Create a Selection Set outside of Navisworks Manager 2014

[Brian.Powell]

Here's what I'm wanting to accomplish.

I have a list of data that I want to make a selection set for.  It's a long list so it would take awhile to build inside Navisworks and the list changes daily.  I want to be able to create some type of file or modify a file outside of Navisworks and import it some how into Navisworks.

I've tried exporting a selection set and then import it into excel to modify it and then re-import it back into Naviswork but I get an error importing it to excel.

Thanks in advance for any help with this!

[dgorsman]

The selection set exports as XML, not Excel.  You would need to modify the XML contents following both XML formatting guidelines and the Navisworks schema.

Could you use a search set rather than a selection set?  Set the search criteria then let the program do the heavy lifting of finding matching objectts for you.

[Brian.Powell]

sorry I meant search set.

[dgorsman]

Exported search sets can be modified provided proper XML formatting and the Navisworks schema is followed.  You might do this manually with an XML-capable editor but some software to automate the generation of the XML content would probably be better for consistency (and possibly sanity if you have a large number of sets to construct).

Are you familiar with XML?  And the MSXML DOM?

[Brian.Powell]

No I'm not familiar with XML or the MSXML DOM.  This is my first experience with it.

[dgorsman]

XML shows up in a lot of places, I highly recommend learning at least the basics.  You can start here: http://www.w3schools.com/xml/default.asp

Install Visual Studio from Microsoft - while its primarily a programming platform the XML eding tools are also useful.

The MSXML DOM is how you would interact with XML content through VBA in Excel; it automates a lot of what is presented in above tutorial.  You can construct and manipulate XML manually (it is just plain text, after all), but for this amount of data I recommend learning to do it the "right way" first.

[k.jayavijayan]

It is already done. Will upload it in 2days. So Wait for it.

[k.jayavijayan · Accepted solution]

Hai

I created a program using VBA to create "Search Sets" externally for Autodesk Navisworks. This program is a time saver in creating sets in Navisworks environment.

Note:

• The program will run Microsoft Office 201o onward.
• Search sets are compatible with 2014, 2015 and 2016 version of Navisworks. 
• Enable macros when opening the file and also add it to "Trusted Sources" location in your computer.

For Help, Check the below link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEViT-ZkBrE&feature=youtu.be

Hope it helps you guys very much and let me know if you have any trouble using that program.

Regards

JayavijayanK

https://in.linkedin.com/in/jayavijayan-karthikeyan-2221b7b1

[Brian.Powell]

This looks like exactly what I'm wanting to do.  Couple questions

1.  The file uploaded is a .rar file.  In the video it's a xlsm file.  Do I need to rename it?

     I also noticed that the files size on the file you open is alot bigger then the one I down loaded.

2.  How do I change the settings to allow it to open.

[k.jayavijayan]

It is .xlsm file (Excel Macro). So extratct it and run. The file size will be around 5mb.

[dgorsman]

RAR is a compressed format similar to ZIP, its popular in the software development community.  You'll need a RAR extractor to get at the contents unless its set up as self-extracting (which I'd recommend - not everyone can or is willing to do so).

[Brian.Powell]

First off let me say THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!! to K. Jayavijayan.  This is going to be a huge time saver!

K. Jayavijayan's file above worked like a charm after I figured out a few things.

1. Downloaded 7Z to extract the rar file. http://www.7-zip.org/

2. Downloaded foxe to create the xml file. http://www.firstobject.com/dn_editor.htm

3.  I had to change "nw-exchange-12.0.xsd" to "nw-exchange-11.0.xsd" on the DataOut tab.  If not it would say file not found when importing into Navisworks.

4. I had to add the Type and Category I needed under the Lookup tab.  Anyone using this file will need to do this.  If this is not done you'll get an N/A on the output file on the ones that are missing.  On the lookup tab Data Type is the Category field on the DataIn tab.  Column B is the Type column on the DataIn tab.  You can find the type and category by following the video K. Jayavijayan created.  it's the info at the beginning of the video in Navisworks.

[k.jayavijayan]

Hai Brian

Thanks for pointing out the issue.

The xml is fine for Navisworks 2015 and 2016. But for 2014, the header should be changed to navis version.

As you said, If we gonna use that xml in Navisworks 2014, then  change this "nw-exchange-12.0.xsd" to "nw-exchange-11.0.xsd".

Jayavijayan K

[Anonymous]

This program looks very Interesting, but time expires, how do we go about unlocking the excel file & enjoying the benefits ?

Thanks

J.

[Anonymous]

This macro looks like exactly what we need!

Thank you!

The You Tube link does not work. Do you take the help video down?

Thanks again!

Best regards,

Donald Newlands

[k.jayavijayan]

Yeah.. I will upload the new excel file and help video soon.
Thanks

[f.shanahan]

Did you ever upload a new excel and help video?

Regards,

Frank

[ertanyuce]

Do you have the updated file?

[k.jayavijayan]

Hai friends

sorry for the late response. The updated file attached.

There will be more no of search sets you will get and it will be another time taking process to import in navis. 

So, I have created another script to combine the individual search sets to single file. I will upload with instructions soon.

There is no expiration for the file. Hope it helps. Let me know if any trouble using it.

Thanks!

[ertanyuce]

Thanks for the file. I want to make a selection set for the elements shown in attached file. What do I need to modify in your file. Can you help please?

Regards.