Autodesk has released Revit 2025, and it is full of new features that will enhance your productivity. I am excited to share some of my top 5 new features. So, without further delay, let's dive into my top 5!

**TOP FIVE NEW FEATURES**

**#1 - SHEET COLLECTIONS**
Users can now create Sheet Collections to assist in organizing the sheets in the project. Users can create as many Sheet Collections as needed and sheets can be grouped by placing sheets into the Sheet Collections. There are many reasons that this new functionality could be helpful. Sheets Collections can be made for phases of a project, for different disciplines, and for issue sets, just to name a few. 

![Picture1.png](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/Picture1_50a519aff1.png)

Sheet Collections uses a new sheet instant parameter that can be used in schedules to filter out the sheets to be included in the schedule. There is also a built-in filter when Exporting/Printing that will allow you to print an entire Sheet Collection.

One of the biggest advantages of using Sheet Collections is the ability to have duplicate Sheet Numbers. In prior releases, you were not able to have two sheets with the same sheet number. Now, as long as the sheets are in different Sheet Collections, you can have duplicate numbers. This solves many problems that users have faced in prior releases. 

**#2 – Disable Mark Number Auto-Generation**
When placing MEP elements in prior releases, Revit would automatically generate a value for the Instant Mark parameter.  It would start with 1 and increment with each element added.  This works great for Architects when placing elements like doors, but MEP engineers do not number MEP elements using incremental values.  
In Revit 2025, the mark number auto-generation has been disabled.  Now elements come in with a blank value for the instant Mark parameter.  Users can assign any value they would like for the elements but is not assigned initially.  
The auto-generation has been disabled for the following categories:
•	MEP Ancillary Framing
•	MEP Fabrication Ductwork Stiffeners
•	Air Terminals
•	Mechanical Equipment
•	Duct Accessories
•	Electrical Equipment
•	Electrical Fixtures
•	Mechanical Control Devices
•	Lighting Fixtures
•	Pipe Accessories
•	Sprinklers
•	Plumbing Fixtures
•	Plumbing Equipment

**#3 – Operating Schedule Enhancements**
Defining an operating schedule in Revit has been available for many years.  The operating schedules are assigned to Spaces and Building types.  These are used to assist in generating more accurate Energy Models, Analytical Power Loads, and Heating and Cooling calculations.  In Revit 2025, the Schedule settings have been revamped to allow for more accurate occupancy schedules.  Now users can create multiple schedules based on building type and configure the schedule by hour, day, month, or year.  This will enable users to pinpoint when a space/building will be occupied, providing better analysis results.  

![Picture10.png](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/Picture10_3bba1923e2.png)


**#4 – MULTIPLE ALIGNMENT**
Multiple Alignment for annotation is a huge improvement to assist in adding notes to your project. Users can now align and evenly distribute multiple keynotes, text notes, or tags. This will speed up the time it takes to document our projects. New aliment buttons are on the ribbon menu when multiple annotation elements are selected. 

![Picture8.png](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/Picture8_2f10d9b316.png)

![Picture7.png](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/Picture7_d01906b1c7.png)

**#5 – COORDINATION MODEL CHANGES**
You can now check changes between two versions of a linked coordination model from Autodesk Docs using the Coordination Model Changes feature anytime after linking a RVT or DWG coordination model. 
The palette displays an overview of the added, modified, or deleted objects, which are highlighted on the model too. Users can filter the categories to only show added, modified, or deleted objects by de-selecting the categories that you do not want to display.

![Picture9.png](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/Picture9_2c62158adf.png)



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Revit 2025 New Features for MEP

Introducing the Future of Design: AutoCAD 2025 Unveils Exciting New Features

In the dynamic world of design and drafting, staying ahead of the curve is essential. AutoCAD, the industry-leading software, has been a cornerstone for professionals across various disciplines for decades. Now, as we step into 2025, AutoCAD is once again revolutionizing the way we create with a host of exciting new features and enhancements.

Let's dive into what AutoCAD 2025 has in store for designers, architects, engineers, and creators of all kinds.

•	Smart Blocks enhancement!  The Smart Block concept was introduced in AutoCAD 2024 allowing AutoCAD users to enable a feature referred to as Auto-Placement from the Blocks Palette.  If a user is inserting a block into a drawing Auto-Placement provides the user with a series of insertion locations and rotations based on blocks of the same type previously inserted into the drawing.  Now Smart Block offers solutions to convert multiple instances of selected geometry into blocks.  The new BCONVERT command allows the user to select linework and convert it into a block, if AutoCAD detects similar groups of linework in the drawing, that linework will also be converted into blocks.  This command would be very useful on the occasions when a user is importing PDFs into their drawings. 

