Udating Navisworks Model

[austin.worley]

Howdy!,

I'm working on an Offshore Industrial Project, originally modeled in PDMS and distributed weekly as an NWD.  I'd like to set the project up as an NWF and update and review changes weekly; however, I do not have access from the NWD to the NWC files to update an NWF.

So basically my question is, can I update an NWF project and review changes with only NWD files, and how?

Thanks,

Austin

[dgorsman]

If I'm reading that right (and I'm not certain I am), you can merge/append NWD files into NWFs just like all the other file types.  For example, we've had NWFs with DWGs, IGES equipment models, and point clouds published in NWD format.

[Patrick_Aps_9121]

Or, you can use Simulate and Manage to open one NWD, make review TAGs and SAVE the NWD, just like you would open a DWG with AutoCAD, draw something and save.
Getting the TAGs from one NWD to the one of next week then can be done with export ViewPoints XML and imort viewpoints XML.

[austin.worley]

Dgorsman,

Thank you for your reply!  I have tried the merging option, and appending, however when I do either all the geometry gets duplicated.  I even went to >Global Options>Model>Performance and Unchecked Merge Duplicates

[Patrick_Aps_9121]

I think I can guess why: Do your NWD models of this week and that of the past week have different file names ? Well, they shouldn't.
The way it should work is as follows: You have an NWF with several models (DWG, NWD or whatever) attached. When people continue drawing in the models (but without changing the filename) you will automatically see the latest changes when you open your NWF.

In order to do so with NWD files, you should always rename the NWD you get to something like "Current.NWD". When you get an update, you should overwrite the "current.NWD" with the latest version. After that, when you open the NWF again, the latest version will be displayed.

And if that NWD is the only one attached, you will only see the geometry once.

[smbrennan]

I work with a similar workflow on a regular basis. While dealing with in-house coordination, I don't care about NWC files. I simply merge all of my DWG files into Navisworks. Or, in your case, you would merge all of your NWDs.  Save the set as an NWF. 

Once updated drawings come in, make sure the NWF file is closed by EVERYONE. Then, overrite the old files with the new ones that have been received (make sure they have the same name as the ones originally referenced). Make sure to back up the old files somehow for record. Next, open Navisworks. You should be able to open and see all of the updates. 

There are some downsides, such as a clash status within a clash set. Those don't seem to carry through.