> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://sketchupguide.net/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Revit to SketchUp and back: import options by plan - URL: https://sketchupguide.net/revit-to-sketchup/ - Published: 2026-11-13T13:07:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-11-13T14:27:54.000Z - Description: Choose RVT, DWG or IFC for the handoff, decide whether metadata belongs in it, and match units and origins before checking the model in the receiving app. - Author: Oliver Grant - Tags: Drawings, LayOut & export Use the [Revit Importer](https://help.sketchup.com/en/revit-interoperability/revit-to-sketchup?ref=sketchupguide.net) on Windows to bring a saved RVT view into SketchUp. Studio, Pro Advanced Workflows and the [student plan](https://sketchup.trimble.com/en/plans-and-pricing/sketchup-studio-for-higher-education?ref=sketchupguide.net) include the importer. Without importer access, ask for a DWG or IFC exchange file; for the return trip, choose SKP geometry in a Revit family or IFC according to what the Revit recipient needs. I'd start with RVT when you have access and need the source model's materials and category tags. Keep metadata when the next person needs its properties; leave it off for a geometry-only handoff to avoid carrying data that adds file size. Before either direction, agree one known length, its unit and the intended origin with the person receiving the model. ## Choose the route before preparing the file | What you need | Route to use | | --------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | A saved Revit view in SketchUp, with importer access on Windows | Import the RVT and choose its saved 3D view, phases and categories. | | Revit geometry in SketchUp without the RVT importer | Export a 3D DWG from Revit, then use desktop CAD import with matching units. | | A classified exchange from Revit | Export IFC, then choose SketchUp's IFC tag and origin options. | | SketchUp forms inside a Revit project | Import SKP into a Revit family and load that family into the project. | | An IFC reference in an existing Revit model | Export IFC from SketchUp and use Link IFC in Revit. Open IFC creates a new model. | [![SketchUp 2027 for Windows Revit Importer at Select 3D View with the saved view Building Courtyard selected, Import Revit metadata unchecked and the Continue button](https://storage.ghost.io/c/91/44/91442afd-0c5c-4b43-a595-8db40125cd56/content/images/2026/11/08-sketchup-ui-revit-to-sketchup-0-08a0519ef4ff.webp)](https://storage.ghost.io/c/91/44/91442afd-0c5c-4b43-a595-8db40125cd56/content/images/2026/11/08-sketchup-ui-revit-to-sketchup-0-08a0519ef4ff.webp?ref=sketchupguide.net) In Select 3D View, choose the saved view by name; leave Import Revit metadata off for a geometry-only handoff. The SketchUp steps below follow SketchUp 2027 desktop. Check the file types SketchUp handles before choosing one. The [RVT importer requires SketchUp 2023 or later on Windows](https://help.sketchup.com/en/extending-sketchup/revit-interoperability?ref=sketchupguide.net), and SketchUp 2027 itself needs Windows 11; the [system requirements](https://sketchupguide.net/sketchup-system-requirements/) list the rest. The importer is an extension: the Windows installer offers it as an option, and Extension Warehouse has it if you skipped that box. Its [RVT compatibility follows the importer release](https://help.sketchup.com/en/revit-version-compatibility?ref=sketchupguide.net), so a newly released Revit format can stay unsupported for a few weeks to a few months. If the import stops with "The version of the Revit file is not supported.", open Extension Manager, click **Update** on the Revit Importer if it's active, and restart SketchUp; if the message stays, ask for a DWG or IFC instead. For commercial importer access, the current plan cards list Studio and Pro Advanced Workflows. Both cards say Windows only. Compare [their included Revit import](https://sketchup.trimble.com/en/plans-and-pricing?ref=sketchupguide.net) with the rest of your work before [choosing the Studio plan](https://sketchupguide.net/sketchup-vs-sketchup-pro/). An education subscription's inclusion doesn't make the importer run on a Mac. On a Mac, ask for a 3D DWG or IFC and use the routes below. ## Import the saved RVT view on Windows Have the Revit author [prepare a dedicated, named 3D export view](https://help.sketchup.com/en/preparing-revit-files?ref=sketchupguide.net). Set its Phase Filter and Visibility and Graphics categories for the elements you need, check that linked geometry has Loaded status, and put externally referenced texture images beside the RVT. Then save the file: the importer reads the saved RVT, rather than the active Revit session. **A section box isn't a reliable import boundary.