Autodesk Navisworks

[#1]

Hi, I am new to this but want to know if I can convert a Navisworks NWD file back into a dwg or dxf?

Thanks.

[#2]

Navisworks does contain the ability to export to DWF. There is no export to DWG or DXF.

I hope that helps,

Jeff

[#3]

Hi Jeff,
Yes that helps alot but my next questions are;

How do I get it to dwf? Could you sned me a link about how to do it please?
And if I so, can I then convert it to dgw?

I have a fairly complex 3D model that I have been sent by architects and ned to build and add details etc to it.

Thanks for the reply.
ben

[#4]

The solution sould be the other way around.
AutoCAD should be able to have an NWD as an external Reference.

Think of the capabilities:
-> Creating floor drawings and sections as Viewpoints in NWD and use AutoCAD to make proper drawings with dimensions and sheet border
-> Draw in AutoCAD (plant) 3D while the existing part of the was made in whatever application that NavisWorks can convert to NWD

But that also is something on the "which list"

[#5]

Sorry, I should have specified how you export to DWF. Once you have the desired models in Navisworks, go to File/Export/Autodesk DWF to run the export.

As for the conversion to DWG or loading said DWF into AutoCAD, you'd be better off querying that in the AutoCAD discussions forums, as what I might recommend may not be the optimal approach.

Hope that helps,

Jeff

[#6]

Cheers Jeff,
I only have a trial version so I don't have Export. I'll have to consider getting the full blown version if the job warrants it.

Thanks for your time and help on this.

ben

[#7]

Whilst this is something we could push for from the Navisworks direction to an extent, I'd recommend posting this sort of wish list item for AutoCAD in the AutoCAD discussion groups, to give it greater exposure to the AutoCAD user base.

Just to clarify this, would you be thinking along the lines of a read-only external reference in the design application, enabling you to see and draw around the aggregated model within your design application?

To play devil's advocate, historically Navisworks has been focused on design review; what would be the reason to use Navisworks models specifically versus better import or external references in AutoCAD (e.g. if AutoCAD could refer to all the file formats that Navisworks can)? Put another way, I guess I'm trying to gauge how Navisworks would best be involved in the design workflow.

[#8]

Thanks Jeff. My idea is to get the info off the nwd format so that I can use it for visualistaion purposes by adding other items, components etc. I'll try posting it up on the AutoCAD forum and see what comes along.

I understand the 'review' part of the Navisworks program, it's just a little frustrating that the info can't easily be extracted but the I guess that's the point!

cheers

[#9]

Navisworks is really designed to be an "end point" application; that is, things
make their way into Navisworks. Exporting from Navisworks would be for things
like clash detection reports, JPGs and AVIs of viewpoints, and so on.

Although you can do some fairly impressive renderings in Navisworks, too. Then
you can export the rendering to an image and post-edit it in Photoshop or
something similar.

Matt
matt@stachoni.com

On Thu, 18 Mar 2010 02:13:51 -0700, ben.furness@novumstructures.co.uk <> wrote:

>Thanks Jeff. My idea is to get the info off the nwd format so that I can use it for visualistaion purposes by adding other items, components etc. I'll try posting it up on the AutoCAD forum and see what comes along.
>
>I understand the 'review' part of the Navisworks program, it's just a little frustrating that the info can't easily be extracted but the I guess that's the point!
>
>cheers

[#10]

Well, I'm in the plant business and NavisWorks is great (and better than AutoCAD) in converting data from many applications toghether into one model. Part of the plant may be done in PDS, others parts in PDMS or AutoPlant and we can all put them toghether and view them toghether (including their properties) toghether with some special equipments modelled by their manufacturers in Inventor, SolidWorks etc..
And together with Tekla structures and point clouds.

What now if I had to model a small thing in this combined model.
A job perfect for AutoCAD Plant 3D, or even AutoCAD 3D or other verticals on AutoCAD.
If I could reference to an NWD (including Snap), AutoCAD does not need any special "add ons" for Point Clouds or special "3D converters" for all the other Plant or Building applications that are in use world wide.

Now I have to model it blindly, then open NavisWorks to see if I have moddeled it correctly or not,
switch back to AutocAD to do some modifications, Reload the DWG in Navisworks...

So if the NavisWorks kernel could also be a plug-in for AutoCAD, (we only need the Freedom functionality inside AutoCAD)
all it's verticals could reference NWD files and model with "the thing next door" visible, which is very much time saving while designing.

Another functionality that NavisWorks is missing, (the only thing missing compairing to SmartPlant Review) is the possibility to have a Line Drawing (Continous lines and Hidden Lines) of a View or a Section of a model.
I our case, we need to deliver floor plans of each floor, with the location of the Equipments, but the steelwork is in Tekla Structures and the Equipments are in different other applications...

Instead of converting them twice (once to NWC and once to DWG) a single conversion to NWC would do.