IT in Construction

Lecture 9
Building Information Modeling
Introduction to Autodesk Navisworks

Nasim Didehvar, PhD Candidate

Construction Engineering and Management

Department of Civil Engineering, Sharif University of Technology

 Outline
2

 Introduction

 Autodesk Navisworks Features

 Practical Example

 Appendix
3

Introduction
 Autodesk Navisworks
4

aggregating
detailed
design reviewing the
predict models by all
performance
and planning stakeholders

increase benefit from the

Navisworks competitive
accuracy of Solutions
construction advantages of
documentation BIM workflows

combine design
make better data created in
design applications with
decisions geometry and
information
 Autodesk Navisworks Manage
5
 Navisworks Manage vs. Navisworks Simulate
vs. Navisworks Freedom
6

Autodesk Autodesk Autodesk

Navisworks Navisworks Navisworks
Manage Simulate Freedom

Project Viewing

Project Review

Simulation and
Analysis

Coordination

Quantification
7

Autodesk Navisworks Features

 Autodesk Navisworks Features
8
 Navisworks File Formats
9

• NWF: contains an index of all model files you are using, also stores all other
NavisWorks data. For example, a DGN, viewpoints and redlining and etc.

• NWD: stores all of the NavisWorks specific data that the NWF file format
stores, as well as the geometry of the model.

• NWC: contains a cached version of the converted model geometry, is

not intended for general use
Save As

Which version of Navisworks is better for saving our files?

 Project Viewing
10

Real-Time Navigation
Explore your integrated project
model using advanced navigation
tools that produce a realistic, real-
time experience.
Real-time navigation capabilities are
included in all Autodesk Navisworks
products.

Viewpoint
 Project Viewing
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 Project Viewing
12

Whole-team Project View Open

Provide equal access to explore the whole
project view.
In Autodesk Navisworks you can open files
originated from a variety of CAD
applications. You can combine these files
together, and create a single Autodesk
Navisworks file with a whole-project view of
your model. This file brings together
geometry and data created by multi-
disciplinary teams, and enables you to
explore and review complex models in real-
time.
 Project Review Features
13

Model File and Data Aggregation

Autodesk Navisworks can be used to combine multiple models (civil, architecture,
MEP, Structure) of a building into a single 3D model that can be used for
visualization, clash detection or virtual inspection.

Home >>> Project

 Project Review Features
14

Review Toolkit
The software’s review toolkit offers a host of tools that Review >>> Measure
facilitate whole-project review. Its features enable you
to measure distance, areas, and angles; store,
organize, and share camera views of a design and
export those views into images or reports; and add
cross sections and section plans to inspect details
closely.
Navisworks NWF reference files enable you to view the latest version of a CAD
design while maintaining previous review data.
Viewpoint >>> Enable Sectioning
 Project Review Features
15

NWD and DWF Publishing

Publish your entire project for a whole
project view. Complete project models
can be published and stored in a single
distributable NWD or DWF file with
compressed file sizes up to 90 percent
smaller than original design files.
 Project Review Features
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Collaboration Toolkit
Communicate design intent and encourage teamwork with the ability to add
markups to viewpoints with advanced redlining tools, comment on viewpoints with
searchable notes, record animated walk-throughs for real-time playback, and
stream large models and content, navigating the design as the model loads.

Review >>> Redline Review >>> Comments

 Project Review Features
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 Simulation and Analysis Features
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Photorealistic Model Rendering

Use Autodesk Navisworks advanced visualization features to develop compelling
3D animations and imagery to present projects to stakeholders. Customize and
configure every render aspect, including materials, lights, backgrounds, and
rendering styles; use environment backgrounds to add real-world scenery; and
choose from more than 1,000 built-in materials to create an accurate, photorealistic
look. Render >>> System
 Simulation and Analysis Features
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Object Animation
The software’s object animation features help you create animations of objects for
clash and interference analysis. You can create interaction scripts that link
animations to specific events, triggers, or key comments, and link animations to
tasks in a 4D schedule for improved construction planning.

Animation
 Simulation and Analysis Features
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4D Product Scheduling
Simulates construction schedules and logistics in 4D to visually communicate and
analyze project activities, and help reduce delays and sequencing problems. The
4D scheduling features enable you to verify building or demolition viability by

developing construction or demolition

sequences that link model geometry to
times and dates; import times, dates, and
other task data from project management
software to dynamically link schedules with
project models; and set up planned and
actual times to visualize deviations from the
project schedule.
 Simulation and Analysis Features
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4D Product Scheduling

Time Simulation

Home >>> Tools >>> TimeLiner

 Simulation and Analysis Features
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 Coordination
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BIM Coordination with AutoCAD 2017

Open Navisworks files within AutoCAD, Revit, and ReCap.