** The importer doesn't support Revit scope boxes or camera views. Elements hidden only by a section box or camera point can still appear in SketchUp. Use the documented phase and category visibility controls to prepare the saved view. [![Revit Importer second step for the Building Courtyard view, Phases (2/2) tab open with Existing and New Construction checked, beside the Entities (20/20) tab](https://storage.ghost.io/c/91/44/91442afd-0c5c-4b43-a595-8db40125cd56/content/images/2026/11/08-sketchup-ui-revit-to-sketchup-1-ac54c419e3b1.webp)](https://storage.ghost.io/c/91/44/91442afd-0c5c-4b43-a595-8db40125cd56/content/images/2026/11/08-sketchup-ui-revit-to-sketchup-1-ac54c419e3b1.webp?ref=sketchupguide.net) In Customize View, use Phases for construction phases and Entities for Revit categories; at least one phase and one entity group must remain selected. 1. In Windows SketchUp with importer access, choose **File > Import**. Set the file type to **Revit Files**, locate the RVT and click **Import**. 2. In **Select 3D View**, choose the saved view by name. Select **Import Revit metadata** only if you need the element properties described below, then click **Continue**. 3. In **Customize View**, use **Phases** for construction phases and **Entities** for Revit categories. At least one phase and one entity group must remain selected. 4. Click **Import**. Read **Import Results**, then click **Close** to work with the imported model. Choosing a view selects the content for this import. It doesn't promise that the Revit camera setup or every saved view becomes a SketchUp scene. ### Keep the properties you need and inspect the containers The [metadata option increases file size](https://help.sketchup.com/en/importing-revit-metadata?ref=sketchupguide.net) and changes component definition names. With it off, names combine the Revit family, type and database handle. With it on, definitions use Revit GUIDs and carry an IFC4 property dictionary, built-in parameters, user-defined parameters and classification data. The option stores these values as imported SketchUp component attributes. Inspect the imported hierarchy in Outliner before simplifying it. Keep the [component geometry separate from connected geometry](https://help.sketchup.com/en/sketchup/creating-basic-component?ref=sketchupguide.net) while deciding which parts to edit. Work on an exchange copy if you need to reorganize the import, rather than exploding the working model wholesale. [Revit categories become SketchUp tags](https://help.sketchup.com/en/materials-textures-revit-importer?ref=sketchupguide.net), while the material appearance asset supplies a native SketchUp material. The importer maintains the texture's real-world dimensions. That texture scaling doesn't establish the whole building's size or origin, so keep the agreed length check. If a material arrives without its image, check Import Results for missing textures and ask for the external images beside the RVT. Revit decals aren't supported by this importer. For a smaller exchange, first exclude unneeded source categories and reconsider optional metadata; don't assume a large imported file needs every container removed. ## Use a 3D DWG when the importer isn't available For a geometry handoff, DWG is a documented alternative. Ask the sender for the building's **3D view**, rather than a drawing sheet. Autodesk's Revit 2026 and 2027 help give the same export paths, and the receiving steps follow the SketchUp 2027 CAD importer. 