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Navisworks Manage , you cannot create original 3D geometry or "pieces" from scratch. It is a project review software designed to aggregate and coordinate models created in other programs like Revit or AutoCAD.
However, you can "create" various organizational, visual, and analytical elements within your project: 1. Create a "Federated" Model
Instead of modeling, you "create" a master project by bringing multiple files together. tab and select to add native files (like .rvt or .dwg). This creates a composite that references the original design files. 2. Create Selection or Search Sets
You can create groups of existing "pieces" to manage them more easily. Selection Sets: Select items in the model, right-click, and choose Save Selection Search Sets: Find Items tool to set criteria (e.g., "all steel beams") and click Save Search
. These are dynamic and update if the underlying model changes. 3. Create Section Views naviswork manage
You can "create" a specific view by cutting through the model to see interior details. tab and click Enable Sectioning Sectioning Tool
to move planes or boxes with a "gizmo" to isolate specific parts of the building.
The Secret Feature: Quantification
Most project managers ignore the Quantification tool in Navisworks Manage, which is a mistake. Because Navisworks is a geometry aggregator, it can count things across multiple file formats instantly. Need to know how many linear feet of 6-inch ductwork are in a combined structural/arch model? Quantification does it in seconds. It links those counts directly to your estimating spreadsheet.
When a change order comes in ("Add 20 more light fixtures"), you change the model in Revit, refresh the NWC in Navisworks, and Quantification instantly updates the quantity takeoff. It turns Navisworks from a coordination tool into a financial early-warning system. Navisworks Manage , you cannot create original 3D
5. Quantification (Takeoffs)
- Automatic Counting: It can automatically count objects (like doors, windows, or light fixtures) within the model.
- Volume/Area Calculation: It produces quantity takeoffs for materials (concrete volume, floor area, wall surface area), which can be exported for estimation.
Conclusion: Why Your Next Project Needs Navisworks Manage
If you are building anything that involves multiple trades intersecting—a hospital, a data center, a stadium—you have two options. You can find clashes on site with a torch and a grinder (costing months of delays), or you can find them in a computer screen before concrete is poured.
Navisworks Manage is the heavyweight champion of this virtual coordination space. While the learning curve is steep (expect 40+ hours to master Clash Detective and TimeLiner), the return on investment is undeniable. A single clash found in the office—such as a structural steel column blocking a main sanitary line—can save $50,000 in rework.
For VDC managers, senior BIM coordinators, and general contractors, proficiency in Navisworks Manage isn't just a resume booster; it is the baseline for modern construction delivery.
Ready to start? Download the free 30-day trial of Navisworks Manage from Autodesk, grab a sample model from their gallery, and run your first clash test. The mistakes you find will save your next project. Automatic Counting: It can automatically count objects (like
Navisworks Manage is a comprehensive project review software suite primarily used in Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) for Building Information Modeling (BIM). It allows users to open and combine 3D models from various design software tools into a single coordinated model.
Here are the core features produced by and available within Navisworks Manage:
4. Quantification (5D Takeoffs)
While not as robust as a dedicated estimating suite, Navisworks Manage includes built-in quantification tools. You can perform automatic and manual counts of objects (walls, doors, pipes) and calculate linear lengths, areas, and volumes directly from the federated model. This helps generate rough order-of-magnitude (ROM) estimates early in the design phase.
The Core Superpowers of Navisworks Manage
If you are considering adopting this software, these are the four pillars you will rely on daily.
The Measuring Tool (Tape Measure)
The most underrated tool. Use Snap Points (Endpoint, Center, Intersection) to measure distances between disparate object types. This is crucial for checking "soft clashes" like clearance for a worker to swing a wrench.