Export 3d models from navis

[carty_girl]

i hope i'd live to see the day when Navis exports 3d models to any extension (dwg rvt ifc fbx) anything. From my work in the technical support departement navis buyers just don't get that Navis doesn't export 3d models. It's a huge problem and must be fixed.
anyone agrees????

[liem.tran]

I agree with you as well. I have been trying to find a way to export my 3d model from navisworks to adobe pro extended so that my end users can easily see my 3d models. Adobe pro extended will only import an IFC file and Navisworks will not export to this.

[cjehly]

Freedom viewer is free, FYI.

Many people like Freedom files once they get used to them (takes about 12mins).

[twingate]

What kinds of modifications do you do in Navisworks to the original data that you would want to see exported? Is a 3D format really the best way to go for exports or would it be better to export XML or CSV of the mdifications doe so that they can be used by an external app?

[Dan Elkins]

I agree I dont see the need for export 3d model from navisworks. I mean.. you import 3d models into navisworks to view... not create them within navisworks. I think what people really want is a magic box they throw all their models into and they can come out in whatever version the user wants. For example throw cad in get revit out. Throw cad in get max out. I think interoperability will get better with time but I don't see navisworks as the conversion tool to do that.

[jeglet]

I would not want to export redesigned models. I mean, navisworks isn't a design app, but you can move things around in it - would you want your designs changed and sent out again? I like that the buck stops in navis, fits my workflow.

[kauffman]

I agree that we need a method for exporting 3D geometry from Navisworks. DWF is not an acceptable format, neither is KML. DWG, FBX, SAT, IGES would be good. Navis is often an aggregation application for models and data from multiple programs. Having a way to re-export this data back to another 3D applciation would be ideal for a multitude of reasons.

[twingate]

Mark,

Would be great if you could elaborate on "a multitude of reasons"and explain a little more about what other apps you would want to export to. I'm trying to understand the role of applications like Navisworks, et al from a process perspective so other peoples experiences in how they use these apps is greatly appreciated.

/Thomas

[kauffman]

Certainly, Thomas. My group does all the visualization work for PB and our clients and we work quite extensively with Navisworks. As I had stated earlier, Navisworks is a great aggregator of 2D and 3D data from a multitude of sources and it is because of this that it is important to export data out to other applications such as 3ds Max, Revit, LandXplorer and Newport to name a few that we work with. We usually will build content for Navis using 3ds Max but will need to bring that content back into 3ds Max, especially if it has been mixed with data from say Solidworks or Geopack or Microstation.
Many times, we will use 3ds Max to clean the geometry so that it is optimized for a real-time application such as Newport (Showcase) or LandXplorer. For example, we will strip out all the internal geometry of a highway viaduct structure and texture the remaining external geometry to represent the appropriate material such as asphalt, concrete, or metal with the accurate scaling relative to the surface. Importing a Navis model containing raw geometry into 3ds Max also helps when lining up context models such as buildings, trees, cars, people, etc. for later export back to Navis or one of the listed applications above. These are just a few ways how we utilize Navisworks in our workflow.
Does this help?

[twingate]

Mark,

Thanks for explaining your process a bit more in detail. I cna understand the value of Navis in your case and it does seem like a bit of a waste to have an app be that good at reading different file formats without being equally capale writing out.
But there are other apps and formats that could help with interoperability in the process you describe.
If I understand you right, Navis is not the end information product, but rather an intermediate step on the way to Newport or LandXplorer? You use it to combine multiple information sources which you then process in 3D studio max before final out to N and LX? Or do you also use Navis as final platform?

[kauffman]

Navis is just one of many steps in the process. It works well as an aggregation application but its chief purpose is a 4D+ simulation application for us. Because of the myriad number of tasks that we are required to do, it just makes our lives easier to have the export capability. In fact many times, Navis is the application that was used on the projects for various functions, but we need to create a visualization or interactive model from the resulting Navis model. In which case, we cannot. We have tried everything to no avail. DWF cannot be opened in much of anything but design review and the few other apps that can generate junk. The only thing we have used with any level of success is GL intercept which is a total hack way of acquiring 3d geometry.
So back to the original request, we need another few export options from Navisworks. DWG, FBX and DXF would be a good start, or a NWC/D/F importer for the various applications.

[08primo]

I totally agree!! it really limits your ability to interact over multiple platforms. i work in 3 different programs and they need to talk to each other! i just want to export my 3D drawing into a .step file used by Pro/E!!!!

[amixam]

So back to the original request, we need another few export options from Navisworks. DWG, FBX and DXF would be a good start.

Autodesk released a subscription bonus pack today that allows for FBX export of Navisworks models.

[peter.rumpf]

It is by design that Navisworks does not allow exports to dwg or other file formats. This software is a viewing software, not meant to be used as a model generation software. If Navis allowed export to dwg the integrity of the models being shared could be compromised.

[Teresa.Martin]

True, it is what I call the "kitchen sink" software as everything can be dumped into it. It is not a model generation tool. That is not its purpose. However, through subscription, you can now export to 3d Max via an FBX export option. However, you must be careful with the export. Do it in chunks as trying to do the entire dataset and then importing into 3D Max will cause 3D Max to crash.
Best regards,

[BIMTIM]

I agree with you as well. I have been trying to find a way to export my 3d model from navisworks to adobe pro extended so that my end users can easily see my 3d models. Adobe pro extended will only import an IFC file and Navisworks will not export to this.

Bump,

Acrobat Pro Extended 9.4.4 opens dwf files (well the '3D Reviewer' that comes with it does) so you can get Navisworks info through to 3D.pdf. IFC creates huge files which are borderline in Acrobat Pro. Ex.