Ben Storey
Last month, at AU 2024: The Design & Make Conference, we hosted our Architecture Futures Briefing. Attendees heard directly from our product experts, as they revealed the new features and capabilities planned for your favorite architecture software including Revit, Autodesk Forma, ReCap Pro, Insight, and more.
This session is available through the AU 2024 class catalogue here. You must be registered (free to register) to access the recording.
During the session we took questions from our audience in-person and online, but – as is often the case – we didn’t have time to answer every single one. So, we’ve compiled some of our favorite questions below, and our product team have worked together to answer as many as possible.
Still got questions? Then consider posting them to our community forums.
ReCap Pro
Reality capture and 3D scanning software. More information.
Our processed Point Clouds are in LGS format. Are you able to consume that format in Recap Pro so we can use Scan to BIM in Revit?
Users can export the data to LAS or E57 to import into ReCap Pro. Importing LGS/LGSX is on our roadmap.
How can I obtain the Beta Version of Scan-to-Mesh Capabilities?
The ReCap Pro 2025.2 Beta is available at https://feedback.autodesk.com, under the “Autodesk Infrastructure Futures” project.
Is ReCap Pro the same Reality Capture as in Unreal Engine? What is different?
The backend engine is different. Since ReCap Pro is more than visualization there are additional considerations that need to be addressed. ReCap Pro can handle large point cloud and ACC Viewer can stream large point clouds too. We are working on some faster rendering capabilities in ReCap Pro and ACC viewer.
I enjoy the UX and useful tricks of ReCap Pro: when will be able to process non-Faro raw data in ReCap Pro?
Good news – users can import various (non-FARO) formats data to ReCap Pro. Here is the link of the complete list. Autodesk ReCap Pro Help | Supported File Formats | Autodesk
Will ReCap Pro have a possibility to manually position and edit scans?
ReCap Pro already has some tools to add origin and rotate. We are also looking to add more point cloud transformation tools in the future.
Autodesk Forma
Easy-to-use AI-powered tools for pre-design and schematic design. More information.
What are the advantages of migrating to Forma Board from tools like Miro?
There are four key advantages:
Tailored for AEC: The Forma Board is specifically designed to meet the needs of the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operations (AECO) industry, providing tools and features that enhance collaboration and project management.
Enhanced Security and Privacy: Benefit from Autodesk’s robust security and privacy measures, fostering a professional and safe environment.
Fluid Integration: Connect with the vast Autodesk product suite, including Autodesk Docs, for a more unified workflow.
Controlled Access: With Autodesk Docs integration, you have a large suite of access control measures. It allows for controlled and secure access to your documents.
Can the blocky trees in Forma be swapped out for something more “tree-like”?
We have received multiple requests to improve the tree visualization in Forma and the product team will review and consider if this can be added to the roadmap. Please note that there is also an extension “Thicket” which can be used to create different types of trees.
Will the lack of ability to choose a projection system in Forma be addressed so the coordinates will better align with those coming from Civil 3D and Revit?
This is something we are actively looking at. There is a broader Autodesk initiative to standardize this across products – coordinate systems and the definition of a geolocation itself. There is no timeline for this right now.
How does Forma assess embodied carbon analysis without material information?
We ask users to specify a few material properties in the analysis inputs (primary structural system, window-to-wall ratio, envelope cladding system), plus make a few assumptions (e.g., the roof system). We then use machine learning to predict the rest of the structural materials quantities.
Revit
Design buildings and infrastructure in 3D. More information.
General
Is there work being done to improve performance in Revit when using DWG sources?
This is something we are looking at. In general, working with drafting tools and DWG files is something we would like to improve, and performance is a key consideration.
Is there a plan to run Revit on ARM processors?
It’s on our radar to consider supporting Revit running on ARM processors. We are currently monitoring and testing Revit running on Windows on ARM devices through emulation, like how we support Revit running in virtualized environments. One dependency is on third-party products that make up more of the Revit Ecosystem and if their products will also run on Windows on ARM.
Are there plans to make any of these products available in the Apple Mac infrastructure?
Check out our public post on Revit for Mac. There are no plans to make Revit available on a Mac natively – we will continue to support virtualization, such as through VMWare or Parallels.
Will it be possible to import textured mesh files in Revit in the future? (i.e., from photogrammetry apps)
This is supported today when importing or linking OBJ mesh files into Revit. If the OBJ has an associated MTL file located in the same location when it is linked or imported, the associated textures and mapping from the MTL file will be visible on the element in Realistic or Textures view. While we support textured meshes, it currently is not possible to change or modify the mapping of the texture on the imported element. We have an item on our Public Roadmap to address this titled “Material Control & Parameters for Referenced and Imported Data.”
