How to setup the Navisworks plugin

The Navisworks plugin is a plugin developed by Dalux that integrates into Navisworks, supporting a variety of functions like uploading models, drawings, and point clouds, creating comments, and coordinating your clash tests in the Dalux environment.

This article will explain how to install and the general use of the plugin, including how to manage comments in the plugin, how to upload and distribute issues, and how to upload point clouds.

To learn how to go through the process of uploading a model or drawing using the plugin, you can read this article, the process is the same: Use the Revit plugin to upload and update 3D models and drawings.

 Attention

This plugin only works with full versions of Navisworks, make sure that your version of Navisworks supports the plugin version. When Navisworks is updated, it can cause issues due to a version mismatch with the plugin. 

How to download and set up the Navisworks plugin

When logged into your project on the web, you can find the plugin by navigating to

Click on your nameDownload.

You will find the current Navisworks plugin in the Autodesk section:

Once you have downloaded the MSI file, open it and follow the instructions of the installation wizard:

You will find the Dalux plugin in the toolbar under the Dalux tab. If you click either Model Upload, Comments, or Point Cloud Upload, you will be asked to log into your Dalux account. Log into your account with your Dalux credentials:

Change Project

If you have access to multiple Dalux projects, you can choose the project you currently are working on by clicking on Change Project.

How to use the plugin

Create new comments

By clicking on Comments, the plugin will give you access to all comments you have access to in your Dalux project.

In this view, you can

1. Create a new comment,
2. Import clashes,
3. Switch between your Group inbox and All comments,
4. View and open all comments from your project,
5. Get a preview of the selected comment, and
6. Jump directly to the location of the selected comment if it was created in 3D.

To create a new comment, select Add comment and create a new comment just like you would directly in Dalux. Choose a type, the communication channel, responsibility, and other information:

View and edit comments

To view existing comments, you can choose your Group inbox or All comments and select the entry. You will see a preview at the bottom. To open the comment in full screen and display all the information that goes with the preview, simply double-click the comment in the list.

In this window, you can edit or reply to that comment, and even close it if the issue is resolved and you have the right to do so.

Click 'View location' in the preview to jump directly to the element. This only works if Dalux can find the marked elements in the model currently open in Navisworks.

Import clashes

If you run tests, e.g. clashes, on your models in Navisworks, you can upload the resulting issues directly to Dalux and coordinate them with the responsible designers. To do so, click on

CommentsImport clashSelect your test.

The plugin will process the issues and allow you to fill out the information just like when creating comments.

To make it easier to edit all issues at once, you can set a value in one of the data fields and drag down the green selector on the bottom right of the highlighted field.

Alternatively, you can map values if they are the same for all issues.

Go to 'Settings' and select what Dalux value you want to map with which Navisworks value. Click on 'Save' to set this value for all issues.

Clashes that have not been uploaded via the plugin before, are created new in Dalux. If you update pre-existing clashes, Dalux will detect this and update the comments accordingly instead of creating new comments.

Upload point clouds

You can also use the Navisworks plugin to upload point clouds to your Dalux project. To do this, click on Point Cloud Upload.

Then, follow these steps:

1. Project: Select in which project you want to upload the point cloud.
2. Point Cloud: Choose to either add a new point cloud or replace an existing one.
3. Name: If you want to add a new point cloud, choose a name for it.
4. Select the files you want to upload as a new point cloud.
5. Next
6. Summary: Check, if your settings are correct.
7. Export

Note, that with each upload there is exactly one point cloud created. If you have selected multiple files, they will be merged into one point cloud in Dalux.

After the files are processed by Dalux, you can view them in the browser or in the Dalux Desktop App at any time.