1. In Revit, choose [File > Export > CAD Formats > DWG](https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2027/ENU/Revit-DocumentPresent/files/GUID-42C75024-4D71-4831-8910-2747168624A3.htm?ref=sketchupguide.net) and open **Modify Export Setup**. On **Solids**, select **ACIS solids**. Autodesk's [ACIS export option](https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2027/ENU/Revit-DocumentPresent/files/GUID-CE5C1481-40BE-4503-A55C-25B0BC0F817B.htm?ref=sketchupguide.net) leaves existing polymesh elements as polymeshes. 2. On [Units & Coordinates](https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2027/ENU/Revit-DocumentPresent/files/GUID-DE0C0484-D7E8-4726-BAB9-9866663DB65F.htm?ref=sketchupguide.net), read **One DWG unit is** and record the actual unit. Defaults are inches for imperial projects and millimeters for metric projects. Agree **Project internal** or **Shared** coordinates; shared-coordinate DWG export requires views, rather than sheets. 3. Select the current 3D view for export and click **Next**. Choose the output folder and DWG version, then click **OK** to write the file. 4. In SketchUp, choose **File > Import**, locate the DWG, set **AutoCAD Files** and click **Options**. Under [Scale in CAD Import Options](https://help.sketchup.com/en/sketchup/importing-and-exporting-cad-files?ref=sketchupguide.net), choose the unit recorded by the sender. Select **Preserve Drawing Origin** when you need the file's agreed origin. 5. Leave **Import Linework Flattened** off for the 3D building: it assigns incoming geometry a Z-value of zero. If you want groups matching the CAD layer arrangement, select **Import Layers as Groups**. Select **Import Materials** to bring in the DWG's material definitions, or deselect it to leave them out. Click **OK**, then **Import**. Check the received model's size before building onto it. [Material transfer can vary with the DWG export preferences](https://help.sketchup.com/en/revit-interoperability/import-alternatives?ref=sketchupguide.net), so choose RVT for its documented material conversion when you have importer access and that appearance matters. The [DWG import and export guide](https://sketchupguide.net/sketchup-to-cad/) covers the rest of the 2027 CAD import dialog, including its tessellation and annotation options. ## Use IFC for a classified exchange In Revit, choose [File > Export > IFC](https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2027/ENU/Revit-DocumentPresent/files/GUID-14037C31-EBAD-41A8-9099-E6DD65BB626E.htm?ref=sketchupguide.net). Use **Browse** to set the output name and folder, click **Save**, choose **Current selected setup**, then click **Export**. Agree an IFC2x3 or IFC4 setup that the receiving workflow supports. In SketchUp 2027, choose **File > Import**, set the file type to **IFC Files**, select the file and open [IFC import Options](https://help.sketchup.com/en/importing-and-exporting-ifc-files?ref=sketchupguide.net). **Preserve Drawing Origin** is selected by default. Keep or clear it according to the agreed origin, then under **Preferences** choose **Use IFC Classes**, **Use IFC Layers** or **Don't Create Tags**. Click **OK**, then **Open**. That Tags choice arrived in [SketchUp 2027.0](https://help.sketchup.com/en/release-notes/sketchup-desktop-20270?ref=sketchupguide.net); an older build doesn't show it. Current IFC import reuses geometry between components to reduce file size. Inspect the resulting tags and Outliner hierarchy before reorganizing them; the chosen IFC tag option determines the tag arrangement you should expect. ## Bring SketchUp geometry into Revit For SKP, Autodesk's route is to [import into a Revit family](https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2027/ENU/Revit-Model/files/GUID-57805933-917B-4B5B-9AD2-80396354EDE0.htm?ref=sketchupguide.net) and then load the family into the project. Preserve your working SKP and send an exchange copy with a stated unit, origin and known length. 1. Create an in-place family in the Revit project, or create a family in the Family Editor. 