Navisworks InfoCenter

Clash Report and Incorrect Revit ID Numbers

2012-01-04T09:00:00.000-06:00

This problem sucks, there just isn’t any good way to put it….

If you’ve been using Navisworks with Revit files, you may or may not have run across this depending on how you use the Clash Reports (exported reports). When you look at the Clash Report, there is a separate column for the Item ID, which for Revit is the Element ID. You can use that ID number to search for the Element that is being called out in the Clash. (similar to what I discussed in this post about Revit Interferences) At first glance, it looks great. I can grab that ID number, go to Revit and quickly find the item in the Clash, especially if you don’t have the Navisworks model (versus possibly using Switchback if you had the Navisworks model).

But, there is a problem when it comes to some objects. Some objects, like Columns, Beams, Diffusers (to name a few) don’t actually report the proper Revit Element ID!! Yeah, not so good! From what I can tell, it’s actually calling out the Element Type ID Number and not the Element Instance ID Number. (See this post about the props of a Revit element and what is considered Instance vs Type) Some of you may be thinking, well can’t I just use the ID number to find the object in Revit….sorry, no you can’t. Revit wants the Instance ID number so it can actually find and select the corresponding Instance Element.

Oh, I should mention a way to get the proper number. Well, there actually is a couple. One being to use DWF’s from Revit instead of NWC’s. The DWF will put the Element ID number as a suffix to the Name of the object in Navisworks. But for many, that would require a complete change in process of getting files. The other way, would be to have the Navisworks model open with the corresponding Clash Test and Results. When you select a clash, the bottom pane in the Clash window will show you what objects are clashing. If you select the Element Name, use the Select button, you can then look at the Properties to get the proper Element ID number.

I’ve reported the issue to Autodesk Support, which was escalated to the Development Team. Hopefully (keep anything and everything you can crossed) that they can solve this issue in the next release of Navisworks!

Selection Tree and Revit Objects

2012-01-03T09:26:00.001-06:00

This is something that I get asked quite a bit…when I load in a Revit file into Navisworks, why do things like Columns or Doors (as examples) always show the Type Name twice?

If you’re not sure what I’m talking about, here’s a little screen shot…

As you can see, the W10x49 has a “sub component” also called W10x49. What you are really seeing here is the Element and the Type (respectively). To help explain this a little further, here’s each one selected and the associated “Element” properties…

As you can see in the image on the left, the Properties for the first item selected displays the Instance Properties of the Revit object. On the right image, you can see the next item in the list is selected, which is now displaying the Type Properties.

So when you see Revit objects with what seem to be duplicate names, you are actually seeing the Instance and the Type. One thing to note, this isn’t the same for all Revit objects. Take Walls for instance, Navisworks only lists out the Instance and the actual geometry (as shown in the top image).

From what I can tell, this helps separate out the Properties and the number of tabs that are displayed. But, there is an issue with having all of these properties broken out like this, specifically the Element ID! This ties back to the Switchback post…if you try and use Switchback with the Type selected, it won’t find the object. And, that’s not all…it also affects your Clash Detection reports! More to come on that subject soon….

Navisworks 2012 Switchback with Revit Video

2011-12-30T14:07:00.001-06:00

Way back in July, I posted about a new feature for Navisworks and Revit 2012 being able to now use Switchback. Well, I finally got around to creating the video that I said I was going to. It’s amazing how time flies when you’re busy!

The video below shows the interaction of Switchback with Navisworks and Revit. I didn’t put voice to the video, but did input some “pop-ups” with some explanations.

As you can see, there are some interesting things happening in this first iteration of Switchback with Revit. Hopefully the 2013 versions have a much better integration.

Autodesk University (AU) Virtual 2011

2011-11-14T09:15:00.001-06:00

As much everyone would like to go to Las Vegas in 2 weeks, many of you do not have the opportunity. Budget limitations and work demands will keep you from attending the Autodesk University in Las Vegas. To expand the audience and make Autodesk University more accessible to a greater number of people the Autodesk created AU Virtual. This year AU Virtual is offered at no charge to all AU Members (Membership is free). If you’re not an AU Member, you can register HERE.

With AU Virtual, you can choose from 100’s of online virtual sessions directly from your desktop.