![BCONVERT.png](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/BCONVERT_52eac76643.png)

•	Detect – Detect is a new command introduced in AutoCAD 2025 under the heading of a Technology Preview.  Detect can work hand in hand with BCONVERT to locate instances of linework that may have been blocks at one time but are now simple linework.  If blocks have been exploded or items that once were blocks but are now simple linework because they are part of an imported PDF, Detect can find this linework and offer the AutoCAD user an option to create a new block from this linework or the linework can be converted to an existing block already in the drawing allowing for a more orderly drawing and accurate quantity takes offs for the user. 

![DETECT.png](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/DETECT_7a1b3a1579.png)

•	Updated Hatch Command – All AutoCAD users know that Hatch is a command used to fill enclosed areas with specified patterns or shadings.  The Hatch Command has now been updated with a command line option that allows the user to create a hatch without first placing a closed boundary using the Rectangle, Circle, or Mode option.  An update sure to speed up the process of Hatching drawings.

![HATCH.png](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/HATCH_1735857876.png)

•	Esri Maps – There are five new Esri maps available to ease the process of assigning a geographic location to a drawing.  From the Insert tab of the Ribbon, Location panel, AutoCAD users can now assign geographic locations to their drawings with Esri OpenStreetMap, Esri Imagery, Esri Streets, Esri Light Gray and Esri Dark Gray.  Simply open the Set Location menu on the Location panel, select From Esri Maps, and in the resulting dialog box, type in the address of your project location, click the Search Icon, and then follow the dialog box to complete the command.  Once the Esri map has been placed in your 

![ESRI MAPS.png](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/ESRI_MAPS_bccdfd21c0.png)

•	Activity Insights – First introduced in AutoCAD 2024, Activity Insights now logs more Activity Types and more detail about these activities to improve collaboration.  DWG History has been merged with Activity Insights so that if a copy of the current drawing that has been uploaded to a cloud storage location such as Autodesk Docs, Google Drive, OneDrive, Box, or Dropbox is saved a new file version will appear as a Version Activity and will offer the user an option to compare the versions to ease the cloud collaboration process.  The Purge command will now be tracked as an Activity with details on what kind of objects and their quantities were removed by a Purge and the date the Purge Command was used.

![ACTIVITY INSIGHTS.png](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/ACTIVITY_INSIGHTS_fca0790844.png)

These are but a few of the new features offered by AutoCAD 2025.  AutoCAD 2025 is available for download today!  Visit manage.autodesk.com/home to get started creating!

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Introducing the Future of Design: AutoCAD 2025 Unveils Exciting New Features

Let's dive into what InfraWorks 2025 has in store for designers, engineers, and planners of all kinds.

## Parametric Components
A few improvements and additions to the parametric bridge and tunnel design workflows have been rolled out in this version. Parametric Model components can be developed using Autodesk Inventor or Autodesk Revit and added to the style palette within the InfraWorks software. These parametric components can be added to the bridge abutments, decks, foundations, girders, piers, and tunnel sections. What’s neat about these custom components is that InfraWorks can check for updates or revisions to these parts (even when stored in the Autodesk Construction Cloud) and update within the model even across all proposals. 
 
![image20.png](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/image20_f28c52660e.png)
When designing a tunnel, the Parametric Portals can be placed at the start and end of tunnel sections and can be manually or parametrically edited by the user. 

For a bored tunnel design the user now has the option to stagger the tunnel section joints to mitigate any undesirable or cruciform joints. 
 
Additionally, a bored tunnel Revit family section has been provided in the software. 

##Structural Bridge Design
Ability to add multiple Line Beams to the analysis define generic load effects for beams and new support for custom girders with tendons.
![image23.png](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/image23_99c2dcc3a4.png)


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What's New in InfraWorks 2025

Autodesk has released Revit 2025, and it is full of new features that will enhance your productivity. I am excited to share some of my top 5 new features. So, without further delay, let's dive into my top 5!

**TOP FIVE NEW FEATURES**

**#1 - SHEET COLLECTIONS**
Users can now create Sheet Collections to assist in organizing the sheets in the project. Users can create as many Sheet Collections as needed and sheets can be grouped by placing sheets into the Sheet Collections. There are many reasons that this new functionality could be helpful. Sheets Collections can be made for phases of a project, for different disciplines, and for issue sets, just to name a few. 

![Picture1.png](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/Picture1_50a519aff1.png)

Sheet Collections uses a new sheet instant parameter that can be used in schedules to filter out the sheets to be included in the schedule. There is also a built-in filter when Exporting/Printing that will allow you to print an entire Sheet Collection.

