Navisworks and Autodesk Forma

Autodesk Forma provides a cloud-based environment for managing project documents, sharing design models, and collaborating with project teams. For BIM professionals, however, there are times when viewing a model in a web browser is not enough. You may need to open the model in Autodesk Navisworks to review geometry, combine models from different disciplines, perform clash detection, or support construction coordination.

The good news is that you can access files stored in Autodesk Forma directly from Navisworks without manually downloading every model from the web interface. In this guide, we will walk through two practical methods for opening Forma-hosted files in Navisworks:

• Autodesk Desktop Connector
• Navisworks Coordination Issues add-in

Prerequisites

Before getting started, make sure you have the following:

• Access to the relevant Autodesk Forma project.
• Permission to view or download the required model files.
• A compatible version of Autodesk Navisworks Manage or Simulate.
• Autodesk Desktop Connector installed and updated (for the file-browsing method)

Method 1: Open Forma Files Using Autodesk Desktop Connector

Autodesk Desktop Connector is one of the simplest ways to access files stored in Autodesk Forma. It connects your cloud project to Windows File Explorer, allowing supported files to be accessed through the standard Open dialog in Navisworks.

Step 1: Install and sign in to Desktop Connector

• Download and install Autodesk Desktop Connector if it is not already installed on your computer. Make sure you are running a supported, up-to-date version.

LINK: Desktop Connector

• Launch Desktop Connector and sign in using the Autodesk account associated with your Forma project.
• In the Desktop Connector app, select the desired Autodesk Forma projects.

Step 2: Open Navisworks

• Launch Autodesk Navisworks Manage or Simulate using the standard desktop application.

• Step 3: Open Files
• Click Open. (Or press Ctrl + O to open the file dialog.)
  • Navigate to Autodesk Forma on the left side of the Windows file browser.
  • Locate and select the project file you would like to open.

Navisworks will load the model if its file format is supported. Depending on the file type, you can then inspect model geometry, review object properties, and continue with your coordination workflow.

Step 5: Combine Multiple Models if Needed

If your project requires coordination across architectural, structural, and MEP disciplines, you can open additional supported models and append them into a Navisworks session.

Method 2: Open Models Through Model Coordination

If your team uses Autodesk Forma Model Coordination, you can use the Navisworks Coordination Issues add-in to open coordinated models and views directly from a coordination space.

This method is particularly useful for BIM coordination workflows where teams need to review clashes, inspect aggregated models, and collaborate on issues.

Step 1: Install the Coordination Issues Add-in

Install the Navisworks Coordination Issues add-in from your Autodesk account. Under Products and Services > Navisworks Manage > View Details

Select the desired version and go to the Plug-ins Tab.

Look for the Autodesk Navisworks Coordination Issues Add-In and click Download.

In your downloads folder, double click on the executable file to start installing.

Step 2: Create a Coordination Space

At acc.autodesk.com navigate to your project. Once, inside of your project, select Model Coordination at the top left of the screen. On that page, you will see a button to Create Coordination Space.

Step 3: Open from the Coordination Workspace

• Open Navisworks Manage
• Click Coordination on the left side of the Navisworks start page.

Step 4: Select Your Forma Project and Coordination Space

• At the top of the Navisworks screen, select the appropriate Autodesk account, project, and coordination space.

• Select the model or view you would like to open.
• Click Open.

The models available through this workflow must meet the requirements for access through Model Coordination, including being included in an active coordination space.

Step 5: Review Models and Manage Issues

Once the models are loaded, you can use Navisworks to review the coordinated geometry and carry out supported coordination tasks.

With the appropriate configuration, the add-in also allows you to manage Model Coordination issues from Navisworks and synchronize supported issue updates with the cloud project.

This workflow is a strong option for teams that want to connect model review and clash-related issues with their wider cloud collaboration process.

Which Method Should You Use?

Both methods provide access to cloud-hosted models, but they serve slightly different purposes.

Use Desktop Connector when:

• You want to open an individual model file from a Forma project folder.
• You need access to supported files such as NWD and other Navisworks-compatible formats.
• You want to work with local Navisworks sessions and referenced model files.

Use the Coordination Issues add-in when:

• You need an integrated coordination workflow.
• You want to open models and saved views from a Model Coordination space.
• You want to manage cloud coordination issues from within Navisworks.

For everyday file access, Desktop Connector is usually the most straightforward starting point. For integrated model coordination and issue management, the Coordination Issues add-in is often the better choice.

Common Problems and How to Resolve Them:

1. The Forma Project Is Missing

• Confirm that Desktop Connector is running and that you have signed in with the correct Autodesk account.
• Make sure that you have selected the desired project from the Autodesk Desktop Connector.
• Ask your project administrator to verify that you have been invited to the project and have the necessary folder permissions.

2. The Coordination Section Is Missing from Start page

Verify that the Coordination Issues add-in is installed and compatible with your Navisworks release. Restart Navisworks after installation and check whether the Coordination section appears.

Also confirm that you are using the correct workflow: opening a file through Desktop Connector does not require the same add-in as opening a coordination space.

3. Referenced Models Are Missing When a Colleague Opens an NWF

Navisworks can retain local paths to models accessed through Desktop Connector. Since those paths may differ between computers, another team member may need to re-path the source models.

For teams that regularly exchange coordination files, establish a consistent model-management workflow. Alternatively, evaluate Model Coordination for supported workflows that reduce manual path management.

4. An NWD File Is Visible in Forma but Does Not Appear in Clash Detection

A file being visible in Forma does not automatically mean it supports every Model Coordination feature. For example, NWD files can be aggregated in Model Coordination but are not supported for its automatic clash detection. They can still be used for clash workflows in Navisworks through the appropriate coordination workflow.

Best Practices for BIM Teams

To make your Forma-to-Navisworks workflow more reliable:

• Keep Desktop Connector and the Navisworks add-in updated.
• Confirm project and folder permissions before troubleshooting software.
• Use clear folder structures and consistent model naming conventions.
• Choose the access method based on whether you need individual files or an integrated coordination space.
• Confirm that the file format supports the specific coordination features you intend to use.

Conclusion

Opening files stored in Autodesk Forma in Navisworks is straightforward once you choose the right workflow.

For direct access to project files, Autodesk Desktop Connector lets you browse cloud-hosted folders through Navisworks' standard Open dialog. For coordinated model review and issue management, the Navisworks Coordination Issues add-in connects Navisworks to Forma Model Coordination spaces.

By setting up the appropriate tools, verifying permissions, and planning how referenced models will be shared, BIM teams can create a more efficient and reliable cloud-to-desktop coordination process.