Registration begins November 15.

After the event, AU Virtual classes will continue to be available on the AU website. So if a “fire” needs attention and you can’t watch the Virtual event you wanted, you can go back and still get the information you wanted.

Navisworks 2012 Interoperability Pack

2011-09-29T17:03:00.001-05:00

A couple weeks ago, an Interoperability Pack was released for Subscription Customers. The Beyond Design blog has a great post about the contents of this if you haven’t seen it yet.

Navisworks 2012 Deployments with Service Pack 1

2011-09-27T11:44:00.001-05:00

With the latest Service Pack/Update 1 for Navisworks 2012, there have been some questions on how to add this to Navisworks 2012 deployments. When you go to modify an existing Navisworks 2012 deployment (or even create a new one), the option to “download” the service pack isn’t available…the only option you have is to append or merge the .msp file(s). Typically, this is okay but not for Service Pack 1 for Navisworks 2012.

Service Pack 1 actually has multiple .msp files buried inside the exe you download. Which again, for appending/merging into a deployment is typically okay to do. But, Navisworks SP1 also includes a few odbx.msp files that are not supported by the append/merge method as they cannot be added to the deployment image through the installer framework.

Because of this, you cannot modify an existing deployment of Navisworks 2012 to add in the full contents of Service Pack 1 OR even create a new deployment for Navisworks 2012 to include the full contents of SP1.

The only way to have Navisworks 2012 installed with all of the contents of SP1 is to install SP1 separately after Navisworks has already been installed. For me, this means just run the exe you’ve downloaded to install the SP on each computer.

Navisworks 2012 Service Pack 1 Available

2011-09-26T14:25:00.001-05:00

Yes, you may have already heard about this being available, but I wanted just reiterate that the first Service Pack/Update for Navisworks (Manage, Simulate, Freedom) 2012 is available. You can download the update HERE. As usual, make sure you download the appropriate version for your OS (32bit vs 64bit).

Also, make sure you look at the available download links…there is a separate download for the NWC Exporters as well. This is available for those of you who only have the Exporters installed, you don’t actually have Navisworks installed. If you have Navisworks installed and install the Navisworks update, you do not need to install the Exporter update as well…this is already in the Navisworks update package. See the comment below from Lee (Beyond Design blog) regarding the Exporter Update…I was slightly incorrect on the above comments about the Exporter Update.

“If you installed Navisworks Manage or Simulate 2012 or the standalone NWC Exporters prior to September 2011, then you should install the separate updated Exporters, this is NOT contained in the Service Pack.”

As for the list of updates, take a look at the PDF HERE.

Using Project 2010 Schedules in Navisworks 2012

2011-08-04T14:01:00.001-05:00

Something we just ran across was a customer looking to use Microsoft Project 2010 files inside of Navisworks 2012 for Timeliner. When you go to add a Data Source in Navisworks 2012, it says you can only use Microsoft Project 2003-2007. It’s actually lying….you can bring in a Project 2010 file into Navisworks 2012.

Navisworks Switchback to Revit

2011-07-19T17:08:00.001-05:00

New in Navisworks 2012 (Simulate and Manage) is the ability to utilize the Switchback feature! This has been accessible/available to those working with AutoCAD for a while now, but it’s a nice addition to those working with Revit. I’ve received a few questions about working with Revit Switchback and whether or not you have to export the NWC from the central file or local files? And if local, how does it know what local file to get and how is it going to get a local that’s on someone else’s computer!?

Ok, well, you don’t have to export from the central and it doesn’t matter what local file you export your NWC from. The nice thing about Revit Switchback is that is goes strictly by the ID number of the Revit objects…so it doesn’t care what (local) file it’s from. And as far as what file it will try and open, well, it will look initially for the file the NWC was produced from. But, not to panic, you will be prompted saying that it can’t find the file and allows you to browse for a new file….your own local file.

The key part about Revit Switchback from the Revit side is that you already have the file open and you’ve initiated Switchback in Revit.

How do you do this? Great question, glad you asked!

In Revit, go to the Add-Ins tab and External Tools. There, you’ll find Navisworks Switchback.

