Appendix G: Rendering Navisworks models

Publisher is able to integrate the Navisworks Freedom viewer to render Navisworks models to the NWD format. This is also made possible by the AutoLISP feature of the AutoCAD rendering module as described in Configuring the Autodesk AutoCAD rendering module options.

To configure Publisher to render Navisworks models:

  1. Install the following software on the Meridian Enterprise Server node where the publishing job will run:
    • Meridian Enterprise Server PowerUser
    • Meridian Enterprise Server and the AutoCAD rendering module
    • Autodesk AutoCAD 2010
    • Autodesk Navisworks 2010
      • Navisworks Freedom
      • Navisworks Manage (Roamer configuration at minimum)
  2. Install the NavisWorksViewer.reg file that is provided in the Meridian Enterprise Server Program/Viewers folder. Installing third-party viewer support is described in the BlueCielo Meridian Enterprise Server User's Guide.
  3. Add the following AutoLISP function to the AutoCAD startup:

    (defun MakeNWD (outfile outfile2)
      (command "NWDOUT" outfile)
      (command "quit")
    )
    
  4. Configure the publishing job as described in Configuring the Autodesk AutoCAD rendering module options with the settings described in the following table.
AutoLISP command options
Option Description

File extensions

.dwg;.dxf

Rendition type

AutoLISP command

Name

MakeNWD

Output file extension

nwd

Property name

<None>