About Navistools Standard

Navistools Standard is a Navisworks plugin for asset and plant lifecycle management, construction management and FM (facilities management)

Navistools includes our Data Management and Reporter modules running a Navisworks-like graphical user interface built around an SQL database that can be easily integrated with other database applications.

Navistools provides the means to manage an entire project containing information and documentation into a single manageable resource that can be handed over or transferred between project stakeholders throughout the design, construction, management and lifecycle phases.

Running Navisworks with Navistools provides the functionality to search, link, tag and report on information stored in Navisworks models or BIMs, as well as the ability to add new construction and maintenance data captured on-site.

Navisworks with Navistools used as a Field BIM application using the above process facilitates continuation of the BIM process after the design phase for construction, fit-out and then FM. Building and associated information is added to the model during fit-out and subsequently handed over to the operations team.

Navistools is a tool for builders, planners and subcontractors. Information collected in Navistools Data Manager helps define a comprehensive digital model that can be handed over to the project’s owner/operators as a deliverable, thereby allowing our customers to offer extra value to their clients and help them win more business.

About Model Browser

Navistools Model Browser is a solution for browsing Navisworks models in the web. It enables Navisworks models to be browsed and managed anywhere with all kind of devices that have a modern Web Browser installed. In addition of browsing 3D models user can also browse and edit database information that is attached to the model items.

Features

• The model can be published by using groups. When groups are used they can be shown and hide from the menu. Group names can be freely chosen when publishing (e.g. walls, windows, ducts).
• You can clip the model with clipping planes from different directions and measure distances with measurement tool.
• Application provides both perspective and orthographic cameras and you can switch between them as you like.
• If Navisworks model is linked with external database also published WebGL graphics will retain database links. Then metadata information of the objects are displayed in the Properties window. When using with Navistools Datamanager one can use SQL, MySQL and Oracle databases.
• Application contains a Selection Tree that can be used for searching a certain object from the model. Selected object will be zoomed to screen and its metadata will be populated into the Properties window.
• You can save views from different positions of the model and restore them later.
• You can also add comments to the model and edit and remove them later when don't need anymore.

Navistools Field

There is two ways to use our Navistools Field. You can use it direct from your mobile or tablet browsers or you can download our iOS App from Apple store.

• You can use your own mobile devices as a same way you use your desktop browsers. Just open the same address from you browser and use your model where ever you are.
• iOS App is the app that is installed on your mobile device and which typically onsite workers are using when they wish to change a status of an object, link photos or other attachments to the object or change object properties. Onsite coordinator can then manage and use all that data with his Navisworks and Navistools Standard system. He/She can also embed status and property information and publish it to anyone who needs to follow onsite work. You can use Navistools iOS App also in offline mode. After you are back in online your changes can be updated in your model.

WebVR support

Navistools WebVR Application supports WebVR and GamePad APIs and you can view published models and walk around in VR by using Oculus Rift or HTC Vive headsets and Gamepad. Using VR mode also needs a VR compatible browser which are Google Chromium or Firefox Nightly at the moment.

Navistools Model Publisher and Property Publisher

Navistools Model Publisher is a Navisworks plugin that is used for converting Navisworks models into WebGL graphics. Plugin converts any model or aggregated model that can be opened in Navisworks (e.g. IFC, RVM, RVT, DWG files) Plugin will publish WebGL graphics in to the Web Server or your Localhost.

With Navistools Property Publisher you can publish properties to the data service database.

Total solution for handling models and related databases will also include Navistools Standard that is used as an interface for server or cloud based database. By default the solution is running on our Web Service which we are offering as a service, though it is also possible for the clients to purchase and install it into their own Web Server.

Navistools Clash Manager Extension

Navistools Clash Manager is a Navisworks Clash Detective extension. It is easy to use but still effective tool for managing project's clash results.

Clashes can be grouped and sorted by many options. If Navisworks model has at least one grid system, then clashes can be also grouped by levels and/or grid intersections.

