How to Run Autodesk Navisworks Freedom on Mac with Parallels Desktop
Autodesk Navisworks Freedom for Mac: What You Need to Know
If you are looking for a free and easy way to view 3D models created with Autodesk Navisworks, you might be interested in Navisworks Freedom. This is a free viewer that allows you to open and explore NWD files, which are the native format of Navisworks. However, if you are a Mac user, you might be wondering if there is a version of Navisworks Freedom for Mac. In this article, we will answer this question and provide you with some useful information about Navisworks Freedom, its features and drawbacks, how to use it on Mac, and some alternatives to consider.
Autodesk Navisworks Freedom For Mac
What is Autodesk Navisworks Freedom?
Autodesk Navisworks is a software that helps teams deliver projects effectively by enabling them to visualize and unify design and construction data within a single federated model. It also allows them to identify and resolve clash and interference problems before construction begins, saving time onsite and in rework. Navisworks has two main versions: Simulate and Manage. Simulate is for model review, quantification, and coordination, while Manage adds clash detection and interference management tools.
Navisworks Freedom is a free viewer version of the product that allows anyone to open and view NWD files without needing a Navisworks license. NWD files are compressed and secure files that contain all the data needed to display the 3D model, such as geometry, textures, materials, properties, viewpoints, animations, comments, redlines, etc. With Navisworks Freedom, you can fly or walk through the model, measure distances and areas, view object properties, play animations, and use redline tools.
Features and benefits of Navisworks Freedom
Some of the features and benefits of using Navisworks Freedom are:
It is free and easy to download and install.
It supports a wide range of file formats from various design applications, such as AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp, MicroStation, etc.
It allows you to view the model in different modes, such as shaded, wireframe, hidden line removal, etc.
It provides you with various navigation tools and options, such as orbit, pan, zoom, walk, look around, gravity, collision detection, etc.
It enables you to measure distances and areas between objects or points in the model.
It lets you view object properties such as name, type, layer, color, material, etc.
It allows you to play animations that show the construction sequence or the movement of objects in the model.
It enables you to use redline tools to add comments or markups to the model.
It helps you collaborate with other project stakeholders by sharing NWD files via email or cloud storage.
Drawbacks and limitations of Navisworks Freedom
Some of the drawbacks and limitations of using Navisworks Freedom are:
It is only available for Windows operating systems. There is no native version of Navisworks Freedom for Mac.
It only opens NWD files. It cannot open other file formats such as NWF or NWC.
It does not have any editing or modeling capabilities. It cannot create or modify 3D models or objects in the model.
It does not have any clash detection or interference management tools. It cannot identify or resolve any conflicts or issues in the model.
It does not have any quantification or scheduling tools. It cannot estimate the cost or time of the project.
It does not have any rendering or simulation tools. It cannot create photorealistic images or videos of the model.
How to use Navisworks Freedom on Mac
As mentioned earlier, there is no native version of Navisworks Freedom for Mac. However, this does not mean that you cannot use it on your Mac device. There are some workarounds that can help you run Navisworks Freedom on Mac, such as using a virtual machine, a remote desktop, or a cloud service. Here are some steps to follow for each option:
Download and install Navisworks Freedom
The first step is to download and install Navisworks Freedom on your device. You can do this by following these steps:
Go to the Autodesk website and create an account or sign in with your existing one.
Go to the Navisworks Freedom product page and click on the Download button.
Select your operating system (Windows), language, and version (64-bit or 32-bit) and click on Next.
Read and accept the license agreement and click on Download Now.
Save the installer file to your device and run it once it is downloaded.
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation process.
Open and view NWD files with Navisworks Freedom
The next step is to open and view NWD files with Navisworks Freedom. You can do this by following these steps:
Launch Navisworks Freedom on your device.
Click on the File menu and select Open.
Browse to the location of the NWD file that you want to open and select it.
Click on Open to load the file into Navisworks Freedom.
Use the navigation tools and options in the toolbar or the Viewpoint menu to explore the model.
Use the measure, properties, animation, and redline tools in the toolbar or the Tools menu to interact with the model.
Use the navigation tools and options in Navisworks Freedom
The navigation tools and options in Navisworks Freedom allow you to move around and view the model from different perspectives. You can use them by following these steps:
To orbit around the model, hold down the Shift key and drag with the left mouse button.
To pan across the model, hold down the Shift key and drag with the right mouse button.
To zoom in or out of the model, scroll with the mouse wheel or drag with both mouse buttons.
To walk through the model, click on the Walk tool in the toolbar or press W on your keyboard. Use the arrow keys or the mouse to move forward, backward, left, or right. Use Q and E keys to move up or down. Use A and D keys to turn left or right. Press Esc to exit walk mode.
To look around the model, click on the Look Around tool in the toolbar or press L on your keyboard. Drag with the left mouse button to change your viewing direction. Press Esc to exit look around mode.
To enable gravity or collision detection, click on the Gravity or Collision buttons in the toolbar or press G or C on your keyboard. These options will prevent you from moving through objects or falling below ground level when walking through the model.
To change the navigation speed, click on the Speed button in the toolbar or press S on your keyboard. Drag the slider to adjust the speed of your movement.
To change the navigation mode, click on the Navigation Mode button in the toolbar or press N on your keyboard. Select from the following options: Free Orbit, Constrained Orbit, Pan, Zoom, or Zoom Window.