Once you’ve selected Navisworks Switchback, you can now utilize Switchback in Navisworks with Revit. The nice thing, is that you only have to do this once per Revit session. So if you have Revit open all day, you only have to initiate the Switchback in Revit once.

I have to say though….as much as I like this, there is some work to be done with this feature. It’s the first iteration, so I expected there to be some little things to work-around, but I guess I also expected this to work similar to AutoCAD and it doesn’t. I’m creating a little video explaining some of the things that I’ve found that need work, including some of the things I’ve found to get around some of the issues. Stay Tuned!

Turn Off Sectioning Planes and Keep Section

2011-06-06T08:00:00.000-05:00

Ever since Navisworks 2011, we’ve been able to see the actual section plane when working with the Sectioning Tool. Since we can actually see the plane, many have asked if you can actually turn it off? And YES, we can definitely turn it off…and it’s simpler than you may think.

All you need to do is re-click the Move or Rotate or Scale (for the Section Box only) and it will “remove” that tool/option from being active…which will turn off the sectioning plan, but keep the view sectioned!

Just remember if you’ve saved a Viewpoint of the section….if you turn off the Section Plane (or Box), you’ll need to right-click on the Viewpoint and hit Update so it’s turned off when you come back to that Viewpoint.

BIM and Construction Utilizing the Autodesk 2012 Products

2011-06-03T13:15:00.001-05:00

Back in the first part of April, I did a few webcasts around the Autodesk 2012 products and how they fit into a BIM workflow for Architects and Construction firms. We did record the sessions and I’ve linked below a recording of the BIM for Construction webcast that I did. It’s about 40 minutes long and since this was done for the company I work for, you get a few minutes of MasterGraphics information at the beginning.

Hope you enjoy and definitely contact me if you have any questions!!

BIM For Construction Utilizing the Autodesk 2012 Products

Closing NWC/NWD Files on Load

2011-05-25T15:55:00.001-05:00

Ok, show of hands….How many of you work in Navisworks and also work in a “design” application (like Revit, AutoCAD, etc.) at the same time? A few, that’s what I thought. Of those that do, how often are you having to close out of your current Navisworks project (NWF) so you can save over the top of your existing/appended NWC (or NWD I suppose) so you can show the changes in Navisworks? Or you’re (for example) a GC (general contractor) who is gathering NWC or NWD files and when you get a new one, you have to close out of project file in Navisworks so you can save the new version over the top of the previous? Yeah, that’s what I thought…too many of you!

All kidding aside, this is a very common question I get about working with Navisworks….why do I have to close out of my NWF just so I can overwrite my appended NWC/NWD files? The reason is one “little” checkbox in the Navisworks options….”Close NWC/NWD files on load”

With this options checked, you no longer have to close out of your current project to re-export your NWC files from the design applications, or when you want to overwrite a previous version when you get a new one from the “designers/engineers”.

This little checkbox essentially removes the file lock that would get attached to the appended NWC/NWD file. Without this checked, the file lock is applied and you can’t overwrite the file unless you close out of the NWF file the NWC/NWD is appended to.

Navisworks and Vault Integration for 2012

2011-05-13T14:19:00.001-05:00

The last couple days, I’ve been learning some of the ins and outs of how Vault 2012 can now work with the AEC 2012 products like Revit and Navisworks, besides just learning about Vault period. Brian Schanen at Autodesk has a nice little post over at Under the Hood about this integration with Navisworks.

Here’s a little clip from his post about how to show the Vault tools in Navisworks…

----snip----

Now, here’s a tip that you’ll need to use before Vaulting Navisworks data. The Vault Ribbon tab is off by default. To enable, go to Options, expand Tools, click Vault, and put a check in the box to ‘Show in User Interface’.

----snip----

Now, before everyone goes out and starts trying to show the Vault tools in Navisworks 2012, you’ll need Vault 2012 installed for this option to be available.

As far as how Navisworks and Vault work together, this is the first iteration of this integration and a specific workflow at this point hasn’t really been nailed down. As I learn more about Vault and how it’s going to play with Navisworks, I will be posting more about this new integration.

