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Navisworks Simulate 2013 - Saved Viewpoint XML compatibility issue

7 REPLIES 7
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Message 1 of 8
jtho
2621 Views, 7 Replies

Navisworks Simulate 2013 - Saved Viewpoint XML compatibility issue

The Saved Viewpoint XML file exported out of Navisworks Simulate 2013 does not appear to be compatible with older versions for Navisworks Manage (2011 & 2012 tested).

 

Users that try to import a Saved Viewpoint XML file exported out of Navisworks Simulate 2013 get a “The XML file is invalid” error message (see attached jpg). Is this a known bug and does Autodesk have a work around solution?

7 REPLIES 7
Message 2 of 8
dgorsman
in reply to: jtho

I don't think backwards compatibility was ever intended.  As new features are added, new data is added to the viewpoints as well which may not be compatible in older versions.  Try exporting viewpoints from older versions, then check for a version attribute in the document element.  You can try manually changing the version value in the 2013-exported file to the same value but at your own risk.

 

It occurs to me that down-converting XML-exported files like viewpoints and search sets could be converted relatively easily with a provided XSL, since both the old and new formats are known quantities.

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If you are going to fly by the seat of your pants, expect friction burns.
"I don't know" is the beginning of knowledge, not the end.


Message 3 of 8
jtho
in reply to: dgorsman

We have not experienced any issues with exchanging Saved Viewpoint XML files between Navisworks versions (2010, 2011, & 2012) before so this problem came as a bit of a surprise.

 

In my opinion since Navisworks is Autodesk’s solution for virtual collaboration and it seems to me that if the XML were version specific there should be an option to write it out to an older version so other project participants can utilize the Viewpoints for communication purposes.  This would be similar to the ability to save down the NWD & NWF versions in the Save As option in Navisworks.  I feel there should be some type of explanation from Autodesk on the use and compatibility expectations of the XML in some format (Help file, other documentation, etc..).

 

Also, the same argument could be made for the Global Settings XML file.

Message 4 of 8
dgorsman
in reply to: jtho

For the sake of sanity, I would *never* make the options XML files backwards compatible.  Thats just asking for problems, leading to calls for support and complaints that the program is "broken" when it inevitably breaks something.

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If you are going to fly by the seat of your pants, expect friction burns.
"I don't know" is the beginning of knowledge, not the end.


Message 5 of 8
lee.mullin
in reply to: jtho

Unfortunately the viewpoints are not backwards compatible, I will look into seeing if there may be a workaround for a one off import as it is likely you will be able to edit the XML to match the earlier format.

 

We would expect all of these formats to be forwards compatible, i.e. files created in 2012 to be opened in 2013, but not the other way round due to new functionality that has been introduced.


Lee Mullin
Construction Technical Specialist
Autodesk Ltd.

Message 6 of 8
jtho
in reply to: lee.mullin

What new functionality was added that required the Saved Viewpoint XML change?  It is not clear to me what the new functionality is?

 

Isn’t there a way that Autodesk could have written the XML code and Navisworks program to work with older Navisworks versions and have the new functionality code ignored?  For example we created a Global Settings XML export from the Factory Design Suite version of Navisworks Manage 2012 (which has additional FDS options set) and we are still able to use the XML with the other Navisworks versions (Simulate 2012, Simulate 2011, Freedom 2011, etc…).  It appears the different programs ignore the settings for the Factory Design add-on features for Navisworks in the other builds.

 

It is not desirable to update the XML code externally from Navisworks, this is asking for trouble.  Also, we have some project participants that want to upgrade to 2013 and others that are not ready to.  This Saved Viewpoint XML issue is making the ability to be flexible with suppliers difficult.

Message 7 of 8
lee.mullin
in reply to: jtho

My apologies, functionality is probably the wrong word, from version to version we do need to change the way some things work to accomodate new features or resolve defects, so whilst we will try to reduce the chance that things won't be compatible, we cannot be certain we won't need to change things in future releases which would make a future version unreadable in this release.

 

I believe you have recieved a private reply to this about another possible workaround. I will document this here so anyone else with this issue can do the same: -

 

If you save as the file as an earlier version using 'Save As' then export a Viewpoints XML then this will save the Viewpoints as they were in the earlier release.


Lee Mullin
Construction Technical Specialist
Autodesk Ltd.

Message 8 of 8
jtho
in reply to: lee.mullin

The recommended workaround does not work if you 'Saved As' (down to 2012, etc.) and then still export the Saved Viewpoints from within the active/current Navisworks 2013 session.  This only works if you then open the file with Navisworks 2012 (for example) and then export the Saved Viewpoints.

 

Having to use multiple versions in our workflow is not efficient or desired.

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