Chapter 2 Files and File Types Chapter 1, “Getting to Know Autodesk Navisworks,” introduced you to the basics of the Autodesk Navisworks interface. In this chapter, we’ll cover the principles of the various file types and the process of aggregating these disparate files together to create a single whole-project view of your model. By bringing together geometry and data from multidisciplinary teams, you can explore and review complex models in real time.
32 | Chapter 2 Files and File Types captures the current conditions or milestone events. This also includes clash tests and 4D simulations, which will be covered in subsequent chapters. The file size of most NWDs is considerably smaller compared to the corresponding CAD format. NWC File Format NWC, or Navisworks Cache files, are generated when CAD files or laser scans are opened, merged, or appended in Navisworks.
Navisworks File Types | 33 Using NWF and NWD Formats in a Typical Workflow Typical Navisworks workflows utilize a combination of NWD, NWC, and NWF files. As a best practice, it’s recommended that during an ongoing project the NWF file format be utilized so that the original source files can be updated and re-cached. Remember, the NWF format is strictly a container that links out to the different source files.
34 | Chapter 2 Files and File Types Figure 2.2 Original Source Data files opened in Navisworks and converted to NWC file format Typical project workflow Navisworks Project Folder Architecture (Revit, NWC) MEP (DWG/ NWC) Structure (DWG/ NWC) Civil (DWG/ NWC) Master Navisworks File (NWF) Existing (Scan file/ NWC) Published NWD 8/13/10 Published NWD 8/6/10 Published NWD 7/30/10 Published NWD 7/23/10 Figure 2.
Navisworks File Types Table 2.1: | 35 Supported CAD formats Format Extensions Navisworks .nwd, .nwf, .nwc AutoCAD .dwg, .dwf MicroStation (SE, J, V8, XM) .dgn, .prp, .prw 3D Studio .3ds, .prj ACIS SAT .sat, .sab CIS/2 .stp DWF .dwf, .dwfx, .w2d FBX .fbx IFC .ifc IGES .igs, .iges Inventor .ipt, .iam, .ipj Informatix MAN .man, .cv7 JT Open .jt PDS Design Review .dri Parasolids .x_b Pro/ENGINEER .prt, .asm, .g, .neu RVM .rvm SketchUp .skp STEP .stp, .step STL .
36 | Chapter 2 Files and File Types Table 2.2: Supported laser scan formats Format Extensions ASCII laser file .asc, .txt Faro .fls, .fws, .iQscan, .iQmod, .iQwsp Leica .pts, .ptx Riegl .3dd Trimble Native file not supported; convert to ASCII laser file Z+F .zfc, .zfs Configuring File Readers Configuring file readers is mostly automatic, but there are times when you need to adjust settings depending on the file type. Navisworks provides a full menu for each native file reader.
Navisworks File Types | 37 Figure 2.4 File reader’s Options Editor Looking at the DWG/DXG file reader, you can see a number of options that allow you to configure the settings of this file reader. Let’s take a deeper look at these options: Faceting Factor This option allows you to control the level of faceting. The default value is 1. Greater values produce smoother results, but add additional polygons and increase the file size.
38 | Chapter 2 Files and File Types Merge 3D Faces Occasionally some 3D models will have adjoining faces that consist of the same color, layer, and parent. This option allows Navisworks to interpret those faces as a single object. Line Processing When converting lines and polylines, Navisworks provides three options for processing them: Merge Lines By Color Navisworks will merge any lines on the same layer or proxy entity that contain the same color.
Navisworks File Types | 39 when working with larger point clouds, you might want to reduce this value to speed the conversion process. Use Point Cloud Colors Certain point clouds contain native color coding of points. Unchecking this box will ignore these colors and default to the color profile specified in AutoCAD. DWG Loader Version When working with DWG files that utilize ObjectDBX, this option allows you to specify which version to use when loading files.
40 | Chapter 2 Files and File Types For users who do not have access to Navisworks, another option to consider is the NWC File Export Utility (a separate download), which converts the model geometry and any relevant object intelligence into the NWC file format for Navisworks to display. File exporters are also useful for individuals who want to publish their content to the smaller NWC file format for ease in sharing and collaborating.
Navisworks File Types | 41 For users without Navisworks, Autodesk provides the NWC File Export Utility free of charge for all users. You can download it from the Autodesk website at www.autodesk.com/navisworks. Once you’ve downloaded and installed the EXE file, follow all onscreen instructions to complete the installation process. This process will install the NWC File Export Utility on all relevant installed applications.
42 | Chapter 2 Files and File Types Figure 2.7 Navisworks Options Editor for Revit To use the AutoCAD command line to export NWC files, follow these steps: 1. Type NWCOUT in the command line of your AutoCAD model. 2. In the Export To Navisworks dialog box, specify the filename, select the desired storage location, and click Save. 3. To adjust the export settings, type NWOPT at the command line in AutoCAD. 4.
File Aggregation | 43 File Aggregation The building industry has expanded and become more technically diverse over the last few decades. As a result, there are a plethora of design and engineering applications aimed at solving their own small piece of the building puzzle. Couple that with the fact that each of these applications has its own unique file format and you can quickly see how managing these files becomes a challenge.
44 | Chapter 2 Files and File Types Figure 2.9 Navisworks’ Open menu When opening multiple files at once, you can use the Shift and Ctrl keys to access several files in the Open dialog box. Also, you can bypass the Open dialog box by simply dragging and dropping your file directly into the Navisworks model space window. Be careful, though, if you have an existing file already open; dragging a new file into Navisworks will close the old file without saving changes and open the new file. Figure 2.
