Navisworks Clash Report to Points in Civil 3D

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Before you start on this process, you will need to download the attached zip file. It contains 3 files, one to install Python, a Python script, and a lisp routine. The lisp routine and the Python script, MUST reside in the same folder. If not, you will get a warning when running the lisp routine to browse to the Python script. Now let's get started...

Purpose

The purpose of this document is to describe the process for exporting a Navisworks clash report to XML, converting the data to CSV format, and importing the results into Civil 3D as point objects.

Scope

This procedure applies to projects in which clash locations are required to be represented within a Civil 3D drawing as COGO points using the clash Northing, Easting, Elevation, and Description values.

Prerequisites

• Navisworks clash reports exported to XML.
• Installation of Python.
• CSV file generated from the lisp routine in Civil 3D.

Procedure

Step 1: Install Python and Configure Windows

1. Install Python. This is included in the zip file that is attached.

                a. Once Python is installed, you will need to go to the Windows search and type in “Manage app execution aliases”.

     2. When the window opens, find App Installer – Python.exe and App Installer – Python3.exe and turn them off.

Step 2: Running and Generating Clash Reports in Navisworks

1. Open Navisworks, create a new model and Append the needed drawings for running the clash detection.
2. Open the Clash Detective and then click Add Test…

     3. Name your test accordingly. I’m running a clash between the proposed water and proposed sanitary, so the name of my clash will be Water vs Sanitary.

• Note: Be consistent from this point and name every file the same. You will have different file extensions but keep the same name.

     4. Select your choices on the left side, then select the comparison choices on the right side. In my example, I’m choosing all the proposed sanitary on the left and all the proposed water on the right. Select your clash method. In my example, it is a clearance of 1ft. Anywhere there is a place where the 2 utilities cross, and it’s less than 1ft, that will be considered a clash.

     5. Click Run Test.

If there are no results, kudos. If there are, then we need to export the report. In this example, I have 6 clashes.

     6. Click the Report tab. Under Contents, please make sure that the following are checked. You can uncheck the ones that are not shown in the list below…

• Summary
• Clash Point
• Item ID
• Status
• Distance
• Description
• Image
• Clash Group
• Grid Location

     7. Change the Report Format to XML and click Write Report…

     8. Save the XML file. Reminder: name your files accordingly. In this example, the file name will be Water vs Sanitary.xml.

Step 3: Convert XML into CSV and Import Points into Civil 3D

In this step, you will run the lisp routine to convert the XML file into a CSV file to import the points into Civil 3D.

1. Open Civil 3D and open the drawing that you want to import the points into.
2. If you didn't add the lisp routine to your Startup Suite, type in APPLOAD and browse to the NavisworksClashtoCSV.lsp and load it.
3. Type in NAVCLASHTOCSV.
4. When prompted, browse to the XML you saved from Navisworks and click Open.
5. Now you are prompted to save the CSV file in your preferred location. Remember the naming. This one will be Water vs Sanitary.csv. You will receive a message as shown below…

Step 4: Import Points into Civil 3D

Now you are ready to import the points into Civil 3D to check the location of the clashes.

1. On the Home tab, Create Ground Data panel, select Points>Point Creation Tools.

A toolbar will appear.

     2. Click the last icon on the toolbar for Import Points.

     3. In the dialog box, click the  to add the CSV file.

     4. Browse to your CSV file that was generated. Don’t forget to change your file type to .csv. Click Open.

     5. Select PNEZD (Comma Delimited) for the point file format and then click OK.

You have now imported the points into the drawing.

     6. Open your Toolspace and expand Point Groups, and select _All points, right-click and choose Properties…

     7. Choose the appropriate Point Label Style and then click OK…

     8. With _All Points highlighted, in the Item View, select one of the points listed, right-click on it and choose Zoom to…

You can now view each of your points by zooming to them from the Item View in your Toolspace.

Conclusion

By following this procedure, project teams can reliably convert Navisworks Clash Detective results from an exported XML report into a CSV format suitable for import into Civil 3D as COGO points. This workflow provides a consistent method for documenting clash locations, visualizing conflicts directly within the design environment, and supporting timely coordination and resolution across disciplines. Prior to final use, users should verify that the clash test naming is consistent, the exported report includes the required fields, and the imported point file format (PNEZD, comma-delimited) correctly maps Northing, Easting, Elevation, and Description to ensure accurate placement and clear identification of each clash location.

Files Needed.zip