Hello,
2027 is here! Today we have released Navisworks 2027. This release has been focused on addressing product issues and a particular focus to modernising the look and feel and enhancing workflows for our users. Navisworks 2027 brings many new features including a new revamped Clash Detective.
Check out the what's new highlights and release notes.
Product Improvements
Clash Detective Improvements
Clash Detective has seen a UI redesign for Navisworks 2027. An important part of our product, we believed it needed an update to bring it up to standard.
Clash Test Page
Clash Test folders can now be created to better organise Clash Tests. Reset, Compact, Update and Delete can all be done at the folder level. The contents of the folders will roll up to the folder making it easy to see new clashes within a folder without opening it.
When working with clash rules, selecting a folder containing clash tests will apply the rules to all tests in the folder
Clash tests and folders can now be dragged to reorder
A confirmation dialog is now shown when you delete, reset or compact single or multiple clash tests preventing accidental actions.
Clash reports can now display the date and time values in UTC or the local timezone.
Clear Quick Filter button displayed above the Tests list when filters are applied, which you can use to quickly remove the applied filters.
Clash grouping is now store between Navisworks sessions.
Clash Results page
Clash results are now given the full length of the form for viewing with key frequently used buttons prioritised at the top of the form. Items, Details and Display options are tucked away to the side and can be opened when needed.
New details panel giving visibility of the clash result columns in a more property style view.
Clash Test Matrix allows for the creation of multiple clash tests in a streamlined way using the same options that are available in the Selection area of the Clash Detective window. Use this option when you need to create many tests that share common settings but target different combinations of geometry, properties, or search sets.
Clash Result Rename allows you to select multiple clashes in the Results window and use the Rename dialog to apply a naming format to the whole selection.
Properties
As you move through properties in the Properties window, any differences between the properties are highlighted in the window
Editing a custom property in the Properties window has been improved, making it easier to edit values
When you use the right click > Create Search Set option in the Properties window, a suggested name is now recommended for the search set based on the search criteria.
Appearance Profiler
It is now possible to reoder the rules in a profile.
When you test a rule or apply a profile, an informational message is shown in the footer of the Appearance Profiler dialog, showing the number of affected items
You can now create appearance profiles by importing XML files alongside DAT files
The color that is applied to selected objects based on an appearance profile rule is now editable in the Appearance Profiler dialog box > Profile Rules area
There is now a refresh button on the Appearance Profiler dialog, which can be used to reload profiles after making updates rather than restarting Navisworks.
In addition to the hide not found we introduced last year, it is now possible to hide, show or ghost not found for a whole profile.
We also added a way to change the visibility per rule too.
Hidden - Hide all object found as part of the rule
Unchanged - If the object is hidden, leave it hidden
Shown - Show all objects found in this rule
File Format
2027 has a new file format in order to facilitate the changes added this year.
There is now support for a new file type; NWL file. This is a simple text file that can be used to load a list of files, where each line contains a single file name. The file name can either be an absolute path or a relative path, and you can use Windows-style environment variables in the file names (for example, %APPDATA%). This format is designed for easy generation by scripts for example, to make loading multiple files easier.
An example of an NWL file structure is shown below:
struct/Structure.ifc
arch/Architecture.rvt
C:/MyProject/base.nwc
%APPDATA%/SharedFiles/ground.dwg
This file references four other files. The first two are paths relative to the NWL file itself. The third is an absolute path, and the fourth demonstrates using environment variables.
Navisworks now supports the following file types:
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CATIA V6 files including the 3DXML format.
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USD files.
Usability and user interface updates
2027 has updated and standarised product icons, aligning with other Autodesk products where possible.
The Viewpoints and Sets forms now have an edit option allowing for easy selection, deleting and moving around the form without activating the Set or Viewpoint
There is now an easier an more efficient way to work with the Quick Access Toolbar, using a new Customize Quick Access Toolbar dialog box.
The Options Editor dialog box now has a search feature, to help you find the required setting more easily. It also has new options for improved file import and export, such as the ability to include or exclude viewpoints for Revit files.
Multiple system path property names can be specified by using the semicolon character to separate the names on the Options Editor dialog box > File Readers node > VUE page
General Enhancements
The command line switches available in Navisworks have been improved, along with command line help
When working with Autodesk Rendering, the way you interact with lights on the Lighting tab has been improved:
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You can now use Ctrl or Shift+Click to select and delete multiple lights at once.
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You can also toggle multiple selected lights on or off using the spacebar or the checkbox at the top of the list.
Several improvements have been made in relation to using 3Dconnexion SpaceMouse devices with Navisworks.
Importantly, SpaceMouse devices are now controlled by the 3DxWare driver rather than as part of Navisworks. As a result, the Options Editor dialog box > Interface node > 3Dconnexion page has been removed. You can install the driver from https://3dconnexion.com/uk/software/.
The Tilt window has been removed. Tilt can still be applied using the Edit Viewpoint dialog box, and using the mouse scroll wheel in Walk mode
Color pickers now use RGB values by default and custom colors in color pickers are now saved between sessions.
The thickness setting on the Review tab > Markup Tools panel is now remembered between sessions
Deleting a file from an NWF improved from several minutes to seconds.
Stability and Defects
Full list of fixes can be found here. More than 250 resolutions.
Known Issues in Navisworks 2027
Full list of known issues can be found here.
Development focus
Our attention now turns to Navisworks 2027 Update 1 and Navisworks 2028 specifically resolving known defects and bringing new quality of life features into the product. The team and I are committed to improving the product in all aspects and that is our goal for 2028.
We'd love to hear from you, please feel free to reach out to me directly or via account teams.
Regards
Brett Parker
Navisworks Product Manager
