Best Method to Convert Navisworks File for Import into Inventor (as Mesh or Reference)

aravind_koder — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 07:42:53 GMT

Hi everyone,

As we know, Inventor doesn't support direct import of Navisworks files (.nwd, .nwc, or .nwf).

My client has sent me a Navisworks file of the site, and I need to bring it into Inventor—not for editing, but simply to use it as a reference model, preferably in a lightweight mesh format like .OBJ or .STP.

Has anyone dealt with a similar situation?

What's the best workflow to convert or export a Navisworks file into a format that Inventor can open or reference?
Are there any tools or plugins (official or third-party) that can export the Navisworks model to STEP, OBJ, or another Inventor-compatible format?
Would Recap, Fusion, or 3ds Max help in this process?

Any guidance or links to tutorials would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Best regards,
Aravind Koder
Design Engineer

Re: Best Method to Convert Navisworks File for Import into Inventor (as Mesh or Reference)

johnsonshiue — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 20:24:12 GMT

Hi Aravind,

Navisworks is a data aggregator, which can import CAD files from various sources (Inventor included). There isn't a straight forward workflow allowing Inventor to consume Navisworks files, however.

If you have access to 3D Studio Max, you may export the Navisworks model to FBX. Then import the FBX file to 3DS and export it to other neutral formats that Inventor supports.

Or you may download the FBX SDK below to convert the file to other format.

https://aps.autodesk.com/developer/overview/fbx-sdk

Many thanks!

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Best Method to Convert Navisworks File for Import into Inventor (as Mesh or Reference)

Re: Best Method to Convert Navisworks File for Import into Inventor (as Mesh or Reference)