Convert NWC to NWD

A fixed Navisworks project is needed when a coordination model must be distributed to reviewers or opened in the free Navisworks Freedom viewer. Publishing the cache as an NWD also packages the current model state and review information into one file.

What the NWC format is

NWC is the Navisworks Cache format used in architecture, engineering, and construction coordination. Autodesk exporters and supported CAD or BIM applications, including Revit, AutoCAD, 3ds Max, MicroStation, and Archicad, create NWC files containing tessellated model geometry and available object properties.

An NWC is a translated cache, not the original editable authoring model. Design changes must be made in the source application and exported again. NWC files are commonly appended to Navisworks projects for model aggregation, clash detection, measurement, and review.

What the NWD format is

NWD is the Navisworks Document format for a published coordination snapshot. It can embed appended model data along with saved viewpoints, section planes, redlines, measurements, comments, search sets, and other review information that was saved with the project.

An NWD is more suitable for distribution than an NWF: an NWF is a working project file that references source or cache files, while an NWD packages the published model into one document. Navisworks Manage and Navisworks Simulate can create NWD files and edit their review data. Navisworks Freedom can open NWD files for viewing, but cannot perform the conversion or republish the project.

How to convert NWC to NWD

1. Install and open Autodesk Navisworks Manage or Navisworks Simulate. Use a release compatible with the NWC exporter and the recipients' Navisworks software.
2. Start a new project or open the existing NWF that will contain the coordination model.
3. Choose Home → Project → Append, select the .nwc file, and confirm. If it is the only model, opening the NWC directly may also be supported by the installed Navisworks release.
4. Inspect the model tree, geometry, coordinates, units, object properties, and viewpoints. Append other NWC or supported source files required for the coordination set.
5. Use Save As, select the Navisworks Document file type, and save the result with the .nwd extension. Releases that provide a publishing command can instead use Application button → Publish → NWD.
6. Close and reopen the saved NWD in Navisworks, and test it in the intended viewer before distributing it.

Quality and compatibility limitations

The conversion preserves translated geometry and available metadata; it does not restore parametric objects, constraints, families, layers, or editability from Revit, AutoCAD, or another authoring application. To change the design, modify the source model, export a new NWC, and publish a new NWD.

Publishing does not repair missing external references, incorrect units, invalid coordinates, omitted properties, or an unsuitable project coordinate system. Check those items before saving. An NWD is a snapshot and does not update when its source model changes.

Newer Navisworks releases can generally read older files, but an NWD saved by a newer release may not open in an older one. Match the Navisworks release across exporters, publishers, and viewers where possible, and verify any required review features after conversion.

There is no generally recommended reputable online converter for NWC to NWD. These Autodesk-specific formats can contain confidential BIM data, and the conversion depends on Navisworks' translation and publishing functions; use the desktop application rather than uploading project files to an unverified service.