Easily Scan Spaces into SketchUp with Scan to Design

Have you ever taken measurements of an existing space only to painstakingly re-draw everything all over again in the computer? Even worse, have you forgot to take a measurement and had to go back to the job site again?! Well not any more friends with SketchUp for iPad's awesome and intuitive new Scan to Design tool. Follow along with Eric as he scans his studio space and sends it directly to SketchUp as the basis for him to build from.
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[@duanekemp]

This is still one of the most "cool" things that SU4iPad has come out with! Love it.

[@AVSMedical1]

Great video, thank you. Would love to see a more detailed version where you take that and then refine it to a finished project.

[@SketchUp]

Good suggestion. We do longer 'Live Modeling' sessions so modeling from a scan could work there.

[@3DGvisuals]

Hopefully this tech will advance rapidly and I'll be able to use it to scan gardens/exteriors at some point soon, currently site surveying is a time consuming pain. Also, I hope it comes to non-apple equipment soon too.

[@chrisb3927]

SketchUp is getting better and better than my first one many years ago!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@edsongomes8019]

This is absolutely game changer

[@simoncuff6456]

How about making scan to design available for the iPhone too? Upload to Trimble Connect and continue on your desktop etc.

[@SketchUp]

Thanks for the suggestion! The best place to submit feature requests is on our forum: forums.sketchup.com/c/sketchup/feature-requests/25

[@holgeras]

Actually you can scan with an iPhone Pro, unfortunately you are not able to save it. Anyway, why in the first place? Very disappointing.

[@simoncuff6456]

@@holgeras most people carry an iPhone and would be more convenient if you wanted to use that feature. I wasn’t aware you could scan with an iPhone and Sketchup.

[@holgeras]

They just deleted this feature for iPhone with the latest update.without any comment. Furthermore Lidar scanning is no longer available for iPhone. Obviously it was a bug for them. It is kind of disappointing.@@simoncuff6456

[@Velina38]

How do you know if your iPad has LIDAR capabilities. I was trying to follow along with your tutorial but got a message saying my device doesn't have LIDAR capabilities. But, this iPad we ordered right from Canvas or Occipital and it was already used to scan structures to be sent to Canvas to produce a SU model. Thanks.

[@synchr0nic0]

The bigger question is, when will we be able to use Sketchup in our Galaxy9 tab.

[@tcbandeira]

Never...

[@joshhall647]

If it was still owned by Google, we would have it by now

[@linea2000]

@@joshhall647 If it was still owned by Google, it would still lack the software development, integration, and credibility in the Architecture and design industry. - Trimble did that. Google just wanted a toy for Google Earth.

[@bogstandardash3751]

When your tablet has a lidar sensor. Just get a matterport scanner like pros do.

[@AlanNisbet]

I use my iPhone 14 Pro and another application - Polycam - to scan a space and import the result into a SketchUp model. I use scans and the "traditional" combination of photos and videos to capture an existing space, especially complex mechanical installations and other configurations that baffle me, for my site measures

[@Sheppard2030]

This would be amazing for streamlining the process of measuring rooms/house interiors for architectural purposes, however this is just not clean enough yet. Future iterations look prospective.

[@grizzlybear1633]

Absolutely correct. This is basically pointless. However a few versions later and it’ll be superb.

[@bropitt]

I agree I would still take measurements, however I often refer to photos for my asbuilts and this would help a lot.

[@bogstandardash3751]

Any chance of a similar integration with matterport scanners like the mc2?

[@Gloubi06]

Excellent session! Thanks Eric! I'm guessing that this would only work with iPad pros or iPhones Pro, with LiDar feature? What about acuracy of the measures? Have you had a chance to verify the dimensions are acurate?

[@SketchUp]

Glad you enjoyed it! It works in SketchUp for iPad with a LiDAR-enabled iPad and iOS17 or higher. A lot of variables affect the scan output-size of the space, how much light there is, reflectivity of surfaces, etc. We'll see if we can get Eric out there with a tape measure... 📏

[@eukaryote-prime]

@@SketchUpSo no iPhone 15? The iPhone app is just a project viewer? That’s disappointing :(

[@SketchUp]

@@eukaryote-prime Correct. Who knows what the future holds though.

[@eukaryote-prime]

@@SketchUp indeed!

[@naioti]

Great feature! Would be awesome to have scanning ability on iPhone app as well for iPhones that support LiDAR, just to be able to scan and upload to the cloud to work with on desktop could really help my workflow. An iPad Pro is an awesome tool but can’t justify the cost yet

[@BraedenYoung-vb6ps]

Wait, are you saying that there is NATIVE BUILT-IN SOFTWARE INTIGRATION with the occipital structure sensor? AND AUTOMATIC OBJECT RECOGNITION? Are you serious, am I dreaming? Pinch me!

