Clash detection automates a lot of the process of cross checking to ensure there are no 'clashes' ('crashes' is a frequent but appropriate mis-spelling!) like this.

a pipe being routed through a structural member because the structural team didn't get the memo about changing the elevation. Given that models may come from a number of different operators, technical departments, and even companies, its possible that certain parts occupy the same space e.g. Instead of converting them twice (once to NWC and once to DWG) a single conversion to NWC would do.Clash detection is one of the technically more useful aspects of Navisworks. I our case, we need to deliver floor plans of each floor, with the location of the Equipments, but the steelwork is in Tekla Structures and the Equipments are in different other applications. So if the NavisWorks kernel could also be a plug-in for AutoCAD, (we only need the Freedom functionality inside AutoCAD)Īll it's verticals could reference NWD files and model with 'the thing next door' visible, which is very much time saving while designing.Īnother functionality that NavisWorks is missing, (the only thing missing compairing to SmartPlant Review) is the possibility to have a Line Drawing (Continous lines and Hidden Lines) of a View or a Section of a model. Switch back to AutocAD to do some modifications, Reload the DWG in Navisworks. Now I have to model it blindly, then open NavisWorks to see if I have moddeled it correctly or not, If I could reference to an NWD (including Snap), AutoCAD does not need any special 'add ons' for Point Clouds or special '3D converters' for all the other Plant or Building applications that are in use world wide. What now if I had to model a small thing in this combined model.Ī job perfect for AutoCAD Plant 3D, or even AutoCAD 3D or other verticals on AutoCAD. Part of the plant may be done in PDS, others parts in PDMS or AutoPlant and we can all put them toghether and view them toghether (including their properties) toghether with some special equipments modelled by their manufacturers in Inventor, SolidWorks etc.Īnd together with Tekla structures and point clouds. Well, I'm in the plant business and NavisWorks is great (and better than AutoCAD) in converting data from many applications toghether into one model.

Opening nwd file in autocad