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Navisworks the Model Collaboration and Coordination Supertool
February 04, 2020

Navisworks the Model Collaboration and Coordination Supertool

christian Maxwell | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Overall Satisfaction with Navisworks

We use Navisworks in our building information modeling department, largely it is used for coordinating our mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and fire trades prior to the building being built. This allows us to prefabricate a lot of the things we do that otherwise would have to be measured and built after the structure is up. This streamlines our construction schedule and reduces costs from re-work since we have routes figured out prior to install so we don't have to worry about redoing something when things don't fit. It also is used by our self perform concrete department to plan concrete lift drawings, concrete estimates and embed layouts. This has made things significantly easier for our self perform crews and has greatly reduced the amount of mistakes that are made.
  • Model Viewing, the navigation tools are really easy to use for walking through the model, especially if viewpoints are set up for key locations.
  • The take-offs work really well and can be very quick and easy if the model was built right.
  • I think the biggest con to Navisworks is that it has a pretty steep learning curve, the basics are pretty straightforward but getting into the advanced features does require a bit more time dedicated to learning.
  • I would like to see bit less lag while navigating the larger files and models but overall it is not too bad.
  • One of the areas we have seen a lot of benefit has been in our self performed concrete division as we use coordinated models for issuing lift drawings for the crews to build the forms off and to ensure that we have all of our embeds and block outs in the correct locations.
  • I have also seen benefit in being able to use the clash detection to coordinate the MEP trades as this allows us to be confident in prefabrication of ducts, piping, etc. This has been crucial in helping us get into the data center construction market.
I have not used a lot of other software to compare Navisworks to but Revit is probably the closest to what Navisworks does. Revit is a lot more focused on the model creation and Navisworks is a bit more well equipped for reviewing and analyzing an already created model. Some of these things like take-offs or coordination can be done in Revit but I think Navisworks is a bit more streamlined and well equipped to perform these tasks.
I think Autodesk in general has great support they have an extensive online library that can be searched for getting information on tasks that you wish to perform and they even have a decent amount of how-to videos that are very useful for first time program users. I think that when you do run into issues that Navisworks is really good at responding to your questions and helping you get the fix that you need.

Do you think Navisworks delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with Navisworks's feature set?

Yes

Did Navisworks live up to sales and marketing promises?

Yes

Did implementation of Navisworks go as expected?

I wasn't involved with the implementation phase

Would you buy Navisworks again?

Yes

I think Navisworks performs really well for coordination and viewing. The ability to detect and address clashes between trades before the actual construction work begins is invaluable for a successful project especially when it is larger in size. I have also seen some great benefits from having trades and management professionals be able to jump in and view a model of a coordinated room or space and be able to visualize or even measure things before the work begins or as work is in progress.

Navisworks Feature Ratings