If you're a construction design or management personnel you're probably familiar with Autodesk Revit and Autodesk Navisworks or you at least heard of these tools.
This article will give you some insight into the differences between the two powerful BIM tools so you can decide where you want to invest your efforts.
Autodesk Navisworks Purpose of Use
If you want to select a tool, first understand your needs. Don't go for a new tool until you identify the benefits that can be gained by using it.
You may know that Revit is multi-discipline BIM software with features start from conceptual design tools to architectural, MEP, and structural modeling. The final result is a complete informative 3D model. Revit has some features to review and manage information in the model but this isn't the main purpose of using Revit.
When we talk about model review, Navisworks is here for that. Navisworks is really a fantastic tool. It's a project review and management software with multiple features to combine 3D models from cross disciplines into one scene to enable effective model coordination as well as simulation and analysis features, quantity take-offs, and creating animations.
5 reasons to use Navisworks Over Revit for Project review?
You may need to use Navisworks over Revit for the following reasons:
1- Seemless Navigation
Your 3D Model can be viewed, walked through and managed with ease and much greater speeds than in Revit
2- Easy Sharing
Provides clients with small files containing the entire model information without overwhelming them with the entire Revit database.
3- Clash detection
Clash detection is one of the greatest strengths for Navisworks over Revit. The clash detection feature is out of this world and still amazes me. Detecting collisions during design, in real-time, brings a very efficient method to improve coordination among multiple building systems and ultimately avoid costly rework during construction. The following are some clash detection features that you can't do in Revit:
* Isolate clashing geometry
* Create hard or clearance clashes
* Apply colors to systems
* Create markups on clash results
* Generate reports and outputs that can be shared.
4- Quantity Take-Offs
If you think that the schedule feature in Revit is the best way for material takeoff, surely you didn't try Quantification in Navisworks. While Material takeoff schedules just list the sub-components or materials of a Revit family, Quantification is an organized feature that supports the integration of 3D and 2D design data.
You can combine multiple source files and generate quantity takeoff. Takeoff an entire model in one order and create synchronized project views that combine information from other BIM tools such as Revit and AutoCAD together with geometry, images, and data from other tools.
5- Features with no similarity in Revit
However, I consider previous reasons is enough to put your efforts into including Navisworks in your tools box, there is more you can do with Navisworks that you never can do with Revit. You may use features like Quick measurements, Simulate 5D construction schedules that include time and cost, and develop compelling 3D animations and imagery.
Then where do we start? Why use Navisworks over Revit for project review?
If this article isn't enough for you! You can find the full answer by enrolling in this complete Navisworks course.
I’m curious to know what do you think of Navisworks! If you want to stay updated on similar subjects, feel free to subscribe to my blog! Meanwhile, leave your questions in the comments below and I’ll be happy to discuss them with you!