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AutoCAD and SketchUp Workflow
The base map is the foundation upon which all design processes are built. The base map provides the designer with all the necessary information pertaining to the site. This information includes:
A traditional base map is in a 2D format. Having the correct contour information provides the designer with an accurate representation of the site. From the contour information, drainage, slope, and irregularities can be determined. From the information provided, high and low points can be identified and the drainage of the site can be determined. If contours are closer together, this indicates a steep slope. If they are further apart, this indicates a more gradual grade change. However, if the information is in a 2D format, it can be hard to visualize the actual terrain. If a 3D model is created, the contour information can be easily understood.
Typically, contour information will be generated in AutoCAD since most surveyors use this application. SketchUp has the ability to import and export DWG file types and it can be a useful tool for creating a digital 3D terrain model, changing the grade of the site, and exporting back to AutoCAD for additional work. To import an AutoCAD file into SketchUp:
AutoCAD to SketchUp
Figure 1 - Saving as AutoCAD 2004 file type
Figure 2 – Dialogue Box, Import results from AutoCAD
SketchUp doesn’t have the ability to import all of the AutoCAD information. Text, hatching, and dimensions created in AutoCAD will not be available in SketchUp. If this information is on a layer, the layer will be imported but will not have any information attached to it. These layers are unusable and will need to be deleted. To delete unused layers, use the ‘purge’ command located in the fly-out menu in SketchUp’s layer window.
After purging the unused layers, begin grouping the line work. Grouping the line work will be helpful for organization, mobility, and draping the line work onto the 3D terrain. When grouping the line work, create a reference line. This will be helpful for matching-up the line work for draping onto the terrain and for exporting back to AutoCAD.
Before creating a 3D landform, break lines for the contours will need to be determined. Property lines and roadways will make great break lines. Break lines are the point at which the contours terminate. Since the information is already here, it’s a matter of determining where this occurs. However, additional line work may be required to close the faces.
Figure 3 – Color by Layer, Closed face Contour Information with Grouped Line Work
Figure 4 – Color by Layer, Opacity Settings
Once all faces have been created, a 3D landform of the existing site can be created (Figures 5 - 8). To create a 3D landform:
Figure 5 – Completed 3D Landform
Figure 6 – Completed 3D Landform, Draping Line Work
Figure 7 – Draped Line Work, Checking for Closed Faces
Figure 8 – Draped Line Work, Closed Faces
Once the existing site is created, changes to the elevations can be done by adding additional line work and push/pulling the new elevations to the correct height (Figure 9). Once complete, do not delete the existing contour lines. You will need the existing line work if you will be sending the file back to AutoCAD. You may also choose to do some additional designing such as adding a patio, retaining walls, or planting beds. Whatever changes are created in SketchUp, the line work will be exported and opened in AutoCAD.
Figure 9 – Site Grade, Changing Contour Information
Once all new elevations are created, the model is now ready to be sent back to AutoCAD. However, when exporting the changes back to AutoCAD, there is a difference between exporting a 2D model (with no elevations) and a 3D model (with elevations).
Exporting a 3D model from SketchUp to AutoCAD (Figures 10 – 14)
Figure 10 – Overhead View, Perspective Turned On
Figure 11 – Overhead View, Switching to Parallel Projection
Figure 12 – Parallel Projection, with Additional Groups for Export to AutoCAD
Figure 13 – Exporting to AutoCAD, 2D Graphic, No Layer Information
Figure 14 – Export Options
When opened in AutoCAD, there is no layer information because it is a graphic representation of the line work (Figure 15). Select line work and place on appropriate layers, assign colors, and change line types (Figure 16).
Figure 15 – Imported Line Work from SketchUp, No Layer Information
Figure 16 – Completed Model, Imported from SketchUp to AutoCAD - Assigned Layer and Color Information
Exporting a 2D model to AutoCAD from SketchUp
What if my AutoCAD file has elevations attached to the line work when imported into SketchUp?
- Property Lines
- Existing Contours
- Existing Plant Material
- Existing Hardscape
- Utility Placements
- Site Structures
A traditional base map is in a 2D format. Having the correct contour information provides the designer with an accurate representation of the site. From the contour information, drainage, slope, and irregularities can be determined. From the information provided, high and low points can be identified and the drainage of the site can be determined. If contours are closer together, this indicates a steep slope. If they are further apart, this indicates a more gradual grade change. However, if the information is in a 2D format, it can be hard to visualize the actual terrain. If a 3D model is created, the contour information can be easily understood.