Clashes can be visualized by clash markers. They mark the location of the clashes in top and front projections of the model when user is generating a clash report.

Reporter

Report generator is easy to use tool which creates a Pdf clash report of selected clash results. Report consist of detailed view of the clash result and both top and front projections of the model with location of the clash result marked. It also contains all metadata of the clash result including added comments.

About IFC

Building SMART International is an alliance of organizations within the construction and facilities management industry. It also develops and maintains the specification for Industry Foundation Classes (IFC), an open vendor-independent neutral file format that captures both geometry and properties of ‘intelligent’ building objects and their relationships within building information models.

About Navistools IFC Exporter

With IFC Exporter you can export any file that can be opened in Navisworks to the IFC2x3 format. From version 2018.2 it also supports IFC4 format. When exporting Navisworks model items can be mapped to corresponding IFC objects. This plugin will export both the model geometry (BREP) and the related data (Property Sets)

The plugin will function in 2 different ways. Straighforward way is to select model items (selection) that you want to export from the Navisworks model and export them without mapping objects. If using this way all entites in the IFC file are represented as IfcEquipmentElement.

Another way is to use object mapping. Then you need to create predefined selection or search sets for each different object type in the Navisworks model and tell plugin which IfcType to use when exporting them.

About Console Application

IFCExporter 2020 console application is a complementary application to use together with IFC Exporter Navisworks plugin. After creating a class mapping file (.xml) by using the IFC Exporter plugin, you can use it in console application.


Class mapping file tells console application what is the scope of the model items to export and how they are mapped with corresponding IFC elements.

Name of the console application is IFC4Export2020.exe and it is installed by default into C:\Navistools2020\IFC4Export-folder.


IFC4Export2020.exe takes following command line parameters:

1^st         Input file (.nwd)

2^nd        Output file (.ifc)

3^rd        Class mapping file (.xml)

4^th        IFC schema to use (2x3 or 4)

There is a sample batch file test.bat installed with other sample files (pdms.nwd and equipment.xml) in the application folder for testing.

About Navistools IFC Extension

The Navistools IFC Extension is a simple low-cost Autodesk Navisworks add-on which brings real benefits when using IFC files in a Navisworks Project. The Navistools IFC Extension comprises of a simple user interface that enables the user to load an associated IFC file and then view the full IFC hierarchy in an easy to read format.
Objects can be selected from the IFC hierarchy which is then referenced in the Navisworks model and selection tree.

The Navistools IFC extension also contains its own reporting tool for easy generation of custom IFC reports including quantity calculations which can then be output to a variety of file formats including Excel, PDF and csv files.

The Navistools IFC Extension is especially beneficial in BIM and Plant projects where IFC is the current preferred or only format available to import data from specific CAD tools into Autodesk Navisworks.

Using IFC models effectively in Navisworks work process

Reading IFC models into Autodesk Navisworks and including them as a part of the QA/QC and collaboration processes has been possible since the early version of Autodesk Navisworks. More recently in later releases there has been increased support of the IFC format in line with the increased usage of IFC as the standard format used in BIM projects.

IFC property data can be viewed using Navisworks properties but the structure and hierarchy of the full IFC data model can be difficult to read. It is also very difficult to generate custom reports of this IFC property data.Using the Navistools IFC Extension all project stakeholders can easily view and generate reports based on IFC properties form the Autodesk Navisworks project

Benefits in using Naviswork in QA/QC process of a BIM project

Autodesk Navisworks software can be used as a QA/QC tool in both AEC, Infrastructure and Process Plant, where multiple formats of data can be aggregated to enable project management and collaboration throughout the entire life-cycle of a project. This data can include native CAD data, point cloud data from laser scanned as-built projects and standard industry formats such as IFC for BIM projects.

