BIM in the Cloud – Autodesk Helps users Move Critical Designs and Processes to the Cloud
Last week Autodesk extended its Autodesk 360 cloud offering to the realm of building information modeling (BIM).
If you are a subscription customer, then you can now get “anywhere, anytime” access to your design models through a variety of services offered on Autodesk’s cloud-based platform.
What does this mean?
Well, you can free up your desktop by moving computing-intensive designs and processes, such as clash detection and energy analysis to the cloud. Field construction personnel can also access BIM models from their mobile devices in the field. Users can do all this while giving team members, contractors, and other stakeholders access to the same models for improved collaboration.
What BIM services are available in the cloud?
While most of these services are only available with subscription, some can be purchased separately. Here’s a breakdown of the collaboration, simulation and visualization tools now available in the cloud:
- Autodesk BIM 360 Glue – This solution gives easier access to project models and data, and is intended to support more collaborative, multidisciplinary workflows. Features include clash detection and reporting, simplified reporting, and cross-team coordination. Available with subscription or as a standalone.
- Autodesk 360 Infrastructure Modeler – Lets users publish, store and manage large models in the cloud while letting other team members’ access, download and edit shared models at the same time – more securely than sending files via email. Available with subscription.
- Combine Mobile and BIM at the Point of Construction – Earlier this month, Autodesk acquired Vela Systems whose services allow the automation of field processes such as quality, safety, commissioning checklists, and more. Benefits include navigating BIM models in the fields, updating BIM attributes for commissioning in the field, and project reporting for managing field performance – all from a mobile device. Available with subscription.
- Energy Analysis – For use with Revit family products and suites. This gives users the ability to conduct energy consumption and building lifecycle costs. Users can also now use Autodesk Green Building Studio in the cloud to perform energy analysis of multiple building design iterations and share results. Available with subscription.
- Structural Analysis – Autodesk 360 Structural Analysis for Autodesk Revit puts this discipline in the cloud as part of the BIM process. Available with subscription.
- Rendering – If you want to render quickly, without the need for special hardware or without tying up your desktop, then Autodesk 360 Rendering is worth considering for photorealistic visualizations. Available with subscription.
- What does it Take to Implement 6 Million Square Feet of BIM? (all 6 articles in this series are available at this link)
- Autodesk Cloud Brings a Wealth of Features and Benefits for Subscription Customers