New Symbol in Navisworks 2012 Generated NWC Files

2011-04-26T08:00:00.000-05:00

As some of you may or may not have noticed, Navisworks (2012) generated NWC files (meaning you opened or appended say a DWG file) have a new symbol in the NWC name….the # symbol. This is something new for 2012 NWC files and is meant to differentiate NWC files created as Cache vs. NWC files exported from other programs.

So when you see the # symbol in the file name, leave it there. Navisworks doesn’t do anything special with the file or anything, it’s just a way to differentiate the files. If you delete the # symbol, Navisworks will just recreate the NWC again with the # symbol.

The reason behind this is in the past, there were cases where users would export their DWG files to an NWC file and place them alongside the DWG files in the same folder with the same file name. They would then open the DWG file in Navisworks, thereby overwriting the exported NWC file with an automatically generated NWC. So by automatically putting the # symbol in the name, this issue should be avoided.

Thanks to Autodesk support for clarifying the new naming convention!

Clashes Not Showing Color in Navisworks 2012

2011-04-25T11:31:00.001-05:00

I’ve run across a little issue with Navisworks 2012 where the clashes sometimes will not show the actual color of the Clash Status…i.e. Red for new, Orange for Active, etc. The issue seems to be with the Lighting for the Render Style. If the Render Style is set to Full Lights, clashes show up solid gray like this…

In order to fix this, all you need to do is change the Render Style to utilize Scene Lights (or Head Light or No Lights) and then the clashes will show up properly…

This is a defect and Autodesk Support is saying that the Development Team is aware of the issue. Now we’ll just have to keep our fingers and toes crossed that a fix is released soon. Once a fix has been released, I’ll post an update.

Navisworks 2012 Available for Download

2011-04-22T12:58:00.001-05:00

I know I’m tardy on this, it’s been a very busy last few weeks. If you’re a subscription customer, you now should have the ability to download your Navisworks 2012 product via the Subscription Center. If you aren’t on subscription and/or would like to try out Navisworks 2012, you can download a trial HERE.

Navisworks 2012 has some nice new features and I will be blogging about them in the coming weeks.

Downloadable NWC Export Utility

2011-03-31T15:56:00.001-05:00

This has been around now for a while, but I know there are people out there that don’t know or didn’t know this was available.

If you go to the Navisworks Product Page, scroll down until you see the link for the NWC File Export Utility (<-or just click the link). You will be required to fill out the information asked (Name, Company, etc.) and then you’ll be able to download the Exporter. You can share this with anyone once it’s downloaded…so for those Contractors out there, give this to your subs!!

For those Design people out there, install this so you you can provide the NWC files for those that are using Navisworks to coordinate the design files….even if you are using AutoCAD based products.

Navisworks 2012 Availability

2011-03-23T12:44:00.001-05:00

UPDATE: Navisworks 2012 Available for Download

Now that the information is out about the new 2012 Autodesk products, the questions start coming up on when the 2012 products will be available.

First things first, 2012 will be the same as 2011…it’s going to be available as a download for Subscription Customers unless you specify you want a disk. So keep an eye out for an email from Autodesk Subscription (if you are a Subscription site manager for your company) as you’ll get your new serial number and notification that 2012 is available for download.

As for the date, the Navisworks 2012 products will probably be available around mid April based on the past couple years. Remember, this is not a 100% certainty and is purely a guess, Autodesk has the right to provide the download/ship the disks at a earlier or later timeframe.

Hope you enjoy the new 2012 products!

New Features for Navisworks 2012

2011-03-22T09:22:00.001-05:00

Here’s a quick peek at the new Features for the Navisworks 2012 family of products…which is Manage, Simulate and Freedom Viewer.

Navisworks Manage and Simulate

User Interface Updates (Navigation Tools on Ribbon)
Timeliner Updates (Interface, Tab Integration)
Clash Detective Updates (Assign Clashes, Wireframe Mode, Batch Updates) (Only Manage)
2D DWF & DWFx File Support Enhancements
Revit Interoperability (Linked Files, Construction Modeling support, Revit Switchback)
Vault Integration
Appearance Profiler (Assign Colors per Props, Import/Export)
Miscellaneous Enhancements (Avatars, FBX Materials)

Navisworks Freedom Viewer

Measurement tools
2D DWF & DWFx
Gantt Chart Visible

As time goes on, I’ll be posting more about the new features, so stay tuned!

