Navigator CONNECT Edition vs Autodesk Navis (Free software)

Question

Hi 
 My question is about how Bentley software results is planned to be viewed by project members for free. Autodesk has Navis that comes with one version that is free viewer for all project members, then there is simulate and manage where you can produce information that you want to be shared. 
 How is it in Bentley software family? I know that there is some kind similar as Navis in "Bentley world " Navigator CONNECT Edition. Is this similar as the Autodesk Navis? If it is is there also an free viewer for navigator as there is in Autodesk Navis? 
 Every new big project that is started has an requirement that the information has to be able to be read/view by all project members without owning the full license of the programs used to design the result with free viewer. 
 Do Bentley have this kind of solutions? 
 
 Best regards 
 Tom

DaviPF · Answer

In fact this is possible in Bentley View using i-model. With an i-model made in Openbuildings you have the entire project in Bentley view including all the 2D drawings generated in the project.

Barry Lothian · Answer

Morning Gerd, 
 mlm said: are we talking about handling models or (generated) drawings) 
 Actually both. 
 I don't know if you have any knowledge of REVIT but projects where it is used typically consist of only just a couple of files (but can be more depending on the nature of the project). The building file contains not only the 3D model, but all the different views (Plans/Sections/Details/Drafting View/Schedules/Drawing Sheets and whatever else you choose to make), however, common practice is that you strip out the RVT file to remove your Drawing Sheets before sharing with consultants (to prevent others altering and printing your drawings). 
 Here's an example show the view and some of the Drawing Sheets in the Project Browser: 
 On the Bentley side, where models and drawings are isolated as individual files, ProjectWise works fine, its just not pleasant to use, and that goes for PW hosted in an office and also hosted online. Entering Titleblock information via some custom form in the PW application instead of a drawing, is frustrating and slow, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. In fact, the very first project I ever worked on with a new employer originally started out on ProjectWise but due to the delays that it caused (iirc partially due to the markup/approval process), the project got hauled out of it and put back on a network drive. I've also used Packager (.pzip) files but they aren't ideal as the folder structure if gives you never matches any project folder structure so it there was always a lot of manual work to relocate files where they should go. I've not used a cloud solution with MicroStation and I'm happy that's going to stay that way. 
 mlm said: With drawings you want to comment (what the not CAD literate mostly do) you need to have a system that allows ideally directly annotate online and then to notify assigned ppl to include changes.in the cad-file 
 I'm sure we've discussed this before and have differing views. Everyone that I've worked with (Architects & Engineers) has always preferred to simply mark up a hard copy or PDF instead of using some specially built tool or application to do the same thing. 
 I'm fortunate that I don't have to collaborate, I also prefer to have access to my files without relying on the internet, but not everyone has that option so I don't doubt that these cloud solutions have their uses for large teams.

Jayson Perry · Answer

Hi Tom, 
 To add to what Tuan already posted, Bentley View is available as a free CAD viewer: https://www.bentley.com/en/products/product-line/modeling-and-visualization-software/bentley-view 
 Here are some related Announcements/Blogs we would recommend to learn more about the product: https://communities.bentley.com/products/microstation/f/microstation-announcements-forum/174637/bentley-view-connect-edition 
 https://communities.bentley.com/other/old_site_member_blogs/peer_blogs/b/marc_thomass_blog/posts/bentley-view-connect-edition 
 The most commercially available version of Bentley View CONNECT Edition is Update 16 version 10.16.02.22

Navigator CONNECT Edition vs Autodesk Navis (Free software)

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