new NavisworksApplication() throwing Autodesk.Navisworks.Api.Automation.AutomationException: Failed to startup Navisworks: -2147024703 in examples

[joshua.doust]

Hi,

I have a fresh installation of Navisworks 2021 and the Navisworks 2021 SDK. I've been trying to get the example projects to work, however, I'm getting an unhandled exception on the new NavisworkApplication() statement.

Any help in resolving this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Navisworks Manage 2021\api\NET\examples\Automation\CallExaminer\Debug>CallExaminer

Unhandled Exception: Autodesk.Navisworks.Api.Automation.AutomationException: Failed to startup Navisworks: -2147024703
   at Autodesk.Navisworks.Api.Automation.NavisworksApplication.Init(Boolean runningInstance)
   at CallExaminer.Program.XMain(String[] args) in C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Navisworks Manage 2021\api\NET\examples\Automation\CallExaminer\Program.cs:line 59
   at CallExaminer.Program.Main(String[] args) in C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Navisworks Manage 2021\api\NET\examples\Automation\CallExaminer\Program.cs:line 50

[naveen.kumar.t]

Hi @joshua.doust ,

I think you need to add reference dll.

Go to solution explorer -->Call Examiner-->References-->(mouse right click)-->Add reference-->BROWSE-->(C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Navisworks Manage 2021\)-->CHOOSE Autodesk.Navisworks.Automation.dll-->CLICK "OK"

Add this line to the namespace

"using Autodesk.Navisworks.Api.Automation;"

now build the solution.

i hope this solves your issue.

[mikael.santospj]

Hi guys, I am facing similar issue with my navisworks 2024. Just want it to start

Any suggestions?

[naveen.kumar.t]

Hi @mikael.santospj ,

Which Navisworks are you using?

Is it NW Manage or NW Simulate or NW Freedom?

Please note, Navisworks developers will need Navisworks Simulate or Manage to be installed. No form of .Net API (plugin or controls) will be supported for Freedom.

Next, I would suggest you take a look at the CallExaminer plugin present in the Navisworks SDK(NET\examples\Automation\CallExaminer).

Navisworks SDK Link : https://www.autodesk.com/developer-network/platform-technologies/navisworks 

When you run the CallExaminer plugin, it should work. If it works, then I would suggest you take a look at the properties present in the CallExaminer plugin and use the same in your plugin(i.e) dll copy local values, target .Net framework version. Use the same in your visual studio project.

We recently found only one issue in Navisworks 2024. We have published a blog post on how to resolve this issue.
https://adndevblog.typepad.com/aec/2023/06/navisworks-2024-sdk-is-posted.html

If this doesn't help, we need more details to analyse this issue at our end.

[alexisDVJML]

Is there any release notes for Navisworks 2024 SDK?
Eager to see if any added features, bug fixes, improvements etc 😉

[naveen.kumar.t]

Hi @alexisDVJML ,

Please take a look at this below link
https://help.autodesk.com/view/NAV/2024/ENU/?guid=Navisworks_2024_release_notes 

[alexisDVJML]

Great, Thanks.
Would be even greater to also have something similar re: API 😉

[peter_mortonFX5VV]

Hi Naveen, I am having the same issue. I have Navisworks Manage 2024 and 2025 installed. When I try to run any of the "Plugins and Automation" example projects I get the "Failed to startup Navisworks: -2147024703" error. (I tried both the 2024 and 2025 example projects.

the projects appear to reference all the appropriate .dlls correctly i.e C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Navisworks Manage 2025\Autodesk.Navisworks.Automation.dll and they exist/build correctly.

Is there a log file somewhere that would generate more information on this error?

[naveen.kumar.t]

Hi @peter_mortonFX5VV ,

Create a Navisworks Log file: https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Creating-a-Naviswo... 

Please follow the steps outlined in the link above and run your "Plugins and Automation" example projects. The log file will be created in the logging directory you specified in the Navisworks Options Editor.

[peter_mortonFX5VV]

Thanks @naveen.kumar.t  for the quick reply. I followed your instructions and this is the end of the log file before it crashes:

Is there anything I might be missing?

[naveen.kumar.t]

Hi @peter_mortonFX5VV ,

Please send the complete log file to my personal chat. I will review it and get back to you.

[naveen.kumar.t]

Hi @peter_mortonFX5VV ,

I have consulted with the Navisworks Engineering team and shared the log files with them; however, they were unable to determine the cause of the issue.

We also attempted to reproduce the issue on our end, but were unable to replicate it.

To assist in further troubleshooting, could you please provide the following details:

1. A simple sample Visual Studio project to reproduce the issue.
2. Version details for both Navisworks Manage 2023 and 2024.
3. The DLL references you added, along with their "Copy Local" values.

[peter_mortonFX5VV]

Hi @naveen.kumar.t 

See attached a simple example solution and the dlls referenced.

The copy local values being the same as found in the CallExaminer:

• Autodesk.Navisworks.Api = False
• Autodesk.Navisworks.Automation = False
• Autodesk.Navisworks.Resolver = True

Installed Navisworks Details:

Thanks,

Pete

[naveen.kumar.t]

Hi @peter_mortonFX5VV ,

I was unable to reproduce the issue on my end. I used the specified version of Navisworks Manage, matched the 'Copy Local' settings on all DLL references precisely, and confirmed that everything is functioning as expected. It appears there is no issue with Navisworks Manage 2025 Update 3.