United States, August 23, 2025
News Summary
A software vendor launched a cloud GraphQL extensibility beta that allows project teams to append and write custom properties to building model elements without opening original Revit files. The feature stores external BIM data alongside element records via APIs and the cloud UI, reducing file bloat and protecting IP while enabling broader participation from cost, field, and project teams. The update also integrates a Content Catalog into the common data environment and highlights CAD productivity and AI enhancements. The beta and public roadmap let customers preview features, provide feedback, and plan adoption across project workflows.
New cloud data tools let non‑Revit users add and write custom properties to model elements
Software vendor announcements this week introduce a set of cloud features that let more people on a project add data to building information models without opening or editing the original Revit files. The changes center on an AEC Data Model GraphQL extensibility beta that enables appending and writing custom properties to model elements via APIs and the construction cloud interface. At the same time, a cloud Content Catalog (the integrated version of UNIFI Pro) is being folded into the common data environment, and updates across CAD and industry tools were also summarized.
Top line: append and write model properties without touching Revit files
The new beta expands on element‑level data access that was opened last year by giving teams ways to extend element records and apply custom properties externally. The capability works both through an API and through the cloud product interface, so stakeholders who do not use Revit can contribute data to model elements. Users can append information such as cost, schedule or status from external systems directly to elements without injecting those values into the Revit file itself.
Allowing external data to sit alongside element records—rather than inside them—reduces model file size, helps protect intellectual property when files are shared, and lowers the technical barrier for contributors across design and construction teams. The beta uses GraphQL extensibility in the AEC Data Model API to let integrators and in‑house tools read and now write properties. Read/reporting access already exists today; the extensibility adds write capability so the cloud data model can be updated by more project roles.
How this changes who can work with model data
The intent is to broaden participation: project managers, cost teams, field supervisors and other stakeholders can append or update information without being Revit experts. That lowers friction for decisions driven by live project data and supports more data‑driven digital delivery. The vendor frames this as a move away from a world where authoring apps alone are the on‑ramps to model information.
Where the AEC data model lives and who can use it
The AEC data model is native to the cloud and is available to subscribers of the Docs environment used as a common data environment (CDE). It has been activated on tens of thousands of projects since its 2024 launch and continues to receive feature additions. The public roadmap and beta program allow customers to preview features, vote on priorities, and provide feedback before general release.
Content Catalog integration (UNIFI Pro becomes a built‑in catalog)
The announcement also folds a cloud‑based content management system into the CDE. The new Content Catalog centralizes vetted BIM content and Revit families, stores version history, and aims to make it quicker to locate the correct component. The catalog is offered at no extra cost to Docs subscribers, but initial availability is limited to hubs that use US data storage; EU and Australia data regions will follow later. The vendor supplies demos and documentation to guide administrators through setup and content strategies.
AutoCAD and AI features summarized
Alongside the data model and catalog news, CAD product updates highlight productivity tools and AI aids intended to speed drafting and iteration. Features include AI‑assisted markups, block suggestions, and automated drafting tasks. The product family supports desktop, web and mobile use, and subscription terms permit installation on multiple devices under named‑user rules. Productivity studies commissioned by the vendor are cited for specialized toolset gains, with the usual caveats that results may vary by environment and workflow.
Industry M&A and off‑site construction
Separately, an acquisition in the modular and off‑site construction software market was noted. A prefabrication platform with real‑time production visibility and integrations to scheduling and enterprise tools is now part of a larger building software group. That move aims to strengthen US market presence and accelerate off‑site construction adoption amid persistent labor constraints. Reported customer use of the platform includes thousands of buildings and hundreds of thousands of prefabricated units delivered through that technology.
What you can do next
- Organizations using a cloud Docs hub can activate the AEC data model and explore public roadmap items to understand upcoming capabilities.
- Administrators can review Content Catalog documentation and the demo materials to plan centralized content management.
- Teams interested in testing extensibility can sign up for the public beta to gain early access and provide feedback through the vendor’s beta process.
What to watch
Key items to follow include the timing for EU and Australia availability of the Content Catalog, public feedback from beta participants on GraphQL write workflows, and how external appended data is adopted by cost and field systems in real projects. Also watch for roadmap updates that outline deeper integrations across authoring and project systems.
FAQ
What does the AEC Data Model GraphQL extensibility beta do?
The beta enables teams to add and write custom properties to model elements through a cloud API and the construction cloud interface, without opening or editing the Revit file that originally authored the element.
Who can use these new capabilities?
The AEC data model features are available to users of the cloud Docs environment. Beta access to extensibility is offered to interested customers through the vendor’s public beta sign‑up.
How does appending data outside the Revit file help projects?
Appending data externally reduces model file size, protects intellectual property in shared models, and makes it easier for non‑Revit users to contribute cost, schedule or status information that informs daily decisions.
What is Content Catalog and where is it available?
Content Catalog is a cloud library that centralizes BIM content and Revit families, helping teams find vetted assets faster. It is included at no additional cost for cloud Docs subscribers and initially launches for hubs using US data storage, with other regions to follow later.
Are the API write features ready for production?
The write capability is being delivered via a public beta for testing and feedback. Reporting (read) access is already available today; write workflows are in early access so users should test in non‑production environments first.
Key features at a glance
| Feature | What it does | Who benefits | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| AEC Data Model GraphQL extensibility (beta) | Allows appending and writing custom properties to model elements via API or cloud UI. | Project teams, cost managers, field staff, integrators | Public beta sign‑up; Docs subscribers can enable AEC data model |
| External appended data | Stores extra properties outside the Revit file to reduce model bloat and protect IP. | Design firms, contractors, owners | Supported by AEC data model; read today, write in beta |
| Content Catalog (UNIFI Pro integrated) | Centralized library for BIM content and Revit families with versioning and search. | CAD/BIM managers, modelers, project teams | Included for Docs subscribers; US data region initially |
| AutoCAD productivity & AI features | AI aids for markup, block suggestions, and automation of drafting tasks. | Draftspeople, architects, engineers | Available in product updates; platform and system requirements apply |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- Autodesk Blog: AEC Data Model API — Australia
- Wikipedia: Building information modeling
- Autodesk Blog: Introducing Content Catalog — The new BIM management tool for AECO
- Google Search: Content Catalog UNIFI Pro
- Autodesk: AutoCAD overview
- Google Search: AutoCAD AI features
- Architosh: Allplan buys US-based Manufacton — boosts DFMA sector
- Google Scholar: prefabrication off-site construction Manufacton
- Morningstar: Autodesk company report — CAD solutions
- Encyclopaedia Britannica: Computer-aided design
Author: Construction FL News
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