NavisWorks

Navisworks - Wireframe Proxies During DWG Import

Volker Joseph wrote this up on his blog, Beyond the Paper. It's the first key step in bringing in objects and properties of objects from the construction modeling program to NavisWorks. I wanted to write an article about this, but why repeat something after it's been done so well already. Thanks for the article.

Some of you may have experienced the display of wireframe graphics (bounding boxes) of ducts, pipes or similar during opening of a DWG file in Navisworks Manage.

Some applications based on the AutoCAD platform (including Autodesk products such as AutoCAD Architecture, AutoCAD MEP, and non-Autodesk products such as AutoPLANT, CAD-PIPE and CAD-Duct generate custom objects, which are then saved in the subsequent DWG file.

In order to properly display the geometry and access the properties of these custom objects, you must have the corresponding Object Enabler (OE) installed on your computer. You can obtain the necessary Object Enablers from the manufacturers of these applications. For example, the Autodesk Object Enablers are available from the following webpage:

http://www.autodesk.com/oe

http://www.cadduct.com

Follow these steps to display custom objects:

1. Open the file that contains the proxy graphics in Navisworks.
2. Click View menu > Scene Statistics. A list of the missing Object Enablers will be displayed.
3. Locate, download, and install the missing Object Enablers from the manufacturer's website. Important! Some Object Enablers have dependencies on other OEs, and, therefore, need to be installed in a specific order. For example, the AutoCAD® MEP 2009 OE has a dependency on the AutoCAD Architecture 2009 OE. Therefore, you must install the AutoCAD Architecture OE before installing the AutoCAD MEP 2009 OE. Also, be aware that some OEs may not be designed to work with non-AutoCAD-based applications, such as Navisworks. In these cases, the OE may already be installed, even though it was listed as missing in the Scene Statistics dialog box, or it may cause the application to crash when used.
4. Start Navisworks.
5. Click Tools menu > Global Options > File Readers > DWG/DXF/SAT.
6. From the Loader for DWG drop-down menu, select the year that corresponds to the DWG year of the file. Note: Depending on the OE, you may also need to change the Render Type from Automatic to Shaded.
7. Click OK.
8. Exit Navisworks.
9. Delete any NWC (cache) files associated with your DWG file. A new NWC file will be created when the model is reopened.
10. Start Navisworks and open the DWG file.

Note: When using some OEs (for example, AutoCAD Architecture, AutoCAD MEP, AutoCAD® Civil 3D®, and other OEs based on these) the display of the geometry in Navisworks depends on the display configuration in use when the DWG file was saved. For example, if a model was saved in a wireframe view in the AutoCAD-based application, it will appear as wireframe in Navisworks.

To change this behavior:

1. In Navisworks, click Tools menu > Global Options.
2. In the Options Editor, click File Readers menu > DWG/DXF/SAT.
3. Select the Use ADT Standard Configuration check box.

Don't be confused or tricked when looking for the correct NavisWorks program that can find interferences between two or more solid objects. NavisWorks comes in 4 flavors; Freedom Viewer, Review, Simulate and Manage. Only Manage comes with Clash Detective, while Review and Simulate and Manage comes with Collision Detection. Don't get the two mixed up, because they do two very different things. It is very deceiving. What is the difference?Collision DetectionThis function defines you as a collision volume in a walkthrough environment that can navigate around and interact with the model, obeying certain physical rules and gravity that confine you within the model itself. In other words, you have a mass and as such, cannot pass through other objects, points or lines in the scene.You can walk over, or climb over objects in the scene that are up to half the height of the collision volume, thus allowing you to walk up stairs or through a door, but not allowing you to walk through a wall, for example.Clash DetectiveThe Clash Detective tool enables effective identification, inspection, and reporting of interference clash in a 3D project model between various 3D solid objects.Using Clash Detective can help you to reduce the risk of human error during model inspections.Clash Detective can be used as a one-off 'sanity check' for a completed design work, or it can be used as an ongoing audit check of the project.You can use Clash Detective to conduct clash tests between traditional 3D geometry (triangles), and laser geometry.You can combine the Clash Detective functionality with other NavisWorks tools:

• Linking Clash Detective and Object Animation together gives you the ability to automatically check interferences between moving objects. For example, linking a Clash Detective test to an existing animation scene would automatically highlight clashes for both static and moving objects during the animation, e.g. a crane rotating through the top of a building, a delivery lorry colliding with a workgroup, etc.
• Linking Clash Detective and TimeLiner together enables the time-based clash checks on the project.
• Linking Clash Detective, TimeLiner, and Object Animation, together enables clash testing of fully animated TimeLiner schedules.

