Autodesk University, hosted in San Diego from Oct 15-17, brought together experts, developers and business leaders to explore the future of Design and Make industries. Check out some of our favorite Autodesk Platform Services highlights from the week below. And if you want more, AU2024 Digital is available so you can catch up on all the amazing classes, keynotes, and theater talks from the conference.
Autodesk Design and Make Platform
The event showcased Autodesk's Design and Make Platform, cloud-connected software that unifies data and workflows using AI insights and automations for AEC, Manufacturing, and Entertainment industries. It includes the industry clouds Forma, Fusion, and Flow, along with Autodesk Platform Services (APS), which offers APIs and services for customizing solutions and integrating tools and data. APS also features an app marketplace for prebuilt solutions and/or you can develop your own APS-powered applications and integrations with the help of Autodesk Platform Services Certified Partners.
Learn more about the Autodesk Platform
Major APS Announcements
Cross Industry
- Save the Date! Autodesk DevCon Europe will be in Amsterdam on May 20-21, 2025. Express interest in sponsoring or featuring a project, and submit class proposals by November 15th.
- We recently released new AEC data model and MFG data model APIs, which provide access to granular data, simplifying tasks like searching across the contents of multiple models at the same time, comparing changes between different versions of a design, and giving you the opportunity to delve into your historical project data, so you can use AI to build new value from it.
- The new AI-powered Autodesk Assistant provides timely insights, understands your industry, and is designed to be open and pluggable, so you can bring your own plugins.
AECO
- We established Revit integrations with McNeel Rhino and Testfit to round out site design workflows for more holistic modeling and analysis.
- We're building better data pipelines with APS, connecting Revit, Inventor, Civil 3D, Dynamo, Navisworks, ACC Bridge, Rhino, Grasshopper, Power BI, Power Automate, and Solidworks.
- Collaboration for Civil 3D now includes enhanced Autodesk Viewer capabilities and improved Sheet Set Manager for the Web.
- Another way we’re providing secure, always-on access to your data is through data regionalization. Data regionalization now includes an Australian server, covering three continents, with more regions coming.
Construction
- The new integration with ACC Bridge streamlines Work Packaging by syncing model subsets using Data Exchange and Bridge.
- We’re giving you faster, better access to your data with our new AI-powered Autodesk Assistant in ACC, now in beta. No more spending hours sifting through hundreds of pages of specifications—just drop in a prompt and get the relevant answer, along with links to other contextual documents.
- For the field, our new mobile model viewer is five times faster than before.
Design & Manufacturing
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Vault data is now accessible via new cloud APIs on Autodesk Platform Services, connecting design and manufacturing data with ERP systems and custom SaaS apps (beta launches this month).
Media & Entertainment
- Autodesk Flow Graph Engine API lets you run Bifrost for Maya graphs in the cloud, enabling custom compute solutions.
- Flow Animate in Context (beta) allows Maya artists to view work within the production context and make adjustments directly on a shot.
- Flow Production Tracking includes real-time tracking and AI-powered scheduling with Flow Generative Scheduling for optimized project schedules.
- Shared playlists automate the secure transfer of playlists and content from Flow Production Tracking to Flow Capture, eliminating manual processes.
Autodesk Platform Services Keynote
The APS Keynote, held on Tuesday, October 15th, highlighted the latest updates on Autodesk Platform Services (APS), the backbone of Autodesk’s Design and Make Platform. Autodesk presenters included Ben Cochran, VP of Developer Enablement, Nevin Yuksel-Ekici, VP of Platform Strategy and Technologies, and Shelly Mujtaba, VP of Product Data. They discussed how APS turns challenges into opportunities by connecting data and leveraging AI. The presentation featured solutions from Norconsult, ProtoTech Solutions, nCircle, Avixi, and NTI. Tulika Garg, Director of Product Management also hosted “The APS Think Tank” where customers Avixi, ProtoTech Solutions, and Norconsult had a chance to share in real time how APS has changed the game for them. This keynote showcased the transformative power of APS and its impact on the industry, be sure to watch if you missed it!
Autodesk Platform Services in the Expo Hall
The APS Expo Zone was a central hub where developers and customers could enjoy a round of mini golf, get their technical questions answered by our APS experts, or network with five APS Certified Partners who showcased their latest work using APS.
