File Export: NWC

Export 3D model data to Navisworks Cache (.nwc) format for coordination and clash detection in Navisworks. This format is part of the File Export add-in.

Overview

NWC files contain lightweight 3D geometry and element properties optimized for Navisworks. They are the standard format for model coordination workflows including clash detection, 4D simulation, and multi-discipline review.

Caution

NWC export requires the free Navisworks Exporter add-in installed separately from Autodesk. Export will fail if the exporter is not present.

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Options

Option	Description	Default
Export Scope	Whole Model or Matching 3D Views	Whole Model
View Match Pattern	Wildcard filter for 3D view names (e.g., *NWC*;Coordination*)	(none)
Include Linked Models	Include linked Revit models in the export	On
Convert Element Properties	Convert Revit properties to Navisworks format	On
Export Room as Attribute	Attach room data as element attributes	On
Export Room Geometry	Export room boundaries as 3D geometry	Off
Divide by Levels	Split output into separate files per level	Off
Coordinates	Shared or Project Internal coordinate system	Shared
Find Missing Materials	Search for missing materials during export	On
Convert Linked CAD	Include linked DWG/DGN files	On
Subfolder	Output subfolder path (supports {FileName} placeholder)	NWC/{FileName}
File Name	Output file name pattern	{FileName}_{Date}_{Time}

See File Name Placeholders for all available placeholders.

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Export Scope

Whole Model

Exports the entire model as a single NWC file. This is the most common setting for coordination. The exporter prefers the default {3D} view, falling back to any available 3D view.

Matching 3D Views

Exports one NWC file per matching 3D view. Enter a semicolon-separated wildcard pattern to filter which views to export. When exporting multiple views, {ViewName} is automatically appended to the file name if not already included in the pattern.

Example patterns:

Pattern	Matches
*NWC*	Any 3D view with “NWC” in the name
Coordination*	Views starting with “Coordination”
*NWC*;*Coord*	Multiple patterns combined
NWC - ???	Views like “NWC - Arch” or “NWC - MEP” (exactly three characters after the prefix)
Level ?	Single-digit level views (Level 1, Level 2, but not Level 10)

Tip

Create dedicated 3D views for NWC export (e.g., “NWC - Arch”, “NWC - MEP”) with appropriate visibility settings, then use *NWC* as the pattern.

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Requirements

• Autodesk Navisworks Exporter add-in must be installed
• At least one 3D view must exist in the document
• When using Matching 3D Views, at least one view must match the pattern

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Tips

• Use Shared Coordinates for multi-model coordination so all models align correctly in Navisworks
• Disable linked models if you export each linked model separately to avoid duplication
• Enable Room as Attribute for clash reports that reference room locations
• Divide by Levels is useful for large models where level-by-level review is needed
• Convert Linked CAD includes DWG/DGN underlay geometry, disable if not needed for coordination

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Limitations

Limitation	Details
Navisworks Exporter required	Free add-in from Autodesk must be installed separately
3D views only	Cannot export from 2D views (plans, sections)
No partial model export	Whole Model exports everything visible; use dedicated 3D views with visibility filters for selective export

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Troubleshooting

”Navisworks Exporter not found”

The Navisworks Exporter add-in is not installed or not detected.

Solution: Download and install the Navisworks Exporter from Autodesk. Restart Revit after installation.

No 3D views found

The document does not contain any 3D views.

Solution: Create a 3D view in the project before exporting to NWC.

No views match pattern

When using Matching 3D Views, the pattern did not match any 3D view names.

Solution: Check your pattern against the actual 3D view names in the project. Use * to match all 3D views for testing.

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