Beyond the Paper

Navisworks FLEXnet & Licensing Problem Solutions Available Now

Our licensing team has posted two new updates to the product support site.

• FLEXnet Licensing Side-by-Side Hotfix

This Hotfix repairs a problem that occurs during the side-by-side installation of two different licensing products. During the installation of stand-alone licensing products with previously installed network licensing products, an error occurs indicating that the installation failed.

You can find the Hotfix and additional information here

• Failure to check out a license when running a network product on the same machine as the network license server

You configured a machine to be a network license server and then installed an Autodesk product on the same machine.  When you launch the product, it tries to check out a network license and fails. 

On Windows, the FLEXnet Finder dialog displays and, when dismissed, is followed by a license error dialog displaying the error code [-15.570.36]. In the Mac OS, a license error dialog displays the same error code but it does not display a FLEXnet Finder dialog.

This happens on all operating systems where an IPv6 stack is installed.

You can find the solution and additional information here.

Please let us know should the above solutions not resolve stated issues for you.

Thank you.

List Revit's Model ID in Navisworks Clash Detective Report?

My recent post "What is Clash Detection" triggered some customer feedback, one of which I consider worthy covering in this article.

Here is the question submitted by the reader: "Is there any way to get the various reports to list a Revit's model's Element ID of a clashing object?"

Very happy to share that we can answer the question with "Yes it is possible".

Users need to set up "Smart tags" to  show the element ID.  "Smart tags display property information in a tooltip style window as you move your cursor over objects in the Scene Area. By default, smart tags show the name and type of the object, but you can use the Options Editor to define which properties are shown. Each definition that you configure enables you to display an additional category/property combination in smart tags. You can choose whether to hide category names in smart tags or not."

Then export the report as normal and the Element ID should appear in the report.

Please share any feedback, comments or suggestions you may have.

Thank you.

Navisworks - What is Clash Detection?

"Clash detection allows for the effective identification, inspection and reporting of interferences in a 3D project model."

Navisworks use the Clash Detective tool for to permit clash detection. It can help you to reduce the risk of human error during model inspections. It can also be used as a one-off 'sanity check' for a completed design work, or it can be used as an ongoing audit check of the project.

You can conduct clash tests between traditional 3D geometry (triangles), and laser-scanned point clouds or you can combine the Clash Detective functionality with other Autodesk Navisworks tools:

• Linking Clash Detective and Object Animation together gives you the ability to automatically check interferences between moving objects. For example, linking a Clash Detective test to an existing animation scene would automatically highlight clashes for both static and moving objects during the animation, for example, a crane rotating through the top of a building, a delivery lorry colliding with a workgroup, and so on.
• Linking Clash Detective and TimeLiner together enables the time-based clash checks on the project. See Select Items for Testing for further details on time-based clashing.
• Linking togetherClash Detective, TimeLiner, and Object Animation enables clash testing of fully animated TimeLiner schedules.

 

Clash Detective also allows you to create custom clash tests via Exported clash tests. If you have a common set of clash tests that you reuse on multiple projects, you can turn them into a custom clash test. Once installed as a custom clash test, the entire batch of tests can be selected and run directly from the Select Tab. The results from all tests in the batch are combined and presented as the results of the custom clash test. The name of each test in the batch is displayed in the Description field of the results.

Custom clash tests are an excellent way to roll out a standardized set of tests across an organization. They allow the expertise of "power" users to be reused by everyone. Finally, they can be seen as a way of implementing object intelligence. For example, a custom clash test could be written that checked for compliance with a local building code based on object information and properties defined in a particular CAD system.

And last, but not least - there is report functionality. For instance, you may need a report that will enable planners to adjust the project schedule in their 3rd party scheduling software.

For time-based clashes, it may be helpful to include in the report additional information about each static package in the clash. This information can be set up in the Options Editor by using the Smart Tags definitions.

As always, please share any feedback, comments or suggestions you may have.

Thank you.

Navisworks - Wireframe Proxies During DWG Import

Some of you may have experienced the display of wireframe graphics (bounding boxes) of ducts, pipes or similar during opening of a DWG file in Navisworks Manage.

Some applications based on the AutoCAD® platform (including Autodesk products such as AutoCAD® Architecture, and non-Autodesk products such as Bentley AutoPLANT) generate custom objects, which are then saved in the subsequent DWG file.

