Work Smarter: Using VU.CITY with SketchUp and Revit

In today’s information-driven world, time management is key. When it comes to architectural design, the way to manage your time is to have all your visualisation software and tools synced in the right way. This is where VU.CITY comes in and shines as a platform. The intricate relationship between conceptualisation and visual representation is streamlined when time-saving tools integrate seamlessly with powerful 3D modelling tools like SketchUp and Revit.

This post explores how these software resources complement each other, paving the way for genuine collaboration in architecture.

The VU.CITY platform

At its heart, the VU.CITY platform is a collaborative space for architects, designers, urban planners, developers and various other stakeholders and decision-makers. Through its wide array of viewing options and data layers, VU.CITY provides the necessary context that is an essential companion to a CAD software or any digital design software for architects. 

The benefits of VU.CITY lie in the ability to test architectural ideas in situ and view schemes and designs from a multitude of angles, and through a wide range of city data layers. You can plug in your 3D models and add critical context to them; whether their construction passes all the neighbourhood’s regulations and codes, what other projects currently in development or planned for development will be in their proximity and so much more. 

Using SketchUp and Revit with VU.CITY

As we said in another article, SketchUp and Revit are among the most popular online tools for 3D modelling in architecture. Their user-centric design ensures that both novices and pros can benefit by using them, and while SketchUp is renowned for its user-friendly interface, Revit has set the bar high when it comes to Building Information Modelling (BIM), so they both have their unique architectural visualisation techniques that, when combined, become very powerful.

VU.CITY allows for seamless integration with both SketchUp and Revit, adding nuance to your design. This is especially emphasised in two key areas:

1. Model Import/Export: VU.CITY offers plugins for both SketchUp and Revit that help make the importing and exporting of models between the tools smooth. Visit our knowledge base for more details. 
2. Scale & Alignment: Your SketchUp or Revit models can be sized and scaled to fit perfectly into the VU.CITY platform. Then, with features like the Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV), you will be able to see the effects of that model by instantly seeing where people can view it from.  

Additional tips and tricks

If you’re looking to supercharge your design process, whether in Revit, SketchUp or VU.CITY, here are a few pointers:

• Pre-set Views in VU.CITY: Navigate quickly to specific city regions without manual searches.
• Component Libraries: Utilise SketchUp & Revit’s vast libraries for standard design elements, saving design time.
• VU.CITY's Presenter Tool: Take stakeholders on a journey of design to support understanding and have meaningful conversations.
• Ambient Settings: Utilise VU.CITY's ambient settings to simulate different lighting conditions and conduct micro-climate analysis.
• 3D Rendering in Revit: Use Revit’s advanced 3D rendering to create lifelike visualisations of interiors and exteriors.
• Textures & Materials: Take advantage of SketchUp's expansive texture library to give your designs a realistic touch.
  
  

Used together, the above features elevate architectural project collaboration and design, combining the foundational strengths of VU.CITY with the detailing prowess of SketchUp and Revit. Work smart, elevate your designs, and watch your architectural visions come to life.

Read more about the art of immersive storytelling in architecture here