Autodesk Construction Cloud vs BIM 360

Autodesk’s evolution from BIM 360 to the more integrated Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) has reshaped how AEC teams collaborate across project phases. In this insider’s guide, you’ll explore the key differences between BIM 360 and ACC—including capabilities, history, workflows, and tips for choosing the right platform for your needs.

History

The Autodesk journey into cloud collaboration began in 2011, and since then, both Autodesk BIM 360 and the Autodesk Construction Cloud have undergone significant transformations. Below is a summary of the major shifts in Autodesk’s cloud platforms:

Original BIM 360 (2012–2017): Comprised of separate, specialized products — Glue, Field, Plan, and Docs — each addressing different aspects of construction workflows.
BIM 360 Next Gen (2018–2020): A fully re-engineered platform featuring unified modules within a new Common Data Environment (Docs, Build, Design, Coordinate).
Autodesk Construction Cloud (2019–Present): A fully integrated system with unified branding and deeper product integration.

EARLY CLOUD COLLABORATION EFFORTS

The first steps Autodesk took toward cloud collaboration for dispersed project teams included the release of A360 Collaboration for Revit alongside BIM 360 Team around 2011.

Additionally, Autodesk acquired BIM 360 Glue and BIM 360 Field through the acquisitions of Horizontal Systems (2011) and Vela Systems (2012), respectively. These acquisitions were pivotal, enabling Autodesk to integrate model coordination and field operations into the evolving BIM 360 platform.

TIMELINE: 2012–2017 – ORIGINAL BIM 360

The original BIM 360 platform consisted of standalone, purpose-built tools that addressed distinct project needs:

• BIM 360 Docs (2016)
• BIM 360 Glue (2011)
• BIM 360 Plan (2015)
• BIM 360 Field (2012)

TIMELINE: 2018–2020 – BIM 360 NEXT GEN

The next evolution, BIM 360 Next Gen, launched in 2018, was more than just an update — it was a complete rewrite of the original codebase. This rewrite enabled Autodesk to create a Common Data Environment (CDE) that connected all modules seamlessly. Key products included:

• BIM 360 Docs
• BIM 360 Design (replacing BIM 360 Team)
• BIM 360 Coordinate (replacing BIM 360 Glue)
• BIM 360 Build (replacing BIM 360 Field)

Although “BIM 360” became an Autodesk registered brand, the version most users reference today — encompassing design, preconstruction, construction, commissioning, and handover — is actually BIM 360 Next Gen. Over time, users often dropped the “Next Gen” reference, simply calling it “BIM 360.”

TIMELINE: 2019–PRESENT – AUTODESK CONSTRUCTION CLOUD (ACC)

The current generation of Autodesk cloud collaboration solutions is known as the Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC).

The core products include:

• Autodesk Docs
• Autodesk BIM Collaborate
• Autodesk Takeoff
• Autodesk Build (which includes Autodesk Cost)

In addition, the Autodesk Construction Cloud ecosystem extends to several specialized solutions such as Pype Closeout, Assemble, ProEST, BuildingConnected, Bid Board Pro, TradeTapp, AutoSpecs, and Tandem.

Each of these Autodesk construction products can operate independently or integrate with key ACC tools like Autodesk Docs and Autodesk Cost, allowing for flexible and scalable construction management solutions.

Comparison

The product used today for Revit cloud collaboration is known as Autodesk BIM Collaborate Pro (ABC Pro). A subscription to ABC Pro can be used for both BIM 360 and ACC construction cloud projects. Both platforms allow users to work with workshared Revit models in the cloud. They also include the same key products: Docs, Design Collaboration, and Model Coordination.

The primary emphasis has shifted to ACC. Autodesk development is no longer focused on BIM 360, concentrating instead on ACC.

A few benefits of using ACC instead of BIM 360 include:

• ACC includes tools for contractors: Takeoff, Build, and others.
• ACC has a user-friendly interface with more modern characteristics.
• ACC includes “Bridge” for linking Revit models from different projects.

Autodesk Construction Cloud

The Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) is a unified platform that connects workflows, teams, and data across every phase of a building’s lifecycle — from design through construction to operations.

It brings together Autodesk’s most powerful cloud tools to improve collaboration, document management, model coordination, project management, and cost control, all within a centralized environment.

