BIM Docs and Infraworks Issue

[Anonymous]

My Civil Engineering firm does not have a subscription to BIM Docs, but we are currently collaborating with an Architectural Firm that does.  I have been invited to join their BIM Docs site for model sharing.

Ever since I have logged into their BIM Docs account, I can no longer create local models within my Infraworks platform.  Infraworks wants me to download my models to the Architects BIM Docs site to which I don't have the write abilities and the infraworks models I am attempting to download are not for their project.

Is there a way I can disconnect my Infraworks from this BIM Docs application?

Thank you for your anticipated help.

[Karsten.Saenger]

Hi @Anonymous,

unfortunately, their is not way to change this behavior right now.

As soon as InfraWorks finds any Bim360 connection for you, all online work - including Model Builder creation - will connect to that online folder.

The product management team is aware of that issue and works on a solutions in the future.

Regards,

Karsten.

[Anonymous]

It would appear then that the only alternative is to abandon the 2019
software and return to the 2018 software. Can you explain how to completely
remove the 2019 version so I can reload 2018 since you can not reinstall
previous versions when the 2019 version has been installed?

This appears to be a scam to force users to accept BIM Docs whether they
want it or not. I feel companies should be compensated while they wait for
Autodesk to find a solution.

[Karsten.Saenger]

Hi @Anonymous

InfraWorks does not allow a side by side installation, you can revert to 2018 simply by un-installing 2019 and installing 2018.

There are quite a view explanations why InfraWorks 2019 abandoned the "old" 2018 cloud solution.

To just name a few, first, there is a restriction to follow the new GDPR (data protection) laws internationally.

Then, there was a need to follow internal cross-program cloud platform solutions. It does not make sense that Autodesk programs work with different cloud solutions and these cannot communicate.
Also, the Bim360 cloud contains the large model viewer that enables you to view a model in a browser, after the old online viewing possibilities have been removed.

Regards,

Karsten.

[Anonymous]

But my problem is that since our company does not have the subscription to
BIM 360 Docs but a collaborator does, you as a software provider are not
allowing us to create our own local models. I have been a decision maker as
to the deployment of AutoDesk software since 1996. Now since your new
licensing has been setup I will be more hesitant in promoting the updated
versions. Thank you AutoDesk for leaning more towards cooperate America and
your stockholders rather than the people who pay your bills and wages.

I have already removed your 2019 version of Infraworks and will continue to
do things the way, us as users, prefer to manage our accounts. Would be
nice if corporate AutoDesk would send some relief to the utilizer of your
software that we can no longer access.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

[lippola]

hey there,

not sure exactly what your workflow looks like, but being connected to your own or someone else's BIM360 accounts, still lets you create local models. in the new model dialog just select "work local". Or is this the problem that it does not work?

[Anonymous]

Once you were logged into a BIM 360 account, 2019 Infraworks will no longer allow you to work local. At this time the only option is to remove the 2019 version and reload the older, outdate 2018 version.

[Karsten.Saenger]

Hi @Anonymous,

yes and no - you have always the possibility to create new models locally.

Only if you want to create new models using the Model Builder you don't have the local option anymore and it always shows a Bim360 folder to create the models in.
But once created, you can download the model and create a local copy that is disconnected from Bim360.

However, in your case it means that the Model Builder model will be created on the account you are invited to.

There is an interesting webcast available that covers all changes with InfraWorks 2019 and the new cloud collaboration: May 2nd Civil Community Webcast: What’s Up with InfraWorks and BIM 360?

Regards,

Karsten

[Anonymous]

Yes I understand this Karsten, but I don’t have the ability to upload models to the Architects BIM Docs 360 Account. Even if I could upload models to their BIM Cloud that would mean placing other projects within their project that would not be linked, or have anything to do with that Architect. What you are telling me to do would be violating the data protection laws you mentioned earlier.

It just would seem to me that AutoDesk could and should allow users the choice of BIM Cloud or local options and not force them to utilize the AutoDesk Cloud. At this point you are giving me excuses and not answers that would solve my problem. Infraworks should allow the user to simply switch between options.

[Karsten.Saenger]

Hi @Anonymous,

you are right and I am with you. I did not think of the situation if the shared Bim360 folder does allow data to be uploaded.

I will forward that issue to the product team....

Regards,
Karsten.

[Anonymous]

Thank you Karsten. I can only hope that this issue can be resolved. Until then I have to abandon the 2019 version that the company has paid to utilize.

[lippola]

hey there,

i am still not clear what the problem is. Maybe I lost something while reading.

No matter if you have an BiM360 account or you are invited or you don't have one, you can create a local model. There is no dependency at all.

For model builder it is a true BIM360 related feature that needs an BIM30 account!

Can you please rephrase what is not working?

[lippola]

Ok, reading some other posts i understand that creating a new model builder model locally is the desired workflow.

As of today the situation is as described above.

I will check back with the team to see if there are some thoughts on making it locally accessible again.

[Anonymous]

Exactly! Creating new models is the issue. If we only had old projects to work on, the current would be fine, but new projects are coming in everyday and utilizing the 2018 format takes away the new tools available. I think the best action would be to have a switch, just like you have demonstrated within the “NEW” settings, which will allow the user the option to collaborate or not. It’s not a user friendly product at this time.

I would hope this could get addressed quickly as the new features within the 2019 application are awesome.

Thank you for your understanding.

[SethHall]

Hi @Anonymous

I work on the Model Builder team and I will raise this issue with the team this morning. Thanks for bringing it up, we will see what we can do to improve this workflow in your situation.

Thanks again!

[Anonymous]

Thank you Seth! This is greatly appreciated! I am looking forward to your assistance with these matters.

[Anonymous]

Sorry all but I can not mark this as solution accepted until the issue is truly resolved.  At this point I have only been given a we'll see what we can do

[SethHall]

@Anonymous

No problem, leave it open indefinitely. I did bring it up with my team and we are currently estimating and prioritizing the effort to improve this workflow. Thanks again for raising the issue!

[tcorey]

@Anonymous said, "This appears to be a scam to force users to accept BIM Docs..."

The software doesn't work the way you want, so it's a scam? Autodesk could have done a better job with their rollout of this feature, as @SethHall, @lippola, and @Karsten.Saenger have acknowledged, but to call it a scam is overdoing it.

[Anonymous]

Until I was able to get anyone to understand the issue, all I was receiving was excuses and not answers.  It has nothing to do with the way I want it to work, but as to the way this software has always worked.  Up until this release I was able to create local models as was everyone else and work the design processes the way it should be. Not to be forced to pay more money for BIM Docs when Infraworks is suppose to be included within our company's subscription.  While I will agree that Autodesk could have done a better job of the roll out, this forum was the only way to get their attention to resolve this issue.  You may want to do a little homework and look at the many other forums written on this subject with no resolutions just excuses.  Maybe now we can count on a resolution rather than just throwing me under the bus Mr. @tcorey