One of the biggest advantages of using Sheet Collections is the ability to have duplicate Sheet Numbers. In prior releases, you were not able to have two sheets with the same sheet number. Now, as long as the sheets are in different Sheet Collections, you can have duplicate numbers. This solves many problems that users have faced in prior releases. 

**#2 – AUTOMATIC WALL JOIN & LOCK**

![2024-04-05_11-57-22.jpg](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/2024_04_05_11_57_22_422e29dae8.jpg)

There are some new options when modeling walls that are adjacent to each other. By default, if two walls are adjacent to each other, they remain two separate walls. If one moves, the other does not move with it, if an opening is placed in one wall, it only cuts the one wall that it is placed in. Users would have to join the walls together using the Join command to get them to act as a single wall. 
Now, in 2025, users have the option to Join or Join/Lock walls together as they are modeled. This will save time and steps when modeling adjacent walls. 


**#3 – TOPOSOLID ENHANCEMENTS**
The Toposolid command was introduced last year in Revit 2024. This year, some nice enhancements have been added to assist in creating and modifying Toposolids. 

The first is the Excavate tool. This can be used to excavate the Toposolid for your modeling using Floors, roofs, or toposolid elements. In previous releases, a building pad had to be used to cut the topography. This eliminates the need for a building pad, as floors can be used instead. The cubic volume of the excavate will automatically be listed in the Properties Palette. The cubic volume can also be used in schedules. 

![Picture4.png](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/Picture4_272c7647d3.png)

Next is the improvement to using a Shaft Opening to cut into a Toposolid. In previous versions, shaft openings would cut through the entire toposolid element. Now, the bottom of the shaft is respected in relation to its position within the toposolid. Users can now use shaft elements in conjunction with toposolids and adjust the bottom of the shaft to model conditions without the shaft element cutting all the way through the top solid element. 

![Picture5.png](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/Picture5_ec72c0ac35.png)

Lastly, there have been improvements to hosting elements to a toposolid when there are cuts in it. Prior to 2025, hosted elements, such as railings or planting elements, would not attach to the surface of a cut toposolid. Now, hosted elements will recognize the cut surface as a host. 

![Picture6.png](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/Picture6_78ca5cfe40.png)

**#4 – MULTIPLE ALIGNMENT**
Multiple Alignment for annotation is a huge improvement to assist in adding notes to your project. Users can now align and evenly distribute multiple keynotes, text notes, or tags. This will speed up the time it takes to document our projects. New aliment buttons are on the ribbon menu when multiple annotation elements are selected. 

![Picture8.png](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/Picture8_2f10d9b316.png)

![Picture7.png](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/Picture7_d01906b1c7.png)

**#5 – COORDINATION MODEL CHANGES**
You can now check changes between two versions of a linked coordination model from Autodesk Docs using the Coordination Model Changes feature anytime after linking a RVT or DWG coordination model. 
The palette displays an overview of the added, modified, or deleted objects, which are highlighted on the model too. Users can filter the categories to only show added, modified, or deleted objects by de-selecting the categories that you do not want to display.

![Picture9.png](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/Picture9_2c62158adf.png)



Picture1.png

Revit 2025 New Features for Architecture

There are several new features and enhancements made to Revit Structure that improve Design Productivity, Analysis, Interoperability, and Documentation Efficiency.  Here are the top 5:

**1.	Parametric Splicing for Typical Rebar**

This new feature improves design productivity when working with rebar sets.  You can now splice one or several rebar sets at a selected position, splice by length, and modify the splices as needed.

Click along a rebar set to splice at that position or select a line reference in the view to splice all intersecting sets. Select and edit the splice type to adjust lap length, splice line position, uniform or staggered layout, as well as bar shift.

Alternatively, you can splice selected sets by length, according to the specified values of maximum length, minimum length, and run-out position.

Furthermore, the functionality extends to modifying existing rebar splices. You can seamlessly alter the splice type for selected intersections, adjust the splice position, visualize all splice lines within a specific view, and perform actions such as moving, rotating, or deleting one or multiple splices.

![01.png](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/01_72f2d17336.png)

Also, you can easily visually inspect bars that require length adjustments. Using Revit filters, you can highlight bars exceeding the maximum length and require splitting/splicing.

![01a.png](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/01a_94ac7c41ee.png)

This new feature significantly improves user efficiency and productivity in modeling accurate reinforcement of concrete structures.

**2.	Prevent Unexpected Changes to the Rebar Model**

Another Design Productivity enhancement for rebar modeling is the ability to disable rebar constraints on individual bar handles.  This ensures that if the geometry of a concrete host changes, the rebar will not automatically react to the change.  This allows versatility when modeling rebar sets that need to maintain a certain size and shape and ensures that there will not be unexpected changes.

