AUTHOR: Danielle Lucas

What are Autodesk Docs used for?

Autodesk Docs is Autodesk’s cloud-based common data environment that provides document management and control to the entire project team. With Autodesk Docs, AEC teams can simplify collaboration and data management from design to construction and streamline document review and approval workflows.

Who uses Autodesk Docs?

Autodesk Docs is used across the project lifecycle by all members of a project team, including architects, designers, engineers, contractors, sub-contractors, drafters, detailers, BIM and VDC managers, project managers, owners, fabricators, and more.

What is the difference between Autodesk Docs and BIM 360 Docs?

While each offering contains many of the same common data environment features, Autodesk Docs supports document management for projects on the Autodesk Construction Cloud platform as well as the BIM 360 platform, while BIM 360 Docs only provides access to projects on the BIM 360 platform.

What is the difference between Autodesk Docs and BIM 360 Design?

Autodesk Docs is a cloud-based common data environment. BIM 360 Design has been renamed to Autodesk BIM Collaborate Pro and includes the functionality of Autodesk Docs, plus additional capabilities for design co-authoring, design collaboration, and coordination.

What is the difference between Autodesk Docs, BIM Collaborate, and BIM Collaborate Pro?

Autodesk Docs is Autodesk’s common data environment, a centralized document management solution that acts as a single source of truth across the project lifecycle for all teams. It is only available in the AEC Collection.

BIM Collaborate is a cloud-based design collaboration and coordination software for reviewers and non-authoring contributors on project teams. It includes Autodesk Docs as well as Design Collaboration and Model Coordination modules.

BIM Collaborate Pro, the next evolution of BIM 360 Design, is design co-authoring, design collaboration, and coordination software for AEC teams. It includes all the functionality of BIM Collaborate plus the collaboration services of Revit Cloud Worksharing, Collaboration for Civil 3D, and Collaboration for Plant 3D, and is for design authors who require anytime, anywhere co-authoring access in Revit, Civil 3D, and Plant 3D

How much does an Autodesk Docs subscription cost?

Autodesk Docs is available in the AEC Collection and the price is included in the price of the collection, which is $3,560 for an annual subscription, and $10,680 for a 3-year subscription. This price is valid as of publication of this blog. For current pricing, please contact Microsol Resources.

Do you have any additional questions?

Please contact us at info@microsolresources.com for more information about Autodesk Docs.

For design and construction firms, project delivery has become more complex in a COVID-changed world. As companies like yours gear up to accelerate the pace of digital transformation, you’re reworking your approach to data management and project collaboration across teams, projects, construction phases, and beyond.

What is happening and when?

On June 2, in addition to announcing new workflows to help customers comply with ISO 19650 standards and the ability to primarily store project data in Europe for various Autodesk Construction Cloud products,

Autodesk announced that there will be a standalone purchase option for Autodesk Docs available soon. Autodesk Docs’ Common Data Environment (CDE) enables powerful, yet simplified collaboration and data management, creating a single source of truth across the project lifecycle.

Previously, Autodesk Docs was included with any subscription for Autodesk Construction Cloud and the AEC Collection. On July 7, 2021, customers will have the choice of subscribing to Autodesk Docs as a standalone, through the AEC Collection, or along with Autodesk Construction Cloud products.

In addition, on July 7th, the “BIM 360 Docs” offering will be rebranded to “Autodesk Docs”. This change reflects access to the new Autodesk Construction Cloud platform through Autodesk Docs being added to the BIM 360 Docs offering at no additional cost.

Why is Autodesk making these changes?

Over the last year, we’ve seen cloud collaboration shift from a nice-to-have to a must-have. Autodesk Docs’ Common Data Environment (CDE) enables powerful, yet simplified collaboration and data management, creating a single source of truth across the project lifecycle. By adding a standalone purchase option for Autodesk Docs, customers now have more options to better connect data and teams across all project phases.

What is included in each offering?

Each of the new subscription offerings contains entitlements to a set of products and tools.

What is Autodesk Docs?

Autodesk Docs, a common data environment, is a centralized document management solution that acts as a single source of truth across the project lifecycle for all teams. With Autodesk Docs, AEC teams can simplify collaboration and data management across design to construction and streamline document review and approval workflows.