So if you, or somebody is looking for "Collision Detection" in a software program, make sure you know what that means.

Autodesk NavisWorks extend the value of BIM by enabling the aggregation of building information with data and geometry from other sources. By integrating building information, data, and geometry, Autodesk NavisWorks solutions enable the most complete understanding possible of the overall project, despite the use of multiple software platforms and applications -- improving coordination, collaboration, and project sequencing for design and construction projects. With Autodesk NavisWorks solutions, users can:

• Aggregate design models and data from documents created on both Autodesk and non-Autodesk software applications
• Develop more comprehensive views of projects and analyze and simulatedesigns before construction
• Make better design and construction decisions, and extend the value oftheir investments in design software.

The Autodesk NavisWorks solutions consist of four software products:

1. Autodesk NavisWorks Review provides basic model aggregation;
2. Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate includes NavisWorks Review and adds time line and 4D capabilities;
3. Autodesk NavisWorks Manage also adds clash detection functionality, enabling seamless visualization of all types of models, precise replication of designs, accurate simulation of 4D construction schedules, and clash detection to keep all project stakeholders on the same digital page, whether they are creating, viewing, or reviewing 3D models.
4. Autodesk NavisWorks Freedom is a free viewer for files in Autodesk NavisWorks NWD and 3D DWFTM formats.

You noticed that menus available in the AutoCAD user interface, such as the Viewport or Dimension menu, are not available in the AutoCAD MEP user interface, and you want to add them. You need to transfer the AutoCAD menu items from the acad.cui file to the abs.cui file. Follow these steps:

1. Right-click any of the toolbars. Click Customize.
2. Expand the Customize User Interface dialog box by clicking the arrow located in the lower-right corner of the dialog box.
3. Click the Transfer tab.Note that there are now two panels in the Customize User Interface dialog box: a left panel, "Customizations in Main CUI," which contains the settings for the current user interface, and a right panel, "Customization in New CUI File," which can be used to load external CUI files.
4. Click New CUI file menu > Open.
5. In the Open dialog box, browse to the following file:
• On Windows XP:C:\Documents and Settings\\Application Data\Autodesk\ACD-MEP 2008\enu\Support
• On Windows Vista:C:\Users\\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\ACD-MEP 2008\enu\Support
6. Open the file.
7. Expand the Menus item in both the left and right panels.
8. Drag the Dimension menu item from the right panel (acad.CUI) into the left panel(abs.CUI). Note that the Dimension menu item is now available in both columns.

If you want to change the order in which menus are displayed in AutoCAD MEP

1. Click the Customize tab.
2. Select the Current workspace and click Customize Workspace.
3. In the Workspace Contents panel, expand the Menus items that are not highlighted in blue.
4. Drag the Dimensions menu, currently at the bottom of the list, to the desired location between the other menu items.
5. Click Done.
6. Click OK.

These changes are stored in the current workspaces and saved in the Main Customization file, which for a default installation of AutoCAD Architecture is .If you want to use this customized configuration on another computer, replace the Main Customization file on the target computer with the customized one.

Once you investigate the use of anchors in your AutoCAD MEP environment, you won’t know how you ever lived without them. In this example we will use anchors to link switches to doors. If a door moves, the switch moves with it. If the door swing changes. The switch updates automatically.First, let’s take a look at what anchors do for you and what types are available.An anchor is a general linking mechanism within AutoCAD MEP. AutoCAD MEP and AutoCAD Architecture objects can be anchored to each other, enabling you to create a relationship between objects. Anchoring objects can be useful for positioning air terminals or light fixtures in a ceiling grid, or switches to walls or doors. You can choose from three types of anchors to attach building systems objects.AutoCAD Architecture AnchorsYou can locate these anchor tools in Content Browser / ADT Stock Tool Catalog / Parametric Layout and Anchoring Tools

• Object anchors are used to attach AEC objects to another AEC object.
• Curve anchors are used to attach objects to the base curve of other objects.
• Leader anchors are used to attach nodes on a layout curve with a leader.
• Node anchors are used to attach nodes on a layout curve or grid.
• Cell anchors are used to attach objects to positions on a 2D layout curve or grid. You an also attach cell anchors to 3D volume grids.
• Volume anchors are used to attach objects to a 3D volume grid.

