Loading cache files

[Anonymous]

Hi Everyone,

I am new to Navisworks so please bear with me and my entry-level questions. I have been using Navisworks for some basic works. We are given a 3D model of the reinforcement in a structure, and we as-built anything thats been installed by colouring it in a different colour (usually green). 

The problem lies in that the 3D model gets updated every couple of months. Now the person who was managing this before me, had set up a NWF file set for the as builts. I was told that if I replaced the cache files with the newer cache files, it should automatically udpate.

However, as a lot of people have access to these files, it seems like the file from which the cache files are loaded has been changed. Is there any way to set the NWF file to load cache files that I want it to?

Thanks!

[PatrickDavis20]

when you open the .NWF file, it will automatically load the NWC files.

If you want to prevent NWCs from being loaded, then a better solution would be to create an NWD file. The problem with that solution is that you can't refresh the linked files.

I personally would use Autodesk's Assemble for this type of activity, as models can be updated but you can keep any adjustments that are made to appearance.

If I was going to do this in Navisworks without any third-party tools, I would create a selection set and then use that in conjunction with the appearance profiler to make your color changes. As items get installed, update the selection set with the new items and re-run the appearance profiler. There are some drawbacks to this method, but it would work.

[Anonymous]

@PatrickDavis20 Thanks for your response. I do want it to load the .NWC files - the problem is I dont know the location of where these files are being loaded from. How can I find out?

Thanks.

[PatrickDavis20]

Select one of the files in the selection tree, then in properties Item > Source File Name you will get the path to the file.

[mark.ryanV3F5A]

Hi @Anonymous ,

I wanted to check in to see if the suggestions @PatrickDavis20 offered were helpful.  If so, please click "Accept Solution".  If you would like more assistance, I would be happy to help!

Regards,

Mark

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately that didnt resolve the issue. The path that is showing is to my reinforcement detailer's drive, which I dont have access to.

In the past, I was able to simply replace the existing cache files with the new ones (as long as the names were the same), and this would load up the new model on the .NWF file. However, since then, a lot more people have had accesto the file, and I feel that someone has moved / broken the file. It no longer updates when I replace the cache, which leads me to think that the destination from which the cache files are loaded has somehow been moved.

I am not sure how to fix this issue. Is there a zoom / skype / teams function support so I can share my screen with someone who may be able to resolve this?

[Tomislav.Golubovic]

Are you within the same office? I would make my own NWF file and get the end users to send me their files as they're updated (if they're outside of the office). Otherwise you should be able to just link the source file straight from the model on a network drive.

[PatrickDavis20]

Sounds like you are in a similar situation to our work environment. We have multiple people accessing the same file from time to time. No one is in the same office so drive mappings are different. We had a big problem with staff having to remap the linked files all the time. We only want one file, otherwise, we might have to try to merge work product (clash tests, viewpoints, etc).

We ended up putting all of the projects into Glue (Classic). The became the central repository and the drive mapping never changed. So if someone in Houston, Nashville, or wherever opened the file, they never had to repath. The downside is the cost of Glue.

I have heard others being able to do something similar with Citrix Sharefile, but I have no experience with that.