- ProtoTech Solutions demonstrated technology solutions in 2D/3D visualization, BIM/CAD/CAM, AI, AR/VR, focusing on leveraging Manufacturing Data Model APIs for sustainability and efficiency.
- CoolOrange launched powerSync, an interoperability tool synchronizing on-premises solutions with the Autodesk Platform using advanced APS APIs.
- Lagarsoft presented a Revit plugin using Autodesk's Design Automation API to convert AI-generated real estate projects into detailed Revit models.
- CCTech showcased a connector using Autodesk’s Data Exchange SDK to bring live 3D model data into PowerPoint, enhancing presentations without needing design software.
- nCircle introduced a solution for office building operators using the AEC Data Model API to sync building data to PowerBI and integrate ChatGPT for scenario analysis.
Other standout Expo attractions included:
- There were 69 Sponsor booths in the expo hall that were proudly badged as "Powered by Autodesk Platform Services" and 11 Certified Partners with sponsor booths as well.
- The new "Cloud: A Sensory Experience for Collaborative Clarity," was sold out all week! Inspired by the interconnectedness of our Design and Make Platform, the experience encouraged participants to innovate and move beyond existing solutions for the challenges they were given, exploring how endless possibilities arise when teams, data, and workflows are seamlessly integrated.
- The Autodesk AI Zone, offering a chance to explore the latest AI capabilities integrated into Autodesk’s products and services.
Networking and Learning Opportunities
With an extensive lineup of over 50 classes, participants delved into a wide range of topics, from exploring the Autodesk Data Model to mastering APS features and APIs. These sessions offered practical knowledge and actionable insights to help attendees maximize their use of APS.
We also hosted two dedicated developer meetups. One catered to all software developers, offering a space to network and share experiences and the second was specifically designed for those new to APS and eager to explore its possibilities.
The Platform Pints: APS Happy Hour was an evening event where developers and the Autodesk Platform Services (APS) team came together to relax, mingle, and enjoy the stunning rooftop views that restaurant Lumi had to offer.
The Certified Partner Lunch was an exclusive event for APS Certified Partners, offering a private setting where attendees received detailed information on the APS roadmap and a clear understanding how they can leverage these future developments in their own businesses.
Theater Talks
APS was part of two Theater Talks hosted at AU this year that featured APS customers. Tarika Jain, Co-Founder of nCircle, was a key APS customer who presented their new platform and AI-powered dashboards that support better decision-making during operations in the Power of Platform Theater Talk. Bram Mommers, Global Technology Officer for Arcadis, was a key APS customer who shared a forward-looking perspective on the evolving relationship between business and IT functions in the Business Resilience in the Digital Age Theater Talk
Autodesk Design and Make Awards
The Autodesk Design & Make Awards honors innovators transforming industries with technology. This year we introduced “The Most Innovative Use of Autodesk Platform Services” Award which was presented to Norconsult for conceiving one of the worlds largest digitally engineered structures, the Sotra Bridge in Norway. This 900-meter bridge and approaching viaducts was designed by teams from 45 nationalities across 3 continents collaborating on more than 210 models. Norconsult combined five Autodesk Platform Services APIs to connect 60 million data points and sync data in a central environment for project management, visualization of models, and automated design workflows. A huge congratulations to our first APS Design and Make Award winner, Norconsult!
Looking Forward
Autodesk University 2024 was more than just a conference; it was a celebration of innovation and a showcase of the future of Design and Make. The insights, knowledge, and connections gained during the event have set the stage for exciting advancements in APS.
We are grateful to all who attended and contributed to the success of this year’s event. As we look forward, we remain committed to driving forward the next wave of technological advancements with Autodesk Platform Services. So don’t miss these future events:
APS Online Training
Virtual from November 18-21, 2024
Learn the basics of Autodesk Platform Services and code side by side with experts. Build your first application in no time at all. Sessions are available in two time zones and multiple code languages. Choose the session that works best for you.
Autodesk DevCon Europe
Amsterdam, Netherlands from May 20-21, 2025
Save the date! Join us at Autodesk DevCon Europe to explore the cutting-edge possibilities with Autodesk Platform Services APIs and Design and Make data. This conference is your gateway to:
- Leverage tools like automation and AI
- Connect stakeholders across industries
- Achieve interoperability between software systems
- And much more!
Get involved! Call for proposals is open now, submit your class before November 15th. You can also express interest in sponsoring or getting your project featured. Learn more!