[@seaskimmer]

Looks fantastic, but only on I-pad, no android?

[@Alastair_Freebird]

Thanks Eric, this has potential

[@gregoirearmaos7944]

HI and thanks for your video. I'm wondering can you use the scan feature outdoor? I would like to scan the Olympic Stadium and surrounding in Montreal and design a different layout for the whole Olympic village area which is quite huge. Perhaps because of it's size i should take a picture and work on creating a different layout in 2D ? Would that be possible with SketchUp ?

[@SketchUp]

I think you'd be better off importing the aerial site plan using the Add Location feature and modeling from there. I'd imagine it'd be quite an effort to try to scan a stadium with an iPad. Trimble makes higher-end point cloud scanners for those types of projects.

[@riverbeachbeads]

Can you scan exteriors?

[@DEPICTIONILLUSTRATION]

Excellent!

[@S.Zandi23]

Brilliant! It would be great to be able to use phones with Lidar.

[@woodwarped]

This is great. Is there a recommended way to get a scan from the iPhone 15 pro into sketchup pro?

[@SketchUp]

What file format does your scanning app create? I have used Transmutr and Skimp extensions to import non-native formats including the scan textures too.

[@lebleuetok]

Thank you for the video. Can you tell me if the application works with an Iphone 13 Plus. THANKS

[@SketchUp]

SketchUp for iPad only runs on... iPad.

[@manweeldankha2155]

excellent! wondering if any one know what kind of tablet can i use smoothly and affordable for SketchUp and other design software?

[@aarondietzen2995]

IPad Pro

[@transom4114]

Stoke! Thanks Eric! 😁😁😁

[@SketchUp]

NP Transom. Thx for watching.

[@larstofastrud1788]

What is the accuracy here? How close do you have to be with the iPad? If the ceiling is 6 meters with details.

[@vshevnin]

I believe Lidar limitations is about 4-6 meters ((( So you have to use some podium to scan ceiling

[@Seeit3dCoUkYourDreamsOurSkills]

Magnifico!

[@mrvvoo]

Can this work for outdoors? I’d love to use this to visualize building a shed in a backyard (uneven grass for the flooring and fencing material for creating “wall boundaries“).

[@SketchUp]

In theory it should but keep in mind that Apple's 'Room Plan' back end seems to be designed for interior spaces so not sure how it interprets an outside space. Worth a try!

[@mrvvoo]

@@SketchUp Wow, thanks for the fast reply! The community engagement you guys maintain is impossible to find anywhere else. I’m starting a new business that will need some of these pro features. I’m not hesitating whatsoever to become a paying SketchUp customer. 🙏

[@anterraarch]

If you are an interior designer, always work on renovation kinda project, this will help you a lot.

[@user-zp6ni1eg1z]

What iPad were you using? MUST I use the Pro version?

[@SketchUp]

Yes. To scan, you need an iPad with a LiDAR Scanner, which is currently only available on iPad Pro.

[@alexdecret1420]

Hello thereI noticed a new Develop menu on your screen ? I can't see on my ipad? Could you tell us about it please? Thanks and have a nice day

[@SketchUp]

Eric used an internal pre-release version to record this video. The Develop menu is for our developers and quality assurance team when they test the product, in other words, behind-the-scenes stuff 🙂

[@alexdecret1420]

@@SketchUp Thanks so much for your reply, your guys are the best!! have a nice day

[@bernhardtsuballa5341]

Wouldn't it make more sense to have an application with which you could import spherical images (360 degree photos, e.g. with Insta 360)?

[@SketchUp]

Those solutions certainly exist, but they're not true 3D. LiDAR, on the other hand, gives you real-world dimensions and 3D geometry.

[@peer1976]

Why can't you use the iPhone Pro? It has a Lidar and enough processing power... And much more portable!

[@SketchUp]

Our iPhone app, SketchUp Viewer, is just that-a viewer. You can't edit models, and that includes scanning.

[@holgeras]

On iPhone Pro open a file, tap on the little arrow below, go far right: there you have the icon for Lidar-scanning. It works, unfortunately you are not able to save it. .@@SketchUp

[@beckyarmley3008]

Is this feature just for iPad? Or will it work on Android tablets too? Thanks!

[@SketchUp]

iPad only.

[@cwgatti]

I have an iPhone pro 14 with lidar. Can I scan with that and transfer to PC?

[@SketchUp]

It depends on the scanning app.

[@cwgatti]

@@SketchUp which app should I use?

[@richardd9863]

That's cool except you need a super pricey phone or tablet is it any others solutions?

[@besogogebashvili8212]

Hello, it's really cool, but the bad thing is that there is no Android version. Do you know if it will be released for Android?

