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INTRODUCTION
Navisworks Manage is a comprehensive project review tool that can aid project collaboration
of different disciplines, perform clash detection, virtually inspect site based on 3D models,
simulate construction sequence and with a set of review tools to communicate necessary
changes right before construction begins. Navisworks Manage is a software program designed
for project management, coordination, and collaboration in the construction industry.
Navisworks Manage features advanced visualization and simulation capabilities that help
users understand complex designs and identify potential issues in a project's timeline. It also
provides tools for creating, sharing, and collaborating on project data, including reports,
schedules, and material estimates.
Some of the key features of Navisworks Manage include clash detection, time-lining, quantity
take-off, and 4D simulation. Clash detection is one of the unique features of Navisworks
Manage which allows users to identify and resolve clashes between different models, while
time-lining helps users understand the project's timeline and identify potential delays or
issues. Quantity take-off helps users estimate project costs, while 4D simulation allows users
to visualize the construction process in a virtual environment.
Navisworks Manage is widely used in the construction industry, and it is compatible with a
wide range of design and construction software programs, including AutoCAD, Revit, and
SketchUp. It also supports a wide range of file formats, including DWG, DXF, DWF, and IFC. A
variety of files originating from different applications can be brought inside Autodesk
Navisworks and can work with these files for project review purpose. When a change is made
on the original file, this can be reflected within the Navisworks model by clicking on the
REFRESH button.
The following are the native file formats of Navisworks:
NWD Contains all design geometry and the Autodesk Navisworks related data (e.g.
Viewpoints, comments, markups). It has no link to the original file; hence no update
will be shown when changes are made on the original file.
It can be considered as a snapshot of the current state of the model. It is also the file
format of the published model.
NWF A file set that contains the link from the originating file and does not contain model
geometry, thus have a smaller file size.
It is used for an ongoing project where changes are expected in the originating file.
NWC A cache file created when the native file is loaded in Autodesk Navisworks, this
acquires the name of the loaded native file and on the same directory.
If NWC is loaded the next time, the file will check which is newer (original file vs
cache file). If it detects that the original file is newer, the cache will be recreated to
reflect the design update.
In this report, I tried to explore the various features and capabilities of Navisworks Manage
tools and how it can be used by built environment professionals to enhance the efficiency and
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effectiveness of building construction projects. And I have tried to examine the use of
Navisworks Manage in a building construction project and its impact on project coordination,
communication, and overall project success.
1. SECTIONING
This tool enables the user to see what is inside the model by having a cut-away view of the
3D model and allow us to view and analyse the internal structure of the model by slicing it
into sections.
Sectioning is very useful as it gives a view through the spaces and surrounding structures that
can reveal the relationships between the different parts of the buildings that might not be
shown in plan drawings. With sectioning tool, we would be able to see and communicate how
a buildings spaces and volumes connect and come together.
For the clients, sectioning views will provide them to see the relationship and enclosures of
the interior spaces. Consultants look at sections to aid in the accurate design of structural,
architectural and M&E components, and Contractor or builders refer to sections during
construction to make sure everything is built as planned.
Figure 1: Sectioned view
There are two sectioning modes available from the Sectioning Tools tab Mode panel: Planes
and Box.
Planes Mode
Planes mode allows us to make up to six sectional cuts in any plane while still being able to
navigate around the scene, enabling us to see inside models without hiding any item.
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Plane Name Default Alignment
Plane 1 Top
Plane 2 Bottom
Plane 3 Front
Plane 4 Back
Plane 5 Left
Plane 6 Right
Box Mode
Box mode allows us to focus the review in a specific and limited area of the model. The section
box can be moved, rotated, and scaled with the sectioning gizmos and can also manipulate
the section box numerically.
