimble Connect and then view the combination true-to-scale (1:1) onsite with SiteVision. Here are the steps you would need to follow:
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Add all your completed 3D models to Trimble Connect, combining models across disciplines if needed.
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Open SiteVision in the field and load the model from Trimble Connect. You can either automatically place the model in the real world or use georeferencing to place it in the field accurately.
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Whatever layers are set up in the model are read in SiteVision and can be turned on/off.
Once geo-located, you can figure out where to pour concrete filings or mark the utility line with the help of a 3D model. SketchUp models are the best to view through SiteVision because of SketchUp’s visualization capabilities.
Trimble Business Center leverages one software environment that delivers the flexibility and capabilities needed for surveyors’ diverse project requirements.
SketchUp and Trimble Business Center: cross-discipline communication and visualization
Trimble Business Center (TBC) is a software for civil engineers and surveyors that helps transform field data into actionable information to share with project stakeholders. You can leverage one data environment from land surveys and construction technology like GNSS receivers, total stations, laser scanners, mobile mapping systems, drones and more. There are several ways in which architects and surveyors can move between SketchUp and TBC to improve collaboration and communication.
Communication between disiplines
Architects often need to use the survey data to understand where to place buildings or situate their design with the existing landscape. The holy grail of communication between SketchUp and TBC is the IFC file, which can be exported from TBC into SketchUp and vice versa. In 2024, SketchUp enhanced this data transfer with IFC import and export improvements.
Construction experts can export data from TBC into SketchUp to use its easy and intuitive modeling tools to simplify field data for stakeholder presentations. These presentations are easy to share with SketchUp’s link-sharing feature, which allows users to share models with unlimited people, whether or not they have subscriptions. To see how easy it is to share data for presentations or meetings, follow this link to a SketchUp model.
Solve problems easily with 3D
SketchUp is one of the most accessible software for visualizing problems in 3D. Civil engineers can move data from TBC to SketchUp to get a better understanding of shapes. For example, if you have a complex site with different slopes, you can build those slopes in SketchUp to quickly get an image of the site's topography. SketchUp can also quickly show various phases of civil engineering projects, such as what a project will look like after the earthworks are done.
Save time with connected construction workflows.
Connect construction and data
Whether you are an architect, structural engineer, geospatial engineer, civil engineer, or project manager, it’s crucial to understand how every discipline on a project team uses construction technology. Better yet, you can use software across disciplines to increase productivity and break down silos between teams.
Seamless data communication and software interoperability will help the AEC industry connect and pave the way for a better tomorrow. Try using SketchUp to save time in combination with Tekla, Site Vision and TBC, or even across a complete BIM workflow.
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*Dodge Analytics, Study reveals best practices improve construction performance, August 2016.