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.
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.
For VDC managers, senior BIM coordinators, and general contractors, proficiency in Navisworks Manage isn't just a resume booster; it is the baseline for modern construction delivery. naviswork manage
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.
This article dives deep into what Navisworks Manage is, why it is the industry standard for BIM coordination, its core features, workflow integration, and how it compares to other solutions. Navisworks Manage is a project review software published by Autodesk. Unlike Revit or Civil 3D, which are authoring tools (you draw in them), Navisworks Manage is an aggregation and coordination tool . It allows project teams to combine design and construction data from a wide range of disciplines—structural, architectural, MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing), and civil—into a single, federated 3D model. Download the free 30-day trial of Navisworks Manage
Problem: Clash Detective says a pipe hits a wall, but the pipe is actually 2 feet away. Solution: You have a units mismatch. One file is modeled in millimeters; the other in feet. Go to Options > Model > Units and ensure "Rescale on file merge" is set correctly. The Future: Is Navisworks Manage Dying? Given Autodesk's push toward cloud workflows (Autodesk Docs, BIM Collaborate, ACC), many younger engineers wonder if the desktop version of Navisworks Manage is obsolete.
is the heavyweight champion of this virtual coordination space. While the learning curve is steep (expect 40+ hours to master Clash Detective and TimeLiner), the return on investment is undeniable. A single clash found in the office—such as a structural steel column blocking a main sanitary line—can save $50,000 in rework. You can now view the same model in
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.
