topic Re: How do I change the view cube orientation? in Navisworks Forum

How do I change the view cube orientation?

m.bevers — Fri, 16 Apr 2021 09:50:12 GMT

Having this problem a lot...

I receive a 3D model from a supplier or client and when I load it in Navisworks, the orientation (North, East, Up) is all messed up. Usually I don't really mind, because eventually I just load the received model in Plant 3D and rotate it there. But, by now I'd really like to know how to solve this in Navisworks as well.

Could someone please show me how to manipulate my viewcube, so that it actually matches the model?

(in the example below, "TOP" should obviously be where it says "FRONT" now)

Re: How do I change the view cube orientation?

hmunsell — Fri, 16 Apr 2021 18:17:19 GMT

i have had this issue before when working with Vendor supplied models. I ended up having to open the file and rotate it manually to the correct orientation, then reopen it in Navisworks. have you contacted the supplier to explain the situation? they may not know, or understand, the files there exporting/sending out are rotated like that.

would you be able to post an example file that this is happening in?

Re: How do I change the view cube orientation?

m.bevers — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 06:22:25 GMT

@hmunsellwrote:

"have you contacted the supplier to explain the situation?"

If it only were that easy 😉

Unfortunately we're not always in a position to contact the supplier, as often we get our input 3D models from clients who do not even know the exact source of their own files 😋

I suppose I could rotate/manipulate the received model in Navisworks, using the "units & transform..." option. I was just hoping there was an easier way to solve this.

Oh, btw, due to strict NDA's, I can't share any models. (should even be careful with screenshots actually)

Re: How do I change the view cube orientation?

hmunsell — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 11:22:02 GMT

sorry, did not mean to accept solution.... i mis-clicked... i unaccepted it :-).

ya, those NDA's can be limiting. we deal with them a lot as well. was hoping you could maybe just save out one of the misbehaving elements, but i understand.

are you receiving a Navisworks model or another format and then bring it into Navisworks? when this has happened to me i have always had access to the original formatted file. this allowed me to open it and reorient it prior to bringing it into Navisworks.

Re: How do I change the view cube orientation?

m.bevers — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 11:46:55 GMT

@hmunsell wrote: "are you receiving a Navisworks model or another format and then bring it into Navisworks?"

We receive all kind of formats, from common ones to very uncommon ones that may even need to be converted to something useful before I can append them to Navis.

But yes, eventually we use Navisworks to combine all models (and usually a point cloud) for viewing and clash check purposes

Re: How do I change the view cube orientation?

hmunsell — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 12:06:59 GMT

i can see how that can be frustrating. In a way i'm kinda jealous 😄, I mostly deal with is Revit Models and the occasional Inventor or point cloud file. it would be nice to have some variety 😁. In my case, its almost always the inventor files are the ones with orientation issues for some reason.

Have you noticed any trend as to which file types have this orientation issue happen? I'm assuming you have gone thru the File Readers setting in the options for each format our having issues with. they are mostly element/material conversion settings, but may be worth a look.

Re: How do I change the view cube orientation?

ronaldr — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 01:22:03 GMT

I have the same problem.

The view cube in navisworks is not aligned with the model (or vice versa). If for example I click on "front" I do NOT get a square view of the model.

I would like to be able to rotate the view cube (or model) so that they are in alignment with each other.

Rotating the parent files and re-loading into navisworks is NOT an option as we are not permitted (by our company)

to mess around with parent files. ONLY the designers are allowed to do that.

Surely there must be a way of achieving my objective inside of Navisworks without bothering our designers. Or clients for that matter

Re: How do I change the view cube orientation?

alan.johnson7YLND — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 17:11:29 GMT

Have you tried setting the orientation in File Options?

you can set if x, y or z is up

Re: How do I change the view cube orientation?

ronaldr — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 21:05:04 GMT

Thanks Alan, I'll give a try

Re: How do I change the view cube orientation?

onur.meray — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 09:35:28 GMT

Thanks for the great solution. I was trying to change the orientation by right clicking the model which I have imported to navis and then when i tried to change the orientation there i couldnt manage to orient the model as i wish. With your solution the problem is solved. I did as you say and clicked the File Options button at the home tab and everyhing was fine.