BIM 360 Glue Integration

With the BIM 360 add-in for Autodesk Navisworks, you can share the latest project
models directly to your BIM 360 project from within Navisworks.
To coordinate Navisworks models with other models in BIM 360 Glue, you must
use the Navisworks add-in and use the Glue feature to share Navisworks models
to the BIM 360 cloud.
BIM 360
 Clash Detection and Interference Checking
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Anticipate and avoid potential problems

before construction, reducing expensive
delays and rework. Clash and
interference detection features in
Autodesk Navisworks Manage software
enable you to perform clash tests
against specified geometry to more
easily find and resolve conflicts. Link
clash tests to 4D simulations and object
animations to analyze issues in space
and time.
 Clash Detection and Interference Checking
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Autodesk Navisworks Manage software provides the ability to manage and track
clashes and interferences through to resolution. Reports of clash tests, including
comments and screenshots, can be exported to communicate issues to the project
team.

Home >>> Tools >>> Clash Detection

 Clash Detection and Interference Checking
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 Quantity Takeoff
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5D Simulation (Integrated Model Takeoff)

Quantification is a core piece of functionality of Navisworks. Using a 3D model, you
can create a highly accurate quantity takeoff that ties it physically to the model.

Home >>> Tools >>> Quantification

 Quantity Takeoff
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 Reviewing Autodesk Navisworks’ Features
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30

Practical Example
 Project Specification
31

To review the mentioned features of Navisworks, we use the sample Revit files (a
house) generated by Autodesk:

Default Path: C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Revit 2020\Samples

Architectural Model Name: rac_basic_sample_project

Structural Model Name: rst_basic_sample_project
 Initial model set up and project review
32

Hands on software (Autodesk Navisworks Manage)

• Export NWC file from Revit.
• Open NWC file in Navisworks.
• Save as NWF file with the same name and in the same location as NWC file.
• Create some search sets.
• Work with Viewpoint tab functions and navigate in the model.
• Work with Review tab functions.
• Explore in project and make some animations.
 Simulation, 4D modeling and Quantity take off
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• Explore in project and make some animations.

• Work with timeliner, create some tasks and link model geometry to times and
dates.
• Run the quantity take off.
 Clash detection
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• While the architectural model is opened in Navisworks, append the structural

model.
• Run the clash detection.
 References
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 www.autodesk.com
 After Class Practice
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Entrance security cabin

 Structural model
• Model the foundation, columns and beams
Every parts must be defined accurately, including objects’ layers and materials, project
units and etc.
 After Class Practice
37

Entrance security cabin

 Navisworks Features
• Export the RVT architectural model to NWC and open it in Naisworks
• Create a simple animation (about 5 sec.) (in this step, save as NWF file and send the NWC
and NWF files to the TA)
• Append the structural model (NWC File)
• Create some search sets
• Work with timeliner, create some tasks (or add a data source (MSP file)) and link model
geometry to defined tasks using the search sets and create the 4d model and export it as
an AVI file) (send the NWC, NWF and AVI files to the TA)
• Run the clash detection between architectural and structural model and export a HTML
Tabular report. (send the NWC, NWF and HTML files to the TA)
• For quantification, create WBS of the project using search sets and run the quantity take off
and export quantities to Excel. (send the NWC, NWF and Excel files to the TA)
 Thank you!
Nasim Didehvar
Ph.D. Candidate
Construction Engineering and Management
#102, Department of Civil Engineering,
Sharif University of Technology
Tel: +98-21-6616 4299
nsm.didehvar@gmail.com
n.didehvar@student.sharif.edu
39

Appendix
 Navisworks Manage vs. Navisworks Simulate
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Products (2022) Navisworks Manage Navisworks Simulate

Design simulation and Design simulation and
At a glance clash detection software project review software
Pricing
Annual $2,400.00 $970.00
Monthly $300.00 $120.00
Multi-year (3 years) $6,480.00 $2,620.00
Features
Project viewing
Real-time navigation  
Whole-team project review  
Model review
Model file and data  
aggregation
Review toolkit  
NWD and DWF publishing  
Collaboration toolkit  
 Navisworks Manage vs. Navisworks Simulate
41

Products Navisworks Manage Navisworks Simulate

Features
Model simulation and analysis
5D product scheduling  
Photorealistic model rendering  
Object animation  
Coordination
BIM Coordination with  
AutoCAD
BIM 360 Glue Integration  
Clash detection and 
interference checking
Clash and interference 
management
Quantification
Integrated model takeoff  
2D sheet takeoff  