SketchUp's unique blend of user friendliness, flexibility and extendability means that it has quite an unlimited potential as a BIM tool.

While certain tasks are handled better by other platforms, they are limited to a particular speciality. Not so with SketchUp, which can be used for a myriad of purposes. For example:

• • 3D virtual tours
  • Construction sequencing
  • Cost reports and analysis
  • Energy analysis/ strategy appraisal
  • Photographic Renders (using extensions)
  • Clash Detection
  • Online Collaboration
  • Component Cataloguing
  • Parametric Modelling
  • IFC Classification
  • Construction Documentation (CAD)
  • Accessible Program Interface (Program Extendability)
  • Shadow studies

This list is by no means exhaustive.

SketchUp is not hampered by large file sizes or complex automated ("Parametric") components.

If you need to model an object quickly you don't need to programme an object or look into a dialogue box. Sharing files is instantaneous.

SketchUp Pro is used by both small and large organisations ranging from one-man operations to multinationals. Here are some examples of SketchUp for BIM in action:

Mortenson Construction
SketchUp Pro in construction - video case study

https://blog.sketchup.com/article/sketchup-pro-construction-video-case-study

Barton Malow 3D for construction: delivering quality & efficiency

https://blog.sketchup.com/home/3d-for-construction-delivering-quality-efficiency-with-barton-malow

Case Study: McCarthy Building Company

https://blog.sketchup.com/article/case-study-mccarthy-building-company

Comparison of some of the more important features of both packages:

**"Bi-directional associativity"

Thanks!

The image above is an example of a construction document composed exclusively in SketchUp Pro/ LayOut. Find other examples of construction documents from SU Pro/ LayOut by clicking this link

I have been interested for a long time to make a comparison of the two above-mentioned. I am an avid SketchUp Pro user and practising architect, and though I haven't experienced working with Revit, I have been given a detailed demo of how the software works by a professional demonstrator. I have extensive experience (10 years) of using and teaching CAD. In 2000 - 2002 I wrote a course to show architects and technicians how to use CAD professionally in a drawing office. I have had a certain limited level of experience with learning/ using parametric software (ArchiCAD, Architectural Desktop) which are early precursors to Revit (though I am assured, and believe it to be true that Revit is a lot better than the "flop" (not my words) that was Architectural Desktop). I have to say it is very impressive software as a parametric drawing and construction documentation/ output system.

Useful Links:

• Using BIM as a Project Management Tool: Masters Thesis by Marti Broquetas of CAD Addict

• The Building Smart Alliance: National BIM Standard

• Statement from AIA regarding lack of progress on BIM open integration (December 2009)

• Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) International open Standards BIM collaboration

• Practical BIM course by The Workforce Institute, San José California (Part of this course compares Revit to SketchUp Pro)

• The Onuma Planning System: Open Architecture and BIM collaboration (Commercial)

• Dessau Institute of Architecture 2009/ 2010: Excellent analyses of various CAD/ BIM software packages

• Project Butterfly from AutoDesk (Free online CAD editing and drawing markups)

Thanks to Haley Bueno, Revit Expert Consultant and Trainer for lots of help with this document.

Thanks to Mark Lee (my brother) for coming up with the idea of doing this comparison exercise.

*Thanks to Chris Cronin for SketchUp corrections.

Thanks also to: 

Aidan Chopra- SketchUp Evangelist.

Matt Dillon- Vice President at D|C|CADD for his helpful comments.

Lonnie Cumpton- Revit Architecture Certified Professional

Daniel Gijsbers- Revit Training Professional

Please send corrections/ opinions to paul@viewsion.ie

Here are a few more points that I feel are important

• Parametric software is mainly for recording and editing architectural designs. It has design capabilities for detailing and spatial parameters but isn't optimal for this purpose. There are also criticisms that such software constrains designs that can’t easily be expressed in parametric format.

