2010

Manage Files
Open Files
To open files in Autodesk Navisworks, you can either use a standard Open dialog box or drag and drop files
directly to the Selection Tree control bar.
NOTE If the chosen file is a CAD or laser scan file, Autodesk Navisworks automatically uses an appropriate file reader
to open it, provided this file format is supported.
Autodesk Navisworks keeps a list of recently opened files (by default, up to 4 files are shown). You can open any
of these files by clicking Files ➤ Recent Files. If you want to modify the size of this list, use the Options Editor.
You can use the SHIFT and CTRL keys to open several files at the same time. This automatically creates a new
‘Untitled’ Navisworks file with the selected files appended together.
For NWD files, it is possible to publish them to a web server, and then open them directly from within Navisworks.
You can start navigating the model even before the file has been fully downloaded. 10 - 50% is usually sufficient
for this. The greater the hierarchical structure of the model, the closer to 50% download is required. Similarly,
the lesser the hierarchical structure of the model, the sooner you can begin the navigation.
To open a file
1 Click File ➤ Open.
2 In the Open dialog box, use the Files of Type box to select the appropriate file type, and navigate to the
folder where your file is located.
3 Select the file, and click Open.
Toolbar: Standard ➤ Open
Command entry: CTRL + O
To open NWD files located on a web server
1 Click File ➤ Open URL.
2 Enter the file address, and click OK.
Create Files
When you start Autodesk Navisworks, a new ‘Untitled’ Navisworks file is automatically created for you. The new
file uses default settings defined in the Options Editor, and in the File Options dialog box. You can customize
these settings, as necessary.
If you have a Navisworks file already open, and want to close it and create another file, click File ➤ New.
Toolbar: Standard ➤ New
Save and Rename Files
When you save a Navisworks file, you have a choice between an NWD and NWF file formats.
As a rule of thumb, use an NWF file format to save the scene you created by bringing all model files together,
and an NWD file format when you simply want a snapshot of your current work.
Both formats store the review markups, but NWD file stores the file geometry, while NWF file stores the links
to original files. This makes NWF files considerably smaller in size. Also when you open an NWF file, Autodesk
Navisworks automatically reloads all modified referenced files, which means the geometry is always up-to-date,
even for the most complex models.
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