About Coordination Models

After using Navisworks® to generate a coordination model, you can link the NWD or NWC file to your Revit model as a reference for your design.

Video: Use Coordination Models

This feature is useful when a team from another discipline does not use Revit for modeling. It allows you to compare your Revit model to a non-Revit model for coordination purposes. By loading the updated coordination model on a regular basis (such as weekly), you minimize the risk of clashes. This practice can expedite the design process and reduce the need to make changes, saving time and money for the entire design team.

Coordination models

A coordination model is a 3D design used for virtual cross-checking of various disciplines through the design, pre-construction, and construction phases of a project. For the Coordination Model feature, use an NWD or NWC file. NWD and NWC are native file formats of Navisworks. Project teams use Navisworks to combine multi-disciplinary design data into a single coordination model.

Examples

• An architect uses Revit to design a building. A structural engineer uses another software product for the building's structural design. The architect wants to bring the structural design into Revit, using it as a reference to ensure that architectural elements align correctly with structural elements of the design.
• A designer fabricator uses a 3D modeler to design the exterior envelope of a building, using a complex system of curtain walls. The architect wants to bring this model into Revit, using it as a reference to make sure the building's interior design fits correctly within the envelope.
• An architect uses Revit to design a building. A civil engineer uses another software product for the detailed site design. The architect wants to bring the site design into Revit, using it as an underlay to correctly plan the layout of the building on the site.

Note: Navisworks models are cached locally. Therefore models are not limited to use in only Navisworks.

Using the coordination model in Revit

When you link a coordination model into a Revit model, the coordination model displays in the current view. It is surrounded by a bounding box, which displays when you move the cursor over the coordination model. When you select the box, the status bar displays the family and type Coordination Model : Navisworks Model, followed by the Navisworks model name. The Properties palette displays the file path, name, and other properties for the coordination model.

Tip: To select the coordination model more easily, use the Select elements by face option.

In Revit, the coordination model is treated as a single item. Revit cannot distinguish individual elements within the coordination model. You cannot select items in the coordination model, nor see their properties.

Note: Some imported geometry, including coordination models and some geometry created by add-ins, is not visible in Realistic visual style.

After linking the coordination model, you can do the following in Revit:

• Display the coordination model in 3D views and 2D views, including plans, elevations, and sections.
• Pin the coordination model to lock it in place, so it does not inadvertently move in relation to the Revit model.
• Define phasing for the coordination model.
• Define transparency for the coordination model to distinguish it from the Revit model. Use the Visibility/Graphics dialog to set its visibility and define transparency.
• For worksharing, add the coordination model to a workset.
• Print the coordination model as part of a Revit view.
• Export the coordination model to an image as part of a Revit view.
• Unload the coordination model to temporarily remove it from the model (for example, to improve performance). When you reload the model, it reloads to the same position and orientation.
• Reload the coordination model to reflect recent updates.
• Remove (delete) the coordination model from the Revit model.

Because textures are not included with the coordination model, it cannot be rendered as part of a Revit view.