** WARNING ** (MEP Fabrication Data Manager - Technical Preview)

[dyoung]

You may have noticed the following update show up in your Autodesk Desktop App as an update.

Highly recommend you DO NOT USE. If you do, do NOT upload your data. And DO NOT use in a production setting.

There's a major flaw in their implementation/design methodology that puts you at risk.

Additionally, there's a LOT that's missing that'll cause you nothing but heartache should you interpret their guidance that "Tech Preview applications are considered complete and ready for use..." as meaning it's ok to use in a production setting.

I'll post a full review of the flaws, risks and holes in this tool in the next couple days. I simply don't have time tonight to give it the justice it deserves in a thoughtful manner that helps you make an informed decision.

Note: If you don't use Autodesk Fabrication or Revit Fabrication Parts, the issues will not affect you. 

[Florida_Pete]

Thanks for sharing this info Darren. Look forward to reading your review. 

Peter Brown 
Alliant Systems LLC

[MaddenDerrick]

Thank you, Darren!

[Martin__Schmid · Accepted solution]

Darren, thank you for being one of the first to post about Fabrication Data Manager – Tech Preview. 

We always welcome feedback, including things we are getting right, as well as constructive critique.  We are grateful for your regular contributions towards our fabrication development in Revit, CAD/CAM/EST, and Fabrication Data Manager.   

As such, we are surprised about the concerns related to security and privacy risks which we take very seriously, and are sorry to hear that you feel the way you do.  We look forward to hearing your concerns and will do our best to respond. 

In the meantime we would like to clarify, as stated in the blog post, this is a beta.  The Terms of Use further goes on to state that beta / pre-release versions, among other limitations, are for non-commercial evaluation.  Even so, we endeavor to release such previews at the highest quality possible. 

The Tech Preview has been launched to open our in-progress development publicly, to solicit input and feedback from more companies and individuals as we continue to flesh out the capabilities.    

As we continue with development in the areas indicated in the blog post and the Revit Public Roadmap, we expect to stage additional functionality through the Preview Release process before it graduates to Technical Preview.  To all our customers exploring this Tech Preview, and interested in being more closely involved in those next stages, please reach out to us at revit.preview.access@autodesk.com and let us know specifically about your interest in Fabrication Data Manager.  

[dyoung]

More full review posted here....

Including why this wasn't a "Beta" as it was suggested. 

https://www.darrenjyoung.com/2022/03/27/review-warning-mep-fabrication-data-manager-sync-technical-p...

[jbish1]

Thank you for the information, Darren!

[matthewweake]

Thanks Darren, I read your post after trying it out.

To me, it feels like an early alpha product, simply too much missing to be of much use.

I understand the fascination with getting everything into Revit and Forge, but these Fab products are so miles ahead even with nothing happening to them in years.

I'm very frustrated and disappointed with the lack of development in the Fab products.

[000131190]

Does anyone know when Autodesk are expecting to devlop this tool, its extremly helpful but currently ductwork size tables not supported which is annoying.

I'm using this and think its fantastic. - I had'nt been able to work out how to manage the configuration before this come along so its very helpful. (Not that i had ever given it much time in its traditional format)

[CraigFarsh]

Hi 000131190

The main focus has been supporting the piping side of the MEP Fabrication workflows (we say piping, but this is actually non-spec driven content). The more complex spec driven content, such as ductwork, including editing default dims and part specifications will be the next major focus.

https://portal.productboard.com/e8ixjjoww9rthz5n6ztq7xjq/c/843-mep-content-editor-ductwork-support?&...