• Economies of scale in a project (For example: the numerous repetitive cells of a large hotel building, hospital, or apartment block) justify the time invested in creating full-blown parametric building components. In smaller projects it is difficult to justify as information isn’t generally repeated from project to project.

• Filetypes for transfer between platforms should be open source.

• Free, open training videos are the best way to find out about and learn a software package before investing.

To sum up:

Revit is a technician's dream, SketchUp is an architect's dream. Both operating in harmony would be everybody's dream

also (in as far as this author can tell):

Overall, Revit beats SketchUp for documentation of large projects, while SketchUp gives excellent value for money in comparison to Revit for documentation of small to medium size projects.

Comments/ Suggestions/ Opposing viewpoints welcome!

email: paul@sketchup.expert

Video: Advanced SketchUp for Construction Drawings

Gallery: Construction Drawings (and associated projects) exclusively executed in SketchUp Pro/ LayOut

Download Sample course material at SketchUp.Expert Resources section.

Note: The author takes no responsibility for the information contained herein. Readers are advised to do their own research before making decisions about which software to use.

Construction Sequencing Visualisation

SketchUp is an ideal platform for the creation of construction sequencing output. The ease of creating components of small file size and speed of model creation/ navigation allow time and computer processing power to be devoted to where it's needed most: Getting on with the job.

There are simple manual ways within SketchUp itself to create time lapse visualisation. However, for more advanced purposes there are plugins which interface between model and spreadsheet as well as creating video timelapses. Models can be broken up into as many different time-linked components as desired, each with it's own name classification tags and time signature. Models can be controlled via the spreadsheet also, and so synchronisation is bi-directional.

4D Virtual Builder

This software plugin creates a 4D model directly within Sketchup. Synchronises tasks in real-time with 2D and 3D Sketchup entities. Generates Sketchup scenes per time-interval, and creates automatic PowerPoint and 4D animations.

Links with:

• MS Project
• MS Excel

10 day free trial is available.
For more information visit:
4D Virtual Builder

Synchro 4D Integration

This is a plugin that interfaces directly between .skp (SketchUp) Files and the following database platforms:

• Oracle Primavera
  MS Project
  MS Excel
  ASTA
  Safran

For more information visit:
Synchro 4D

SketchUp easily calculates Area, Volume, Length, Weight, which can then be extended into Costs.

Entity info contains several categories of information, including area, volume, and costs, using tags to identify groups and components, along with IFC Classification (The BIM open standard). SketchUp exports a report in the form of a spreasheet containing all elements which are then used to generate costs.

Plugins/ Extensions

BIMUp 5D

"BIM for everyone" This is software for Windows platform that produces cost reports from embedded components.

http://www.bimup.co.uk/

Quantifier Pro: Cost Analysis Extension (for more in-depth reports and analysis)

• Manages cost rules using Excel to easily share cost data across multiple models.
• Calculates instant quantity and cost reports from the model.

Developer: mind.sight.studios

Energy Analysis with SketchUp.

SketchUp's light model size and instant editability makes it an ideal tool for energy analysis modelling. There are a number of energy modelling plugins which work directly with SketchUp. Here we look at two.

Sefaira

Sefaira is part of the Trimble suite of interoperating tools. This program examines various aspects of the SketchUp model to build up an energy profile.

Factors examine include: Solid to glazing ratios, building aspect, volume, occupancy loading, building usage, seasonal usage, lighting and heating requirements, water and electricity usage, and passive heating. Longitude, latitude, and local weather conditions are fed into the software by using local weather datasets.

Reports are published using the data generated by the model. Different energy scenarios can be compared.

https://www.sketchup.com/products/sefaira

IESVE Plugin

According to their website "IES is a world leading provider of integrated performance analysis software and consulting services for sustainable building design."

The software has similar characteristics to Sefaira, producing comprehensive energy and resources reports.

Ask questions and connect with other users at our Forum http://forums.iesve.com/

http://www.iesve.com

https://sefaira.com/sefaira-architecture/