![02.png](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/02_65c0eaa734.png)

This feature enhances control over rebar modeling.

**3.	Local Coordinate System Orientation for Analytical Elements**

This feature is an Analysis improvement.  In Revit 2025, local coordinate system tools can be used for analytical members and panels to align axis orientation and direction.  You can change or align the X axis orientation for multiple analytical members, use a reference line to align the X axis orientation, or you can flip the Z axis orientation for multiple analytical panels, all at the same time.  This also supports the control of orientation for loads, boundary conditions, and results, while giving a clear understanding of the orientation of analytical elements for accurate structural analysis results interpretation.

![03.png](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/03_db430da7db.png)

This will improve analytical consistency with structural analysis software.

**4.	Revit to Robot Structural Analysis Professional 2025 Link Enhancements**

Speaking of structural analysis software, these enhancements improve Interoperability with Autodesk Structural Analysis Professional 2025.  The new local coordinate system tools in Revit are fully transferable to Robot 2025, resulting in greater consistency between programs.  Additionally, the transfer of members that have been split has been enhanced.

![04.png](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/04_a16f237591.png)

The enhanced link between Revit 2025 and Robot Structural Analysis Professional 2025 better supports BIM centric structural analysis workflows.

**5.	Enhanced Documentation for Rebar Bending Details**

Documentation efficiency is improved for Rebar Bending Details.  You can now display bar bending information in the rebar tag to create drawings with detailed fabrication instructions.

![05a.png](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/05a_2ea77f4e20.png)

To enhance the readability of the drawings, you are now able to move the dimensions and tags that are automatically placed with the bending details on the drawings, eliminating text overlaps with just a few clicks.

![05b.png](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/05b_9f114ac852.png)

You can align tags in realistic bending details. Tags are positioned relative to the bounding box of the bending detail. Multiple alignment bending details is available too.

This new functionality allows detailers to create more complete shop drawings, following industry best practices for reducing fabrication errors and on-site rework, while also streamlining coordination between designers and fabricators by improving the clarity of shop drawings in Revit.

**Conclusion**

The focus of this Revit Structure 2025 release are new features and enhancements that improve Design Productivity, Analysis, Interoperability, and Documentation Efficiency.  There are several, and these are some of the more interesting features.


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Top 5 Things to Know about Revit Structure 2025

It’s that time of the year again! Autodesk has released new versions of its products, including Civil 3D. Version 2025 is here, so let’s take a look at some of the key things you need to know! While most of these items are new in 2025, some of the updates were actually added in Civil 3D 2024.1 and Civil 3D 2024.3 and then incorporated into the Civil 3D 2025 release.

### 1.	Still the Same DWG Format
Believer it or not, I am writing the same thing this year that I have for many years before: We are still working with the same, AutoCAD 2018 DWG format. This is the 8th release in a row to make use of this DWG format, which makes backwards compatibility a lot easier to manage. As before though, it is important to be careful when moving drawings between versions. Drawings can lose their ability to work fully with older versions if they are opened and saved in newer versions. 

### 2.	Corridor Enhancements (Civil 3D 2024.1 and 2024.3)
The incremental releases of Civil 3D 2024.1 and Civil 3D 2024.3 introduced some great updates to Corridors regarding initial creation of the model and working with Transitions.
#### _Initial Creation_
The Corridor Creation dialog has been greatly expanded to allow for new capabilities during initial creation of a Corridor. Here is what it looks like now:
![civil 1.png](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/civil_1_ce68d157c9.png)
•	Now when a user initiates the “Create Corridor” command, they are given the ability to add multiple baselines at the same time, even if those baselines are not the same kind (Alignment/Profile vs. Feature Line). In the screen shot above, notice that there are now two sections on the right side of the expanded dialog allowing for the selection of multiple Alignment/Profile baselines, multiple Feature Line baselines, or both! 
•	When a Feature Line is desired for baseline, new filters are available to assist the user in locating the right Feature Line (location outlined in green on the screen shot above).
•	The new Corridor creation dialog also now allows the user to assign the desired Code Set Style instead of having to edit the setting after the Corridor is created (location outlined in green on the screen shot above).

