World’s library of FREE 3D and BIM Models for DIY, Architecture, Building, Construction & Design Industries

Frequently Asked Questions
Things you may need to know


  • What is BIM?

    Building information modelling (BIM) is a process involving the generation and management of digital representations of physical and functional characteristics of a facility. BIM does not need to be complex.

    Put simply, BIM is information relevant to a project or individual item that creates a larger assembly which can be displayed and controlled on a screen from various angles and views.
    Projects using a form of BIM basically describe a component visually and can also explain the uses, coordination, life cycle analysis (LCA), energy analysis of the item and more in a text format. Just because an item does not have text information does not mean it is not BIM. It's just means the level of detail (LOD) is low, therefore making it harder for the specifiers and or builder to distinguish actual properties. It is not unusual for a report to be created for various reasons on a project that contains the text information or attributes of individual or combined products for analysis and scheduling requirements.

    RubySketch BIM Models / Components are Smarter...
    Our BIM models are more than just simple geometry with some textures added to it for visualisation. They contain detailed information such as brand, product number, specifications, R values, sustainability rating, where to buy & more....That's a heap of information that will save the designer, the builder and the client valuable research time when specifying products for a project. Our models are high in information but small in file size to keep your software running efficiently!

    BIM is used throughout a buildings lifetime not just at the planning stage;
    3D Visualisation - create detailed visual presentations to sell a proposal
    Change Management - any modification to building design can easily be updated in each view

    Building simulation - BIM models contains more than just architectural data. They can contain information about engineering, sustainability, installation etc.
    Data Management - BIM Models can contain scheduling, estimation, lifecycle information and lots more.

    Why BIM ?
    • Less energy consumption via energy analysis
    • Less wastage
    • Better maintenance planning
    • Faster estimation
    • Easier feasibility studies
    • Great collaboration & shared knowledge between Architect, builder, client and subcontractors actually everyone who participates in the construction and design process
    • Visual Clash detection
    • Facility management
    • Scheduling 4D
    • Cost Estimating 5D


    Why RubySketch BIM ?
    • RubySketch is run by design and build professionals not sales people, we actively design and build and have done for over 23 years.
    • Significantly reduced design time
    • easy to use and find specific models
    • high level of detail with low poly count (LPC)
    • one location for many needs or product requirements
    • BIM to drive the construction industry


    The Federal Government, UTS and BuildingSMART have released a strategic report outlining the support needed to drive the construction industry into a new efficient, low carbon era .

    One of the key points of this report is that the building supply chain needs to get involved and start digitising their components for inclusion in intelligent building models. BIM is becoming essential rather than optional.
  • Low poly models

    A building design is made up of hundreds of models. If the models are large in size they can cause the CAD software to crash and cost hours of valuable design time.

    At Rubysketch we understand how important it is to make a model not only look good but to optimise its performance. Our models are low poly which means that they look good but are not huge in size (they measure kb not mb), which makes them perfect for using in any CAD software
  • What are 3D models?

    Rubysketch is Australia’s leading online directory of accurate 3D models of products and materials to be used in building design. The models are FREE and easy for you to download. Working in partnership with our suppliers, we have built a comprehensive library of 3D models in multiple file formats for importing into all of the most popular CAD suites, saving your hours of valuable time. What are 3D models?

    3D models represent a 3D object using a collection of points in 3D space, connected by various geometric entities.

    Why use a 3D model library?

    Developing accurate 3D models is one of the most time consuming tasks in the development of realistic 3D building designs. On average it takes a specifier 2 hours to draw a model of just one product. We have thousands of models of products and surfaces to download for FREE library so imagine the time that can be saved when designing a house! By using the Rubysketch library, you can save the time normally spent modelling and put it to better use. Rubysketch 3D models are known for their accuracy and quality, and each of our models is carefully created in a manner that allows them to be easily downloaded into your favourite CAD software.
  • What are seamless textures?

    Other model libraries design their material models in such a way that when they are used you can see the "tile effect". RubySketch design theirs so this doesn't happen so you get a realistic looking finish.

    The best way to demonstrate this is to show an example. For more information feel free to watch our YouTube tutorial on tileable textures by clicking here
  • About Rubysketch 3D Model Library

    RubySketch 3D Model Library is an online directory of 3D models free for architects, builders and designers to download to use in their designs. The library provides models in many formats including Revit, Archicad, Sketchup & 3ds. Many of our models contain BIM information making them even better for your design.

    Why use Ruby Sketch 3D Model Library?
    • Save hours of design time
    • FREE to use
    • Comprehensive, 1000s of 3D models all in one place
    • 3D Models in formats for the most popular CAD software including Revit, Archicad and SketchUp
    • Easy to use, download models into CAD software
    • Our models include BIM
    • Plan accurately using dimensionally accurate 3D models
    • Create great looking visual presentations


    About the founder - Andrew Dwight
    Andrew has been in the building industry for 23 years including 11 years with Mirvac, Construction Manager at CBS and now as Building Consultant of AAD Build and Business Development Manager of RubySketch. For many years Andrew has been using 3D Models to create great looking visual presentations for his clients and to improve his sales. Since 2009, BIM has been used in all AAD Build projects. AAD Build designs and constructs between 20 and 30 high end residential and commercial buildings annually using Revit, ArchicCAD and SketchUp in their 3D work flow. Rubysketch 3D Model Library is the result of Andrew recognising how important 3D Models and BIM are to his building business and his wanting to improve their availability to other end users.
  • What is the difference between SKPBIM (SketchUp Building Information Modelling) and SKPRDR (SketchUp Render)?



    We have had a lot of questions about the difference between SKPBIM and SKPRDR. Basically, the SKPBIM models have distinct advantages.

    These SketchUp models are low in poly count and have attributes attached that help with estimating, purchase details and lot of more specific items that relate to the job. in short they can be used n large models without having to worry about texture size or file size. These models have all be draw as per the manufacturers requests and a great efficient solution. These models can be rendered for client presentation.

    These SketchUp models have a high poly count and high definition which is not recommended for low end computers. These are models that have been drawn by the manufacturer. They are high in poly count but useful for render and scale purposes. We do not recommend using these models in large files as they will slow down your computer although they are great for rendering purposes on small projects like bathrooms.