Trimble Connect for Business is included when you purchase a SketchUp subscription. Activating the tools to sync SketchUp files with Trimble Connect unlocks a whole new dimension to SketchUp, including:
- Unlimited online file storage
- Automated file syncing between computers (with Trimble Sync)
- Version History for recovery purposes
- Amazing remote modeling collaboration abilities
- Project Management tools
This article will help you get started with Trimble Connect, as well as show you how to use two great tools to sync your computer’s SketchUp files with Trimble Connect.
Quick Overview of terms and links to sections:
- Trimble Connect is impressive even without the two SketchUp syncing tools below. It’s a cloud-based collaboration and file storage tool where you can view 3D models, assign tasks to collaborators as well as assign project folder viewing/editing access. Trimble Connect is also where you can tap into version history for edited file recovery.
- Trimble Connect 2.0 Extension for SketchUp lets you download files on demand from your online Trimble Connect folders directly into SketchUp, edit and re-upload those models to Trimble Connect, reference multiple collaborator models together, and more!
- Trimble Connect Sync is a stand-alone desktop application. Much like Google Drive or Dropbox’s syncing tools, it’s all about syncing your online Trimble Connect folders and files with connected folders on your local computers. You can set the desktop folders to sync up with Trimble Connect weekly, daily, hourly, or more often.
Details and instructions for each are below. You may want to use just one or both options. Either syncing option, though, is dependant on first setting up your Trimble Connect projects and folders online, so let’s get started with that.
Trimble Connect Website Setup
Trimble Connect is an impressive collaboration tool that does much more than just sync project files (more on that below). At its most basic level, it serves as a cloud-based repository where data can be centrally stored and shared; however, it goes far beyond that with a suite of applications and features that enable users to manage data in the context of their project.
For instance, the Browser, Mobile (iOS and Android), and Windows applications make it possible to create multidimensional views of a project and include markups, notes, tasks, and other information. These views can then be shared between team members to communicate and coordinate various aspects of the project.
Here’s how to get started!
- Visit Trimble Connect and sign in with your Trimble ID (this is your subscription email address).
- This quick video will show you how to set up your first Project and Folders, but unlike the video user, make sure you choose your paid subscription from the drop-down when creating the project, to ensure your project can access the pro features. Try just uploading a few folders/files at first to get started with the next steps.
Congratulations, you’re now prepared to sync your Connect files to your desktop! The next two headings will show you how.
For more details about Trimble Connect itself you can read more about creating Trimble Connect Projects or peruse the Trimble Connect Help center, but to quickly get started with syncing SketchUp files, read on!
SketchUp’s Trimble Connect 2.0 Extension
This Extension comes with your SketchUp Pro subscription, and is found under File > Trimble Connect. Make sure you’ve already set up your Trimble Connect folders online first.
You must sign in to use the Trimble Connect extension. If you run into problems with the extension, try signing out and signing back in again in SketchUp with your Trimble ID (your SketchUp subscription email).
The Trimble Connect SketchUp Extension offers the following capabilities:
- Open Model - Open a Sketchup file hosted on Connect. If you have a model open already, this opens up a separate model window, it doesn’t bring it into your open file.
- Collaboration Manager - After you use Open Model to open a Trimble Connect file in SketchUp, this is where you can add To Do tasks for collaborators, view or add comments, download reference models and update those reference models for the latest versions, or open a window to Trimble Connect.
- Publish Model - Upload a SketchUp model to a Connect Project.
- Publish Model As - Upload a model to a specific folder or upload model with a new name.
- Import a Reference Model - Imports a model file (skp, ifc, dwg, dxf) to use as a reference in your existing open model file. The geometry in a reference file can be leveraged to coordinate modeling tasks, meaning it’s great for collaboration projects. A tag (previously called “layer”) will be created for each reference model to help you manage visibility. Reference Models are positioned based on the origin of the file. They are also locked and can’t be unlocked.
- Launch Trimble Connect - Opens the full Trimble Connect web app. This allows you to manage your projects folders, add To-Do items, and configure Trimble Connect.
Your use of the Trimble Connect extension for SketchUp is subject to the Trimble Extension End User License Agreement.
Trimble Connect Sync
Ever had a computer crash and lost all of your models? Or do you bounce between a desktop and laptop computer and need to pick up modeling where you left off on the other machine? If so, Trimble Connect Sync is here for you!
- Check to see if your computer and operating system match the Trimble Connect Sync User Guide Requirements.
- Make sure you have already set up your Trimble Connect online folders per the instructions above.
- From the Connect Applications page, download Sync.
This wordless and very fast video (worth watching repeatedly and pausing a lot) will show you how to download Trimble Sync and establish folders on your computer that will sync regularly up to your folders in Trimble Connect online. Once that’s set up, move your existing computer model files and folders to the new Sync folder on your desktop and open them from there in the future.
For additional documentation for Trimble Connect Sync, check out the manual starting on page 18.