#### _Transitions_
Transitions can now be applied across a corridor even when there is a gap between regions. This is accomplished through a new “Transition Gap Tolerance” variable that can be established by the user in the Feature Command level settings from the “Settings” tab of the Toolspace.
![civil2.png](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/civil2_1209d5187e.png)
•	Transition sets can now be copied and pasted to different regions and baselines either in the same Corridor or even to other Corridors in the drawing!
![civil 3.png](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/civil_3_808f81a1e0.png)
•	Transition areas can now be highlighted in the drawing by right-clicking on the Corridor in the Prospector tab of the Toolspace.
![civil 4.png](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/civil_4_cfbd894a03.png)

### Surface Level of Detail Improvements
One of the best improvements of 2025 (in my opinion) is the change in how the Level of Detail for Surfaces is applied. Level of Detail is now applied at the object level, not the program level. This means that the user can pick and choose which Surfaces should use the setting and which do not. This setting can be accessed from the Prospector tab of the Toolspace and the contextual “Surface” Ribbon tab. The default for the setting can be established in the Feature Settings of the Surfaces in the “Settings” tab of the Toolspace.
![civil 5.png](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/civil_5_6515871995.png)
![civil 6.png](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/civil_6_7269b6e613.png)
To help the user know which Surfaces are using the setting and which are not, the Surface will display a different icon in the Prospector tab.
![civil 7.png](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/civil_7_dfed8dc0ad.png)

### 4. Performance Improvements
Autodesk worked hard this time around to improve the performance of Civil 3D in many aspects of the program. Lots of changes were made to help reduce the time needed for processes such as opening large drawings, creating Surfaces from large Corridors (now 3-4 times faster!), Surface regeneration when Level of Detail is turned on, contour regeneration, Corridor editing, and more. Some of these improvements are the result of the program no longer regenerating Corridors and Surfaces if no geometric changes have been made.

### 5. Autodesk Assistant
![civil 8.png](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/civil_8_5990aedcab.png)
This item was actually added to the AutoCAD 2024.1 update, but many people were not aware of it. The Autodesk Assistant is chat support platform that is AI driven. A user can access this functionality to ask questions and obtain tailored support. Depending on the type of account they have, some users can even get direct access to Autodesk support, allowing them to chat with a product support agent, request a callback, or create a support case. 
![civil 9.png](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/civil_9_81407e0458.png)
![civil 10.png](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/civil_10_a01ac3a3c1.png)
The Autodesk Assistant can be launched from the Help menu (as show in the screen shot. However, if the user is logged into their Autodesk Account, a button will appear next to the Help drop-down that will also open the Autodesk Assistant

### In Conclusion
The combination of AutoCAD 2024.1, Civil 3D 2024.1, Civil 3D 2024.3 and now Civil 3D 2025 provides a number of great performance and efficiency improvements along with easy access to support. Take a look at this latest addition to see how upgrading can help you!

civil 1.png

Top 5 Things to Know About Civil 3D 2025!

We are all familiar with notifications these days – those red bubbles that get pushed to the apps on our phones to alert us to something that needs our attention. Today, I am going to talk about the new Usage Notification in your Autodesk account that can serve the same function.

Autodesk has recently added a new benefit for primary admins in their Autodesk account, and they now have the option to create usage notifications that identify users who haven’t used their assigned products within a selected period set up by the admin. This period can be anywhere from 30 days to one year and will help them to manage their subscriptions more effectively.

Primary admins can set up a schedule at their chosen frequency to receive an email notification to view the Usage Report. This list is pre-filtered to only show users who have been inactive during the chosen period.

Admins can then use the Usage Report to review their inactive users and can reassign their subscriptions to more frequent users to maximize the value of their subscriptions. Admins also have the option to purchase Flex tokens to provide access for occasional users. 

_**Here are the steps for admins to setup usage notifications in your Autodesk Account.**_
1. Sign into your Autodesk account at [manage.autodesk.com](https://accounts.autodesk.com/logon?resume=%2Fas%2ForSfcPYgUq%2Fresume%2Fas%2Fauthorization.ping&spentity=null#username)
2.	Under Reporting, select Usage Notifications.

![Photo 1.PNG](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/Photo_1_6c9f21b26f.PNG)

3.	In the Usage Notifications window, click Set Up.
4.	Select the notification scheduling options you want:
- From the calendar, select the date you want Autodesk to begin sending usage notification emails.
- Select the frequency you want to receive notification emails. You can choose to get emails weekly, biweekly, monthly, or every three months.
- Select an inactive date range. You can choose to see reports of inactive users during the past thirty days, three months, six months, nine months, or one year.
5.	Click Turn On.
6.	A message indicates that inactive user notifications have been turned on.

![Photo 2.PNG](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/Photo_2_02025e0471.PNG)

_**To unassign inactive users:**_

When you receive an email notification about inactive users, you’ll see a button with the caption, “View inactive users.” (You'll only see this button if you have inactive users.)
1.	Click View Inactive Users to open the Usage Report, pre-filtered to show only inactive users.
2.	Check the boxes next to those users you want to unassign.
3.	On the message that appears, click Unassign.
4.	In the Unassign confirmation window that appears, click Unassign.