With a collaborative process, you have a “single source of truth” – everyone is working on the current project files. The data is more timely, and everything is up to date.

 

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BIM Workflow With ACC

In a truly collaborative environment, models from design teams flow seamlessly from design to fabrication to construction and finally to the owner. You can set aside email, FTP, or online share file services when you have ACC.

ACC is widely known for its Revit cloud features. In addition, it has a broad ecosystem of tools, apps, and services used by AEC professionals and contractors, including:

•  Autodesk Docs – centralized document (files and folders) management and single source of truth.
• BIM Collaborate – manage design reviews and automate model coordination with trades.
• BIM Collaborate Pro – expands design reviews to include Civil 3D and Plant 3D.
• Takeoff – enables estimators to perform 2D takeoffs and generate automated quantities from 3D models.
•  Build – field execution and project management enabling collaboration; includes Mobile, the field collaboration app.
• AutoSpecs – automatically scans specifications to generate comprehensive submittal logs.
• Cost – solution within Autodesk Build that centralizes construction project financials – such as budgets, contracts, change orders, and forecasts.
• ACC Connect – custom integrations to move critical data between ACC and 200+ business-critical systems.
•  BuildingConnected – real-time construction network to streamline bids and risk management.
•  Assemble – centralized document management for the project’s lifecycle.
•  Pype – for dynamic document turnover management, including review and submittal logs.
•  ProEst – cloud-based estimating for accurate and competitive bids.
•  Tandem – cloud-based digital twin platform that transforms BIM data into dynamic, data-rich replicas of buildings to improve operations, maintenance, and lifecycle management.

AUTODESK® DOCS

Autodesk Docs is a cloud-based common data environment on the ACC platform for centralized document management. It provides a single source of truth for all teams across the entire project lifecycle. Using Autodesk Docs, AEC teams can simplify collaboration and data management from design to construction and streamline document review and approval workflows.

Autodesk Docs is available in the AEC Collection and is also included with subscriptions to Autodesk BIM Collaborate, BIM Collaborate Pro, Autodesk Takeoff, and Autodesk Build.

Autodesk Docs features the following modules:

• Docs
• Insight
• Account and Project Administration
• BIM 360 Document Management

With Autodesk Docs, you can reduce errors and rework, save time with streamlined review and approval workflows, improve team alignment, and improve project scheduling. Following are some examples:

•  Organize, distribute, and share files with the cloud-based common data environment.
•  Connect teams on the ACC platform, allowing easy transfer of information from design to construction.
•  Get the right information to the right people with structured folders and robust permission tools.
•  Reduce manual efforts and automate the review of drawings, models, and documents before publishing and sharing.
•  Communicate and collaborate with project teams using a full set of markup tools.
•  Increase accountability and track and resolve issues from a single centralized list.
•  Easily create and share transmittals with project teams and track their status with a full audit trail.
•  Open, save, move, rename, and delete files directly from your desktop with Desktop Connector.
•  Streamline workflows and reduce duplication using integrations with Autodesk tools such as AutoCAD and Revit.
•  Seamlessly upload and view 2D drawings and 3D models, so teams have the right information.

AUTODESK BIM COLLABORATE

BIM Collaborate connects AEC teams that coordinate models, review designs, and give feedback. Teams can work together on a single platform to execute on design intent and deliver constructible models.

BIM Collaborate Pro (previously known as BIM 360 Design) is for teams that manage information exchange and co-author models in Revit, Civil 3D, or Plant 3D. It enables them to collaborate in the cloud and includes Revit Cloud Worksharing, Collaboration for Civil 3D, and Collaboration for Plant 3D.

BIM Collaborate Pro is a “bring-your-own-license” (BYOL) product, so each person invited to the project has to use their own subscription.

“Docs” is the foundation for the BIM Collaborate products, and everything else plugs into it. Docs gives you insight capability, and the unified data includes file formats that BIM Collaborate Pro can handle, like models, drawings, and more. In comparing BIM Collaborate Pro and BIM 360 Design, Docs project files look very similar in both platforms.