In order to properly display the geometry and access the properties of these custom objects, you must have the corresponding Object Enabler (OE) installed on your computer. You can obtain the necessary Object Enablers from the manufacturers of these applications. For example, the Autodesk Object Enablers are available from the following webpage:

http://www.autodesk.com/oe

Follow these steps to display custom objects:

• Open the file that contains the proxy graphics in Navisworks.
• Click View menu > Scene Statistics. A list of the missing Object Enablers will be displayed.
• Locate, download, and install the missing Object Enablers from the manufacturer's website. Important! Some Object Enablers have dependencies on other OEs, and, therefore, need to be installed in a specific order. For example, the AutoCAD® MEP 2009 OE has a dependency on the AutoCAD Architecture 2009 OE. Therefore, you must install the AutoCAD Architecture OE before installing the AutoCAD MEP 2009 OE. Also, be aware that some OEs may not be designed to work with non-AutoCAD-based applications, such as Navisworks. In these cases, the OE may already be installed, even though it was listed as missing in the Scene Statistics dialog box, or it may cause the application to crash when used.
• Start Navisworks.
• Click Tools menu > Global Options > File Readers > DWG/DXF/SAT.
• From the Loader for DWG drop-down menu, select the year that corresponds to the DWG year of the file. Note: Depending on the OE, you may also need to change the Render Type from Automatic to Shaded.
• Click OK.
• Exit Navisworks.
• Delete any NWC (cache) files associated with your DWG file. A new NWC file will be created when the model is reopened.
• Start Navisworks and open the DWG file.

Note: When using some OEs (for example, AutoCAD Architecture, AutoCAD MEP, AutoCAD® Civil 3D®, and other OEs based on these) the display of the geometry in Navisworks depends on the display configuration in use when the DWG file was saved. For example, if a model was saved in a wireframe view in the AutoCAD-based application, it will appear as wireframe in Navisworks.

To change this behavior:

• In Navisworks, click Tools menu > Global Options.
• In the Options Editor, click File Readers menu > DWG/DXF/SAT.
• Select the Use ADT Standard Configuration check box.

Thank you.

Enabling 3GB switch on Windows XP or Windows Vista

Many of Autodesk's applications, including Navisworks, are able to take advantage of the 3GB functionality switch.

Advanced users may know that the virtual address space of processes and applications is still limited to 2 GB unless the /3GB switch is used in the Boot.ini file. When the physical RAM in the system exceeds 16 GB and the /3GB switch is used, the operating system will ignore the additional RAM until the /3GB switch is removed. This is because of the increased size of the kernel required to support more Page Table Entries.

Note: Only applications that use IMAGE_FILE_LARGE_ADDRESS_AWARE in the process header can take advantage of this functionality.

Enable the 3GB switch on Windows XP

• Right-click My Computer. Click Properties.
• In the System Properties dialog box, click the Advanced tab.
• On the Advanced tab, under Startup and Recovery, click Settings.
• In the Startup and Recovery dialog box, under System startup, click Edit. The Windows boot.ini file will be opened in Microsoft® Notepad.
• Create a backup copy of the boot.ini file. Note: Boot.ini files may vary from computer to computer.
  Select the following line in the boot.ini file:

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect

• Press Ctrl+C to copy the line and then press Ctrl+V to paste it immediately below the original line.
  Note: Your text string may be different from the text string in this solution, so be sure to copy the text string from your boot.ini file, and not the text string included here.
  Modify the copied line to include “ /3GB”, as shown in the following example:

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional 3GB" /3GB /fastdetect

Note: Do not overwrite any existing lines.

• Save and close the boot.ini file.
• Click OK to close each dialog box.
• Restart your computer.
• During startup, select the 3GB option. If you do not select the 3GB option, the system will default to the 2GB total memory setting.

Note: If problems occur during startup, you may need to update some of your drivers.

Enable the 3GB switch on Windows Vista

• Right-click Command Prompt in the Accessories program group of the Start menu. Click Run as Administrator.
• At the command prompt, enter "bcdedit /set IncreaseUserVa 3072"
• Restart the computer.

Disable the 3GB switch on Windows Vista

• Right-click on Command Prompt in the Accessories program group of the Start menu. Click Run as Administrator.
• At the command prompt, enter "bcdedit /deletevalue IncreaseUserVa"
• Restart the computer.

For more information on the 3GB switch, refer to the following Microsoft MSDN article:

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms791558.aspx

Please note that only skilled Administrators or personnel should perform the above stated procedure. I cannot be held responsible for any problems occurring on your machine/s as a result of the afore stated.

As always, thorough research of the content and it's impact is highly recommended before proceeding.

Thank you.

 

Navisworks Screencast

I highly recommend for users to watch this screencast and see valuable tips on how Autodesk Navisworks helps architects and designers experience enhanced control, collaboration, and information aggregation on even the most complex projects. 

Learn how Autodesk® Navisworks® solutions help architects and designers to reliably share, combine, review, and perfect detailed 3D design models of any size or format -- quickly, easily and cost-effectively.

This screencast, hosted by Autodesk Technical Specialist, Ed Deal, demonstrates how Autodesk Navisworks helps architects to streamline their project workflows, with features such as:

• Model Integration
• Navigation
• Model Coordination and Clash Detective
• Real-time Visualization
• Object Animation
• And more!

The screencast takes about 40 minutes to watch in its entirety, but you can watch individual chapters or as much information fits your schedule!

The screencast contains links to more in-depth information and resources so you can dig deeper into the features of Autodesk Navisworks solutions. It is recommended for all architects, designers and visualization professionals who want to learn ways to experience enhanced control, confident collaboration, and information aggregation on even the most complex of projects.

