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.
Autodesk unveils AEC Data Model GraphQL extensibility beta and Content Catalog integration; AutoCAD and industry updates also summarized
The company has introduced a public beta of a new AEC Data Model GraphQL extensibility API that lets people who do not use Revit add and write custom properties to model elements. At the same time, an integrated cloud Content Catalog (the company’s integrated version of UNIFI Pro) is being made available to Autodesk Docs subscribers, and updates to AutoCAD and other industry moves round out the announcement pack.
What the extensibility beta does
The new AEC Data Model API beta adds GraphQL-based extensibility so teams can append project information to model elements without opening or editing the original Revit file. The capability works via API and inside the Autodesk Construction Cloud interface and moves beyond the earlier read-only access that unlocked element-level data from Revit last year. Users can now not only report on properties but also write custom property values back to project models through the cloud service.
Why this matters
Modern AECO projects need far more and more complex data than a single BIM file can comfortably hold. Relying on a solitary Revit file for every piece of project data is becoming impractical. The new approach lets stakeholders append data externally so the added information does not bloat the Revit model or expose sensitive intellectual property when files are shared. For example, firms can link cost figures from an external costing database to model elements without copying those numbers into the Revit file.
Who can contribute
Because extensions can be applied by API and within Autodesk’s cloud experiences, contributors do not have to be Revit experts. This broadens participation to specialists across construction, finance, facilities, and operations who can now help keep models current and data-driven without authoring in Revit. The intent is to decouple authoring tools from being the only method for accessing and updating project information.
Availability, scale and access
The AEC data model is available to Autodesk Docs subscribers and has been activated on more than 40,000 projects since its 2024 launch. The company is offering early-access testing through a public beta process so customers can try the extensibility features and send feedback before general release. A public roadmap shows planned features and invites users to explore upcoming work and vote on new functionality.
Content Catalog (UNIFI Pro integration)
A new cloud-based Content Catalog centralizes BIM content, versioning, and access control to provide a single source of truth for families and components. It is included at no extra cost for Autodesk Docs subscribers. The catalog aims to reduce time spent hunting for content, improve deliverable accuracy, and help firms enforce standards and reduce rework. At initial launch, Content Catalog access is limited to customers who store data in the US data region, with EU and Australia availability planned for a later date. The company supplies demos and a knowledge base with setup and content strategy guidance.
AutoCAD and related product updates
Product updates highlight continued investment in drafting and modeling tools. AutoCAD enhancements include AI-powered features such as tools to place objects automatically, suggest similar blocks from a user library, and speed markups using machine learning. The product also continues to support cross-platform workflows across desktop, web, and mobile, and supplies specialized toolsets that aim to save time on common tasks. Subscribers get web and mobile access and can install recent prior versions according to licensing terms.
Industry M&A and market context
The announcement pack appears alongside broader industry moves: an acquisition in prefabrication and off-site construction technology was reported in the same content set. That acquisition strengthens a vendor’s presence in the US market where labor shortages and an uptick in modular building and industrialized construction techniques are pushing adoption of off-site workflows and advanced production tracking tools. These market trends help explain why cloud-hosted, extensible data models and centralized content catalogs are becoming core capabilities for project teams.
How organizations can adopt the new model
Organizations that already use Autodesk Docs can enable the AEC data model in their hubs to access granular data management inside the environment they work in today. The company provides step-by-step activation instructions, documentation, and links to sign up for the extensibility public beta. Beta subscribers agree to receive a related newsletter and acknowledge the provider’s privacy statement as part of sign-up.
Limits, regions, and next steps
At launch the Content Catalog is restricted to the US data region. Other capabilities are rolling out incrementally through the public roadmap and beta feedback loop. Product information and specifications may change, and some AI features rely on machine learning with varying data sources; transparency documentation for AI features is available through the provider’s trust center materials.
FAQ
Is the AEC Data Model GraphQL extensibility beta open to all users?
Yes. It is available as a public beta for users who sign up. The beta provides early access for testing and feedback ahead of a general release.
Do I need Revit to add properties to model elements?
No. The extensibility lets non‑Revit users append and write custom properties to model elements via the cloud API and user experiences without opening the Revit file.
Will appended data increase the Revit model file size?
No. Appended data can remain external to the Revit file, which helps reduce model bloat and protects embedded intellectual property.
Who gets Content Catalog and where is it available?
Content Catalog is included at no extra cost for Autodesk Docs subscribers. At launch it is available only for customers storing data in the US; EU and Australia access is planned later.
How many projects have activated the AEC data model?
The AEC data model has been activated on over 40,000 projects since its 2024 launch.
Where can I find documentation and demos?
Documentation, demos, and a knowledge base are provided to help with activation, admin setup, content strategies, and API usage. Users should check their Docs resources or contact their account admin for details.
Key features at a glance
| Feature | What it does | Who benefits | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| AE C Data Model GraphQL extensibility | Adds and writes custom properties to model elements via API and cloud UI | Project teams, non-Revit contributors, data managers | Public beta via sign-up; Docs subscribers can enable AEC data model |
| External appended data | Links external datasets (costs, schedules) to elements without embedding in Revit | Estimators, contractors, owners | Supported in beta; read and write capabilities expanding |
| Content Catalog (UNIFI Pro integration) | Centralizes vetted BIM content, versioning, search, and standards | Design teams, BIM managers, admin staff | Included for Autodesk Docs subscribers; US data region at launch |
| AutoCAD updates | AI features for placing objects, block suggestions, markup assist, cross-platform access | Architects, engineers, drafters, students | General product release; subscribers get web and mobile access |
| Public roadmap and beta process | Allows users to explore plans, vote, and provide feedback | Administrators, product teams, power users | Publicly accessible; beta sign-up required for early access |
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 CA News
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