AEC Data Model API
AEC Data Model API allows developers to read, write, and extend subsets of models through cloud-based workflows without the need to write custom plug-ins for desktop authoring applications like Civil 3D, Revit, and other civil-architectural designing applications.
The value of the AEC Data Model extends beyond providing granular data. It offers an intuitive and consistent data navigation experience through tailored APIs within the AEC domain. With these APIs, you can seamlessly explore your Hub, Projects, Folders, Files, and delve deep into detailed AEC data, including elements and parameters.
The AEC Data Model is designed to cater to the entire AEC Project Lifecycle, from Conceptual Design to Construction and Operations. It is part of a family of Cloud Data Models provided by Autodesk to cater to diverse industries. Similar data models are developed for the Manufacturing and Media & Entertainment industries.
About AEC Data Model
Autodesk is working toward its vision to provide a leading platform for a better design-to-make data management across the different industries it serves using Autodesk Data Models. In essence, Autodesk Data Model divides monolithic files into valuable bits of data that is securely managed in the cloud, and provides user-friendly APIs for accessing data at a granular object level. The AEC Data Model is one of Autodesk’s core Data Models, establishing itself as the definitive source of truth for AEC data.
AEC Data Model is built on three design principles:
- Extensible: This data model will allow you to add your own classifications to reflect their workflows by adding custom data using basic and common data currencies.
- Flexible: Flexibility is achieved through the different ways in which data can be related and categorized. For instance, a glass wall in a conference room may be regarded as both a window and a wall, such that it can be included both in the window schedule and as a room in the building’s specifications.
- Federated: In addition to Properties, the AEC Data Model can store other data models, such as Analytical and Structural Models, Issues, Drawings, and Requests for Information, although these data models are not yet included in this.
To adhere to these principles, AEC Data Model has taken inspiration from the Entity Component System (ECS) design concept, which is primarily used in game engines for its flexibility. As such, AEC Data Model introduces new concepts and constructs in a canonical form to encompass all of AEC design-and-make data, irrespective of the authoring application.
Common uses
By using the AEC Data Model APIs, you can programmatically access AEC data and utilize a variety of cloud-based functionalities:
- Navigate to your ACC hubs, projects, and designs to retrieve granular data such as elements, parameters, and their values.
- Retrieve only the data that you need through tailored GraphQL queries.
- List all available property definitions in a design to identify anomalies within design files for better quality control.
- Query across designs within a hub or project to retrieve elements and their properties to generate quantity takeoffs, schedules, procurement dashboards, etc.
- Retrieve the different versions of a design and query for design elements at a specific version to compare changes between different versions.
Next steps
For better understanding, we recommend reading through the following sections before developing applications with AEC Data Model API.
- Get started with our Step-by-Step Tutorials that are based on typical AEC Data Model API workflows.
- Explore our Code Samples that provide more complex, fully functioning, Github-based example applications.
- Refer to the API Reference section, which will give you in-depth information to refine and create your own custom solutions.
Terms of service
AEC Data Model API is subject to APS Terms of Services.