The Docs service includes basic file management, folder permissions, and a document viewer that allows DWGs, Revit files, PDFs, Navisworks files (NWC), and other formats. In Docs you can:

• Create markups/electronic redlines and issues, including comments
• Notify people of issues
• Assign redlines and other issues to one or more people
• Manage what happens to the issue until it’s resolved

Revit Cloud Worksharing – With this service, you can host a central model in the Autodesk cloud for collaboration. Multiple organizations and offices can work on a Revit central model, increasing efficiency. Anyone invited to the project can collaborate on it and work in the same model – the same central file – even if working from behind different firewalls.

BIM Collaborate Pro also provides non-Revit cloud collaboration for AutoCAD, Plant 3D, and Civil 3D files. Your files can be stored in that environment using BIM Collaborate Pro, and multiple people can edit them at different times. They won’t be working in the same drawing because of the file locking feature, but it does provide a central file location.

Design Collaboration – This is another BYOL service for either platform. Design Collaboration allows controlled sharing of data between design teams. It can accommodate both low-trust and high-trust workflows, allowing teams to choose who to share data with. Folder permissions are automated based on team membership.

For instance, if architectural, structural engineering, and MEP engineering teams are all working on the same project, only their immediate team members can see their live data until they decide to share it. Although they may not all work in the same model, data can be shared efficiently in a controlled environment. When other teams are notified that a package of data has been shared, they decide whether they will consume it at that time, either by viewing it or linking it to their own Revit model. They are not able to edit the shared package.

Model Coordination – This enables clash detection, with the coordination workspace providing clash management by using filters. The tool shows the clashes on the model, and the user can opt to create issues or classify certain things as “not an issue” if there are extenuating circumstances. This automated clash detection and the way it limits confusion can save companies a lot of time.

AUTODESK TAKEOFF

There are many quantification programs that have been around for years. They worked by opening a 2D PDF sheet and manually counting shapes, tracing lines, outlining areas, and calculating volumes. The estimator needed to associate each line on the PDF with an object type like a wall, floor, or pipe. Estimators have been performing this type of manual takeoff for years.

On the other hand, if you have a data-rich model like a model from Revit, you can easily get quantities from a Revit schedule. Since estimators typically don’t know how to use Revit, they can use Autodesk Takeoff to easily quantify an entire Revit model.

It may help to clarify the terms “takeoff” and “estimating,” because they are sometimes used interchangeably when they should not be.

In construction, a “takeoff” determines how much of each material is needed to complete a construction project. The terms “quantity takeoff” and “material takeoff” are also used. “Estimating” is the process of adding costs to materials, labor, and equipment used for installation. The purpose is to forecast the cost of the construction project.

Autodesk Takeoff can be used to seamlessly access and quantify 2D drawings and 3D models that are already part of the Autodesk Construction Cloud.

Autodesk Takeoff allows estimators to perform 2D and 3D quantity takeoffs utilizing the ACC. Some users may recall Autodesk QTO, an older version of Takeoff that had similar advantages to today’s newer, faster, more collaborative tool.

Two main features separate Autodesk Takeoff from every other takeoff tool in the industry: seamless integration with ACC and seamless integration with 2D drawings and 3D models.

AUTODESK BUILD

If your company is working with outdated data management processes, there is a cloud-based solution you can use to standardize those processes to increase collaboration and accountability: Autodesk Build in ACC.

Companies are finding they can increase repeat business when they can correctly manage data. More can be accomplished when everyone is working together and collaborating to achieve a goal.

One example is achieving more consistent project reporting for accountability purposes. This will enable better collaboration on all projects.

You can collect information on successful projects and determine what made them successful. Once you have that information, a master project template can be created in Autodesk Build so the process can be repeated on subsequent jobs. Structured data is needed to determine what is working well and what needs to be improved.

Data from different sources and functions can be combined into a central place – Autodesk Build BIM software. Information can be moved from bidding through subsequent project phases. This results in collaboration for easier information reviews and getting answers to questions about the scope of work. The results of using Autodesk Build include time and money savings and an increase in quality.

Cost Management is a feature of Autodesk Build that helps improve cost control, get real-time visibility of cost-related risks, and prepare accurate forecasts with centralized cost management activities. Cost Management works in the cloud within the context of the construction project.

Autodesk Build features also include Safety Management and Project Management for total project management.

Autodesk Build enables your team to document weather conditions, delivery details, retain photographs, and capture site conditions in real time.

