Can NWD (Navisworks) files be converted into an i-model?

Question

We have Navisworks models and get Naivisworks models, currently 2012, on a regular basis from Vendors. Is there a way to convert them to an i-model?

Lorys · Accepted Answer

Upon further investigation we found a free tool 
 FBX converter from autodesk will convert FBX format to DWG this is downloadable from autodesk and is standalone FREE tool...use google to find it.... 
 So ask your Navisworks suppliers to export to FBX ( a listed export format in navisworks according to autodesk website) 
 or download free version trial of navisworks us it to export to FBX format just to get you up todate then always ask for FBX format... 
 Then open with standalone FBX convertor tool and export to DWG 
 open in microstation and export to idgn that is imodel... 
 a bit convoluted but it appears navisworks does not export to CAD after all... 
 You can buy addons and tools to do export but you have to have navisworks first... but it does import CAD files, well according to the online brochures... 
 so only cheap way is FBX but I dont know if the BIM info is maintained...

Lorys · Answer

Unknown said: That is a circuitous route. I hope that Bentley would be able to read .NWD/.NWC/.NWF models into an I-model in the future. However, at least we have a path forward.
 
 That would make it easier yes , but I think your supplier is at fault if they are contracted then your contract should specify DGN or DWG to be the inter operational shared format to be supplied, yeah sure if you want to work in Navis fine.. but they should buy the addon to export to DWG at least... like it or not DWG is the major used standard file format and soon to be out paced by IFC or revit type data... 
 The supplier may not even know your having all this trouble ... heck for the work/ time it saves you, you might even have a business case to get your company to help pay for the navis addon to the supplier if they are reluctant to pay for something they only use for you ( yeah right!) I didnt look at how much it was but it cant be very high... and again it would pay for itself quickly in time saved...and be likely yo retain the BIM attributes as its direct export via the source and using product made by the same company who makes Navis.. ie autodesk...

Leonard Jones · Answer

NWD format is currently not supported. We apologize for the in-correct information. Our marketing team has been notified and the PDF content will be corrected. 
 Regards, Leonard Jones.

Henk Ligtvoet · Answer

Hi Dean, Lorys, 
 Note that MicroStation V8i allows to import/export FBX files as well: File>Import>CAD Files (in the list you will see: Autodesk (R) FBX Files (.fbx) See the MicroStation Help file for more information on the possibilities. 
 
 HTH 
 Regards, 
 Henk