Relief drawn by hand
An “about right” terrain distorts insertion views: slopes, door thresholds and sightlines no longer match reality.
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Model real terrain in SketchUp, from IGN data
DXF contours, OBJ or STL mesh: GeoAlt prepares the real terrain that SketchUp imports — no hand modelling.
A hand-modelled terrain is an invented terrain. For a credible architectural insertion, relief must come from data: GeoAlt extracts the real DEM of your parcel and shapes it for SketchUp, which remains the working tool of many architects and landscape designers.
What usually gets in the way
LiDAR clouds SketchUp cannot read
SketchUp imports neither LAS nor E57 natively: an intermediary — DXF contours or a mesh — is needed from cloud to model.
Meshes that are too heavy
A 1 m mesh over 5 hectares weighs millions of faces: SketchUp saturates. Resolution must fit the use.
The workflow actually supported
- Step 1 — extract the real terrain
- From the cadastral reference, GeoAlt extracts the LiDAR cloud and builds the digital terrain model (ground only, building and vegetation classes excluded).
- Step 2 — export for SketchUp
- Two paths: contour lines as DXF 3D (native SketchUp Pro import, then Sandbox “From Contours”), or the OBJ / STL mesh for an already-surfaced terrain.
- Step 3 — tune the resolution
- Cloud decimation and mesh step are set at export: the terrain stays fluid in SketchUp even on a large parcel.
- Step 4 — insert the project
- Cadastral boundaries and the exact area come with the terrain: the project lands on real boundaries, at real elevations.
See the extracted terrain in 3D
The public demo displays the cloud and 3D terrain of a real parcel, ready to export.
Open the demoSketchUp-compatible formats
- DXF 3D — native SketchUp Pro import
- OBJ — import via extension or SketchUp Pro
- STL — for printing and mesh workflows
- SVG — for 2D layout
Stated technical limits
- SketchUp Free (web) does not import DXF: the full workflow requires SketchUp Pro or an import extension.
- The mesh follows the source model resolution; very rugged terrain needs a finer step, hence a heavier file.
- Tall vegetation is not in the DEM (by design): trees are modelled separately if the project needs them.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need SketchUp Pro?
For DXF, yes — DXF import is a Pro feature. The OBJ mesh also goes through extensions available for Make and Free via community importers.
Contours or mesh: which one?
DXF contours give a light, editable terrain (Sandbox From Contours); the OBJ mesh is immediate but heavier. For a few hectares, contours are often the best trade-off.
Are the elevations real?
Yes: they come from LiDAR HD or RGE ALTI, in the IGN 69 vertical datum for mainland France. SketchUp’s Z matches the terrain’s Z.
Can I import the full point cloud?
Not directly in SketchUp: clouds are viewed in GeoAlt’s 3D viewer or dedicated software (CloudCompare, for instance). SketchUp receives the derived terrain (contours, mesh).
Prepare your terrain for SketchUp
Extract the real DEM of your parcel and export DXF contours or the OBJ mesh in minutes.
Open the application