Figure 2: Box Mode Sectioning
When we create a section plane, we can select any plane in 3D space to slice through the
model. The section plane acts like a virtual blade that cuts through the model which reveals
the internal details of the objects and surfaces that are intersected by the plane. Once we
have created a section plane, we can manipulate it to adjust the angle and position of the
section, as well as change the depth of the slice to reveal more or less of the model. Overall,
the sectioning function is a powerful tool for visualizing and analysing complex 3D models,
helping us to identify potential design conflicts, communicate design ideas more effectively,
and improve project coordination and collaboration.
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2. SEARCH SET
The search set function in Navisworks is used to quickly locate and select specific objects or
elements within a large model or scene. It allows users to define specific search criteria and
then applies those criteria to search for objects within the model.
A search set can be created by defining search parameters such as categories, properties,
conditions, names, classifications etc. Once the search set is created, it can be saved and used
repeatedly to quickly locate objects within the model.
Figure 3: Setting of rules for creating Search sets.
Search sets can be very useful when working with complex models that contain many objects.
Instead of manually searching through the model to find specific objects, users can simply
apply the search set to quickly and easily locate the objects they need. And it also can export
the sets we created as specific document such as xml, which can be imported into many other
works and projects. We can use them repeatedly, as well as create Navisworks standards.
Figure 4: Selection of a building element (flexible duct)
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For example, user want to search for location and orientation of all flexible duct at roof top.
All the flexible ducts will be selected and highlighted upon creating a search set for based the
setting of rules.
Search set are useful for saving a group of objects on which we want to regularly perform
some action, such as hiding them, changing transparency, clash finding and so on. One of the
powerful functions of search set is that it allows us to save the search criteria so that we could
be able to redo the search later as and when the model changes. This action could save us
time especially when the CAD & Revit files are being subjected to many revisions as it
continued to be updated or amended based on site condition and requirements. And if a new
object is introduced to the model where it meets the criteria of the search then it will be
included in the set automatically without adding it manually.
Figure 5: Flexible duct before and after hiding.
3. CLASH DETECTION
Clash detection is a process of identifying and resolving the potential conflicts or clashes
between various building components and systems in a construction project. Clash Detection
- as the name suggests, it is about playing a โDetectiveโ role and finding out clashes among
building element and services, especially M&E services in the building design model. Clash
detection will come into the picture when all the building elements & services (Architectural,
Structural, M&E and others) are integrated into the model. It provides real-time collision
detection during designing which gives the project team some hints to improve the design
among different building systems and ultimately prevent costly remedies after modelling
completion and during construction as well.
There are primarily 3 types of clashes:
Hard Clash
A hard clash occurs when two components of a building intersect or pass through each other.
Soft Clash
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Soft Clash occurs when one element is not given the spatial or geometric tolerance and
because of which its buffer zone is breached. It is a type of clash which gets flagged when less
than a set tolerance is detected.
Workflow/4D
Workflow clashes, as the name suggests, are the timeline conflicts. They represent a
mismatch in the scheduling of contractors or when there is a conflict of timeline with
equipment or material delivery. It is knowns as 4D clash as it results from scheduling clashes
that affect the efficiency of the entire construction firm.
Clash detection is carried out by creating a clash tests. A clash test is a set of rules that defines
how the different components of the building models should interact with each other.
Figure 6: Setting up of clash detection test between two selections.
After the clash tests are created, the clash detection process can be run based on the rules
defined in the clash tests and identifies any clashes or conflicts that exist between the
different components by analyzing the model.
Figure 7: Results from a clash detection test. The green and blue highlighted element represents a
clash.
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Upon running the clash detection process, the report can be generated in various format such
as viewpoints, text, HTML and XML and can be easily shared with stakeholders for reviewing
and coordination purposes.
Figure 8: Clash detection report generated in HTML format.
By identifying and resolving potential clashes between building components, it will help the
project team to improve the overall quality of the project and reduce the risk of issues arising
during construction or after completion.
4. REDLINING
Redlining refers to the process of making mark-up or annotating a 3D model with notes,
dimensions, symbols, and other graphical elements which will make us to communicate the
information or clashes or design changes or issues or feedback with the stakeholders. This will
improve the communication between different teams and help us to avoid
misunderstandings and thereby prevent costly mistakes.
