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Advance Steel export to Navisworks

Advance Steel export to Navisworks

Currently when you export from Advance Steel to Naviswork via the NWCOUT exporter the AS Properties don't transfer over.   If you append the native dwg into Naviswork the AS properties don't transfer.

 

If you export to Navisworks via dwfx the AS properties do transfer over however each time this is exported it give the AS elements a new GUID.  This GUID is what is used to append additional data to the elements as well as managing clash detection.

 

I would suggest that the NWCOUT exporter should include the AS properties and the GUID is retained throughout the project.

19 Comments
Austruct
Advocate

Mission critical to maintain consistency for clash detection.  

ETheuring
Advocate

Nevertheless, they can also open the Advance Steel DWG in Navisworks and all Advance Steel properties will transmit with.

Flies-Eyes
Advisor

From our experience opening an Advance Steel model in Navisworks doesn't include the AS properties.

 

ETheuring
Advocate

Which Advance Steel version do you use?

Flies-Eyes
Advisor

We are using AS 2017 & AS 2018 currently.  

 

ETheuring
Advocate

Which Navisworks version do you use?

ETheuring
Advocate

I have checked the problem once again.
I thought that it was possible in former versions of Navisworks to open simply an AS DWG and to see all properties.
In the actual version 2018 does not go obviously any more.
But with the Navisworks export it functions, see in my Screencast video: https://knowledge.autodesk.com/community/screencast/dde4ef6d-068c-4693-a404-f0125c54655b

 

Anonymous
Not applicable

I agree, you should just be able to append the dwg file and get the properties to display or use NWCOUT. That screen cast shows the current requirement of a dwf export to Navisworks which is an awful solution. It creates a whole heap of tabs in the properties manager with bits of information across all of them and no options to change what is exported and what isn't.

 

ETheuring
Advocate

Hi tkenning,

 

The problem from m.niebling was that NWCOUT transmits no properties of the Advance Steel objects into Navisworks.
With the Navisworks export this possibility has been created by the Advance Steel development in cooperation with the Navisworks development.

It is the official interface of Advance Steel to Navisworks.
Sorry, but I only wanted to help.
You must not take up this help, it forces you nobody to it.

How one also makes it, one makes it wrong! 😞
If there should be a possibility that one can select the properties which should be transmitted with the Navisworks export by Advance Steel, would be a feature request which you should enter in the ideas.

Flies-Eyes
Advisor

Just to clarify the main issue as I see it currently.   Currently there is no workflow that allow us to use the Advance Steel model in Navisworks that has the Advance Steel properties and a GUID reference that remains the same.  

 

In my option it should be mandatory for GUID references to remain the same every time the file is export.  

 

I would be interested in how others are managing files, drawings, transmittals, revisions, time lining, phasing.  

BSchwartzkopf
Collaborator

Will this ever be fixed or worked on? It makes no sense to me that we have a native dwg format that the objects properties can't be seen in Navisworks. 

elna.vandermerwe
Contributor

I see this idea was posted in 2017 already. In 2022 now, and we desperately need to see and use Advance Steel Properties in 2022 Navisworks. With a global trend to expand the usage of metadata over the last few years, I believe it is crucial for all industries using Advance Steel.

Flies-Eyes
Advisor

It would nice if we didn't need to develop our software pluggins to resolve fundamental system functions.  Why users need to build our IFC exporters and importers to deliver projects is pure madness.

Austruct
Advocate

AdvanceSteel & Navisworks.

These are Autodesk products and the interoperability between them should be paramount.

 The assembly and single part hierarchy should be recognised within ”Set selection Resolution” of Navisworks, without third party tools. This functionality works with other detailing packages such as Tekla and Prostructures/ProSteel, but yet Advance Steel we have to resort to other measures.   

The GUID should remain constant, and there should be an Assembly GUID and a single part GUID.

Flies-Eyes
Advisor

I understand why the GUID needs to change when exporting via .dwfx as essentially this is a new file so a new GUID is required to be created.  This is what I call the Dynamic GUID, what we need is a static GUID or more simply a static ID or parameter that can be tracked and traced throughout the BIM lifecycle. 

 

We know that the native Advance Steel model files are not compatible with Navisworks or even the lastest Autodesk Docs viewer.  Our choices for export are .IFC or .DWFX.  What we still know is that both of those options for exporting with the Autodesk OOTB functions are non-workable solutions for our industry.     

Austruct
Advocate

Without traceability the process is worthless. GUID (Globally Unique Identifier) means regardless of which software an item can be identified which is why it must remain the same.   

This is mission critical to maintain consistency for clash detection and other tracking and maintenance processes and reports. 

Flies-Eyes
Advisor

Unfortunately, because we are forced to export into a new file format (dwfx or IFC) a new GUID is required to be created because it is a new file. GUIDs are created from several parameters one of which is a date/time, so by creating a new file with a new date/time the GUID number will be different, we can't stop that from occurring. If the native Advance Steel .DWG file could be opened and used in Naviswork (including AdS properties) or the Autodesk Docs then the GUID could remain the same. We know this is not currently possible and unlikely to occur any time soon if at all.  As a Company or an Industry, we can't sit around and wait for software vendors to resolve flaws. History has proven this time and time again with Autodesk.  We know that what is required is to create our own Static ID that transfers when exporting to DWFX or IFC.  I would agree that this function should not require a 3rd party application and should be available as part of the foundation system.

 

Austruct
Advocate

@Flies-Eyes 

The GUID is derived from the original model, which remains the same through the lifecycle of the project. This can be reported in the metadata of the objects in Navisworks.

 

This process works with Tekla which exports to IFC and then imported into Navisworks.

Both the "Assembly GUID" and Single part "GUID" remain, and are consistent throughout the lifecycle of a project.

There is also a global GUID which also remains consistent.

Austruct_0-1643610589143.png

 

I think a two prong approach to this is needed.

An update to Navisworks to recognize these internal AdvanceSteel GUIDs and from AdvanceSteel to report these GUIDs.

Flies-Eyes
Advisor

We have looked at the Autodesk Construction Cloud.  Turns out it won't allow NWD file to be used in the Coordination Spaces!!!!!!!!!!  OMG who comes up with these ideas.  Has anyone at adesk realised that steel detailing is a construction process not design concept process?  The ACC platform is proving to be too immature for the industry to use. 

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