System Requirements for Navisworks 2012 Products

2011-03-22T08:41:00.001-05:00

That time of year for new Autodesk products. Below are the updated system requirements for Navisworks 2012…

Microsoft® Windows® 7 Enterprise, Ultimate, Professional, Home Premium, or Home Basic edition, Microsoft® Windows Vista® Enterprise, Ultimate, Business, Home Premium, or Home Basic edition (SP2 or later), or Microsoft® Windows XP Professional Home 32-bit (SP2 or later) or Professional x64 edition (SP3 or later)
AMD Athlon™ processor, 3.0 GHz or faster, or Intel® Pentium® 4, 3.0 GHz or faster (recommended)
512 MB RAM (2 GB or greater recommended) (I’d say go with 4 GB minimum)
1 GB free disk space for installation
1,024 x 768 VGA display with true color (1,280 x 1,024 monitor and 32-bit video display adapter recommended)
Microsoft® Internet Explorer® 6.0, (SP1 or later)
Microsoft Mouse-compliant pointing device

Happy New Year and Personal Update

2011-01-02T21:56:00.002-06:00

For those of you who still actually follow my blog, I need to first off say Thank You! and sorry for not posting since mid Sept. (I can’t believe it’s been that long!) This past year was an interesting year…work was up and down (mostly up and busy) and I really started getting into photography The latter, is the main reason why I haven’t been posting this past fall and winter. As much as I wanted to post about Revit and BIM, photography just kept pulling me aside and taking up much more of my time during my off-work hours. In the new year though, I will be posting much, much more to this blog and my Revit ArchCenter blog…I promise!

Now, speaking of photography…I need to also share some great news. This past fall I took pictures of an area Freshman football team and had a blast. I stumbled upon a national photo contest from Canon called “Why Do You Love Football?” and decided to submit a few pictures. Much to my surprise, one of my pictures was selected as a finalist in the contest! I could not believe it. The photo below was selected as 1 of 7 finalist in the Adult Action category…

This is where I need to ask for a little favor. There is a public voting period that ends on January 7, 2011 and I need your help! If my photo is selected as the winner in the Adult Category, the picture will be unveiled and hung in the Pro Football Hall of Fame! Not only that, but anyone who votes is entered into a drawing to win a Canon T2i camera kit.

To vote, you can go to http://www.nfl.usa.canon.com/vote/photoContest.html When you enter the voting, you will first vote for your favorite Teen Action, then Teen Feature, then your favorite of those two. After this, you will get to the Adult Action category, this is where my picture is. You’ll then do the same as the Teen categories. The name of the picture is “Determined”. After all of your voting, you’ll need to enter your information…this is to enter your votes and yourself into the drawing for the camera.

Again, thank you for still keeping an eye on my little area of the blog-world and I look forward to bringing much more information in 2011. I hope everyone had a safe and great New Years! (And yes, thank you in advance for anyone that votes for my picture)

Dwane Lindsey

::Update on Contest - My photo finished in 2nd place in the Adult Action Category! Thank you to anyone/everyone who voted, it is very much appreciated!

Closing Cloud Redline Tool

2010-09-24T16:49:00.001-05:00

Quick Tip:

When using the Cloud Redline Tool, did you ever wonder how to close it off? Well, it doesn’t work like AutoCAD or Revit…and I’m assuming it’s different for other design software as well. Usually, you can snap to the beginning point to close off a cloud.

Navisworks doesn’t snap back to the beginning, so when you are ready to close off the cloud, the way to close off the Cloud tool is to actually just right click! That’s it, just a simple right-click.

Navisworks 2011 Service Pack 1 Available

2010-09-16T16:57:00.001-05:00

Autodesk released the first service package for Navisworks 2011 on Sept. 14. Please make sure to read the readme file before installing the service pack. Service Pack Readme

One thing to note….This service pack only updates individual installations of Autodesk Navisworks 2011 products and should not be applied to Navisworks products installed as part of Autodesk Factory Design Suite 2011.

This service pack fixes the following defects.