[@FrostArchon]

As an Android user, Android phones do not have lidar sensors. So this function wouldn't have the hardware required to run it.

[@ROFTN]

This feature works only with iPad? Not other tablets?

[@FarukAhmet]

Other tablets don't have LIDAR. If you wanna use an Android tablet, there are apps (Polycam for ex) that can employ the camera alone-that would give you a file (an STL, OBJ or DAE for ex) which you can import into SketchUp.

[@ROFTN]

@@FarukAhmet Thank you.

[@andylee5406]

Is this available in the uk as it’s not on my iPad

[@SketchUp]

This is available in the most recent update to SketchUp for iPad!

[@josephfdunphymba3241]

Nice!

[@i_amphantom7851]

What’s the normal processing time? Mine still hasn’t finished processing after 12 hours.

[@SketchUp]

Depends on the space, specs of the iPad and scan resolution. I sped mine up for sake of the video. I recall it took me about 5-7 mins for my one room.

[@SvenK-CAD]

Yes bouy! 🤩

[@johnjlopez]

Can this be done on an iphone with lidar - such as iphone pro?

[@SketchUp]

The SketchUp iPhone app is a viewer only, so it doesn't have any editing capabilities (including scanning) at this time.

[@holgeras]

That is half true: actually you can scan with an iPhone Pro, unfortunately you are not able to save it. SU, please make it happen!.@@SketchUp

[@jacoolckers6465]

How can I get this setup. Once again my problem is money. I would love this.

[@SketchUp]

Mo money mo problems...a wise person once said. All you need is a lidar-eqpt iPad and a subscription to SketchUp Go or Pro (Go being the less expensive option if you don't need the Desktop version of SketchUp).

[@hinesmaine]

Do you expect the I phone to do this as well?

[@SketchUp]

Not that I know of. It's technically possible but the scanning feature is tied to App and iPhone size is not conducive to modeling. There are other scanning apps that can easily export from iPhone to SketchUp.

[@ImNotPotus]

Yes leave the fluffy jackets on the wall. Super easy bearley and inconvenience.

[@Mrsjordanwarren]

Does this work outdoors? Like for the front of a house?

[@SketchUp]

Great question. I'll try it tomorrow and get back to you.

[@mrvvoo]

@@SketchUpAny update here? I’d love to do this to visualize building a shed in a backyard (uneven grass for the flooring and fencing material for creating “wall boundaries“).

[@Aden_decor]

Which I pad u use ?

[@SketchUp]

iPad Pro 2nd gen 11 inch

[@jamesogston8739]

brillianto

[@Skans-Gustav]

Not possible on the iphone I suppose?

[@SketchUp]

Nope. Read the other comments as some have suggestions for other options.

[@MrMost76]

My ipad is having a bit of trouble running this great program.. 😔

[@SketchUp]

Double-check to make sure your iPad meets the min requirements: LiDAR-enabled iPad and iOS17 or higher.

[@staceydenise5538]

Can my clients scan on their own and send it over to me?

[@SketchUp]

They can, but they would need a subscription to SketchUp.

[@FrostArchon]

Is this feature free? Seriously considering buying an ipad just for this feature alone now.

[@SketchUp]

The scanning feature is included with your subscription to Go, Pro, or Studio versions: www.sketchup.com/en/plans-and-pricing?SU_Brand_Search_Brand+Exact

[@cosmostv1747]

Super, super

[@keggyification]

Thanks Eric, very interesting but I don't own an iPad nor do I have the funds to get one able to do this, still a great feature though.

[@SketchUp]

The holidays are always just around the corner. Doesn't hurt to ask does it ;)

[@hamedazhang1985]

what about windows?

[@SketchUp]

SketchUp for iPad will not run on Windows, but you CAN place windows into your models in SketchUp for iPad!

[@hamedazhang1985]

@@SketchUp i mean when we have this feature in windows OS?

[@PatrickDaley-on5gx]

There's no good technical reason why this shouldn't be available on iPhone. Please fix, should be a very simple fix from a development perspective. If it runs on iOS it runs on iOS

[@cekuhnen]

There is not really a reason why they should have done this - the technology is so low res it is borderline useless.

[@timd9430]

Doesn't the newer iPhones and iPads have the same LiDAR?

[@supertaj1800]

No Apple.

[@cekuhnen]

Adding better modeling tools would have been better spent energy than using this tech which is clearly not really that useful for rooms and as years of experimentation proofs.

[@matthodel946]

Well damn I hate Apple, Lidar is great. Apple not so much.

[@danger_danger]

Is this planned for any sort-of Windows tablet or 2-in-1 laptop? I don't own or use Apple products, so just curious....

[@SketchUp]

We can't talk about future plans, but your feedback will get to our product managers if you post in our forum: forums.sketchup.com/c/sketchup/feature-requests/25