Autodesk Docs - Back to Basics

Drawing Compare

The first feature to highlight is the drawing compare tool. This will compare 2 versions of any of your drawings and works on PDF and DWG files. Simply select the 2 versions you want to compare and let Docs do the rest. This is invaluable in understanding changes to drawings before approving and releasing for, say construction. 

Each change is highlighted in the viewer, and you switch between overlay and side-by-side modes. 

Model Compare

Next up is Model compare, and here Autodesk Docs excels, highlighting changes in both geometry and information (properties). Before you faint at the thought of displaying hundreds and hundreds of changes, each type of change and object category can be isolated to help you visualise specific areas of interest. There is also an export tool that will create a .csv file listing all the changes in the model.

Naming Standard Enforcement

The naming standard feature in Autodesk Docs will verify the name of any file you upload; you can even specify specifically which folders to monitor, leaving you free to create quick sketches and draft documents easily, then name them correctly as you transfer them to a monitored folder. 

In addition, you can include other metadata in your standard, such as status code, classification, revision. 

Autodesk Docs will then present these attributes as filters, which can then be saved for future use.

Approval Workflows

 Want a simple and effective way of reviewing drawings prior to issue? Autodesk Docs features configurable approval workflows, allowing drawings (or any file, in fact) to be passed through an approval procedure to ensure completeness and correctness before being issued externally – the review status is displayed as standard, to help avoid drawings being issued without approval. 

Bridge

 Finally, but by no means least, Bridge will allow the sharing of files between different projects and even different accounts. What’s more, these transfers can be automated so that any new files stored in specific folders are immediately shared to their destination project.

These are some of the highlights (for me) of Autodesk Docs, but there are many more great features included with your AEC Collections. I have noted a few more below, just for the record. 

Other Features of Autodesk Docs 

• Direct editing of office documents (with a Microsoft 365 subscription) 
• Work on AutoCAD and Revit files through Autodesk Desktop Connector 
• Integration with Autodesk Sheet Set Manager 

Symetri can provide training and consultancy services to ensure that you are getting the very best out of your Autodesk Software. Book a free 30-minute appointment with one of our consultants today.

Author

Johnathan Ward

From a background in both the construction and manufacturing industries, Johnathan has gained a detailed working knowledge of both the processes and workflow methodologies employed in achieving the optimum operational performance.