Sketchup to Autocad Handoff/workflow
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I have been working with a design firm, where I am creating Sketchup models for rendering on the front end (selling to clients/concept development), but our production house uses Autocad on the back end. We are currently at an impasse since exported DWG/DXFs from Sketchup are not editable, and that means that the technical draftsperson has to redraw everything that has already been done.
Does anyone have any experience with this that could help me figure out a work-around? I am told that the problem is that ACad requires solids to function, whereas Sketchup is exporting meshes that cannot be edited without making a mess.
Any help/advice would be appreciated. Thanks!
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Hi,
I have to admit that there is much more work needed by Trimble to improve SU's export to CAD functionality. The situation has improved somewhat with SU 2017 release but there is still a way to go. If my practice was not heavily committed to Autodesk products then SU & Lo would be my weapon of choice for design work and working drawing production. Unfortunately, CAD remains the default in most Architectural practices here in the UK.
Are you able to share your SU or Lo file? What is your work flow? If your CAD guys are saying that your SU exports are not editable then that sounds like you are perhaps exporting raster images rather than just vector linework?
I use both SU and CAD on a daily basis and find that I can quite happily edit all exported linework in CAD. Getting the best results does require producing a highly organised SU model with all building elements isolated on their own layers. I found it helpful to create a SU template with an identical Layer structure as the company's CAD drawing template. Scenes can then be easily set up in SU to allow you to export these individual elements (foundations, walls, windows & doors etc) as separate dwg files. These files can then be imported into a CAD template to assemble the drawing as required. Think of the SU process as the equivalent of creating Autocad 'xref' or 'Writeblock' entities. Personally, I only export linework from Su using a simple style with all white background and all faces in the model displaying as white. There is no point trying to export using a textured style as the raster image will not be editable and the CAD guys will have to delete it or switch the image off in order to use the exported linework. Where hatching and shading is required, this will have to be done in CAD by your guys, with reference to a PDF version of the fully rendered SU drawing.
I highly recommend researching Nick Sonder and Mat Donley's book and youtube videos. Although Nick uses only SU & LO for his projects, he does include a process of exporting linework to CAD for his consultants similar to the way I described above. See also Michael Brightman's workflow. Michael's process involves a deeper layering structure and hence a longer learning curve but is equally as effective.
Sorry if all of this is teaching you to suck eggs, but as I mentioned above it would be easier to assist if armed with more information regarding your process or sight of a SU/Lo file.
Anyway, I hope that helps somewhat.
Good luck.
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aikibrown--
That was a more thorough response than I think I expected, but unfortunately I forgot to specify that we are trying to find a way to hand off solid shapes. The idea is for the front end to not do any technical drawings, and have the 3d model be exported to the technicians. I do work in LO, but in our case it would be a lot of extra work.
So to clarify, is there a way to export the 3d model into CAD (as a 3d model) where it is still editable and reasonable to work with?
Thanks!
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The question is are you using staight Autocad or Autocad Architecture? If you are wanting to convert a Sketchup wall to an Acad Arch wall, you can't do this. If you need solids in regular Acad, you need to have solids in Sketchup (appropriately grouped etc.), then convert the imported wall to a mass element in Acad and then convert to a Acad solid. Is there a specific reason you need solids? I have played with the back and forth for a number of years and there is no magic solution. Easiest route - Stick to one program, ie. get your technicians to use Layout. Second option, only use Acad for 2d work.
KrisM -
Have you (or them) tried the 'Import SKP' plugin for AutoCAD based products? Looks like you have to save your SKP file down to a r2013 format, I think. I have it and have used it several times with no issues.
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