Model Hygiene

• It is important to understand the model elements that are inside your Navisworks model. Complex geometry including specific architectural elements may often get modeled inefficiently. Additionally, many design files include elements that are not necessary for construction workflows (furniture, kitchen items, etc.) and can often increase the size of the converted model in Trimble Connect. This will reduce the performance of the model inside of Trimble Connect and other devices.
• To prevent the size of the model from increasing, remove non-mandatory NWC files from your NWD before uploading the models to Trimble Connect.
• Once the model has been pared down to the appropriate size and composition, it can be uploaded to Trimble Connect.

Model Upload Guidelines

• NWD and NWC files are highly compressed model formats and will grow in size when unpacked inside of Trimble Connect.
• NWD and NWC files will be converted to TrimBim (.TRB) files in the background when converted inside of Trimble Connect.
• TRB files currently have a file limit of 2GB. Keeping Navisworks files under 500-600 MB is recommended to ensure that the conversion is successful. Some models with very complex geometry may struggle to get converted even if the size is small.
• If an NWD file fails to get converted, we recommend you upload the NWC files separately and combine them together utilizing Trimble Connect desktop to TrimBIM workflow.

Trimble Connect Web Naviswork Conversion Process

• Upload NWD/NWC files to Trimble Connect web to utilize the model upload or Trimble Connect Sync.

• Once the NWD/NWC file is uploaded to Trimble Connect, it will automatically enter a conversion queue. If you allow time for the files to convert, it will automatically get converted to a .TRB in the background. If you open the file right away, it will show a conversion process in the 3D viewer.

• As the model launches, you will see a process icon next to the name showing the status of the conversion process. After conversion, the model populate on the screen.
• If the model fails to get converted, it is often due to a few issues:
  • If the converted model's size is larger than 2GB (the maximum file limit), get rid of any unnecessary NWC files to reduce the size up the overall NWD.
  • If the file still doesn't get converted, upload the NWC files separately and then combine them in Trimble Connect Desktop.
  • Sometimes, Trimble Connect may be unable to convert an NWD file due to an unknown type of file nested within the NWD.