Easily Scan Spaces into SketchUp with Scan to Design

[@duanekemp]

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

[@chrisb3927]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@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!

[@AlexS0h]

I like what I'm seeing, this is headed in a very helpful direction. This would be great for residential and small commercial spaces. I would still basically trace over the scanned model and cross reference with dimensions. But this could help to avoid going back and forth to jobs sites, because you always miss at least one dimension.

[@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

[@riverbeachbeads]

Can you scan exteriors?

[@Gloubi06]

I have recently bought an iPad pro for Sketchup and this new feature (and Procreate). After a few first tries, it seems ok, but a bit unstable. The app crashes and the feature allowing to share the model returns an error. I don't think you're there yet...

[@SketchUp]

If you're scanning a large area try splitting it up into a few smaller scans.

[@brinkley_furniture]

Will there be any support in the future for amdroid os?

[@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

[@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.

[@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“).

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@benwarren250]

How well would this work for scanning the inside of a commercial van in preparation for a campervan conversion?

[@SketchUp]

It's possible. Check out how Matt used it for his SUV to measure cargo capacity - kzbin.infot7Nd5o7uZRc

[@benwarren250]

@@SketchUp So its kind of possible, what sort of accuracy can i expect in an enclosed space like that?

[@SketchUp]

​@@benwarren250 Its hard to say as accuracy is both environment and user dependent. See here for more info: support.canvas.io/article/5-what-kind-of-accuracy-can-i-expect-from-canvas

[@bogstandardash3751]

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

[@edsongomes8019]

This is absolutely game changer

[@pgtips4240]

May I ask why?

[@thewearyboy]

Can walls be added on iPad to room to scan model?

[@SketchUp]

Yes, they can!

[@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.

[@dmytrotorianyk5687]

Were the Room plan set elements created automatically?

[@SketchUp]

Yes they were. All three sets of geometry created automatically)

[@barbarab202]

Is this only available on Sketchup Pro? Can it also be used for scanning interior if vehicles to design buildouts, or more limited to straight shapes.

[@SketchUp]

It's for SketchUp Go, not Pro..ie SketchUp for iPad. I can be used for car interiors. See this video Matt did: kzbin.infot7Nd5o7uZRc?feature=share

[@filippoangelillo1330]

Very nice. I tried to run a few scans of the same environment, but I have an error of about 5 cm. How can I reduce the error?

[@SketchUp]

The scanner on the iPad is not super accurate. If you need accurace of less than 5cm you should make sure to verify measurements.

[@cadbimhelp]

Is it possible to scan not space(room), but for example cell tower and then convert it to solid?

[@SketchUp]

You'd need a scanner with a lot more power to handle that kind of scale: geospatial.trimble.com/en/products/hardware/laser-scanning

[@cadbimhelp]

@@SketchUp If I understand correctly I can import point cloud from third party 3D scanner to SketchUp for iPad and convert it to solid automatically?

[@SketchUp]

@@cadbimhelp Not exactly. You would want to use the extension Scan Essentials, which comes with SketchUp Studio, to import and guide the modeling process - www.sketchup.com/en/products/scan-essentials?srsltid=AfmBOoruA0tnUDR1v2jdw_0SXFb4VulUwVCqkEAnPCnlywgbFH8tC78D

[@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

[@skyheart125]

how practical is it to use sir? If im given a few minutes to site visit.. will it be faster than the conventuional way of physically measuring and drawing it and taking down the dimensions and take photos for refernece?

[@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?

[@Luckygo-3310]

Can I use this feature without an internet connection?

[@SketchUp]

Yes! The scanning and processing take place on the device, so you don't need an active internet connection to use the feature.

[@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

[@skyheart125]

Good feature.... its cool until i find real pracricl use... it boils down to accuracy...How accurate is it? lets say down to smallest millimeter??

[@Aden_decor]

Which I pad u use ?

[@SketchUp]

iPad Pro 2nd gen 11 inch

[@chalmagean]

How accurate is it? Can you rely on the dimensions to model a room without measuring it?

[@SketchUp]

Accuracy depends on several factors, such as the room's brightness, size, and number of reflective surfaces. The purpose of your model is also relevant. If you're using the model for space planning or visual reference, the LiDAR scan will probably be good enough. If you're using the model to build something for a renovation, you should double-check with a tape measure.

[@chalmagean]

@@SketchUp thank you

[@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.

[@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

[@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

[@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.

[@Alastair_Freebird]

Thanks Eric, this has potential

[@S.Zandi23]

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

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@daydreamdesignandbuild]

Polycam already provides this!

[@3DGvisuals]

@@daydreamdesignandbuild It's also Apple only though unfortunately. I'm currently looking into a LIDAR software for landscape scans that works with Sketchup, I'm really hopeful it will save many hours/days of work over a year.

[@daydreamdesignandbuild]

@@3DGvisuals the Polycam scans do work with with sketchup.

[@3DGvisuals]

@@daydreamdesignandbuild I know, it's only apple devices that can scan though

[@positivenergylife]

Is it possible in desktop? 😊

[@SketchUp]

Scan to Design needs both lidar and a camera...so no, it wouldn't make sense to use your desktop machine for this.

[@hyungjoochoi]

Do you have any plans to make sketch-up possible on Android?

[@SketchUp]

Trimble doesnt't make it's development roadmap public. There are some challenges to making SU work on Android as there are so many different devices made by different manufacturers - which makes it way more difficult.

[@beckyarmley3008]

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

[@SketchUp]

iPad only.

[@richardd9863]

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

[@gizmoe70]

Doesn’t work on iPad minis 😢

[@SketchUp]

Correct. iPad Pro is the required hardware.

[@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

[@Skans-Gustav]

Not possible on the iphone I suppose?

[@SketchUp]

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

[@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).

[@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.

[@transom4114]

Stoke! Thanks Eric! 😁😁😁

[@SketchUp]

NP Transom. Thx for watching.

[@seaskimmer]

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

[@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!

[@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

[@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

[@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.

[@SB5SimulationsFerroviairesEEP]

Thank You! Stéph.

[@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?

[@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.

[@ImNotPotus]

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

[@WorldPeace-1]

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.

[@DEPICTIONILLUSTRATION]

Excellent!

[@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?

[@Seeit3dCoUkYourDreamsOurSkills]

Magnifico!

[@rosiecollins3678]

I’m guessing you need to be connected to WiFi to do this ?

[@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.

[@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 ;)

[@SvenK-CAD]

Yes bouy! 🤩

[@journei0021]

"This device does not have LiDAR scanning capabilites" cen't use it for ipad 8 :(

[@SketchUp]

This is true.

[@josephfdunphymba3241]

Nice!

[@kmss]

Nice feature, but it’s too slow and inaccurate for architects. You need a 1200,- hardware and many minutes for just one room? We can rent Leica laser technology with the software for 450,-/day

[@jamesogston8739]

brillianto

[@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.

[@cosmostv1747]

Super, super

[@supertaj1800]

No Apple.

[@matthodel946]

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