To change the display mode, click on the Display Mode button in the toolbar or press D on your keyboard. Select from the following options: Shaded, Shaded with Edges, Wireframe, Hidden Line Removal, or X-Ray.
To save a viewpoint of the model, click on the Save Viewpoint button in the toolbar or press V on your keyboard. Enter a name for the viewpoint and click on OK. You can access your saved viewpoints from the Viewpoint menu or the Viewpoint window.
Alternatives to Navisworks Freedom for Mac
If you are not satisfied with using Navisworks Freedom on Mac via a virtual machine, a remote desktop, or a cloud service, you might want to consider some alternatives that are native to Mac or compatible with Mac. Here are some of them:
SketchUp
SketchUp is a 3D modeling software that allows you to create and edit 3D models of anything you can imagine. It is easy to use and has a large online library of free models and materials that you can download and use in your projects. SketchUp also has a free web-based viewer that lets you open and view SKP files, which are the native format of SketchUp.
Some of the features and benefits of using SketchUp are:
It is available for both Windows and Mac operating systems.
It has a simple and intuitive interface that makes it easy to learn and use.
It has powerful and flexible modeling tools that let you create complex and detailed 3D models.
It supports various file formats from other design applications, such as AutoCAD, Revit, Rhino, etc.
It allows you to add annotations, dimensions, labels, and text to your models.
It enables you to create animations and walkthroughs of your models.
It allows you to render your models with realistic lighting and shadows.
It helps you collaborate with other project stakeholders by sharing SKP files via email or cloud storage.
Archicad
Archicad is a BIM (Building Information Modeling) software that helps architects and designers create and manage 3D models of buildings and structures. It also allows them to generate documentation, schedules, reports, and presentations from the same model. Archicad has a free viewer called BIMx that allows you to open and view PLN files, which are the native format of Archicad.
Some of the features and benefits of using Archicad are:
It is available for both Windows and Mac operating systems.
It has a comprehensive and customizable interface that adapts to your workflow and preferences.
It has advanced and parametric modeling tools that let you create accurate and detailed 3D models.
It supports various file formats from other design applications, such as AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp, etc.
It allows you to add information and data to your models, such as materials, properties, specifications, etc.
It enables you to perform analysis and simulation of your models, such as energy efficiency, structural integrity, daylighting, etc.
It allows you to create photorealistic renderings and videos of your models.
It helps you collaborate with other project stakeholders by sharing PLN files via email or cloud storage.
MicroStation
MicroStation is a CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software that helps engineers and designers create and edit 2D and 3D models of infrastructure projects. It also allows them to produce documentation, drawings, maps, and visualizations from the same model. MicroStation has a free viewer called Bentley View that allows you to open and view DGN files, which are the native format of MicroStation.
Some of the features and benefits of using MicroStation are:
It is available for both Windows and Mac operating systems.
It has a robust and flexible interface that offers multiple workspaces, toolbars, menus, and palettes.
It has sophisticated and precise modeling tools that let you create complex and realistic 3D models.
It supports various file formats from other design applications, such as AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp, etc.
It allows you to add attributes and metadata to your models, such as coordinates, dimensions, annotations, etc.
It enables you to perform calculations and measurements on your models, such as area, volume, length, angle, etc.
It allows you to create stunning renderings and animations of your models.
It helps you collaborate with other project stakeholders by sharing DGN files via email or cloud storage.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Autodesk Navisworks Freedom is a free viewer that allows you to open and view NWD files created with Autodesk Navisworks. It has some useful features and benefits, such as navigation, measurement, animation, and redline tools. However, it also has some drawbacks and limitations, such as being only available for Windows operating systems, only opening NWD files, and not having any editing or analysis tools. If you are a Mac user who wants to use Navisworks Freedom, you can try some workarounds such as using a virtual machine, a remote desktop, or a cloud service. Alternatively, you can consider some other 3D modeling software that are native to Mac or compatible with Mac, such as SketchUp, Archicad, or MicroStation.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Autodesk Navisworks Freedom for Mac:
Q: Can I convert NWD files to other file formats?
A: No, you cannot convert NWD files to other file formats with Navisworks Freedom. NWD files are read-only and cannot be modified or exported. If you want to convert NWD files to other file formats, you need to use Navisworks Simulate or Manage.
Q: Can I view NWD files online without downloading Navisworks Freedom?
A: Yes, you can view NWD files online without downloading Navisworks Freedom by using a cloud service such as Autodesk Viewer or BIM 360. These services allow you to upload and view NWD files in your web browser. However, they may have some limitations in terms of file size, storage space, and functionality.
Q: Can I edit NWD files with Navisworks Freedom?
A: No, you cannot edit NWD files with Navisworks Freedom. Navisworks Freedom is a viewer only and does not have any editing or modeling capabilities. If you want to edit NWD files, you need to use Navisworks Simulate or Manage.
Q: Can I use Navisworks Freedom on my mobile device?
A: Yes, you can use Navisworks Freedom on your mobile device by downloading the free app called BIM 360 Glue. This app allows you to open and view NWD files on your iOS or Android device. However, it may have some limitations in terms of performance and functionality.
Q: How can I get help or support for Navisworks Freedom?
A: You can get help or support for Navisworks Freedom by visiting the Autodesk website or the Autodesk Knowledge Network. There you can find user guides, tutorials, forums , blogs, videos, and other resources that can help you with Navisworks Freedom.
I hope this article has been helpful and informative for you. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below. Thank you for reading! dcd2dc6462