The Model Derivative API is not just meant for translating files to a viewing file format (the 'SVF' file ) and loading the model for viewing. In this class, we will provide you with deeper understanding of the Model Derivative API, it's feature set and capabilities. We will cover the range of file formats that are available for translation; how to extract metadata from a model; and how geometry can be extracted from model data for developing a variety of custom Forge applications. This will be followed by demonstrating a use case developed by one of our Forge customers. The class will show side by side samples of C# and Node.js.

The new Data Exchange service helps you unlock your data and gives you the flexibility to share the right data with the right stakeholders at the right time. Its flexible and powerful API allows you to access the granular data in exchanges and, given the structure of the data, it is also possible to quickly identify and get the difference between the versions of a shared data subset. In this class, we’ll have an overview of the concepts used by the Data Exchange to describe the data structure, and we’ll work with these concepts to explain how the data’s organized within an exchange container. We’ll discuss the current capabilities of the Data Exchange API as well as some future functionalities. Given its current capabilities, we’ll go through some workflows that best suit its use. To be fair, we’ll also see some cases where it might not be the right solution, and compare it with other APIs like the Model Derivative API, the BIM 360 API, and Autodesk Forma Model Properties API.

This session will present a platform built through vibe coding using Autodesk Platform Services APIs, Autodesk Forma (formerly Autodesk Construction Cloud), and AI code generation to automate the full data validation cycle for Civil 3D models. The platform pulls files from Forma, extracts metadata via the Model Derivative API, and ingests project requirement PDFs. An AI layer converts PDFs into structured validation rules, then runs them against the model to produce a detailed conformity report, flagging gaps, mismatches, and missing attributes without manual checks. The session will also cover key lessons from development, AI-driven architecture, and real-world use cases showing practical impact at scale.

The Web world has changed. Now that all the most popular web browsers support WebGL, 3D on the web is a reality. With this Lab, Full Stack web developers who also are 3D enthusiasts  will be able to create interactive web application and also get a head start to VR apps. The Forge Model Derivative API and zero-client Viewer allow developers to create interactive websites for all kinds of different markets where 3D CAD interaction could be added, and also full access to the metadata becomes available. This is a workshop on how to set up a Node.js server and client-side JS code to display and interact with any filename extension 3D model (CAD) using Forge - View and Data API. I will guide attendees through the entire process of building a simple application, including writing a node.js server, use of npm, hosting the web application and interacting with the 3D model by running different viewer JS extensions. This session features Forge.

Model Context Protocol (MCP) is the layer that lets AI agents access Autodesk tools, data, and APIs through a standardized interface. The firms building this infrastructure today will define the standard not just use it. This session will go deep on three production MCP servers: revitDeploymentMCP (CI/CD pipeline as four AI-callable tools), a Dynamo MCP server (exposing Dynamo scripts for AI orchestration), and an Autodesk Platform Services Data Pipeline server (chaining the Model Derivative API, the Data Management API, and the Design Automation API without auth failures or silent webhook drops). Each server is examined at the architecture, implementation, and deployment levels. You'll receive complete implementation patterns for all three.

This class will help you kick start and accelerate your development on the Forge platform by demonstrating best practice workflows and tips & tricks for managing REST API calls and consuming JSON data. Examples will include uses of the Model Derivative API, Data Management API (including accessing data in BIM 360 Docs), Authentication API and Design Automation API. Prior knowledge in Web and Cloud development is recommended.  

Is this the end of the proprietary file format? The Forge Platform Model Derivative API enables you to easily translate your design files to different formats, and extract data from those files for use almost anywhere. In this class, we will introduce these APIs by walking you through a series of sample code demonstrations. This session features Forge and Fusion 360.

The Model Properties and Data Exchange APIs are recent additions to Autodesk Forge. They allow us to access design data in a more controlled manner, such as by filtering, searching, and comparing models between versions. Instead of sending the entire model, you can select only the portion that your collaborator needs. Together with the Model Derivative API and the Design Automation API, we now have more options to access design data. However, can you tell which one to use for your specific needs? Do you know differences among those APIs? In this session, we’ll introduce you to the Model Properties and Data Exchange APIs. We’ll then compare various options we have to access design data. We’ll show the examples of use cases, and discuss potential application areas that weren’t possible until now.

