Working with Multiple Programs: ArcGIS, SketchUp, Google Earth, AutoCAD...
In this tutorial:
ArcGIS to SketchUp
Adding the SketchUp6 Toolbar
ArcGIS to AutoCAD (.dwg)
AutoCAD (.dwg) to SketchUp
SketchUp to ArcGIS
SketchUp to AutoCAD (.dwg)
ArcGIS to SketchUP
You can create SketchUp files in ArcGIS for direct import into SketchUp. This is often a good way to begin your models since the existing topography, roads, buildings, etc are already built for you. Follow these steps to export SketchUp models from ArcMap or ArcScene.
In ArcScene (this tutorial will continue to refer to ArcScene but you can also follow this same process in ArcMap), create a map that has the files you would like to use as a base for your SketchUp model. Clip the files to the size of your site or to a small section (no larger than a city block) of your site.
Select the features you would like to export as a SketchUp model:
right click on layer > selection > select all
Note: If you do not have the features selected, you will not be able to export the features. Everything you want to export should be highlighted in bright blue.
You can do this for as many layers as you would like to export but the program will crash if you try to do too many at once. If needed, you can export each layer separately.
Once you have selected the features to export, click on the Export to SketchUp button in the toolbar.
(If you can not see the SketchUp button try view > toolbars > SketchUp 6 Pro. If the toolbar is not in this menu, you will have to add the tool following the Adding SketchUp 6 Toolbar instructions below.)
After clicking the Export to SketchUp button, a dialogue box will pop up to guide you through the export process. If you have buildings with elevations, you can choose to Extrude them to the elevation value,
if you have contours with elevation data you can Elevate them to their elevation value,
if you have created a TIN, you can choose to include that in the model.
You can then open these SketchUp models (.skp files) directly in SketchUp.
Adding the SketchUp6 Toolbar to ArcGIS
If the SketchUp 6 Tools toolbar is not visible in the Toolbars menu,
you will have to add it under tools > customize
If it is not visible there, click on Add from File, and navigate to
c: > program files > ArcGIS > SketchUp 6 > FeaturesToSkp.dll
If it still not there, you will have to download the plug-in from www.sketchup.com under
downloads > sketchup plugins > importer/exporter > ArcGIS plugin
and follow the above steps for installation.
(thanks Karl Kraus!)
Exporting Data from ArcMap or ArcScene
Launch the ArcToolbox by clicking on the red toolbox in ArcMap or ArcScene. In the Toolbox, go to
Conversion Tools > To CAD > Export to CAD.
In the Export to CAD dialogue box, click the button net to Input Features and browse to all of the shapefiles you want to export. Chose the .dwg file format and your destination folder. Click OK to save.
AutoCAD (.dwg) to SketchUp
(adapted from a tutorial provided by Pennsylvania State University at CELA 2007)
Before bringing contours into SketchUp it is important that you clean up the files in AutoCAD. (Note: If you have exported a .dwg file from ArcGIS this is probably not necessary. Go straight to the next section to import your .dwg into SketchUp.) Clean up the geometry by making sure that lines intersect where they are supposed to, shapes are closed appropriately, and unnecessary layers are removed. For example, labels, hatching, and double lines (such as those used for walls) will all create unnecessary complexity int SketchUp.
In AutoCAD, create a single set of “proposed” contours as “polylines” with elevations assigned to them (not existing and proposed). (Note: Do not use splines or 2D polylines for contours. The elevation data for these files will be lost during the import process.) Save in AutoCAD 2004 format.
In SketchUp, go to file > import and select the AutoCAD file (make sure the file type is set to .dwg or you will not see your AutoCAD file).
Once you have imported the file, click on zoom to fit. All of the objects and layers from the .dwg file are now in SketchUp. Generally, the contours will come in at their elevations and all other objects will be sitting on the “0” plane. You will notice that none of the geometry comes in as surfaces. To create surfaces you can trace over one of the lines on a closed object and SketchUp will create a surface.
To create a terrain model from your contours and drape other features over your terrain model, go to Sandbox Tools: Terrain Modeling and Draping.
Additional tools: the Rubyscript “Makefaces” plugin will help make surfaces for you. It doesn’t get everything, but it can save you some time.
Go to file > export > 3D model and choose the file format .mdb. This will export a model that can be directly added to a map in ArcScene.
Go to file > export > 3D model and choose the file format AutoCAD 2004 DWG.