Autodesk Docs is an entry-level subscription and common denominator in the Autodesk Construction Cloud subscriptions. Autodesk Build is the subscription most relevant on the construction site (think of a Build subscription as a walkie talkie between the contractors and the designers). Autodesk Build collects data that comprises the Project Information Model on a common data environment.
It has many features over and above what they included in the Docs subscription. However, to gain maximum benefit from using Build subscriptions all the participants that need access to its capabilities need to have a subscription. Clearly this is subject to a cost benefit analysis. What we present here are some compelling Build capabilities that might influence your decision.
You may be familiar with the term “sheet” as being a printed drawing. We can easily print PDFs and peruse them in Autodesk docs. However, “sheet” in Autodesk Build has a completely different meaning: it is an electronic representation of printed sheets that does not need to be viewed on the web browser version of the Autodesk Construction Cloud.
Instead, we have the ACC App that can navigate the Autodesk Build sheet on a cell phone. In other words, using just your phone you can perform your duties on site without having to open the website in browser mode. You don’t even need to be connected to the internet to do this because you can synchronize the data to your phone before you go on site.
Whatever do you teach you perform on site these things stored in your phone’s memory and can be re-synced back to the Autodesk Construction Cloud upon your return to an internet connection. A sheet or a sheet revision is counted when it is published.
The tally of the count corresponds to the version of the Autodesk Build subscription you bought and is applicable across all projects you may use the Autodesk Build license on. Therefore, it is important that you purchase the correct subscription or upgrade to the version that is most applicable. You have the option of 550, 5000 or unlimited sheets.
Project specifications can take up considerable effort and are usually applicable to all disciplines. Setting up specifications in the cloud makes perfect sense, as it is then available to everybody (the one source of truth that the cloud presents).
Unfortunately, in the Autodesk Construction Cloud you cannot set up specifications within a project template (that would have allowed one to create a new project with the specifications already in place). You can create them in a project though. The way I would approach this conundrum is by creating a project of specifications and then inviting any users that need access to them to the specifications project as well.
Build issues are much more versatile than Docs issues. What we would classify as “snags” in the industry are easily done with Build issues. In addition to photos, you can also take videos. You can also link Build issues to Assets, Files, Forms, Photos and Videos and RFIs.
Forms are documents that are filled out online and are generally used for quality control, quality assurance and health and safety.
You can take photos and videos and attach them to issues or just store them in the cloud for future reference.
If there is not sufficient information, then the contractor can communicate directly with the design team by creating an RFI.
Submittals are packages that comprise the information around a construction activity. All the information is then submitted for the approval of the various stakeholders.
You can create meetings with an outline and that references various documents and record the minutes. You can also provide a digital link to an online platform where you can record and transcribe the meeting and then upload that to ACC.
This capability is also included in Autodesk Collaborate and Collaborate Pro. Being able to record emails and store them in the project information model is very useful.
Recording information about the assets in a project is important. It feeds downstream into facilities management. Autodesk Build makes recording and storing this information easy.
There is a lot that we did not mention in this blog, prime amongst them being the Scheduling and Cost modules of Autodesk Build.
If you need help adopting the AEC Collection or the Autodesk Construction Cloud in your practice or you are looking to invest in hardware, please contact Micrographics so that we may be of assistance.
Still looking for answers? Start a discussion with other professionals in your industry!