Revit project file using imported STEP or SAT files

[km4504]

I am creating a Revit project to append to Navisworks for sharing. When I import directly to Revit using a STEP or SAT file Navisworks stops reading the Revit file and is blank. When I create a family using the same STEP or SAT file and insert them into my project they show up in the Navisworks file. Has Navisworks developed a file reader for STEP and SAT files when directly imported into a Revit Project file?

[naveen.kumar.t]

Hi @km4504 ,

Thank you for raising this issue.

Based on your description, it does not appear to be related to the Navisworks API.

Please note that the Navisworks API generally does not provide functionality beyond what is already available in the user interface (UI). Therefore, if a particular workflow is not supported in the UI, it is unlikely that the API would support it either. For this reason, it is always helpful to confirm the optimal manual approach first before implementing a programmatic solution.

Could you please confirm whether you have attempted the same workflow directly in the Navisworks UI? If the issue also occurs there, it may not be an API problem.

At this point, we are not aware of any historical issues related to this scenario, so we may not be able to provide a definitive answer. If the issue is reproducible through the UI (without the API), we recommend logging a support ticket with a small sample Revit file containing a STEP and/or SAT insert. This would allow the problem to be treated as a product-level issue, which could potentially be related to either Revit or Navisworks.

This forum is for Navisworks API related issues. You can submit your case to the Navisworks Product Support team via the following forum: https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/navisworks-forums/ct-p/navisworks-en

If you do not receive a response within a few days after posting, please let me know and I will follow up.

[km4504]

Ok, then just answer me this question. Does Navisworks support STEP or SAT files in general? Does it recognize the file format, because I do not see it in the options for file reader options in Navisworks options.(see image)

[naveen.kumar.t]

Hi @km4504 ,

According to the Navisworks User Guide, STEP and SAT file formats can be opened in Navisworks without having the CAD applications installed on your machine.

• Supported CAD File Formats 2024
• Supported CAD File Formats 2025
• Supported CAD File Formats 2026
  

[naveen.kumar.t]

Hi @km4504 ,

In Navisworks 2022 release notes, I found this line : There is improved support for SAT files. As a result, the SAT file reader no longer has any adjustable options, and does not appear in the Options Editor dialog > File Readers node (NW-17111).

So it looks like the adjustable options are not present, but the file can still be opened in Navisworks.

Since this is not an API issue, it is better to contact the Navisworks Product Support team using the link I shared previously. They will be able to provide you with more details than I can.

[km4504]

Then I guess the issue is with Revit. I can import the STEP or SAT file into a Revit project file. When I go to append the Revit (*.rvt) file into Navisworks, if those file types are present it will stop importing and the file is blank. Do I need to post this on the Revit Forum?

[naveen.kumar.t]

Hi @km4504 ,

No, I cannot confirm that this is a Revit issue without further analysis. I am not aware of any historical issues related to this, so I cannot provide a definitive answer.

Since the file appears blank when imported into Navisworks, it would be more appropriate to first raise this as a Navisworks Product issue rather than a Revit issue. I recommend providing all relevant information to the Navisworks Product Support team, who can create a ticket with the Navisworks Engineering team for further analysis.

In any case, without proper analysis, we cannot confirm anything(Revit or Navisworks issue)