File Aggregation | 45 Open via URL In addition to opening files from a local or network drive, you can open files from a web server using the Open URL command. Here’s how: 1. Select the Open command under the green application icon in the upper-left corner. Choose Open URL from the list. 2. In the Open URL dialog box shown in Figure 2.11, enter the appropriate web server address and click OK. A sample model is available for training purposes here: http://download.autodesk.com/us/navisworks/Brewery.
46 | Chapter 2 Files and File Types When files are appended into Navisworks, the application will attempt to align, rotate, and scale the subsequent files to reflect the current coordinate system of the existing model. This includes rescaling models with different units of measurement to match the current display. However, models that are designed in an entirely different coordinate system or view plane will not align properly.
File Aggregation | 47 All unique items such as nonduplicated geometry, redlines, comments, and viewpoints are merged into the single model. For information on merging models with embedded TimeLiner schedules, see Chapter 7, “4D Sequencing with TimeLiner.” To create a merged file, follow these steps: 1. Open Navisworks with one of the original files. 2. Click the drop-down arrow on the Append button and choose the Merge command, as shown in Figure 2.14.
48 | Chapter 2 Files and File Types Creating an Internal File Audit Trail Inevitably, changes to designs will occur and require the master Navisworks model to be updated. The question that arises is how to manage this process and what is the best practice for archiving the older files. On one job, a project team was receiving updated models from their subcontractors (subs) on a weekly basis. Originally the subs were labeling their drawings with a date in the filename.
File Aggregation | 49 Deleting Files Occasionally you may want to delete files that are appended to your scene. You can delete files as long as they meet the following criteria: •u They are not saved or published into the NWD format. •u They contain at least one file in the scene. You must have at least one file. To delete an appended file: 1. Open your Navisworks scene and locate the file to be deleted in the selection tree.
50 | Chapter 2 Files and File Types Publishing Files Periodically you may want to share your Navisworks file with others. As an added layer of reassurance, Navisworks has several security features that should put to rest any fears about your file falling into the wrong hands. The publishing command in Navisworks allows users to embed additional document information, including file password protection and file expiration.
File Aggregation | 51 Figure 2.18 The Publish dialog box Copyright Users can list any copyright information. Keywords Selection of words that can be used to help search the document. Comments This field allows you to enter supplementary information about the published document. Password The password field can contain any variation of letters, numbers, special characters, and spaces. You must confirm your password before publishing the file.
52 | Chapter 2 Files and File Types the file is password protected, the user must successfully supply the password before the dialog box is displayed. Embed Textures This option allows material assignments in the model to be embedded in the published file and available for other users. Materials and textures will be discussed in Chapter 9, “Creating Visualizations with Autodesk Navisworks.
File Aggregation | 53 Receiving Files Receiving Navisworks files is similar to most types of email attachments. Follow these steps to configure and open emailed files: 1. Download the attached Navisworks file to a designated storage space on your computer. 2. Double-click the file icon to start Navisworks, or open Navisworks and open the file using the Open command. 3.
54 | Chapter 2 Files and File Types When adding files to the Batch utility, you can add the contents of the whole folder by selecting the Add File Spec button. This option will add all files from the folder depending on which file type is selected from the File Type drop-down. If you want to choose specific files from the project folder, highlight the individual files in the list and click the Add Files button.
File Aggregation | 55 Figure 2.23 As Multiple Files output options In addition, Navisworks provides the option of overwriting existing output files or incrementing the files names. You can specify these options by selecting the appropriate button at the bottom of the output section. Log The Log area allows you to specify the location of a log file for reference, as shown in Figure 2.24. You need to check the Log Events box to activate this feature.
56 | Chapter 2 Files and File Types 3. In the Batch Utility dialog box, navigate to your model location and select the files you wish to append. Click the Add Files button to add them to the conversion list. If necessary, use the File Type drop-down to filter the results. 4. Double-click on the filename in the upper-right queue to add to the output list, or use the buttons to add or remove files from this list. 5.
Object Enablers | 57 4. Once your login is validated, Navisworks displays a separate window where you’ll configure the schedule. 5. Choose the Schedule tab. Click the New button to define a new task, as shown in Figure 2.26. Figure 2.26 Click New on the Schedule tab. 6. Specify the times and frequency for the batch test runs, and then click OK. In addition to the standard Batch utility interface, Navisworks allows you to use DOS command-line switches to convert files.
58 | Chapter 2 Files and File Types Figure 2.27 Proxy graphics view Anytime you load a DWG-based file with custom objects, Navisworks will require an object enabler to display the geometry properly. This requirement tends to be consistent for most DWG files generated in applications other than standard AutoCAD. Your scene statistics will also indicate whether any object enablers are missing in your model. You can access the Scene Statistics dialog box by doing the following.
Object Enablers | 59 Figure 2.29 Missing object enablers listed in the Scene Statistics dialog box To locate the proper object enabler for Navisworks, choose AutoCAD from the list of applications. Choose the product year to match up with your DWG file. Then choose the appropriate operating system and download the enabler to your computer. Once you’ve downloaded the appropriate object enablers, follow these steps to install and configure them: 1.
60 | Chapter 2 Files and File Types Installing Enablers Some object enablers have dependencies on other enablers; therefore, you must install them in a specific order. This is the case with the older enablers, especially the AutoCAD MEP 2009 enabler, which was dependent on the AutoCAD Architecture 2009 enabler. As a result, you must install the AutoCAD MEP enabler after the AutoCAD Architecture enabler.
The Bottom Line | 61 4. Select DWG/DXF from the list. 5. In the area on the right, select the appropriate DWG loader version or the file version of your DWG. Here’s an easy way to think about this: Say the DWG file you’re trying to load in Navisworks was created in AutoCAD MEP 2010. To open the file, install the AutoCAD MEP & Architecture 2010 Enabler. In Navisworks, set the DWG loader version to 2010. 6.
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