![Photo 3.PNG](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/Photo_3_1e45607d31.PNG)
 
We appreciate that Autodesk is continually improving the reporting capabilities available to subscription customers, and hope that it makes it easier for you to make data-driven decisions.

Picture2.jpg

New Usage Notification

A social group is defined as two or more people who interact with one another, share similar characteristics, and collectively have a sense of unity. We like belonging to groups. In the same way, a group in the Autodesk Account consists of users that have all been assigned access to the same products.

Autodesk has updated the Usage Report in Autodesk Account to now display group names along with usage and license information for single-user subscriptions.  Group reporting allows admins to understand product usage patterns so they can make informed decisions and manage product assignments.

![Usage-Report-Groups-qjii4efzdyrc9me9bgdvnqxyixi2wnf4dksekrpd1s.jpg](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/Usage_Report_Groups_qjii4efzdyrc9me9bgdvnqxyixi2wnf4dksekrpd1s_9dcc8ca3c3.jpg)

Autodesk Account allows the admin to organize users into groups and assign everyone in the group access to the same products. The admin that reviews this usage data will be able to see that they have assigned the right products to the group. They can also scale their reporting analysis by viewing usage among similar groups of users to spot trends

![Groups.jpg](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/Groups_9fa25dec08.jpg)

The admin can create a group within a team in your Autodesk Account. You automatically have one team in your account under which all your users and Autodesk subscriptions fall. If you have additional teams, those groups are not shared by the other teams, even if the groups have the same users in different teams.

We appreciate that Autodesk is continually improving the reporting capabilities available to subscription customers, and hope that it makes it easier for you to make data-driven decisions.

Usage-Report-Groups-qjii4efzdyrc9me9bgdvnqxyixi2wnf4dksekrpd1s.jpg

Autodesk Usage Data for Groups

![NACHOSE.png](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/NACHOSE_6c2589c7cf.png)

With the NFL playoffs in full swing, I figured this would be a super time for us to discuss a successful gameplan for creating custom subassemblies. There are endless considerations to take when tackling a new subassembly, but keeping these tips in mind can help as you scope and develop your new custom content!

### Bend-Don't-Break
One of the most important – and nebulous – topics regarding custom subassemblies is maintaining a high level of flexibility in their construction and usage. Each design team or organization will define flexibility in their own way; however, it will typically relate to the reusability of a particular subassembly in perpetuity and allowing for customizations by the user for each and every design alternative. This is a lofty goal for each design, and attaining that goal has many different paths to success, however two I find to be the most beneficial are defining Geometric variables and Coding variables.

Allowing our subassemblies to be dynamic in their geometrics can add a lot of functionality for our users. This could mean providing our users and teammates additional control of dimensions and toggles based on input parameters or various targets. Or having systems embedded within the subassembly flowchart that can react to different program variables or user enumerations.  Using variables to drive the definition of geometry within a subassembly can help with the templatization of design standards or construction documents, and can make almost any PKT a Swiss-army knife.

Although the geometry that our subassemblies create is important for the generation of linework and content in Civil 3D, the intelligence that the intrinsic subassembly coding can provide dwarfs the geometric model content! Creating a flexible coding scheme through variables can accommodate an endless number of possibilities enabled by simply changing coding on the fly and applying it to geometric content where needed later in the flowchart process. Remember, coding has an impact on every aspect of the corridor outputs.

### Follow the Passing Progressions
The programming interface in Subassembly Composer utilizes a visual flowchart that creates an overall ‘program’ flow in just one downstream direction of travel. As such, the sequence in which actions are performed in the Subassembly flowchart matter immensely! A general rule of thumb for complex subassemblies is to define any geometric variables first. Second generate a working 'skeleton' geometry through the use of auxiliary geometry. Third define any coding variables or additional geometry checks. And once these preliminary steps and checks are performed the actual subassembly geometry can be created and output parameters can be defined at the end of the flowchart. Inserting sequence or embedded flowchart elements can aid in organizing related geometry or complex calculations throughout your 'program' layout.

Auxiliary Geometry is an invaluable tool to assist in formulating, solving, and pre-calculating problems earlier in the flowchart than would be possible with just regular Geometry elements. Gaining an understanding of the methods to pre-calculate geometry variables, frame out geometric problems (think finding intersections on slopes or curves), or even preload reusable geometries to take advantage of pathing in the flowchart will serve you will in your subassembly development journey.

