Virtual Reality, Fabrication and other capabilities enhance Autodesk’s AEC Collection

There are exciting news for Architecture, Engineering and Construction Collection subscribers. Starting September, Autodesk made some significant additions to the AEC Collection software portfolio that support the next generation of BIM—and Revit-based—workflows for building and infrastructure projects from planning and design through preconstruction.

Last year Autodesk moved to address client challenges by launching the Architecture, Engineering and Construction Collection as a better way to access the software needed for projects. The intent was to offer a powerful set of integrated BIM tools so customers could be effective with their projects now, and to easily equip them with the tools needed to be proactive about what the future of designing and building has in store. With a collection including Revit, AutoCAD, AutoCAD Civil 3D, Navisworks Manage, InfraWorks and 3ds Max, Autodesk aimed to provide a core set of essential tools needed to make any building or infrastructure project, large or small.

Extending the Suite capabilities

Vikram Dutt, Sr. Director, Building Business Line at Autodesk, says he’s personally had the opportunity to see many of the building and infrastructure projects the customers are working on, and has been impressed by the complexity, size, and ingenuity of what is being designed and built today. Still, even in the most innovative firms, a common pain point heard from customers is that with technology changing so rapidly it’s expensive to try new software. In specific, client feedback came back loud and clear: visualization, analysis and fabrication capabilities have moved from “nice to have” to “must have” to implement the BIM workflows needed to stay competitive.

That is why Autodesk is expanding the Architecture, Engineering and Construction Collection with additional tools that extend its current capabilities to support design through preconstruction. With these additions, and with no price change, it will be easier to access and implement the powerful BIM workflows required —when required—by subscribing to the AEC Collection.
The new Collection features Revit Live, which allows visualization of Revit models by turning them into immersive visual experiences. Designs can be taken into a virtual reality environment in just two clicks of the mouse.

Also included is world-class analysis and computational design software. Robot Structural Analysis Professional and Structural Bridge Design work with Revit to extend capabilities to perform structural analysis for any structure. Also, the Dynamo Studio standalone programming environment is now accessible to help solve challenges faster by automating workflows that drive the geometry and behavior of design models.

Finally, the AEC Collection now extends capabilities from design to fabrication. Interoperable with Revit and Navisworks, Autodesk added Advance Steel and Fabrication CADmep to the Collection so users can conceive, model and fabricate better MEP and structural steel systems on an integrated platform.

If you want to get a feel for how the tools in the Collection can impact your projects, check out what the Italian design and engineering firm Open Project did for Bulgari’s new factory in Valenza, Italy.

This is a great example of how Autodesk’s customers are taking BIM workflows to the next level and using integrated software to leverage their models for visualization, fabrication, and multidiscipline coordination—with stunning results.

For more information on what’s available in the AEC Collection and price offers click here or check the suite below