Are you working on improving the materials in Revit to support deliverables around estimation, carbon analysis, specification, etc.?
Overall, we are evaluating materials in Revit. The extent of our investigation includes the experience of creating and managing materials, accessing material libraries in the cloud, and how materials work in interoperability workflows. Check out the public roadmap cards for a Modern Material Browser & Experience and MaterialX Support and share your feedback.
Site Design
Will there be any enhancements to railings, specifically when dealing with balusters and baluster panels?
Improving stairs and railings functionality is on our radar. Check out the public roadmap card and share your feedback.
How much will the topography tools improve in the future?
Share your feedback on what’s needed to improve your workflows—we are constantly evaluating and prioritizing enhancements. Visit the Site Design public roadmap card or the Revit Ideas Forum to provide your input.
Has any progress been made with improving interoperability between Civil 3D and Revit?
It’s on our radar to work on improving coordination and collaboration on site design workflows with Civil 3D. We are currently working on improving the accuracy for Link Topography for Civil 3D linked from ACC. Check out the public roadmap card and share your feedback.
Documentation
Can there be an ability to rotate legend components in a future release?
We are investigating improvements like this as part of our goal to automate documentation and improve efficiency of documentation workflows.
When will keynotes move away from a .txt file? Are there any updates on making this easier?
We are investigating new ways to manage and leverage classification systems across our products by leveraging our platform. With this, our goal is move away from the use of .txt across Revit for things like Parameters, Keynotes, Assembly Codes, etc. and allow the management and editing of these both inside and outside of Revit.
Will Revit ever be able to modify the center lines of walls for use to display fire ratings? How about a global spell check in Revit?
We are investigating improvements like these as part of our goal to automate documentation and improve efficiency of documentation workflows.
AEC Data Model, IFC, and Data Exchange
Can some starter Power BI templates be made available when utilizing the ACC data model?
Today, the Data Exchange Connector for Power BI is available on the Autodesk App store for download. With that download, a sample template is provided to demonstrate how the 3D viewer visualization and other Power BI visualizations can be leveraged in your own dashboards.
Revit 2025.3 allows for the import and linking of STEP files directly into models, STP files are not supported in Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) Model Coordination. Please can you add STEP formats to the ACC and Coordination model so we can interoperate with our subs from Process Engineering!
This is great feedback, thank you. We’ve shared this feedback with the Autodesk Construction Cloud team for consideration across modules within the platform.
Can we have a custom DD-MM-YYYY format for enabling auto filling of the date property in Revit through scripts, instead of the US MM-DD-YYYY?
Currently the Date parameter only supports MM-DD-YYYY formatting. We do have an item on our Revit public roadmap to offer better support for Date and Data+Time parameters. As part of this project, we are also taking into consideration the need for more formatting options to reflect our global user base.
Does the API query on data cost additional money if we just query our own models?
The AEC data model API is available to all Docs subscribers, and there is no cost to use the read capability to query data from models. The AEC data model API does require the enablement of your ACC hub for AEC data model capabilities and the upload or publish of Revit 2024 or Revit 2025 models.
Can you talk about the limitations of data mutation that we should expect in the AEC Data Model private beta? Beyond adding custom parameters, what else will be possible?
We continue to build upon the available capabilities of AEC data model. As of October 2024, we are offering Private Beta programs for Geometry, Extensibility, and the Custom Properties workflow within Model Coordination. A forthcoming Private Beta for more frequent access to data from Revit with Revit Cloud Workshared models will be available in the future. To learn more about these Private Beta programs you can apply and, if accepted for access, you can access the documentation for each API. To learn more about upcoming programs you can also refer to the public roadmap for AEC data model.
Why can’t some of these API and data features be enabled in older versions?
To support our granular data vision for AEC and products like Revit, we’ve needed to foundationally change the way Revit structures and writes data into the cloud. Due to these changes, we’ve needed to make changes to core product which previous versions cannot support.
Are all these exciting data access tools available in BIM 360 or only ACC?
Access to AEC Data Model is only available to ACC. At this time, we do not have plans to support BIM 360.
Can you share again the link for AEC Data Model Beta?
You can enroll in the various Private Beta programs for AEC data model by using this link: https://feedback.autodesk.com/key/aec-priv-beta-ext
Still got questions?
Then consider posting them to our community forums. We have dedicated communities for many of our products, including Revit, ReCap, and Forma.