SketchUp to BIM: An Architect’s Guide to BIM

Many architects love the simplicity and speed of SketchUp. It’s lightweight, intuitive, and excellent for massing studies or early-stage design. But as projects grow in complexity—and as clients demand regulatory-compliant BIM deliverables—SketchUp starts to show its limits.

That’s where BIM comes in. If you’re wondering whether you can keep using SketchUp, or if you need to jump ship to something like Revit, ArchiCAD, or OpenBuildings—this guide is for you.

Why Architects Use SketchUp

SketchUp’s appeal is clear: you can build concepts quickly, present your ideas, and iterate with clients in real-time. Paired with plugins like V-Ray or Enscape, it produces stunning visuals with minimal effort.

But SketchUp is fundamentally a surface-modeling tool. It doesn’t handle semantic data, proper object classification, or coordination with engineers and contractors. That’s a major roadblock once your project moves from design to documentation and construction.

What BIM Does Differently

BIM (Building Information Modeling) embeds data into the geometry. It’s not just about 3D visuals—it’s about using those 3D elements to communicate intent, quantities, compliance, and coordination.

Walls know they are walls. Doors have fire ratings. Spaces carry room names, usage, and dimensions. This structured model becomes a single source of truth across disciplines, helping project teams avoid errors, accelerate approvals, and deliver on time.

Can You Convert SketchUp to BIM?

Yes, though it’s not a one-click process.

Some architects try IFC export plugins for SketchUp. These may get you part of the way there, but often lack the proper data structure or classification needed for regulatory BIM. You might pass visual checks, but fail a CORENET X submission or clash detection review.

A more reliable approach is to import your SketchUp model into a BIM authoring tool like Revit or ArchiCAD. You’d then rebuild the components natively—walls, slabs, windows—so that they’re fully parametric and correctly classified. This lets you retain your design intent while preparing a proper BIM deliverable.

Alternatively, you can maintain SketchUp for early design and hand over the model to a BIM specialist who will re-author the model for tender or construction. Many architectural firms adopt this hybrid workflow to avoid retraining their entire team.

Choosing the Right BIM Tool

If you’re evaluating BIM platforms, consider your team’s existing habits and project needs.

ArchiCAD is popular among design-driven firms due to its user-friendly modeling tools and strong IFC export capabilities.
Revit remains the industry standard for coordination-heavy projects and is often required for public tenders.
OpenBuildings Designer is a solid choice for infrastructure or regulatory-compliant models, especially in Singapore.
Vectorworks Architect is another alternative with a gentler learning curve if you’re coming from CAD or SketchUp.

Most tools offer trial versions or educational licenses—so take time to explore which one aligns best with your workflow.

When Should You Transition to BIM?

If your projects require submission to BCA under CORENET X, involve consultants from multiple disciplines, or progress into construction and FM stages, then BIM is no longer optional. It becomes a necessity for collaboration, compliance, and clarity.

The earlier you transition in the project lifecycle, the more value BIM brings. Waiting until tender or construction often leads to rework, which wastes time and budget.

We Can Help

You don’t need to throw away SketchUp. At Bimeco, we help architects convert design models into BIM—whether that means IFC-compliant modeling from scratch, or reconstructing key components in Revit or OpenBuildings.

If your firm is exploring how to integrate BIM without disrupting your current workflows, reach out to us. We’ll help you set up a process that’s practical, scalable, and aligned with your deliverables.

✍️ Final Thoughts

SketchUp is great for rapid ideation. But BIM is built for project delivery. As regulatory demands increase and collaboration deepens across disciplines, adopting BIM—whether partially or fully—will help your architecture practice stay ahead.

We’re here to help you make the shift, one project at a time.