Importing and Exporting Files from Revit to Navisworks: A Comprehensive Guide

Welcome back to our comprehensive Navisworks video series. In this installment, we'll explore the critical workflow of importing and exporting files between Revit and Navisworks—a fundamental skill for any BIM professional managing complex multi-disciplinary projects. Given the variety of available transfer methods, each with distinct advantages and limitations, we'll examine three comprehensive approaches to ensure you can select the optimal workflow for your specific project requirements.

Our first method demonstrates the streamlined approach of opening RVT files directly within Navisworks, leveraging the software's built-in conversion capabilities for maximum efficiency and data retention.

The second method explores the traditional DWG export pathway from Revit, while our third approach covers the increasingly popular NWC format export—a method that has gained significant traction in professional workflows due to its robust handling of BIM data and improved performance characteristics.

To begin with our direct RVT import method, navigate to the Application button and select Open. Browse to your Lesson 2 folder and locate the BIM361-ARC.rvt file. Behind the scenes, Navisworks will automatically convert the RVT file to its native NWC format and display the model on screen. This conversion process maintains the integrity of your BIM data while optimizing it for Navisworks' visualization and coordination capabilities.

Upon successful conversion and loading, you'll observe a fully rendered 3D model with all architectural elements properly positioned. A crucial detail to understand: when importing RVT files, Navisworks automatically searches for a specific 3D view named "Navisworks." This targeted approach ensures consistent visualization across your project team. In our example file, this dedicated 3D view exists and has been seamlessly converted into a Navisworks Viewpoint, complete with imported grid lines that provide essential spatial reference for coordination activities.

Examining your Selection Tree, expand the BIM361-ARC.rvt file to reveal Navisworks' intelligent organizational structure. The software automatically arranges content by levels—logical layers that contain all hosted elements according to their vertical position within the building. This hierarchical organization mirrors Revit's native structure, making navigation intuitive for users familiar with the authoring environment.

For instance, casework elements located on Level 2 are logically nested under the Level 2 hierarchy. Within each level, Navisworks maintains Revit's family-based organization: elements are grouped by family category, then subdivided into specific families, family types, and finally individual instances. This preservation of Revit's data structure proves invaluable during clash detection and model coordination phases.

Building upon our architectural foundation, we can seamlessly integrate additional disciplines using the append function. Navigate to the Home tab and select the Append button—a workflow identical to our previous Bath City model exercise, demonstrating Navisworks' consistent approach to model aggregation.

From your Lesson 2 folder, select the BIM361-MEP.rvt file to append it to our existing BIM361-ARC model. Once the MEP data loads, it's prudent to verify proper integration through systematic inspection. A reliable verification method involves temporarily isolating each discipline: select the architectural model and press CTRL+H on your keyboard, or right-click and choose Hide to focus exclusively on the MEP systems.

With the architectural elements hidden, you'll observe that the MEP model encompasses all three major building systems trades, each properly organized within the Selection Tree. Notice that this model also contains a dedicated Navisworks View, successfully imported as a Viewpoint—confirming consistent preparation across all discipline models. To restore the architectural model visibility, simply select it again and press CTRL+H.

Completing our multi-discipline coordination model, let's append the structural components to create a comprehensive building representation.

The structural model reveals the building's foundational elements and primary load-bearing systems. To isolate and inspect the structural model independently, hold down CTRL, select both the architectural and MEP models simultaneously, then press CTRL+H to hide them. This isolation confirms proper structural positioning and allows for detailed examination of the building's skeletal framework. When you reactivate the MEP model, you'll notice it displays in blue coloring.

This blue highlighting simply indicates the model's current selection state. Press Escape to deselect and return to normal display colors—a minor but important detail for maintaining visual clarity during coordination sessions.

For demonstration purposes, I'm reactivating the architectural model to highlight a significant advantage of direct RVT import: comprehensive material property retention. Unlike other transfer methods, this approach preserves sophisticated material characteristics from your Revit models. Observe the detailed material textures around window frames, the realistic transparency of glazing elements, and the accurate color representation of various building materials. This rich visual information proves invaluable during client presentations and design reviews.

It's worth noting that when we explore the DWG export method in our next video, this material information will not be retained—a key consideration when selecting your workflow based on project deliverable requirements.

Currently, our coordinated model exists only in memory as an "untitled" file. To preserve this work and establish a foundation for ongoing coordination activities, click the Save button. Navigate to your Lesson 2 folder and save the file as BIM 361-Revit. The resulting file will carry the .nwf extension, creating a federated model that maintains links to your source RVT files while preserving all coordination data and viewpoints.

This concludes our exploration of direct RVT file import—a powerful method that maximizes data retention and streamlines multi-discipline coordination. In our next video, we'll examine the alternative approach of importing these same models using the Autodesk DWG format, exploring how this traditional CAD-based workflow compares in terms of efficiency, data preservation, and practical application in contemporary BIM projects.