Navisworks is a powerful tool for creating federated coordination models, primarily due to its ability to import a wide array of file formats. However, directly importing a Plant 3D DWG file into Navisworks often results in a suboptimal experience, with equipment appearing as wireframes, missing fittings, and absent element properties. This guide will walk you through the proper procedure for importing Plant 3D models into Navisworks, ensuring you retain all necessary data and achieve accurate representation.
Understanding the Direct Import Issue
When attempting to append a Plant 3D DWG file directly into Navisworks, users commonly encounter several issues:
- Wireframe Equipment: Complex equipment models are displayed as basic wireframe structures, lacking detail and clarity.
- Missing Fittings: Essential components like pipes, joints, and valves are not imported, leading to an incomplete model.
- Inaccessible Element Properties: Crucial data associated with each element, such as material, size, and manufacturer, is not transferred, hindering detailed analysis and coordination.
The core reason for these discrepancies lies in the nature of DWG files originating from specialized applications like AutoCAD Plant 3D. These files contain object-oriented data that standard DWG import functions in Navisworks may not fully interpret.
The Correct Approach: Exporting to NWC
To overcome these limitations, the recommended method involves exporting your Plant 3D model to the NWC (Navisworks Cache) file format from within AutoCAD Plant 3D itself, rather than importing the DWG directly. This process requires specific add-ins and preparatory steps.
Step 1: Install the Plant 3D Object Enabler
For Navisworks to recognize and display the unique data of Plant 3D elements, you must install the AutoCAD Plant 3D Object Enabler. This utility acts as a bridge, allowing Navisworks (and other AutoCAD-based applications) to correctly interpret the rich information embedded within Plant 3D models.
- Where to Find It: Autodesk provides Object Enablers for various versions of Plant 3D. You can typically download versions 2017-2022 from the Autodesk Support website. For newer versions (2023 and later), Object Enablers are usually accessible through your Autodesk Account. A helpful resource is the Autodesk article titled “Where to download AutoCAD Plant 3D object enablers“.
- Importance: Without the Object Enabler, Navisworks treats Plant 3D objects as generic AutoCAD entities, leading to the loss of critical data and visual representation issues.
Step 2: Install Navisworks NWC File Export Utility
While the Plant 3D Object Enabler is crucial for reading Plant 3D data, exporting the model to NWC requires a separate add-in. AutoCAD Plant 3D does not natively include a tool for direct NWC export.
- Download Location: The Navisworks NWC Export Utility can be downloaded from the official Autodesk website, often found within the Navisworks product pages, such as on this link: https://www.autodesk.com/eu/products/navisworks/3d-viewers.
- Export Command: Once installed, the utility introduces new commands into AutoCAD Plant 3D. The primary command for exporting is
NWCOUT. Type this command into the command line and press Enter. There is no dedicated button on the ribbon for this function. - Export Options: Another useful command is
NWCOPT. This command allows you to configure various export settings, such as the level of detail, geometry simplification, and property export options, which can be crucial for optimizing the NWC file for Navisworks.
Step 3: Export Files Individually
A critical aspect of preserving element properties is exporting each Plant 3D file individually. If your design consists of multiple xref’d (externally referenced) DWG files, exporting the host file after appending all xrefs will result in a 3D model, but you will likely lose the specific properties associated with the individual elements.
- Best Practice: Open each Plant 3D DWG file separately, and then use the
NWCOUTcommand to export it as an NWC file. This ensures that the specific data for each component is captured correctly.
Appending NWC Files in Navisworks
Once you have successfully exported your Plant 3D models as individual NWC files, you can append them into your Navisworks project.
- Appending Process: In Navisworks, navigate to the “Append” option (usually found under the Application Menu or File tab). Select your exported NWC files.
- Visualizing Data: After appending, you will see your model components organized in the Selection Tree. When you select an element in the model, its properties will be displayed in the Properties Palette. Importantly, under the “AutoCAD” tab within the Properties Palette, you should now see the detailed Plant 3D-specific properties, including fittings, equipment data, and other associated information.
Conclusion
While Navisworks boasts extensive file format support, directly importing DWG files from specialized applications like AutoCAD Plant 3D can lead to data loss and incomplete model representation. The most effective method for importing Plant 3D models involves a two-step process: first, installing the AutoCAD Plant 3D Object Enabler to enable the correct interpretation of Plant 3D data, and second, installing the Navisworks NWC Export Utility to export your models as NWC files from within AutoCAD Plant 3D. By exporting individual files using the NWCOUT command and then appending the resulting NWC files into Navisworks, you can ensure that all element properties and accurate geometry are preserved, leading to a more robust and informative federated coordination model.