topic Re: Upload models for clash detection in Navisworks Forum

Upload models for clash detection

dnaranjoSQ3AF — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 17:10:57 GMT

According to our BEP, we are committed to share all discipline models every Friday to update the clash detection. My concern as BIM Coordinator is that every time I receive the models I have to start this process from scratch, dedicating time and resources.

I explore a few options being the “archive overwrite” the one that approaches to the solution of this process, but I was wondering if you have suggestions to update models to complete de process map and optimize this workflow using the benefits that the program offers, such as the possibility to see the evolution of the clashes (new, active, resolved)

Appreciate all your comments to implement improvements.

Daniel

Re: Upload models for clash detection

PatrickDavis20 — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 21:49:11 GMT

When you are updating models, do the models change names (like a date suffix was added)?

Can you describe your process in a little more detail and what parts you are starting over from scratch?

Thanks

Re: Upload models for clash detection

dnaranjoSQ3AF — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 22:05:51 GMT

Hi Patrick, thanks for your reply.

To keep track of the evolution of the models, we add the date at the end of the name.

Example, 0303_MCA_A300_0623 (added date)

In some projects, we try to maintain their names adding subfolders but it was hard to make sure that we were using the actual models. I understand that this is the “trick” people do to update their models, no matter how hard is to keep track of the evolution.

Re: Upload models for clash detection

PatrickDavis20 — Fri, 24 Jun 2022 01:01:47 GMT

If you are changing the name, then you would be starting over from scratch. Navisworks will see it as a new file.

I don't know what your document management tool is, we mainly use Procore, but we have Autodesk Docs as well. We do not rename files. We get a notification when new files are provided to us and we have some automation that copies those files to our clash locations (Old Glue and Docs). We do not try to maintain model versioning within Navisworks, as we rely on our automation to keep things updated.

One thing you could look into is using iConstruct to create a custom parameter to track your model versioning. Thi potentially would say you from starting from scratch with each new file version, which just seems like a lot of re-work. Append Data - Bing video

Re: Upload models for clash detection

dnaranjoSQ3AF — Fri, 24 Jun 2022 13:47:03 GMT

Thanks again Patrick.

In our last projects we start using DOCs (We bought the Collaborate Pro license) but we at the bottom of the learning curve, saying goodbye to excel.

Its possible to know more about the automation of the process you mention. We are motivated to dive into the next level.

Just so you know, I start watching videos and papers of iconstruct. Thanks for the suggestion.

Re: Upload models for clash detection

PatrickDavis20 — Fri, 24 Jun 2022 14:23:34 GMT

Be aware, that there are some issues using Docs with Navisworks. In short, absolute pathing rather than relative. I am told by Adsk that they are working to address the issue, but there is a workaround for some users. linked files missing in NWF, need to reload every time any solutions? - Autodesk Community - Navisworks

Our process is that our project partners upload files to Procore in their designated folders. The nice thing about Procore is that it keeps every single version of the file that is uploaded. So no need to add a date to the filename. If you need to go grab a file that is two months old, you can download that old file. Procore also sends us a notification when a new file is uploaded to the folders that we ask it to monitor.

We use a tool called 360Sync from Applied Software to copy files from Procore to one of the other applications that we need (Windows, Docs and Glue). We use iConstruct Clash for most of our Clash Grouping tasks and iConstruct Pro for some automation tasks, like creating NWD files. Then 360Sync is used again push NWD files up to Procore.

This automation of file handling saves us a lot of time and reduces errors.

We are slowly using BIMFlow within IConstruct Pro to re-group our clashes in the evening, so they are ready to go in the morning as well as pushing our appearance profile on the models.