MODEL SHARING FORMATS

[Don-83]

Group, 

I'm sure this has been discussed in many different ways but I can't get a good solid understanding.

I need to share a model with contractors who have limited knowledge of 3d, Revit, modeling,

basically they can barely turn on their laptops and read email.

I've read discussions about 3D .pdf, about dwfx, IFC...

Which one actually works and has the minimal amount of headaches????

this seems like such an essential element I don't understand why this isn't a simple thing..

Thanks,

[Anonymous]

Revit

[dgorsman]

3D PDF can be one of the most useful, as they can use Adobe Reader to view things.  I haven't had good experiences with the format though; large file sizes and frequent crashing.

3D DWF might have been a good option at one time, back when Design Review was still in active development.  The format can still be opened in Navisworks Freedom and there should still be some browser plug-ins.

Navisworks NWD might be a good format.  You need to install a separate program, Navisworks Freedom (no license needed).  Navigation is fairly straight forward but can be a bit cumbersome to those not accustomed to a 3D format (hint - use the "feet"/walk tool).  It also provides information, and the ability to search and selectively hide objects.  That takes a little more experience but IMHO worth the effort.  We use Navisworks extensively and have convinced several clients of the usefulness.

Check the Autodesk 360 offerings (http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/a360-products/ct-p/200), I seem to remember there being a means to view hosted content in a number of formats without any additional local installs.

[GTisRuleX]

We push everyone toward Navisworks Freedom. It's free to them, and most anyone that's ever seen a first person shooter type video game can get the control down pretty quick.

the guy above me pretty much nailed it, A360 requires "someone" to have a subscription, and grant users access, views also have to be 'published' to be viewable by others.

Simple = Navisworks freedom, can even copy/paste a link to the installer directly from Autodesk for clients.

[Don-83]

So the answer is "There is NO simple way to share a model" 

Autodesk, you guys should resolve this issue... 

Can't you make an add-on that attaches a viewer to a DWFx file so when the receiver opens the DWFx file it opens in the viewer...

I'm not a programmer but this doesn't sound that difficult..

Here's an example of a recent situation...

I was asked to model a Operating room and show the structure so we could coordinate all the trades and make sure all components fit in a limited space..

This is a perfect job for Revit...

Problem, the only people who can use this model are the tech's that know Revit. I have no way to share this with the owners, project managers, subcontractors, etc.

Doesn't seem like something I should have to purchase $1000's of dollars worth of software to do....

[GTisRuleX]

Personally as a professional, I wouldn't want the overhead of a viewer attached to every model produced. In 5 years I've built over 3,000 Revit families. File size has a big part of model efficiency in a production environment, where Navisworks Freedom is a very easy solution. It's free, and actually reduces the file size from the CAD format original.

[Don-83]

I wasn't suggesting a viewer added to the .rvt file I meant something to include with the .dwfx file....
File size is absolutely an issue...

[dgorsman]

Freedom will also open 3D DWF files.

I don't think there's any additional cost to the A360 storage as long as the maintenance is kept up, but IMHO it's worth investigating, especially if you have client offices in distant locations.  Model interpretation is done through the browser so there's no viewer to install.