This is just a tip: you can take Navisworks files and convert them into FBX form

at and then import that file into AutoCAD 2011 or newer with the FBXIMPORT comma
nd. This is handy since Navisworks supports so many different graphical file for
mats that you can actually use it as a converter. Or, you might have an NWD from
another company and want to use it as a background XREF in AutoCAD. The steps a
re simple:
1. Using Navisworks Simulate 2011 or newer, open the file(s) to be converted.
2. Select the Output tab and use the FBX command in the Export Scene panel.
3. Set the settings shown in the FBX Options dialog. I have had the best success
with using the FBX File Version FBX201000. Turning off the Textures, Lights and
Cameras will speed up the process (you won t typically use those) and don t use Pol
ygon Limiting or you will lose geometry.
4. Save the FBX file to your C: drive (this improves performance).
5. Open a blank drawing in AutoCAD 2011.
6. Type FBXIMPORT at the command prompt.
7. Select the FBX file that you created in steps 1 through 4 above. It may take
a while after you ve selected the file for the next dialog to appear.
8. Set the FBX Import Options. You have the option of importing lights, cameras
and materials (don t, just import the objects), assigning a new layer to the objec
ts (I usually set it to the current layer), inserting the geometry as a block (d
on t, just use this new drawing as an xref). Also, you can change the import scale
, but it detects the units used in Navisworks so I usually don t change this eithe
r. Select OK.
9. The process may take a while 15 minutes on a 200MB FBX file is what I observe
d.