Revit is your first line of defence against costly construction mistakes. Thanks to the built-in interference check tool, Revit clash detection helps catch clashes like pipes cutting through beams or ducts blocking essential spaces, long before they become real-world disasters. But identifying issues is only step one, resolving them without delaying the project is where true coordination expertise shines. In this article, we’ll break down how Revit clash detection works.
What Is Clash Detection in Revit and How It Works?
Clash detection in Revit is about catching design conflicts before they hit the construction site. The interference check tool scans your model to spot where elements, like a duct crashing into a beam, overlap. You can run these checks between elements in your main model, bits in linked Revit models, or even against linked IFC files.
When conflicts pop up, Revit spits out an interference report: a tidy clash report listing every pair of offending elements, their categories, and their Element IDs. Click “Show”, and Revit zooms straight to the problem so you can tweak a beam, nudge a duct, or re‑route cable trays on the spot.
While it’s great for hard clashes, soft clashes (like clearance issues) or workflow clashes (scheduling conflicts), you often need extra tools or processes. But still, as a quick sense‑check during design, Revit interference check gives architects, engineers, and BIM coordinators a live view of potential headaches
Revit vs Navisworks for Clash Detection
While Revit and Navisworks tackle clash detection, they come at it from different angles and are suited for different jobs.
Revit interference check shines when you want instant feedback inside the authoring tool. No exports, no waiting. Just pick categories and run. However, it mainly deals with Revit (RVT) and IFC files, can chug a bit on massive models, and offers fairly basic reporting. And it’s mostly focused on those hard clashes we talked about. When you’re trying to manage and visualise hundreds of clashes with Revit, your project can get messy pretty quickly.
For bigger, multi-disciplinary jobs, Navisworks Manage steps up. Its clash detective feature handles a wider range of file formats, creating a federated model for comprehensive BIM clash detection. It catches hard clashes, soft clashes (like clearance issues), and even duplicates, with custom tolerances and advanced filtering. Navisworks’ clash report is detailed, and its 3D visualisation makes managing clashes a breeze. The problem is, it’s a separate tool, not native. So, you need model exports.
How to Find Navisworks Clashes in Revit?
Finding Navisworks clashes in Revit can feel like a puzzle, but it’s manageable. Start with Navisworks’ clash report, which lists clashing elements and their IDs. Manually, you can copy these IDs into Revit’s “Select by ID” tool to locate them. Navisworks’ SwitchBack feature tries to automate this, zooming to the element in Revit, but it’s not always reliable.
For efficiency, try a Revit clash detection plugin like Clash Navigator. It lets you import Navisworks reports directly into Revit, visualise clashes, and track resolutions. This cuts down on tedious back-and-forth, keeping your BIM coordination smooth and focused.
How to Do a Clash Detection in Revit?
Doing a clash detection in Revit is straightforward with the right approach. Start by ensuring your model and linked files are up-to-date. In this phase, a good BIM integration is key. Head to the ‘Collaborate’ tab, click ‘Interference Check’ under *Interference Check’, and select categories to check, like ducts versus beams.
Specific selections save time. Run the check, and Revit generates a clash report listing conflicts with element IDs. Use the ‘Show’ button to view clashes in the model, then tweak elements to resolve clashes in Revit. Hit ‘Refresh’ to update the report. Export it as HTML for sharing.
But Revit clash detection isn’t a solo act. It’s part of a continuous BIM coordination cycle. To get the edge of BIM, you must set up a solid integration framework to make the process efficient. Let’s say like tidy file links, shared naming conventions, and clear coordination rules.
The best practice here is to integrate checks into your weekly sprint. Tie each clash to an assignee in your CDE, note the proposed fix, and track status until closed. Running a periodic BIM audit at this stage helps ensure the model stays clean and your clash‑free status sticks. When things get hairy, mixed file formats, clearance rules, or 4D sequencing, export to Navisworks or loop in Interscale’s BIM integration crew to keep coordination orderly.
Recommended Plugins and Tools for Clash Detection in Revit
Revit’s Interference Check is a solid start, but plugins and tools can extend its functionality significantly. Exploring complementary BIM software can push your clash‑detection capability even further, especially as projects scale in size and complexity.
The tools below can help your teams resolve clashes in Revit faster while maintaining one source of truth across the broader BIM coordination landscape.
- Navisworks Manage: The benchmark for multi‑disciplinary clash detection and navisworks clashes reporting.
- Revizto: Merges model viewing, issue tracking, and automated clash tests in one cloud hub.
- Solibri Office: Rule‑based model checking that digs into clearances and data quality.
- ClashMEP: A real‑time Revit add‑in that flags clash as you run ducts, pipes, or conduits.
- Clash Navigator: Pulls Navisworks clash results into Revit for fast resolution.
Streamline your Revit Coordination with Interscale
Navigating Revit clash detection tools and workflows can be tricky, but you don’t have to go it alone. At Interscale, our BIM integration service helps Australian AEC firms build clash-free models that save time and reduce risks. Whether it’s setting up Navisworks clashes workflows, training your team, or running BIM audits, we bring practical expertise to the table.
Book a free discussion session with an Interscale BIM specialist here. Bring your toughest model or coordination headache to the call. We’ll walk you through proven Navisworks and Revit integration tactics, share quick‑win tips you can take straight away.
Your Next Steps
A disciplined Revit clash detection routine pays dividends you can see on‑site: fewer RFIs, cleaner installs, and happier clients. If your current workflow feels clunky or you’re still juggling spreadsheets and hastily‑coloured PDFs, now’s the time to sharpen your tools. If you’re looking to sharpen your Revit clash detection skills or smooth out your overall BIM coordination efforts, the experienced team at Interscale is ready to lend a hand.
