Ameera Azeez
Autodesk Forma, available in the AEC Collection or as a standalone subscription, offers powerful AI-powered tools for architects and designers in pre-design and schematic design phases.
You may remember that at AU 2024, Autodesk announced that it would be enabling new capabilities via connections between Autodesk Forma and Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC). Autodesk has now released several additions that build on and improve this connection, designed to unify workflows, enhance collaboration, streamline project management, and harness the power of data-driven decision-making across the AECO lifecycle.
Note: The updates covered in this blog are already available to most AEC Collection users and TokenFlex users and will be rolled out to all other license holders throughout 2025.
Explore the 5 new and exciting updates to the Forma and Autodesk Construction Cloud connection:
- Centralized hub and project management: Forma has now adopted ACC’s account and project experience, ensuring consistency across these Autodesk cloud solutions. This unified setup for account and project eliminates redundant administrative tasks, allowing users to spend more time on creative design and efficient project execution, ultimately leading to higher productivity and better project outcomes.
- Uninterrupted product navigation: Navigating between Forma and ACC has never been easier. Users can fluidly switch from Forma’s tools for pre-design and schematic design to ACC’s tools for construction lifecycle workflows and vice versa, with the appropriate product licenses. If necessary, project admins can also toggle on or off Forma’s presence in ACC navigation, tailoring the experience to their project needs.
- Centralized access control: Centralized user management ensures permissions across ACC and Forma remain consistent, giving users greater control and peace of mind for access to projects and data. This simplifies user management and also ensures secure collaboration.
- Streamlined collaboration across AECO: The connection between Autodesk Forma and Autodesk Docs, part of ACC, introduces new functionalities that complement existing capabilities. Forma Board, an interactive digital whiteboard within Autodesk Forma, can now import files from Autodesk Docs, including Revit sheets, to visualize designs and models across the AECO lifecycle. This tool enhances collaboration among stakeholders, fostering informed discussions between architects, engineers, contractors, owners, and more.
- Autodesk Docs included for free with a Forma license: In a move that underscores Autodesk’s commitment to building the AECO industry cloud, Autodesk Docs, Autodesk’s AECO data repository, is now included with Forma subscriptions at no extra cost. Whether with the AEC Collection or standalone subscription, all Forma users will have access to Autodesk Docs, further streamlining project management and collaboration.
Benefits to users in embracing the strengths of Autodesk Forma, ACC and Autodesk Docs together
Taking advantage of Autodesk Forma in tandem with ACC, including Autodesk Docs, connects data, teams, and workflows from design through construction and operations, fostering improved collaboration and transparency throughout the AECO lifecycle. This encourages the industry to move away from point solutions and shift their focus on seamless exchange of quality information throughout the project lifecycle.
Additionally, access to the right tools and standardized data collection throughout a project makes information accessible and useful to the right people at the right time, enhancing decision-making and reducing costly rework.
- Autodesk Forma contributes by empowering users with real-world contextual data and real-time environmental impact analysis, including wind, solar, daylight, embodied carbon, and so on, allowing users to optimize designs for living quality and sustainability. Users can also benefit from using the Forma Board, a powerful capability within Autodesk Forma, tailored to help AECO professionals convey design intent, visualize data, and effortlessly manage projects across all phases.
- Standardizing on Autodesk Docs for the entire project lifecycle also unlocks untapped data value, providing comprehensive project and business insights. A connected data foundation is essential to leverage the power of AI for deeper innovation, delivering improved outcomes and maximizing the potential of project data.
- The connected development paths of Forma and ACC will increasingly benefit the AECO industry and the full digital asset lifecycle as the promise of the Design and Make platform is realized. Autodesk Forma will become the industry cloud for AECO, unifying BIM workflows across the teams that plan, design, build and operate the built environment. By integrating Forma into your design workflows today and managing your project information in the cloud with Autodesk Docs, you are futureproofing your processes, positioning yourself to take full advantage of the industry’s evolution.
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