Creating Navisworks Template File

If you work with Navisworks, then you probably have noticed that it does not provide a built-in mechanism to create template files like AutoCAD or Revit. What can be done though is creating an empty .NWF file with dummy or empty linked files that can be replaced later. 

1. Start a new Navisworks file and save the .NWF according to your naming conventions.
2. Append dummy or blank files into the project that following your naming conventions. These dummy files should be stored in a folder structure with the .NWF file.
3. Create your search sets, clash sets, etc.
4. Save the template.

When you start a new project, copy the entire folder structure of the template to the project location. Replace the dummy files with the actual project files. If by chance the dummy file and the actual project files names are different but are the same discipline or organization structure, this can be corrected easily. When you open the .NWF, you should receive a message "Can't resolve external reference," which will allow you to browse to the new file you updated.  This new file can have a different file name or reside in a different location.  After you resave the NWF file, it will then link to this updated file. All your search sets, clash sets, etc will update accordingly.

Navisworks Manage Tutorial Series

My friends over at 4D Technologies (CADLearning.com) have released a Navisworks Manage Tutorial Series of videos. I have not had a chance to look at the video yet, but I have been very pleased with the other videos that CADLearning.com has produced.

If you end up purchasing any videos, please mention KCRevit.com.

Chapter 1: Getting Started
User Interface
Workspaces
File Units
Managing Files
Object Enablers
Opening and Appending Files
Publishing Files
Realism Controls
Navigation
Head-up Display
Navigation Wheels
Navisworks Performance
Automatic Save and Recover Files
Cameras

Chapter 2: Review - Publisher
Selection Tree and Selecting Objects
Highlighting Options
Object Properties
Find Objects
Hide Objects
Selection Sets
Overriding Materials
Measuring Objects
Moving Objects
Viewpoints
Editing Viewpoints
Import/Export Viewpoints
Animations
Animation Slideshows
Make Comments
Smart Tags
Sectioning
Hyperlinks
Hyperlinks Options
Comparing Models
Collaboration Toolbar
Switchback

Chapter 2: Review - Publisher
Rendering and Lighting Modes
Collision Detection
Adjust Display of Primitives
Database Support
Add Redlining

Chapter 3: Simulate - Timeliner
Timeline Interface
Create Tasks Manually
Create Tasks Automatically
Synchronize Tasks from External Scheduling Software
Simulation Playback
Configuring the Simulation
Export Simulation

Chapter 4: Simulate - Animator
Animator Interface
Creating Object Animations
Cameras and Viewpoints
Manipulate Objects in an Animation Set
Manipulation by Linear Movement
Manipulation by Rotation Movement
Manipulation by Scaling
Manipulation by Changing Color & Transparency
Section Plane Sets
Animation Scene Playback

Chapter 5: Simulate - Scripter
Scripter Interface
Managing Scripts
Events
On Start Event
On Timer Event
On Key Press Event
On Collision Event
On Hotspot Event
On Variable Event
On Animation Event
Actions
Play Animation Action
Stop Animation Action
Show Viewpoint Action
Pause Script Action
Send Message Action
Set Variable Action
Store Property Action
Load Model Action

Chapter 6: Simulate - Presenter
Presenter Interface
Add Materials
Add Lighting Effects
Add Background Effects
Add Rendering Effects
Export Rendered Images
Export Animation Video
Edit Materials

Chapter 6: Simulate - Presenter
Advanced Material Editing
Ground Planes
Individual Light Effects
Image-Based Lighting
Environment Backgrounds and Reflections
Custom Environments
Light Scattering
RPC Content

Chapter 7: Manage - Clash Detective
Clash Detective Interface
Select Items to Clash
Clash Settings
Clash Rules
Clash Results
Clash Comments
Clash Reports
Clash Audit Checks
Batch Clash Tests
Export/Import Clash Results
Custom Clash Tests
Laser Scan Data Clashing
Holding and Releasing Objects
Switchback with Clash
Preparing a Time-Based Clash
Clash Timeliner Report