Today there is a common requirement to include point cloud data from laser-scans into the QA/QC process especially in renovation and refit projects. Autodesk Navisworks is the ideal tool to undertake this as it support multi CAD native formats, all the commonly used laser scan data formats and the BIM standard IFC format.

It has been shown that the most effective way to run the QA/QC process in renovation and refit projects is to use also the actual as-build data together with the design data and verify that the new design works in this environment.

The increased information display and reporting facilities included in the Navistools IFC extension improves the user experience when working with IFC data in a multi format BIM project and adds value to users needing to access full project information.

In combination with the Navistools project portal and the point-cloud management and visualization of Navistools Pointcloud, the Navistools IFC extension offers even more value to all BIM project stakeholders using Autodesk Navisworks

• Manage and Visualise IFC data better in Autodesk Navisworks
• Access IFC files and hierarchy directly from Navisworks
• Enables smarter viewing and management of IFC properties
• Create custom IFC property reports  with quantities
• Manage IFC data better
• Easy to use
• Benefits your BIM processes when using IFC files in Navisworks

About Navistools Poincloud

Navistools Pointcloud is new innovative software from Codemill Oy for managing laser scan data within the Navisworks environment. Navistools Pointclouds introduces powerful dynamic management and visualisation tools that increase productivity of your renovation projects in Navisworks.

Dynamic management of pointcloud datasets

The software enables dynamic management of large pointcloud datasets in Navisworks by giving you control over which pointclouds are loaded based on proximity to an object’s location or the user’s navigational position in the model. This gives huge benefits when visualising, reviewing or co-ordinating a Navisworks project which contains pointcloud data.

Based on scan positions

Navistools Pointcloud uses Navisworks as a platform and so supports the use of all the commonly used pointcloud, CAD and file transfer formats. Navistools Pointcloud works with in the Navisworks model containing the CAD model data and dynamically manages the required structure of point cloud data. The software requires the scan positions in excel format and that the scan data is pre-defined in published .nwd files although the Navistools Publisher software can be used to facilitate this process.

The scan positions are held in the associated Navistools SQL database along with associated user-defined data such as photographs and other required documentation. Navistools Pointcloud is built upon Navistools Standard software, the project portal which allows external project data to be easily linked and managed within Navisworks.

Benefits

Using Navistools Pointcloud enables easier management of renovation projects containing large unwieldy pointcloud datasets by creating visual demolition project plans. Navistools Pointcloud enables easier comparison through visualisation between as built data and design data through the design review process and for space management and facilities management. Navistools Pointcloud saves on project timescales and costs through reducing the traditional requirement to produce costly CAD models from laser scanned point cloud data.

Common problem

You are project coordinator and on a regular basis you encounter the problem that the Navisworks files that are available to the project team aren’t up-to-date. In many cases, one of the project members is made responsible to make sure that the Navisworks models are updated several times a week, which off course can take up a serious amount of time

About Navistools Publisher

Navistools Publisher for Navisworks enables you to automatically publish your CAD models to the familiar .nwd format. The Publisher is equipped with “AutoDetect” functionality that continuously monitors a designated project folder and detects when a new or modified CAD model appears and publishes it automatically to a specified location. If you prefer to publish on a given date or time, for instance over-night, then Publisher is also the tool for you. Not only is Publisher equipped with AutoDetect, it is also capable through the “Scheduler” functionality to publish on the time and date that you want. Using this functionality means that all your systems and licenses of Autodesk Navisworks stay available and you can delay the publishing action to the non-productive hours of the day

Other features

• If you use Navisworks properties during publishing, then Publisher will use these same properties as well. You can even set the properties for your Navisworks models using the Publisher , it is not necessary to activate Navisworks for that.

• To use Publisher , Navisworks only has to be installed on the system where you want to use the Publisher. Publisher uses the Navisworks engine in the background, you hardly even notice when it’s running.

• Publisher is delivered with “AutoDetect” and “Scheduler”, there are no seperate licenses required.