It is included with subscriptions to Autodesk BIM Collaborate and Autodesk BIM Collaborate Pro, Autodesk Takeoff and Autodesk Build, in the AEC Collection, as well as standalone.

What is the difference between Autodesk Docs and BIM 360 Docs?

While each offering contains many of the same common data environment features today, Autodesk Docs supports document management for projects on the Autodesk Construction Cloud platform, while BIM 360 Docs supports document management for projects on the BIM 360 platform. With Autodesk Docs, subscribers can access projects on the Autodesk Construction Cloud or BIM 360 platforms.

Does Autodesk Docs include access to projects on BIM 360?

Yes, if you have access to Autodesk Docs through a standalone subscription, the AEC Collection, Autodesk BIM Collaborate, Autodesk BIM Collaborate Pro, then you can access projects on both the Autodesk Construction Cloud and the BIM 360 platforms.

How do I refer to projects on the various platforms?

There are two types of projects, depending on where it is hosted. There are BIM 360 projects and Autodesk Construction Cloud projects.

“BIM 360 project(s)”, “project(s) on/in BIM 360”, and “project(s) on the BIM 360 platform” are all appropriate ways to refer to projects in BIM 360.

The same applies to Autodesk Construction Cloud projects where “Autodesk Construction Cloud project(s)” and “project(s) on the Autodesk Construction Cloud platform” are the preferred nomenclature.

Is there a difference between BIM 360 Docs and Autodesk Docs?

Yes, while functionality is similar at this time, Autodesk Docs has its own development roadmaps, separate from BIM 360 Docs. This means that new features and functionality added to Autodesk Docs on the Autodesk Construction Cloud platform are not guaranteed to be added to BIM 360 Document Management.

What are the differences between Autodesk Insight and Insight for Autodesk Construction Cloud products?

Autodesk Insight empowers architects and engineers to design more energy-efficient buildings with advanced simulation engines and building performance analysis data integrated in Revit.

Insight for Autodesk Construction Cloud is an ecosystem that delivers Autodesk Construction Cloud project-level data, analytics, and predictive insights. It can help get you up to speed with what’s going on in a project, assess trends and patterns in project data, identify any gaps and problems, and use predictive risk data to improve project efficiency.

The Insight module in BIM 360 offers similar functionality to Insight for Autodesk Construction Cloud.

What is happening to BIM 360?

There are no plans to discontinue the BIM 360 platform, and Autodesk will continue to provide customers with the access and support they need for existing projects at this time.

What is the future of BIM 360 Docs offering?

With the launch of the Autodesk Docs’ standalone purchase offering, the BIM 360 Docs offering will no longer be available for purchase.

All customers that previously purchased BIM 360 Docs will now show that their purchase has been rebranded to Autodesk Docs and now includes access to Autodesk Construction Cloud. There are no price changes for customers.

As with all parts of BIM 360, there are no plans to discontinue the BIM 360 platform.

How will customers be notified of these changes?

A direct operational email notifying customers of the changes will be sent to contract managers of BIM 360 Docs prior to the change on July 7, 2021.

How do I manage my team’s licenses and entitlements once I’ve set up access to Autodesk Construction Cloud?

Once Contract Managers have set up access to the Autodesk Construction Cloud, they can invite users to the account and project and provide access to the included modules.

In Autodesk Account, contract managers should ensure they have assigned entitlements to Autodesk Docs as applicable.

The functionality of the Account Admin modules in Autodesk Construction Cloud mirrors that of the Autodesk Account portal, which means Account Administrators can assign subscriptions for Autodesk Docs, Autodesk BIM Collaborate, Autodesk BIM Collaborate Pro, Autodesk Takeoff and Autodesk Build to users in Account Admin.  This will make administration easier on new projects in Autodesk Construction Cloud going forward.

Users who were already Account Administrators should follow these steps to enable access to Autodesk Docs and to invite project members:

1. Go to acc.autodesk.com.
2. Click Account Administration.
3. Click on Members in the left panel.
4. Assign self a subscription for Autodesk Docs. Also assign to any team members that should be account members.
5. Go back to acc.autodesk.com.
6. Create a project.
7. Turn on the Docs & Insight products for self.
8. Invite other project members to Docs and Insight for this specific project.
9. Repeat as needed for additional projects.

What is the difference between a “license”, “seat”, “entitling” and “subscription”?

“License”, “seat”, and “subscription” essentially indicate the provision of access to an Autodesk offering, product, or service.