Creating an effective and reproducible processing flow can take your subassemblies to the next level. Do not forget to spend time during the development phase to plan out and scope out an effective subassembly flow in detail that can be relied on in perpetuity for custom subassembly development across your organization.

### Follow the Coding Playbook
Subassembly coding is one of the most important aspects to subassembly and corridor generation and occasionally takes a backseat to the flashy and dynamic geometries Subassembly Composer can create. However, these geometries are meaningless without a strong coding system. The coding that we implement for our subassembly – points, links, and shapes – opens an endless world of intelligent CIM/BIM representation as a corridor output. During subassembly development appreciate your organization's standards and explore what is important or valuable during corridor construction. Is it Linework? Proposed Terrain? Quantity Takeoffs? Visualization or 3D Solids? Dynamic Annotations?

Recall that Point Codes can drive distinct linework generation, surface definition, unique linear quantities, and annotations at markers. Link Coding contributes surface definition, rendered materials / area fills for display of corridor treatments, 2D area quantities, linework in cross sections, and annotations along link linework. And finally Shape Codes are able to highlight shape area fills in cross sections and produce individual 3D cross-sections.

### PKT Awareness
Pocket / Packet awareness, bad football puns almost over...
Developing an accurate subassembly will always be the result of diligent testing throughout the subassembly development process. The subassembly preview window – both Roadway and Layout views – is great for initial testing during subassembly creation, however it rarely tells the full story. It is highly encouraged that the subassembly is constantly tested in Civil 3D to verify its full functionality. It is important to test out all input / output parameters, targets, report messages and coding to ensure that the subassembly is functioning as expected and absolutely do not forget to test edge cases. Testing the outlier and edge case scenarios ensure that we can accommodate various design parameters, and also identify parameters where we might limit user interaction or include geometry checks and report messages.

When testing your subassembly approach it from both the angle of an average Civil 3D designer/drafter as well as from the position of a CAD manager. This means that parameters, documentation, and workflow are all easily understood in the Civil 3D environment for a typical drafter or engineering designer. Additionally, features such as subassembly versioning, PKT organization, and Tool Palette populating are all considered so that the custom content can easily be integrated and used by anyone in the organization.

##### Hope these tips help and your custom subassembly ends up being a touchdown!

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Make a Subassembly Composer Game Plan

Happy 2024 everyone!

And it was almost to the day a year ago that I posted about this new feature called Bridge in the Autodesk Construction Cloud.

I offered some insight on how it potentially alleviated some of the concerns that users had with working on their models from someone else's ACC account hub. With Bridge, Autodesk provided a viable workflow for sharing models while enabling each project team member to have administrative control over their own data and keep it on their own account at project completion.

Later in May 2023, Bridge was integrated with Design Collaboration, bringing data autonomy to its controlled sharing workflows. Once Bridge is enabled, the process for copying models is the same as using Design Collaboration within the same project: 1) publish the model from Revit, 2) create a package in Design Collaboration, and 3) share the package which makes a copy of the model to the Shared folder. The copy is then synchronized to the Shared folder in the destination project, from which the model can be linked directly or further copied to the Consumed folder for linking.

In the Timeline of the destination project, you can clearly see the packages that are Bridged from the external team, as indicated by the "two arrows" icon.

![1.png](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/1_7267178658.png)

![2.png](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/2_77f9d8db56.png)

And in the source project, it’s made clear which teams have been Bridged to another project.

![3.png](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/3_223a7129f9.png)

Using this workflow doesn’t even require adding external members to each other’s projects, as Bridge will access the team’s Shared folder specified in the Design Collaboration settings.

Information how to enable Bridge can be found in the Help page for Autodesk Docs:

[DOCS Help | About Bridge | Autodesk](https://help.autodesk.com/view/DOCS/ENU/?guid=About_Bridge)

Information on how to use Bridge for Design Collaboration can be found in the Help page for Design Collaboration:

[COLLAB Help | Bridge for Design Collaboration | Autodesk](https://help.autodesk.com/view/COLLAB/ENU/?guid=Design_Collab_Bridge)

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Bridge for Design Collaboration

The Grading Objects in Civil 3D a great interactive design tool for us to utilize on our site design projects, however the cost of this parametric can definitely take a toll on our PCs. Here are some tips that can help ensure that your project model is running as smoothly as possible:

### Excess Data
Knowing how much data to provide to our engineering models is like an endless game of searching for the Goldilocks zone. As the designer and engineer we are always looking to push the boundaries of accuracy and resolution – especially with the advent of laser scanning – and balancing it with the limitations and inefficiencies that crop up with larger and larger datasets. As we approach the grading tools within Civil 3D it is important for us to understand the data that we are providing to the software. Ask questions such as: How many points are on our EG surface? How many vertices are along my footprint? Does the tessellation of my FG surface need to be so high? What is the use-case for this model output (visualization, earthworks, QTO)? Is the mid-ordinate distance setting in my Sites too low? The answers to these questions will help you understand the detail required for your grading endeavor and hopefully give you the freedom and confidence to remove excess data that is slowing down the process.

