SketchUp → UE5 → Two Years of Pouring Concrete

[Luke147ll]

This is a design build project I've been working on for the last two-three years. I created the conceptual model in Sketchup and the plans were drafted in CAD. The Sketchup model was tuned up to match the plans. I then exported the SU model to Unreal Engine 5 via datasmith live link.

The local topography was generated using a drone to create a photogrammetry site mesh. I import the site into SU as a .dae and line up ground control points with reference points in the model.

The background topography was created using cesium and is geolocated with the house. This simulates the views and lets clients see what the views will be.

The SketchUp to Unreal workflow is one of my favorites. Datasmith's live link is great for quick edits to geometry and SU's ability to apply materials on a per-face basis rather than per object allots for great detail like adding end grain materials to timber beams.

This project has been fun it's been about two years of pouring concrete and roughly three year since the design kicked off.

We use a separate model in Sketchup for referencing the timber and steel for fabrication.

I've sort of developed my workflow in isolation and created my own system and tools. I'm curious to see if anyone else is using sketchup and Unreal.

[Mike Amos]

I was at one stage but not for a while, events took precedence which is how life goes but maybe when stuff settles down I might go again.
That is a great project and looks like it took a lot of doing.

Very nicely done, Sir.

[Luke147ll]

Thanks, Mike! It's been a fun job. Alot of unique challenges. All of the walls and floors are all concrete. The site has been one of the biggest challenges. The slope is around 50% the retaining wall in the back is 34' tall with 86 helical piers drill 60'+ into the mountain.

The layout of this project was tough with the slope and organic shape of the house. We used a Trimble RI total station to set points straight from the model. Over nearly two years of forming and poring concrete the building corners finally met within 1/4''.

There is no wood framing on this project aside from the timber work. All of the timbers are white oak the longest one being over 37'.

[L i am]

Very nice indeed Luke. What advantages did UE have over TM that you found

[Luke147ll]

For me UE feels almost infinite.. I can do more than static images or videos. With UE being a game engine, I can create a virtual environment and stream it to a client or do virtual walkthroughs. TM has always felt a bit like UE lite but is far easier to pick up and produce quality work than UE. Lumion feel the same way to me they are all tools in the toolbox TM and Lumion are great for quick updates and interior renderings but UE is what I would use to land a big job. Cesium also works great in unreal engine giving me a great backbone for all of my projects.

I usually create a topo with my drone and either drone deploy or reality scan this gives me a 1-1 replica of the local site and Cesium essentially renders the rest of the world.. I try to stage my project in ways that make the whole world feel built out but in reality it's just a localized area. I use PCG volumes to create the trees and forest environments and try to blend in the 2d satellite imagery from Cesium.

[L i am]

Very good explanation Luke, thank you

[Luke147ll]

Thanks, Liam
Im not much of a cinematographer but it's always fun to use UE's sequencer to put together some shots as well.