• A license or seat is what is needed to join a project on BIM 360 or the Autodesk Construction Cloud platform. The license or seat is provided to the user on acceptance of an invite to any project in the account.
• Entitling is the act of granting access to a product or service (e.g. Docs, Build, BIM Collaborate Pro, etc.) in Autodesk Accounts.
• A subscription is a packaged offering that is purchased like Autodesk Build or AEC Collection from a partner reseller or the Autodesk e-store.

BIM 360 or Autodesk Construction Cloud users in Revit, Civil 3D, and Plant 3D will need a license in Autodesk Accounts as well as an invite to a project.

Users who are only working in BIM 360 document management on the web or mobile-only need an invite to the project.

Can project data be primarily stored in Europe when using Autodesk Docs?

Yes.

Does Autodesk Docs support ISO 19650 workflows?

Yes, support for ISO 19650 workflows is available in both Autodesk Docs and BIM 360 Document Management, helping customers’ compliance with ISO 19650 standards.

Does Autodesk Docs have unlimited cloud storage like BIM 360?

Yes, Autodesk Docs subscribers will have unlimited storage on the Autodesk Construction Cloud.

Does the Autodesk Construction Cloud platform have the same APIs as BIM 360?

APIs will be available, but there may not be 1:1 parity between the APIs available in the Autodesk Construction Cloud and those in BIM 360. For more detailed information about specific APIs please reach out to the Autodesk Developer Network.

How do I see projects if I have them on both platforms?

You can log into acc.autodesk.com and access both Autodesk Construction Cloud and BIM 360 projects from the Projects home view. The icon next to the project name identifies the type of project.

How will I know which platform my project is on?

In the UI of the authoring tools (Revit, Civil 3D, Plant 3D, and Desktop Connector), there is currently no indication whether it is a BIM 360 or Autodesk Construction Cloud project.

In the web UI, the BIM 360 environment will have a dark banner, while the Autodesk Construction Cloud will have a light banner.

How does Bring Your Own Subscription (BYOS) work?

BYOS continues to work in a similar way. For more information, please refer to this page.

Can I provide licenses to my consultants?

Yes, you can still provide licenses to your consultants.

However, be aware that their consultant could use that license to access any project to which they’ve been invited.

At this time, there is not a way to prevent the consultant from accessing other projects with the license.

For BIM 360 document management only users, they can simply be invited to a project.

For users in Autodesk Construction Cloud projects, they’ll need to be entitled to those services in Autodesk Accounts as well as invited to a project.

How do I give file access to a consultant who does not have a subscription to Autodesk Docs?

If you know the user you want to provide access to does not have a subscription, there is a public share link that can be generated to allow that external user to collaborate on that document.

If a user without a subscription is given file access or invited to a project, their experience will depend on which platform the project is hosted.

For BIM 360 projects, they’ll be added to the project, but for Autodesk Construction Cloud projects, users without a subscription will have the option to start a trial or purchase Autodesk Docs.

Is the user limit going to be enforced on the Autodesk Construction Cloud platform?

Yes, all users of the Autodesk Construction Cloud must have a license for the functionality they are using to contribute to their project(s).  In Autodesk Construction Cloud, an account can only provide access based on the number of licenses they have purchased. Alternatively, a user can be invited to a project and be asked to purchase her or his own license to contribute.

Users are responsible for having enough licenses to cover everyone in their account as Autodesk reserves the right to audit usage and potentially force users to purchase enough subscriptions to cover all users in their account(s).

Is a user counted twice if they are invited to a project on BIM 360 and a project on the Autodesk Construction Cloud platform?

No, users will only be counted once even if they have access to both BIM 360 and Autodesk Construction Cloud projects.

How do I see project analytics data for my projects in Autodesk Construction Cloud & BIM 360?

Project analytics can be viewed in the Insight module in the platform where the project is hosted. There is no combined analytics at this time.

Can I have two Autodesk Construction Cloud accounts? One for different regions or business units?

Yes, but you will need a contract with a different contract manager for each account. The additional contracts need at least 1 seat of BIM Collaborate or BIM Collaborate Pro, Autodesk Build, or Autodesk Docs to set up the account, and then anyone in your company can access those accounts/tenants as covered under BYOS.

What happens to current subscriptions of BIM 360 Docs?