### Disable Surface Generation
A helpful feature of the Grading Tools is that it allows us – the user – to see in real-time the results of our grading design through the Automatic Surface Creation option to update our proposed TIN throughout the process. However, this surface rebuilding procedure can bog down our machines, especially if the grading area is large.
Oftentimes the Grading Group TIN that is created will have many conflicting breaklines which will be categorized in the Event Viewer slowing down the entire process. Additionally, if a Volume Base Surface is provided, the earthworks calculations can have an impact on loading times as well. It is recommended that the Automatic Surface Creation is left turned off during the most intense grading edits to reduce the load within the Civil 3D model.

![AutoSurface.png](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/Auto_Surface_5afc6342db.png)

### Consider the Footprint Geometry
Every site and grading design could be tackled in a variety of ways within our design software. There is no golden rule to determine the perfect grading scheme for every site condition and we should approach each challenge with an open mind. In general, providing the Grading Tools with bite-sized grading tasks – with minimal effect on gradings downstream – on a moderately sized feature line footprint will work best. It is recommended that roadways are graded with a Feature Line on each side and not a continuous loop. Another thing to consider is the usage of true curves along Feature Lines utilized in the gradings process to simplify the overall geometries.

### Add to a Surface Definition
Another tip to remember is that we have endless flexibility in the way that we construct our proposed site grading surface. Do not feel pressured to grade absolutely everything within your grading area using grading objects, infills and transitions. Instead understand that we can add to the Breaklines definitions of our proposed surface rather than relying on an infill. This could minimize the processing time it takes to grading a closed loop roadway design – for example.

Hopefully you can try out some of these tips and have success with all of the Grading Tools (pun intended) in our Civil 3D toolbox!

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Tips to Speed up your Civil 3D Gradings

Autodesk continues to enhance the reporting capabilities in the Autodesk Account, and we love to see it! The most recent update has been the addition of Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) products in product and user reporting (let’s all give a collective YAY).

The ACC data has now been seamlessly integrated into the Usage Report and Seat Usage pages. Here are some tips on how to navigate and understand this new data:

![1.png](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/1_6535069d35.png)

Similarly to how you can view details and see what products are used within a Collection, you can view what modules and features are used within an ACC product. For example, if you have users assigned to BIM Collaborate Pro, you can see how many people on your team are using Revit Cloud Worksharing or Collaboration for Civil 3D.

![2.png](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/2_16f4d3817d.png)

This can be helpful if you are new to the ACC and want to monitor the adoption of the new workflows and processes within the Cloud. For example, if you have implemented a new workflow with the cost module within ACC, you can track the adoption of it with your users.

![3.png](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/3_e5fbc547c7.png)

To view if a user has accessed a module within BIM Collaborate Pro such as Revit Cloud Worksharing, select the user and a pop-up will show the breakdown of days used with the days used for each module.

![7.png](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/7_8b27cfbee6.png)


While you can view the different modules and features used by your users within a product, in the Usage Report page you cannot filter by those features as you can by products. For example, if you’d like to view who of your users are using Revit Cloud Worksharing within BIM Collaborate Pro, you would need to select Filter > Products > BIM Collaborate Pro > Apply. This will then show you a list of users who have accessed BIM Collaborate Pro.

![6.png](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/6_3bd5c9d182.png)
Autodesk released the ACC data in December to all customers in the Autodesk Account reporting. Autodesk included data from October 10, 2023, when it was added to the account. We have found some inaccuracies in the data from October to November across our customers, but December moving forward has proven to be accurate.

![4.png](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/4_dc7be09b9b.png)

When in the By User section you can select a user and you can view their specific modules usage and trends within a product. This is consistent with the way you can view all other products a user is assigned.

![5.png](https://amused-blushing-detail.media.strapiapp.com/5_dded10bba5.png)

You can customize the columns in your Usage Report for the data that is most important to you. You can select Columns at the top right of the user list and select the information you’d like in your results. One Column that is not typically automatically added in this report but I believe is very useful is the Last Accessed column. This data point allows you to easily identify users who have Never Accessed a product as well as the last day they accessed the product. I find this to be a handy way to easily identify users to remove if your assignments are at capacity and you need to free up seats for new users.

Token Usage
Tokens are still not applicable for any ACC products, so you will not see any ACC products reflected in the Token Usage reporting page.


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