Creating a master project template in Autodesk Build ensures every new project benefits from simplified project kickoff, rich data collection, and insights into positives and negatives on jobs. This enables fine-tuning for future project success.

You can use the following criteria to evaluate potential data management solutions for your company’s unique requirements:

• Does it promote collaboration?
• Is it easy to use?
• Does it create accountability?
• Does it track data patterns for continual improvement?

AutoSpecs

This tool allows users to quickly create detailed, accurate draft submittal logs that can be published to Autodesk Docs and Autodesk Build for use by the project team. With AutoSpecs you can view and modify submittal records, get visibility into a specification by highlighting items that have been generated into submittals, and aggregate all product information gathered from submittals.

 

AutoSpecs in Autodesk Construction Cloud 

ACC Connect

Automatically move vital project data between ACC and 200+ business-critical systems using powerful custom integrations and workflows you create. An integration partner ecosystem enables users to connect to a broad array of construction technology applications. Product categories include document management, finance and ERP, BIM, preconstruction, administration, project management, and others.

BuildingConnected

Streamline the bid and risk management processes with the largest real-time construction network. The BuildingConnected platform provides access to a network of over a million construction professionals. It helps simplify bid workflows and manage subcontractor risk in real time. Owners and general contractors can find construction professionals on an up-to-date network and see detailed performance metrics and historical cost tracking in order to choose the best subcontractor for every project.

Assemble

To connect BIM data and keep projects on track, Assemble provides centralized document management. It acts as a single source of truth across the project lifecycle for project teams, helping organize data by user-defined parameters. You can make the design model ready for construction by sorting, grouping, and organizing project information, including metadata. Stakeholders can collaborate on data-driven design reviews and track installation progress in a cloud-based environment.

Pype

Reduce risk and increase accuracy when creating document turnover packages with Pype. Users can create and review submittal logs, collect closeout documentation, and automate processes that are key to contract compliance and owner satisfaction. Pype uses powerful artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to read project specs and extract action submittals, product data, closeout submittals, tests, and inspections. AI can search project specs for missing requirements.

ProEst

To ensure estimates are accurate, bids are competitive, and projects are profitable, ACC features a powerful cloud-based estimating solution called ProEst. Advanced tools in ProEst combine cost estimating, digital takeoffs, and bid day analysis in a single solution. Every estimating and preconstruction task can be streamlined with accuracy and detail. ProEst also enables stakeholders to work online as one team, sharing information and coordinating project tasks.

Tandem

This cloud-based digital twin platform transforms BIM data into dynamic, data-rich replicas of buildings. With these BIM modeling digital replicas, owners can connect facility data to twins and leverage insights to optimize operations, maintenance, and lifecycle management.

Autodesk Tandem

BIM 360

“BIM 360” is an official Autodesk registered brand, and the product line still contains multiple modules and products used during design, preconstruction, construction, commissioning, and handover.

The major BIM 360 options are:

• BIM 360 Docs
• BIM Collaborate Pro (replaced BIM 360 Design)
• BIM Collaborate (replaced both BIM 360 Coordinate and BIM 360 Glue)
• BIM 360 Build

Classic versions of BIM 360 Field, Glue, Team, Layout, Plan, and Ops are still in use but not available under product services for new activations.

BIM 360 has best-in-class BIM interoperability and synchronization with Autodesk Advance Steel, which continues to be an important feature. Steel designers and detailers can export/import or synchronize Advance Steel models with Advance Design. So they can apply loads and code check or optimize the steel sections, even at the preliminary stages of the project before engineers get involved.

New Revit models in any version after 2020 can be workshared to either a BIM 360 or ACC project.

Features:

• Transfer of EC3 steel connections type from Advance Steel (AS) to Graitec Advance Design (AD) FEA/FEM software.
• Easy section mapping.
• Accurate model mapping and fast multiple synchronization through extensive capabilities.
• Transfer of options on elements: rotation, eccentricity, offset.
• Transferability of compound cross-sections from AS to AD.
• Seamless transfer of geometry and parameters of compound sections.
• Converting foundations to supports: Foundations modeled in AS are automatically converted to supports in AD.
• Same philosophy of modeling – no nodes, only objects.