Typically, contour information will be generated in AutoCAD since most surveyors use this application. SketchUp has the ability to import and export DWG file types and it can be a useful tool for creating a digital 3D terrain model, changing the grade of the site, and exporting back to AutoCAD for additional work. To import an AutoCAD file into SketchUp:
AutoCAD to SketchUp
- Save AutoCAD as 2004 DWG file type (Figure 1)
- The latest release has the ability to import 2007 DWG file type
- Import AutoCAD file into SketchUp
- Select DWG file type
- Dialogue Box (Figure 2)
- Outline of what was imported
- Purge Layers
- Deletes unused layers
- Switch to Color-by-Layer (Figures 3, 4)
- Group line work
- Groups allow you to move line work without them sticking to other lines
- Will be helpful when draping onto a 3D landform
- Select a reference line for each group
- Close faces by tracing existing lines
Figure 1 - Saving as AutoCAD 2004 file type
Figure 2 – Dialogue Box, Import results from AutoCAD
SketchUp doesn’t have the ability to import all of the AutoCAD information. Text, hatching, and dimensions created in AutoCAD will not be available in SketchUp. If this information is on a layer, the layer will be imported but will not have any information attached to it. These layers are unusable and will need to be deleted. To delete unused layers, use the ‘purge’ command located in the fly-out menu in SketchUp’s layer window.
After purging the unused layers, begin grouping the line work. Grouping the line work will be helpful for organization, mobility, and draping the line work onto the 3D terrain. When grouping the line work, create a reference line. This will be helpful for matching-up the line work for draping onto the terrain and for exporting back to AutoCAD.
Before creating a 3D landform, break lines for the contours will need to be determined. Property lines and roadways will make great break lines. Break lines are the point at which the contours terminate. Since the information is already here, it’s a matter of determining where this occurs. However, additional line work may be required to close the faces.
Figure 3 – Color by Layer, Closed face Contour Information with Grouped Line Work
Figure 4 – Color by Layer, Opacity Settings
Once all faces have been created, a 3D landform of the existing site can be created (Figures 5 - 8). To create a 3D landform:
- Select contour group (with closed faces)
- Push/Pull tool to lift contours to appropriate elevations
- Triple click to select all
- Click ‘From Contours’ from the sandbox tools to create a smooth terrain model
- Depending on file size, this may take awhile
- Move smooth terrain away from 3D landform
- Use ‘Drape’ from sandbox tools to add grouped line work to 3D landform
- Check faces to see if all line work dropped
- Add textures and materials
Figure 5 – Completed 3D Landform
Figure 6 – Completed 3D Landform, Draping Line Work
Figure 7 – Draped Line Work, Checking for Closed Faces
Figure 8 – Draped Line Work, Closed Faces
Once the existing site is created, changes to the elevations can be done by adding additional line work and push/pulling the new elevations to the correct height (Figure 9). Once complete, do not delete the existing contour lines. You will need the existing line work if you will be sending the file back to AutoCAD. You may also choose to do some additional designing such as adding a patio, retaining walls, or planting beds. Whatever changes are created in SketchUp, the line work will be exported and opened in AutoCAD.
Figure 9 – Site Grade, Changing Contour Information
Once all new elevations are created, the model is now ready to be sent back to AutoCAD. However, when exporting the changes back to AutoCAD, there is a difference between exporting a 2D model (with no elevations) and a 3D model (with elevations).
Exporting a 3D model from SketchUp to AutoCAD (Figures 10 – 14)
- Switch to Parallel Projection
- Export 2D graphic as DWG file type
- Open in AutoCAD
Figure 10 – Overhead View, Perspective Turned On
Figure 11 – Overhead View, Switching to Parallel Projection
Figure 12 – Parallel Projection, with Additional Groups for Export to AutoCAD
Figure 13 – Exporting to AutoCAD, 2D Graphic, No Layer Information
Figure 14 – Export Options
When opened in AutoCAD, there is no layer information because it is a graphic representation of the line work (Figure 15). Select line work and place on appropriate layers, assign colors, and change line types (Figure 16).
Figure 15 – Imported Line Work from SketchUp, No Layer Information
Figure 16 – Completed Model, Imported from SketchUp to AutoCAD - Assigned Layer and Color Information
Exporting a 2D model to AutoCAD from SketchUp
- Export 3D model
- Select Options
- Check only edges
- Save as ‘AutoCAD 2004 DWG’ file type
- The latest release will export AutoCAD 2007 DWG file type
- Open in AutoCAD
What if my AutoCAD file has elevations attached to the line work when imported into SketchUp?
- Switch to Parallel Projection
- Export 2D graphic as DWG file type
- Re-import into SketchUp
- No layers-graphic representation of line work
- If you export with color-by-layer feature turned on, the line work will have the line color information, but no layer information
- Regroup same line color and place on appropriate layers
- Close faces
- Create 3D model
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Latest page update: made by MRMDesigns
, Apr 26 2008, 1:16 PM EDT
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