TimeLiner. The TimeLiner / P6 Web Services hot fix, released in May 2010, has been included in the
service pack and addresses two problems users may experience when accessing projects in Primavera
using the P6 web services interface:
Z+F File Loader. The Z+F hot fix, released in April 2010, has been included in the service pack and upgrades
the Z+F DLL to the latest version of the DLL from Z+F (http://www.zf-laser.com).
DPI Aware. The user interface of Autodesk Navisworks 2011 handles the setting of Windows custom text
size (DPI) setting correctly and addresses the rendering problem of some windows.
Communication Center. The RSS feed is fully supported and the issue relating to Communication Center
crashing Autodesk Navisworks 2011 when the user logs in using double byte usernames has been fixed.
Redline. Converting multiple measurements to redlines will not crash Autodesk Navisworks 2011.
Presenter. The Presenter Rules tab now redraws itself correctly when the window is reduced in size when
docked at the bottom the application window.
Licensing. A number of reported licensing issues have been addressed.
COM API.

Navisworks 2011 – Part 1a – Interface Items - Navigation

2010-06-17T18:42:00.001-05:00

One of the items I wanted to touch on that I mentioned in the previous post about the new interface was the Navigation Bar (Nav. Bar). The Nav. Bar can be located by default on the right side of the screen as shown below.

In the Navigation Bar, here’s what you’ll find for functions/tools…

Wheel functions Pan Tool

Zoom Tools Orbit Tools

Look/Focus Walk/Fly Tools

At the bottom of the Nav. Bar, there is a little arrow that will allow you to turn tools on/off, where you would like to dock the Nav. bar and even options for the Nav. Bar.

In the Options that you can set if you would like to utilize the classic orbiting/walk tools, or if you’d like to utilize the new 2011 versions. In the image below, you can see that you can utilize the classic orbit and walk tools. By having these checked, you’ll utilize the icons and have the same interaction that you’ve had for orbit navigations.

Now, by un-checking these same options, you’ll turn the orbiting and walking tools into the new functionality for 2011. Basically what is going on here is that the functionality is the same, except that it’s more like using the tools from the Wheel. As you can see in the image below, the orbit tools all look the same and utilize the pivot point set by the Wheel-Center tool. They each function as they have in the past, so you still have 3 separate orbit tools. As for the Walk, the feet go away and you now get an arrow. Interesting thing about the Walk…the arrow is always based on a start point in the lower center of your screen. This is unlike the “classic” Walk (with the feet) in that the Feet could be anywhere on the screen.

The Constrain Walk angle being checked, the Walk tool will keep the camera upright while navigating. If it’s cleared, the camera will have the ability to roll (like the Fly tool).

The Use viewport linear speed check-box is pretty self explanatory. If this is unchecked, it will use the value in the slider. 0.1 is very slow while 10 is very fast.

And last, but definitely not least on the new Navigation modes…when you are in the Selection Mode (using the Arrow), you can now utilize your mouse wheel to pan, zoom and orbit…just like in other Autodesk products!! I think I can speak for almost everyone on this….IT’s ABOUT TIME!!!

Saving Back to Earlier NWD or NWF Versions

2010-05-27T15:00:00.000-05:00

Navisworks allows you to save you files back to earlier versions, even back to JetStream v5 if you are running 2010. Yes, sorry…2011 can’t natively save back to JetStream file format. If you are running 2011, you’ll have to save it back to 2010, then open it in 2010 to save it back to a v5 format.

But, there’s a little something I ran into regarding published NWD files. Had a customer needing to get their files to v5. They were publishing their files to NWD, but publishing doesn’t allow you to publish to a different format. So they re-opened the NWD’s to do a save-as to get to the v5 (or in the pull-down, it’s called Navisworks 5) format but they were only getting the option to save as a NWF file. I noticed during the publish, the check box for “May be re-saved” was unchecked. So I had them do the publish again but this time check that box. When they opened the newly published file, they now got the option to save it as a v5 format. Here’s the screen shots (from 2010) showing the difference, the publish box on the left and then the subsequent save-as dialog when the published file was opened…

Now, you can also get around this by just doing a save-as to your current project and choosing the earlier format. Just have to be careful that you then close the file and re-open the current project file to continue working. Otherwise, you’ll hit save and “upgrade” the file you just saved back to an earlier version.