2. Inside that family, choose **Insert > Import panel > Import CAD**. Navigate to the SKP and choose the **SKP** file type. 3. Autodesk recommends **Colors: Preserve**, **Layers: All**, **Import Units: Auto-Detect** and **Positioning: Auto - Origin to Origin**. Confirm that this positioning matches the exchange agreement, then click **Open**. Load the family into the project if you created it separately. The received form is imported geometry. Autodesk's [SKP import limitations](https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2027/ENU/Revit-Model/files/GUID-989EE87F-31C2-49A0-8575-469C218E43CE.htm?ref=sketchupguide.net) rule out geometric-flexing parameters and exploding the imported 3D data in Revit. Texture image maps, text, dimensions and saved Pages aren't supported, and a cut plane cuts the import only in a cuttable family category. Whole groups or components scaled with SketchUp's Scale tool may arrive incorrectly scaled in Revit. Resolve a scale problem in a separate exchange copy and check it again in Revit before replacing the reference. Don't dismantle the working model merely to test an export. [![SketchUp 2027 for Windows IFC Export options dialog with Version set to IFC 4 and Standard IFC spatial hierarchy checked, in front of a simple two-storey building](https://storage.ghost.io/c/91/44/91442afd-0c5c-4b43-a595-8db40125cd56/content/images/2026/11/08-sketchup-ui-revit-to-sketchup-2-d01970aa5cb2.webp)](https://storage.ghost.io/c/91/44/91442afd-0c5c-4b43-a595-8db40125cd56/content/images/2026/11/08-sketchup-ui-revit-to-sketchup-2-d01970aa5cb2.webp?ref=sketchupguide.net) In SketchUp's IFC Export options, choose the agreed IFC version under Version; Standard IFC Spatial Hierarchy can create the project, site and building hierarchy if Outliner doesn't define it. ### Export IFC, then choose Open or Link in Revit For a classified IFC handoff, [classify the groups and components as IFC objects](https://help.sketchup.com/en/revit-interoperability/sketchup-to-revit?ref=sketchupguide.net) before exporting. In SketchUp 2027, choose **File > Export > 3D Model**, name the file and select **IFC File**. Open **Options** and choose the agreed IFC version. IFC2x3 and IFC4 have shared this single file-type option since the [2026.0 IFC change](https://help.sketchup.com/en/release-notes/sketchup-desktop-20260?ref=sketchupguide.net). **Standard IFC Spatial Hierarchy** can create the essential project, site and building hierarchy if it isn't defined in Outliner. Click **OK**, then **Export**. [Some SketchUp entities may not export](https://help.sketchup.com/en/importing-and-exporting-ifc-files?ref=sketchupguide.net), so inspect the IFC at the receiving end. To reference that IFC in an existing Revit model, open the host model and use [Insert > Link panel > Link IFC](https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2027/ENU/Revit-Model/files/GUID-DE8B322A-A507-4E03-93EC-AA21F354E43B.htm?ref=sketchupguide.net). Choose **Auto - IFC Origin to Internal Origin** for origin alignment, or **IFC Origin to Survey Point** when the host uses shared coordinates and that matches the handoff. Click **Open**. A link is a reference that can be updated when its source changes; leave Revit’s intermediate IFC-based model untouched so the update path remains available. [File > Open > IFC creates a new model](https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2027/ENU/Revit-Model/files/GUID-21EFC097-96F3-428A-AFA4-BFEA4EDAB3D2.htm?ref=sketchupguide.net). Autodesk recommends Link IFC for reference work and warns that opening IFC does not provide an accurate, full translation into native Revit families, parameters and geometry. Choose Open only when that new-model workflow is what you need. ## Check a revised RVT before replacing the previous exchange For a revised source, I would import into a new exchange SKP first. Ask the sender to save the same named export view, record the selected phases and categories, and keep the metadata choice consistent. Compare the agreed length and origin, then inspect a changed element and a category that should be absent. Review Import Results for missing textures before using the new exchange in your working model. This is a repeatable handoff check; importing another RVT is not a promise of a live link back to Revit. Finish in the receiving app by measuring the agreed known length and comparing its unit with the sender's value. In SketchUp, the default [Tape Measure shortcut is T](https://help.sketchup.com/en/default-keyboard-shortcuts?ref=sketchupguide.net); for a Revit destination, have the recipient check the length there. Save the exchange only after size and origin match the handoff, before using it for the next drawing or coordination task.