AutoCAD MEP AnchorsYou can locate these anchor tools in Content Browser / ABS Stock Tool Catalog / Common / Common Items

• Curve anchors are used to attach objects to a base curve, typically the centerline of other objects.
• System anchors are used to attach objects to a system run. Anchored objects can be moved along the entire run to other runs assigned to the same system.
• Reference anchors are used to attach objects by reference to other objects, such as attaching an end-of-line schematic symbol to a schematic line. When the symbol is moved, the line maintains connectivity and is stretched to the new location.

Anchor Device to a RunThe first example we will try is to anchor a switch to door in the architectural reference file. Yes…you can anchor through to the reference file AEC objects.Select the AutoCAD Architecture Object Anchor tool and identify your switch symbol and the object you want to anchor. Then press to continue and identify the door you want to anchor the switch to.Next, we need to simulate the architect moving the door in the floor plan file. To do this I will use the Edit Xrefin- Place command available on the menu.Move the door you anchored to along the wall to a new location and save the changes back to the reference file.Your switch should automatically move to the new door location.Try it for the emergency exit light moving with the door too! You might have to edit some of the run linework on this one! Try it for a ceiling diffuser or a light fixture moving with the ceiling grid.To remove anchors you can use the grips provided to release the anchor.

Autodesk has signed an agreement to acquire NavisWorks, a privately-held company based in Sheffield, England that provides software for 3D coordination, collaboration and sequencing in design and construction for approximately $25 million in USD cash, subject to a working capital adjustment. The acquisition underscores Autodesk’s commitment to help its customers derive the greatest possible value from the information created during all phases of the design process. NavisWorks is a global provider of software that enables full exploitation of the benefits of 3D digital designs in the construction, plant and marine design markets for purposes ranging from design coordination and clash detection to construction simulations. Its products are used by many of the world’s leading construction companies, architects, engineers, process and power firms and shipbuilders. NavisWorks products support increased interoperability by coordinating design information from multiple sources. The company is also a Charter Member of the USA National BIM standard.Autodesk currently plans to offer new solutions that incorporate both NavisWorks and Autodesk technology, and to continue supporting the existing NavisWorks product line “The acquisition of NavisWorks is part of Autodesk’s commitment to offering more complete solutionsacross the AEC industry” said Jay Bhatt, senior vice president, Autodesk AEC Solutions. “The addition of NavisWorks technology to the Autodesk portfolio will help our customers leverage their design data to make better design and construction decisions and increase the value of their investments in design technology.”“For more than 7 years, NavisWorks solutions have helped design professionals across the construction, building, plant, and marine industries better collaborate, create more coordinated designs, and work more efficiently,” said Peter Thompson, CEO of NavisWorks. “The combination of NavisWorks and Autodesk technology is an excellent match. Our products augment the coordinated, consistent, and computable information produced by the Revit platform for building information modeling, and can aggregate that information with data from other sources including AutoCAD, Inventor and Civil 3D, to build the most complete understanding possible of the overall project. We are excited to join the Autodesk family.”

Autodesk has signed an agreement to acquire NavisWorks, a privately-held company based in Sheffield, England that provides software for 3D coordination, collaboration and sequencing in design and construction for approximately $25 million in USD cash, subject to a working capital adjustment. The acquisition underscores Autodesk’s commitment to help its customers derive the greatest possible value from the information created during all phases of the design process. NavisWorks is a global provider of software that enables full exploitation of the benefits of 3D digital designs in the construction, plant and marine design markets for purposes ranging from design coordination and clash detection to construction simulations. Its products are used by many of the world’s leading construction companies, architects, engineers, process and power firms and shipbuilders. NavisWorks products support increased interoperability by coordinating design information from multiple sources. The company is also a Charter Member of the USA National BIM standard.Autodesk currently plans to offer new solutions that incorporate both NavisWorks and Autodesk technology, and to continue supporting the existing NavisWorks product line “The acquisition of NavisWorks is part of Autodesk’s commitment to offering more complete solutionsacross the AEC industry” said Jay Bhatt, senior vice president, Autodesk AEC Solutions. “The addition of NavisWorks technology to the Autodesk portfolio will help our customers leverage their design data to make better design and construction decisions and increase the value of their investments in design technology.”“For more than 7 years, NavisWorks solutions have helped design professionals across the construction, building, plant, and marine industries better collaborate, create more coordinated designs, and work more efficiently,” said Peter Thompson, CEO of NavisWorks. “The combination of NavisWorks and Autodesk technology is an excellent match. Our products augment the coordinated, consistent, and computable information produced by the Revit platform for building information modeling, and can aggregate that information with data from other sources including AutoCAD, Inventor and Civil 3D, to build the most complete understanding possible of the overall project. We are excited to join the Autodesk family.”