Existing BIM 360 Docs subscriptions will be upgraded to Autodesk Docs automatically at a 1:1 rate.

As an Enterprise Business Agreement (EBA) customer, will I get access to Autodesk Docs?

EBA customers will get Autodesk Docs.

As an EBA customer, do my token rates change?

Token rates will be the same for modules on both platforms. Please contact your Customer Success Manager or Account Manager for details.

How will tokens for Docs services be charged?

Customers who have a daily token rate for BIM 360 Docs will only be charged the token rate once per day per user—even if the user uses both BIM 360 Docs and Autodesk Docs.

Customers who have unlimited access to BIM 360 Docs, will have unlimited access to BIM 360 Docs and Autodesk Docs, for the same token rate, when they gain access to Autodesk Docs.

Does Autodesk have a plan to migrate BIM 360 Docs project data to Autodesk Docs?

Autodesk offers the Autodesk Replication Tool (ART). Alternatively, you can use the Desktop Connector.

Can I migrate my existing projects on BIM 360 to Autodesk Construction Cloud projects?

Until the tool is available, we recommend that existing projects would remain on BIM 360, while new projects can be created on the Autodesk Construction Cloud or BIM 360 platforms.

Users can also download and reupload data manually if so desired.

Do you have additional questions?

You can learn more about Autodesk Docs and its features by visiting our Autodesk Docs page which includes product overview videos and a Frequently Asked Questions section.

As always, our support team is here to help and can be reached at support@microsolresources.com.

With rising project complexity and competitive markets, you need a solution that is flexible, connects your teams, data, and workflows, and delivers powerful insights. You need a solution that simply helps you deliver better projects, faster, and with greater profitability.

Most of all, you need a solution that’s built for the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry – not an office cloud app that can’t process complex 3D files or a server solution that requires VPN. That’s only going to slow you down.

Which AEC collaboration solution is right for you?

Firms like yours are looking for smarter ways to manage data and streamline collaboration across your projects, no matter what design tool you use. Autodesk launched the next evolution of their cloud services for the AEC community, generally known as the Autodesk Construction Cloud. This platform brings exciting new offerings for connecting workflows, teams, and data to work seamlessly in design and construction.

Autodesk BIM Collaborate and BIM Collaborate Pro cloud-based design and collaboration software connects AEC teams on a single platform. There are some differences in functionality between these two offerings. Which should you choose? 