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Figure 9: Redlining - clouding with marked up comments
By providing a clear visualization of potential issues in the model, the redlining is helping us
to identify the errors or inconsistencies and to assisting us to address the issues early in design
process which reduces any reworks that likely to happen. Redlining helps to document the
issues and providing a clear record of the design process and ensuring that all stakeholders
are aware of any modifications made to the model.
The most powerful function of this tool is that it allows us to search for the markups or
comment which have been added in the model. This will be very helpful for complex building
project where itโs more likely to have many comments (minor or major) to be addressed in
order to coordinate and resolve the issues. Builders or contractors can easily check for the
comments by using โfind commentโ option based on comment keywords or date of comment
made or author of the comment or comment tag ID.
5. TIMELINER
Timeliner is a Navisworks tool which helps to plan a construction project and create 4D Bim
construction schedule, where we can manage the timelines and can be used to track progress,
identify potential issues and communicate project status to stakeholders. We can use the
Timeliner function to create visual presentations of the project's progress to share with
stakeholders and helping them to understand the project's timeline and status.
Figure 10: Timeliner-based work breakdown structure and Gantt chart
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Timeliner allows to import the planning schedules from a variety of sources such as generic
CSV or Primavera, Microsoft Project and others. And we can then connect and overlay the
tasks in the schedule with objects in the model and allowing us to visualize how the project
will evolve over the time. The planning software that best works for importing in Navisworks
is MS Project. Alternatively, we can manually add the task and planned timeline (Start & End
date) in order to generate the overall construction schedule.
Once we have created a timeline in Navisworks, a corresponding Gantt Chart will be produced
that can be well used to analyze and communicate project progress, identify potential delays
or issues, and make crucial decisions about scheduling and allocating adequate resources. The
timeline function enables to simulate the construction or demolition of the project over time
and allows to play the timeline to view the simulation of the project as it progresses.
Figure 11: Simulation of construction task integrated 3D view
6. QUANTIFICATION
Quantification is a tool that allow us to extract the quantity information from our project
models, thereby helping us to analyze and estimate the cost of a project, track work progress,
and manage resources more effectively.
Quantification is very helpful for project managers to accurately estimate the cost and
materials required for the project, helping to identify potential expense and cost savings, and
can effectively manage the overall budget of the project. So, the quantification is particularly
useful for construction projects, where accurate cost estimates and material quantities are
critical for effective project planning and budgeting.
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Figure 12: Particular Lighting fixture can be selected and added into the quantity take off
One of the powerful helps of this tool is that the project team do not need to spend time on
counting and measuring material quantities one by one, as this tools automatically make the
estimates on material quantity. Contractors can use quantification to track the use of
resources such as labour, equipment, materials and optimize their deployment to maximize
efficiency and reduce costs.
Figure 13: Quantity take off list generated in excel file.
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After the material take off has been done, quantification tool will generate a material report
that includes the measurements and quantities of the selected objects, and this report can
be export to Excel or other software for further analysis.
7. THIRD PERSON VIEWPOINT
The third person viewpoint refers to the perspective from an external position that does not
involve the user's own view. It allows us to navigate and manipulate the building model from
a different viewpoint, which can be useful for reviewing and analyzing the details of the
building elements.
The third person viewpoint gives the user, especially builders or contractor to get a better
understanding of the available space and spatial relationships between different elements of
the building. It can help them identify any potential issues or conflicts that may arise during
construction as the entire model can be seen from different angles.
Figure 14: Third person view point โ corridor leading to the staircase lobby
It helps to visualize the actual positioning of building utility fixtures like lighting, switches etc.
and architectural items like handrail, doors, windows etc. and thereby assisting them to
review the items easily and effectively.
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Figure 15: Third person view point โ visualizing final state condition of a canteen
REFERENCE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvdqtCz-aUo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wl75KuoXHwc&t=3s
https://www.autodesk.com/products/navisworks/features
