What:
Create a federated model in one environment by importing native file formats generated from different BIM authoring tools.
Who:
Architects, engineers, designers, project managers.
How:
1. In Navisworks, in the application menu, select Open to directly open many compatible formats.
You see a long list of compatible formats. For details on the compatible formats, see Supported file formats and applications for Autodesk Navisworks.
2. Select the file you want to upload, and it is automatically visible in Navisworks.
3. To add more files, in the Home menu, click Append.
In this way you can add new files, even different formats, and merge into a single federated model.
Why:
Collecting native models in a multiviewer environment allows you to easily create a federated model. You don’t need to use conversion plug-ins or neutral formats, which can lose precision and data.
What next?
After the federated model has been aggregated in Navisworks, you can perform interference checks, cost estimation, and construction simulation.
Advance the process using BIM 360 Glue to aggregate models in their native formats. You can then easily access the cloud-merged file through the BIM 360 menu.
You can review this alternative process in the article Building—Coordination—Create a federated model through the cloud.
Navisworks is part of the Autodesk AEC Collection.