Cloud-based design collaboration and coordination software for architecture, engineering, and construction teams to review designs, run automatic clash detection, and track project status.	Includes all the same features and capabilities available in BIM Collaborate. Also includes co-authoring capabilities for teams that need to edit Revit, Civil 3D, and AutoCAD Plant 3D designs in real-time.
$705 /year *	$945 /year *
USE FOR: Design review and coordination, including automated clash detection Cloud-based document management, project administration, and advanced analytics	USE FOR: Design review and coordination, including automated clash detection Cloud-based document management, project administration, and advanced analytics Cloud co-authoring in Revit, Civil 3D, and AutoCAD Plant 3D
WHAT IT DOES: Cloud-based document management–Simplify access to relevant 2D sheets, 3D models, and office files in a common data environment Aggregated model view–Contextually navigate aggregated models with pan, orbit, walk, and create new model views Automated clash detection–Upload models to automatically detect clashes, viewing results in the aggregated model or an intuitive clash matrix Project timeline–Exchange data between teams in design packages, tracking progress for all disciplines with dates and contents Change analysis–Understand how published changes from other teams impact ongoing work within context of the full project model Watch groups–Get notified about added, removed, or modified elements between versions by disciplines affected and modification type, in any web browser Managed trust workflow–Control the real-time data your designers and consultants can access, to manage complexity, avoid miscommunication, and reduce rework Coordination spaces–Explore options, run clash analysis, and assess constructability against shared models without disrupting work by other teams Issue management–Identify, detail, and assign issues and centrally manage in a common data environment Account and project administration–Set up and manage teams in one place, with full view of access and permissions across projects Document approvals and version control–Ensure the project team is always working off of the latest models with automated version control Connections to Navisworks and Revit–View, assign, and resolve Model Coordination or Navisworks issues in either Navisworks or Revit Project analytics and insights–Leverage advanced analytics from your centralized project data, export this data if needed, and use to identify and mitigate risk BIM 360 and Autodesk Construction Cloud platforms–Access and manage projects in both BIM 360 and Autodesk Construction Cloud platforms ISO 19650 support–Access workflows that support ISO 19650, a global design and construction information management standard Data center choice–Choose to host your project data in Europe or the United States BIM 360 Glue–Get access to the BIM 360 Glue service, included with BIM Collaborate, which also covers the Navisworks Manage and Point Layout entitlements	WHAT IT DOES: Cloud-based document management–Simplify access to relevant 2D sheets, 3D models, and office files in a common data environment Aggregated model view–Contextually navigate aggregated models with pan, orbit, walk, and create new model views Automated clash detection–Upload models to automatically detect clashes, viewing results in the aggregated model or an intuitive clash matrix Project timeline–Exchange data between teams in design packages, tracking progress for all disciplines with dates and contents Change analysis–Understand how published changes from other teams impact ongoing work, within context of the full project model Watch groups–Get notified about added, removed, or modified elements between versions by disciplines affected and modification type, in any web browser Managed trust workflow–Control the real-time data your designers and consultants can access, to manage complexity, avoid miscommunication, and reduce rework Coordination spaces–Explore options, run clash analysis, and assess constructability against shared models without disrupting work by other teams Issue management–Identify, detail, and assign issues and centrally manage in a common data environment Account and project administration–Set up and manage teams in one place, with full view of access and permissions across projects Document approvals and version control–Ensure the project team is always working off of the latest models with automated version control Connections to Navisworks and Revit–View, assign, and resolve Model Coordination or Navisworks issues in either Navisworks or Revit Project analytics and insights–Leverage advanced analytics from your centralized project data, export this data if needed, and use to identify and mitigate risk BIM 360 and Autodesk Construction Cloud platforms–Access and manage projects in both BIM 360 and Autodesk Construction Cloud platforms ISO 19650 support–Access workflows that support ISO 19650, a global design and construction information management standard Data center choice–Choose to host your project data in Europe or the United States BIM 360 Glue–Get access to the BIM 360 Glue service, included with BIM Collaborate, which also covers the Navisworks Manage and Point Layout entitlementsBIM Collaborate Pro includes the full list of features and capabilities above, plus: Revit cloud worksharing–Collaborate in real-time with contributors across teams, disciplines, and time zones using cloud-based Revit worksharing. Check out Revit elements or families as you normally would, then sync with central or publish to the cloud for faster co-creation on a central platform Collaboration for Civil 3D–Create, edit, and reference Civil 3D files, data shortcuts, and xrefs across teams, companies, and time zones in the cloud. Use familiar workflows via a Desktop Connector-enabled connected drive Collaboration for Plant 3D–Securely share AutoCAD Plant 3D files across teams, companies, and time zones. Centrally organize projects, view changes in a web browser, and maintain compliance requirements When using cloud co-authoring services Revit Cloud Worksharing, Collaboration for Civil 3D, and Collaboration for AutoCAD Plant 3D: Projects on BIM 360 will support Revit 2018.3 or later, Civil 3D 2020.2 or later, and AutoCAD Plant 3D 2021 or later Projects on the unified platform will support Revit 2018.3 or later, Civil 3D 2020.5.1 or later, and AutoCAD Plant 3D 2021 or later
SUPPORTED BROWSERS & DEVICES: Supports most current browsers: 64-bit browsers are recommended for optimal viewing experience iPhone (5S+) BIM 360 Only Air, Pro, Mini 2, and above BIM 360 Only Android devices that support WebGL BIM 360 Only	SUPPORTED BROWSERS & DEVICES: Supports most current browsers: 64-bit browsers are recommended for optimal viewing experience iPhone (5S+) Air, Pro, Mini 2 and above Android devices that support WebGL
PLATFORM:  Windows & Mac	PLATFORM:  Windows & Mac

When choosing between BIM Collaborate and BIM Collaborate Pro, consider your team’s needs for real-time collaboration and co-authoring capabilities. BIM Collaborate Pro is ideal if you require cloud-based worksharing in Revit, Civil 3D, or AutoCAD Plant 3D, allowing for simultaneous design work across teams. If your focus is more on design review, coordination, and automated clash detection without the need for real-time co-authoring, BIM Collaborate might suffice. The Pro version offers more advanced features for integrated design workflows, making it better for complex, collaborative projects.