Want to host a learning session at your company? This screencast is a great tool for both individual learning or to watch as a group!

You can access the screencast through here.

Thank you.

Navisworks Startup Problems

Users of Navisworks Manage may have experienced a technical problem, where the application opens slowly, misses toolbars once started - or locks up all together on start up .

These or similar issues can occur if the Navisworks session file, "lastsession.xml", has been corrupted.

Corruption can present itself due to several reasons, but is mainly due to premature system termination or the incorrect closing of files.

Usually the problem can be resolved by simply renaming the Navisworks session file.

This can be achieved as follows:

1. Exit Navisworks

2. Use Windows Explorer and navigate to the folder associated with your operating system:

Microsoft Windows XP- C:\Documents and Settings\<UserName>\Application Data\Autodesk Navisworks 2009

Microsoft Windows Vista- C:\Users\<UserName>\Appdata\Roaming\Autodesk Navisworks 2009

3. Rename the "lastsession.xml" file

4. Upon restarting Navisworks, a new (default) version of the "lastsession.xml" file will be created

Please let us know whether this failed to resolve your problem or whether you have any other feedback for us.

Thank you.

Navisworks and AutoCAD Civil 3D Transportation Demo

The enclosed video takes you through a transportation scheme in Civil 3D and shows how to use Navisworks for review, clash detection of objects and construction sequencing.

The video was posted on YouTube by our European FromTheGroundUp blog team.

 

Enjoy!

NavisWorks Performance Issues and Settings

You are using NavisWorks Manage 2009 and notice that navigation around your model is not quite what you were expecting - with slow performance and choppy cursor movements.

The performance of NavisWorks can be affected by large models, hardware configurations and constraints as well as system settings. Good news is that there are some basic adjustments that you can make to optimize performance.

Most modeling computers operate with 4GB of RAM. However, you can enable the /3GB switch in order to free resources and use more memory for various system processes. Enabling the /3GB switch is not complex and information is widely available on its use and how it can be set.

Try turning off Hardware Acceleration to see whether performance improves, by using the following steps:

• Open NavisWorks.
• Click Tools menu > Global Options > Interface > Display.
• Clear the Hardware Acceleration check box.
• Exit NavisWorks.
• Restart NavisWorks.

If performance improves, the issue is probably due to the graphics board drivers. Graphics board drivers are often overlooked as an upgrade area. Some card manufacturers update their drivers every few months, improving performance and maximizing the capabilities of the card. Sometimes, drivers may become corrupted, causing performance issues. This can occur even on new computers or computers with newly installed drivers.

Please check with the manufacturer of your graphics board to see if new drivers are available. If they are, we recommend for you to install them and then to turn Hardware Acceleration back on (click Tools menu > Global Options > Interface > Display). If no new drivers are available, or newer drivers do not resolve the issue, leave Hardware Acceleration turned off.

If you access files from a central server location, bandwidth may cause performance issues. This is not common. However, if you experience slow performance, try copying the files from the server to your computer to see if this improves performance.

Please let us know whether you have any feedback, comments or suggestions.

Thank you.

Navisworks NWD or Navisworks NWF file format?

So what exactly is the difference between the two Navisworks file formats?

NWD File Format

When you save to a Navisworks (NWD) file, all loaded models, the scene's environment, the current view, and favorite viewpoints (including redlines and comments) are all saved to a single file. This is known as publishing a Navisworks file and creates a "snapshot" of the project. An NWD file is considered a complete file and can be opened in any Navisworks product and the Navisworks Freedom viewer.

NWF File Format

When you save to the Navisworks file format (NWF), only a list with pointers to the files currently loaded is saved, along with the scene's environment, the current view, clash results, if available, and favorite viewpoints (including redlines and comments).

To open an NWF file, a Navisworks product is required, such as Review, Simulate, or Manage (not Freedom), as well as access to the original CAD files. (Note: Copies of the original CAD files may be used. However, they must have the same file names as the original files).

When you open a CAD file in Navisworks, by default, a corresponding cache file (NWC) is created, which contains all of the conversion details required by Navisworks. When you subsequently open that CAD file in Navisworks, it will check to see whether a cache file is available. If it is, then Navisworks will check to see whether the CAD file has been modified since it was last opened in Navisworks. If the file has not been modified, Navisworks will read the cache file, speeding up the loading process and utilizing less memory. If the CAD file has been modified, Navisworks will read the CAD file in again and re-create the cache.

It is strongly recommended that you use an NWF file when referencing several CAD files. This will prevent you from having to republish the Navisworks file whenever one of the CAD files is amended because the NWF file will open the most recent files available. The NWF file will read in the cache files of CAD files that have not been modified, which can significantly reduce the time to load the files and the amount of memory used.

For this reason, it is also strongly recommended that you use an NWF file when conducting clash tests. The original clash results will be saved in the NWF file. You can then modify the CAD files as necessary. When the NWF file is opened again, the revised CAD files will be opened, and the Clash Detective, having retained the original clash data, will determine that those clashes have already been resolved.