Naviswork Manage -
Problem: You search for "Steel Beam" but find nothing because the consultant named it "Structural Framing: Beam." Solution: Use the "Find Items" tool with wildcards ( *Beam* ) or switch to "Properties" tab searching. Learn to use the Selection Tree to browse by category rather than relying on text search.
However, Autodesk is investing heavily in and beyond, integrating it with Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC). You can now view the same model in the office (Manage) and on an iPad (BIM 360) with the same clash data synced. The software is not being replaced; it is being connected. 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.
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. naviswork manage
For heavy clash detection involving thousands of individual clashes, the desktop Manage version remains superior because of its computing power. The cloud versions cannot process complex "soft clash" logic (e.g., "Is there enough clearance to swing a door?") as efficiently.
Each authoring tool requires an NWC exporter (free from Autodesk). This converts proprietary data into a lightweight, open format Navisworks can read. Problem: You search for "Steel Beam" but find
Problem: You append a Revit file and everything is black, or materials are missing. Solution: Navisworks respects Revit phase filters and visibility graphics. Ensure the Revit file has a 3D view that is not set to wireframe and that all categories are turned on in Visibility/Graphics Overrides before exporting NWC.
The team runs clash tests. The results are saved as a list of "Clash Groups." These clashes are assigned to specific team members (e.g., "Clash #45 assigned to Electrical Team"). The contractor exports a report to share with the design team. You can now view the same model in
Each trade creates their model. The structural engineer models steel in Revit. The MEP firm models ductwork in AutoCAD MEP.