Navisworks Viewpoint Naming & Organisation Strategy

BIMOLOGIST

IFTIKHAR ISMAIL

Navis Viewpoints Naming & Organisation Strategy August 2021

Table of Contents

Page No.

1.0 Introduction

3

2.0 Creating Viewpoints

3

3.0 Navisworks Viewpoints Naming Strategy

5

4.0 Detailed Naming Strategy

6

5.0 Bonus Tips!

7

Ref: Autodesk BIM eco-system

Iftikhar Ismail BSc MSc MIET

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Navis Viewpoints Naming & Organisation Strategy August 2021

1.0 Introduction Over the years I have come across numerous Navisworks models across small and large organisations – The majority of whom FAIL to utilise Navisworks corectly with regards to setting up Viewpoints for BIM Coordination & Clash Detection.

Below I show you how to correctly set-up and name Viewpoints to allow you to maximise your time during BIM Coordination meetings without having to resort HTML Navisworks Clash Test reports > ie. A ‘Blue thingy clashing with a Red thingy’.

Examples below of Navisworks Clash Test results VS Saved Viewpoints (of the same clash).

Which would you prefer to review??..

Navisworks HTML Clash Results

VS Same Clash as Navis Viewpoints

2.0 Creating Viewpoints Coordinating BIM models in Navisworks will more than likely require creating multiple Viewpoints to allow you to jump to pre-set views within the Navisworks Federated model without having to navigate each time to an item or Issue.

A ‘readymade’ Navisworks Viewpoint Folders List is available FREE to download from here: >> https://bit.ly/3sa3UJn Note: You must have a model open within Navisworks to allow you to import the above Viewpoint Folders List into your model.

Iftikhar Ismail BSc MSc MIET

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Navis Viewpoints Naming & Organisation Strategy August 2021

We can create many viewpoints and name them anything we want, but it would be very handy if we could reorganize them in folders so they are grouped together, for example by areas, who created them or by disciplines like Architecture, Structures or MEP. There are several icons used in the viewpoint window to represent different elements:

Create new Viewpoints by: Right-click in Saved Viewpoints dialogue box > Save Viewpoint.

You can also add Folders, for all your Viewpoints by using the same method above.

These Saved Viewpoints can also be created by using the Clash Detective. Once created they can be shared throughout the Autodesk BIM ecosystem.

Ref: How to Organise Your Viewpoints in Autodesk Navisworks (by Graitec): https://www.graitec.co.uk/blog/entry/how-to-organise-your-viewpoints-in-autodesk-navisworks

In the above - I don’t receommend using 1, 2, 3, 4 as the Viewpoint Naming Stratgey!

Iftikhar Ismail BSc MSc MIET

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Navis Viewpoints Naming & Organisation Strategy August 2021

3.0 Navisworks Viewpoint Naming Strategy This guide is to help you Create / Name / Organise Navisworks Viewpoints in a logital order to allow the project team better visiblity and understanding of the issues in the project.

If no naming strategy exists within your project BEP then you can use the following Viewpoint naming structure. This naming structure can be used as a starting point, and updated to suit your projects requirements.

FOLDERS – Naming Structure

MODELLING ISSUES – Viewpoint Naming

CLASH ISSUES – Viewpoint Naming

Iftikhar Ismail BSc MSc MIET

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Navis Viewpoints Naming & Organisation Strategy August 2021

4.0 Detailed Naming Strategy A more detailed Viewpoint Naming Strategy may look like this > 1. Project Code 2. Originator Code 3. Zone/Volume Code 4. Level Code 5. Type of Issue (CL = Clash Issue, ML = Modelling Issue, CO = Construction Issue) 6. Discipline Code 7. Unique Number 8. Room Number (if applicable, otherwise omit) 9. Description of Issue (Max 40 characters)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Architecture Structural Civils Electrical Mechanical Process Equipment

Examples BR969-IFT-ZZ-01-ML-A_1000_XXX_Description of Issue BR969-IFT-ZZ-00-CL-S_2000_XXX_Description of Issue BR969-IFT-ZZ-03-CL-C_3000_XXX_Description of Issue BR969-IFT-ZZ-02-ML-E_4000_XXX_Description of Issue BR969-IFT-ZZ-01-CO-M_5000_XXX_Description of Issue BR969-IFT-ZZ-00-ML-P_6000_XXX_Description of Issue BR969-IFT-ZZ-00-CL-Z_7000_XXX_Description of Issue

Along with the description in the Naming String, I also put a more detailed explanation within the Viewpoint Comments field by: Right-click on Viewpoint > Add Comment.

The comment is added to that particular Viewpoint and is Name & Date/Time stamped.

Iftikhar Ismail BSc MSc MIET

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Navis Viewpoints Naming & Organisation Strategy August 2021

5.0 Bonus Tips!

01.

Navisworks Window Panels that you need open as a Minimum when using software: ☑ Selection Tree ☑ Sets ☑ Saved Viewpoints ☑ Properties And I also have the Clash Detective & additional Panels ‘docked’ to the side of the screen.

To save, go to View > Save Workspace (and save as .xml file to use on other projects).

02.

Save a ‘CLASH TEST VIEW’ under Saved Viewpoints in Navisworks.

ALWAYS set up a CLASH TEST VIEW as it helps me decide quickly which view I want to use for the Clash Test, and switch off all 2d annotations & 2d geometry not required in the test.

03.

Do Not mix Clash Test Viewpoints with Modelling Issue Viewpoints.

Clash Test Results and modelling issues such as elements floating / missing / 2d lines etc.

These are two different types of analysis and should be in separate reports or under separate headings within the BIM Coordination Report (eg. Clashes & Modelling Issues).

04.

How to add a Saved Section Cut to Viewpoints.

First set-up the Viewpoint first, and then add a section cut and right-click on Viewpoint, select Update (otherwise the section-cut disappears/does’nt save).

05.

Adding Comments against Navisworks Viewpoints.

Add one-line comments against each clash as to clash status and who is responsible to resolve and by when. Eg: Mechanical to review & resolve duct clash with Process piping.

06.

Viewpoints Not updating / Saving in Navisworks.

If you want your saved viewpoints to display all the elements that you required / hide when you created them, then go to Options > Viewpoint Defaults and check the box for ‘Save Hide/Required Attributes’ and ‘Override Appearance’. See below.

07.

Change Viewpoint Camera Distance to Meters.

This only works when you creat a combined federated NWD of all the files. First, create a NWD model from the NWF file. Right-click on the combined NWD file under the Selection Tree and select Units & Transform and change Model Units to Meters. Now when you exports all Viewpoints out of the model, they will show camera distances in Meters.

Iftikhar Ismail BSc MSc MIET

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Navis Viewpoints Naming & Organisation Strategy August 2021

08.

Updating & Saving existing Viewpoints.

If the view is changed or altered, the viewpoint can be updated by right clicking the saved viewpoint and selecting Update.

09.

Changing Viewpoint motion Speed, View Angle and Distance.

Linear speed in viewpoints can be altered by right clicking a viewpoint and selecting Edit.

Here you can also change the motion speed, distance and angle in the X, Y, Z axis.

10.

Example of a Detailed Viewpoint Folder Naming List.

Above Navisworks Viewpoint Folders List available FREE to download from here: >> https://bit.ly/3sa3UJn Note: You must have a model open within Navisworks to allow you to import the above Viewpoint Folders List into your model.

Iftikhar Ismail BSc MSc MIET

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