Engineering blog
08 Jun 2022

Navisworks Simulate vs Navisworks Manage: Which is Better for Your Business?

Biosphere in Montreal, Canada by Matthieu Joannon

One of the heavy hitters of software tools for Building Information Modeling (BIM) is Autodesk’s Navisworks. Two of the main versions of this BIM tool are Navisworks Simulate and Navisworks Manage. But which one is better for your project or business goals: Navisworks Simulate vs Manage?

We’ll give you the lowdown so you can make the safest and most profitable decision.

Introduction: What is Navisworks?

Navisworks (known for a while as JetStream) is a coordination and review software that allows AEC professionals to improve BIM delivery. With it, you can assess integrated models and data with stakeholders before construction begins.

Three versions of Navisworks are available: Simulate, Manage, and Freedom.

  • Navisworks Freedom is free and creates compressed NWD format files

  • Navisworks Simulate is a base level and includes functionalities with the exception of Clash Detective

  • Navisworks manage is the top level and has all features

What Can You Do With Navisworks?

With Navisworks, you can:

  • Identify and resolve interference problems and clashes prior to construction, hence saving time and money with less work and rework

  • Streamline collaboration and teamwork with issues integration with Autodesk Construction Cloud

  • Visualize and unify construction and design information in one federated model

Note that you can install Navisworks on up to 3 computers or devices. However, only the named user can sign in and utilize the software on a single device at any given point.

Major Benefits of Navisworks

Aside from clash detection, 3D rendering, quantification and construction simulation, here are some major advantages of using Navisworks.

1. Integration With Other Autodesk BIM Packages

Since Navisworks comes from the Autodesk stock, it can integrate seamlessly with other Autodesk BIM bundles, such as Civil 3D and Revit. All your Civil 3D and Revit files can easily be exported into Navisworks.

2. Control Costs & Schedules Using 4D & 5D Simulation

  • Animate & interact with model objects for simulations

  • Use project modules to directly create schedules

  • Import cost items & schedules from external project management apps

  • Use the TimeLiner tool to create 4D simulations

3. Run Seamless Projects

You can connect studio and field teams with compatible BIM software.

  • Manage, detect, and resolve constructability challenges with Revit, Navisworks and Autodesk Construction Cloud

  • Revit, Navisworks and other tools are available together in the Architecture, Engineering & Construction Collection

4. Easily Capture Material Quantities from 2D/3D Designs

  • Create synchronised project views from AutoCAD & Revit files

  • Measure areas, counts and lines from 3D models or 2D sheets

  • Export take-off data to Excel

Navisworks Simulate vs Manage

When it comes to Navisworks Simulate vs Manage, it depends on what you require. The difference between Navisworks Manage and Simulate largely comes down to pricing and number of features.

Navisworks Simulate

Priced at $1,020 per year, Simulate has everything that Manage has – except the clash detection tool.

If you are not planning on conducting clash detection but still want the other features, such as 5D scheduling, 3D animation, and review management, then we recommend using Navisworks Simulate.

Features

  • Photorealistic model rendering

  • 5D project scheduling

  • Integrated model take-off

  • 2D sheet take-off

  • BIM coordination with AutoCAD

  • BIM 360 integration

  • Model file & data integration

  • DWF & NWD publishing

  • Model aggregation

Navisworks Manage

Manage is priced at $2,520 per year and includes the full feature set. It is the most powerful version of Navisworks and can bring fantastic value to your projects.

Features

  • Clash detection & interference checking

  • Clash & interference management

  • DWF & NWD publishing

  • Photorealistic model rendering

  • BIM coordination with AutoCAD

  • Model aggregation

  • Model file & data integration

  • Integrated model take-off

  • 2D sheet take-off

  • 5D project scheduling

  • BIM 360 integration

If you are unsure whether to use Navisworks Simulate vs Manage, you can always conduct a free trial, available from the Navisworks website. If you do decide to purchase one of them, there are options to pay monthly, yearly, or every 3 years.

Conclusion

In Navisworks Simulate vs Manage, the main difference is the inclusion of clash detection in Manage.

However, it is important to remember that clash detection comes with a number of large benefits. Previously, clash detection would take place on the construction site, and clashes had to be resolved then and there. This led to major delays and skyrocketing costs.

But you can save yourself the cost and trouble of purchasing Navisworks Simulate or Navisworks Manage. Instead, just take advantage of BluEntCAD’s BIM services. We cater to architectural and engineering companies, general contractors, design build contractors and MEP and HVAC subtraders.

Want to make your project safer, more streamlined and more profitable? Contact us for BIM modeling services now!

Maximum Value. Achieved.

cite

Format

Your Citation

CAD Evangelist. "Navisworks Simulate vs Navisworks Manage: Which is Better for Your Business?" CAD Evangelist, Jun. 08, 2022, https://www.bluentcad.com/blog/navisworks-simulate-vs-manage/.

CAD Evangelist. (2022, June 08). Navisworks Simulate vs Navisworks Manage: Which is Better for Your Business?. Retrieved from https://www.bluentcad.com/blog/navisworks-simulate-vs-manage/

CAD Evangelist. "Navisworks Simulate vs Navisworks Manage: Which is Better for Your Business?" CAD Evangelist https://www.bluentcad.com/blog/navisworks-simulate-vs-manage/ (accessed June 08, 2022 ).

copy citation copied!
BluEnt

BluEnt is a design, technology and engineering group with offices in New York, Toronto, London, Muscat, and Amsterdam. We partner with home builders, real estate developers and general contractors to efficiently manage projects. Companies rely on BluEnt for architectural drawings, Revit modeling, shop drawings and more.

Connect with us!

Let's Talk Fixed form

Let's Talk

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.