The unreal engine was developed by Epic Games and is used in many different genres of 3D games and other architectural work. The Engine is ideal for creating easy and superfast renders that can be navigated in real-time.

Unreal Engine in SketchUp

Datasmith is a set of tools and plugins that enable you to bring pre-built assets from industry-standard design applications into Unreal Engine.

The Unreal Datasmith Plugin for the SketchUp program also gives us the ability to enable seamless exports from SketchUp To Unreal Engine.

Unreal Datasmith Plugin for SketchUp can be used by both professionals and beginners alike. The Plug-in is great for fast and real-time rendering of projects.

The Plug-in has wide system compatibility and supports both Windows and Mac. Unreal Datasmith Plugin is a free-to-use plugin and, therefore, could be used by anyone.

How to get started with SketchUp content in the Unreal Engine?

Before getting started with the SketchUp content in Unreal Engine, We need to install the Unreal DataSmith Exporter Plugin for SketchUp first.

Installing the Datasmith Exporter Plugin for SketchUp

To install the Datasmith Exporter plugin for any version of SketchUp on our computer, we need to follow the following steps.

1. If you have any SketchUp instances running on your machine, you must close them. If they are still running, the installation will fail.
2. The older version of the Datasmith Exporter plugin should be uninstalled before installing the newer version.
3. Then we need to download the Explorer plugin installer from the Removing the Datasmith Exporter for Sketchup page.
4. Once the download gets completed, run the installer.
5. To continue, accept the license agreement as shown on the screen.
6. The Installer automatically detects the version of SketchUp Pro installed on your system. Click Install after you check the box for each version you want to be able to export via Datasmith.

Enabling the Datasmith Exporter Plugin for SketchUp

If you have trouble using the Datasmith Exporter plugin, follow these steps to enable it in SketchUp.

1. Open SketchUp, and from the main menu, go to Window > Extension Manager.
2. Check the Extension Manager window for the Unreal Datasmith plugin. If it is not enabled, check the Enable | Disable column, and then click Apply Changes.

Removing the Datasmith Exporter from SketchUp

We can remove Datasmith Exporter From SketchUp with the same process that we use to uninstall any other application from Windows.

You can uninstall the Datasmith exporter plugin using the Apps & features control panel on Windows 10. Click the entry for the plugin in the list, and then click Uninstall.

You can also use the Uninstall or change a program from the control panel; then, choose Uninstall from the context menu when you right-click the entry for your Datasmith exporter plugin.

For more information CLICK HERE to watch the video tutorial – (Video Source: VR Division)

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Lumion Live Sync for SketchUp

Lumion Live Sync is one of the SketchUp Extensions that allows you to establish a live connection, allowing you to model and render at the same time. This will assist you in conveying the sensation of pushing and tugging a real-life structure. When it comes to lower-scale models, it’s a must.

Who can use it? Ranging from intermediate to advanced user

Best for: To visualize your small scale project as you model

System compatibility: Only available for Windows

Pricing: Lumion €1499 | Lumion Pro €2999 | Free educational license in some countries

Free trial duration: 14 days

Unreal Engine

This was made by Epic Games and was previously used for game development. It’s ideal for creating interactive, user-friendly visualizations that can be examined in real-time. The Unreal Datasmith Plugin for SketchUp allows for smooth exports from SketchUp to Unreal Engine.

Who can use it? Ranging from beginner to intermediate user

Best for Fast, real-time rendering

System compatibility: Available for Windows and Mac

Pricing: Free

V-Ray 5

V-Ray 5 has a long history in the arch-viz community as a powerful professional renderer capable of producing polished, photo-real renders for both novices and pros. Such render options are included in V-Ray 5’s current edition of SketchUp Extension, which you should quickly select and adjust to suit your preferences. It has an interactive viewing window that you can utilize while modelling in SketchUp, as well as a premium cloud rendering option that allows you to use your hardware for other things. You can experiment with other inputs or utilize the built-in presets if you’re new to rendering.

Who can use it? It can be used by both beginner and advanced users. It can adapt to suit your rendering knowledge.

Best for Interactive render viewing and also for high-quality professional renders

System compatibility: Windows/Mac

Pricing: It is available as part of SketchUp Studio

Trial: Free for 30 days

Profile Builder 3

By simplifying repetitive operations, this addition cuts modelling time in half. Profiles can be created using simple or sophisticated SketchUp faces and polylines. Simply extend these profiles along pathways to establish a profile member, and then link profile members to create parametrically defined assemblies.

Who can use it? From Intermediate to advanced users all can use

Best for: Creating bespoke and standard profiles for repetitive geometries

System compatibility: Available for Windows and Mac

Pricing: $79 for lifetime access

Free trial duration: 30 days – Download Now

Add Height from Datum

If you need to reference heights during modelling or at a vital stakeholder meeting, you’ll need this plugin. For greater accuracy throughout the design process, just mark and reference the important levels in your design.

Who can use it? From beginner to advanced users all can use it

Best for: Keeping track of key datums within your project

System compatibility: Available for Windows and Mac

Pricing: Free. Register with SketchUcation, an independent SketchUp community forum, to access the download

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