Viewing 3D models on a webpage or in a mobile App is great, but visualizing design data isn’t just about meshes and textures. In this class we will show you how to use your JavaScript skills to turn the Forge Viewer into a powerful visual reporting tool, giving you access to valuable data associated with each model extracted from the original design file. Connecting your viewing application to external databases and Web APIs to add even richer visualization experience. We will take that a step further by using Forge Model Derivative API: a unique REST API that gives you the ability to access metadata of your designs, download viewable packages or export to various CAD formats. This session features Forge. AIA Approved

Your Building Information Modeling (BIM) data increases significantly in value the more you make use of it. Cloud-based technologies make this extremely easy. We explore how to connect the desktop and the cloud to make any BIM data you choose available to anyone you choose, including optional round-trip real-time editing of selected properties and features. This class discusses extracting information from your Revit Models, enhancing Collaboration for Revit workflows, new additions to the growing suite of The Building Coder desktop-BIM-cloud samples, AEC related Forge APIs such as the Viewer and the Model Derivative API. The latter enables easy translation of design files to different formats and extracting data from them to use almost anywhere. Using demonstrations and dissections of sample applications, we show how these programming tools can easily and vastly enhance your BIM workflows. This is an advanced class for experienced programmers. This session features Revit and Forge. AIA Approved

A long-awaited design automation for Revit (DA4R) has finally arrived! Currently, DA4R is available to general public as a beta. Using DA4R, you can create, edit, and extract Revit models through the Revit API without having the Revit desktop environment. For example, you can create a model automatically by entering parameters, check if certain design criteria are met and create a report, and automatically modify the model. It is also possible to extract model data which was not possible with Forge Model Derivative API only. In this session, we will introduce DA4R to those who have experience writing Revit add-ins and are interested in learning Forge. You will learn how to convert your existing Revit add-ins to run in the cloud, and get started with leveraging Forge services (for example, integrating with viewer and BIM 360).

There are a variety of formats that the Forge viewer supports. The Model Derivative API enables translation of more than 60 different types of source file formats. Yet, there is one format ubiquitous in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry that does not find its place in the list—RFA. There could be various ways to visualize RFA files in the viewer; the most common is: conversion to a format that's supported by Forge, though it's not the fastest or most effective. In this class, we'll look at a workflow that can help developers optimize up to 90% of their Forge credits usage. Accomplishing this requires building a headless Revit plug-in using the Revit API, preparing it for the Design Automation API, processing the outputs using the Model Derivative API, and finally rendering individual Revit families in the viewer. We'll also look at how we can give end users the ability to switch between multiple family types, as well as access the Instance and Type parameters directly in the Forge Viewer.

The construction industry is currently facing a gap between the digital tools for field management and ERP (enterprise resource planning) in office. Although we've started using Building Information Modeling (BIM) and field apps for collaboration, data still remains siloed and fragmented, which leads to cost overruns and time delays. This class will cover how to use the Forge platform and the BIM 360 API to generate construction schedule and quantity takeoff for project controls and predictive analytics. Using model derivative API, we'll show you how you can generate schedule, quantity takeoff, or map with existing data instantly. You will learn how to compare cost and time impact. Learn how you can use BIM on the job site through easy-to-use mobile interface to exchange data about quantities, quality, manpower, and progress-and visualize it in a 4D and 5D environment. Finally, learn how you can apply predictive analytics to generate accurate schedule and cost estimation, and get early actionable insights into cost overruns and time delays.

This class will introduce the Forge platform from the perspective of an early adopter – starting with business aspects, paradigm shift, cloud concepts, and the future of Autodesk cloud platform strategy. We will cover some of the technical challenges with web programming from the perspective of someone migrating from a desktop programming environment to the cloud, and discuss how to overcome them. We will then walk through some simple yet representative code samples helping you to get started with the Forge platform through the Viewer, Model Derivative API and Design Automation APIs. This session features Forge. AIA Approved

Take your Forge applications to the next level with the newly introduced Forge Webhooks API. Webhooks are an industry standard mechanism for subscribing to 'event notifications', allowing you to streamline and simplify your Forge workflows and leverage leading integration services such as Jitterbit, Zapier and Mulesoft. In this class we'll show you everything you need to get started with this simple but powerful tool.

Hear from customers and Autodesk about how Autodesk Forge Data is solving problems! In this panel session, several experts will share thoughts about how various industries are using Autodesk Forge Data to tackle tough problems—from sustainability initiatives to solving problems in architecture, engineering, construction, and manufacturing spaces. With the introduction of the Autodesk Forge Model Derivative API several years ago, we’ve seen the emergence of new solutions to old problems. This centralized access to design data via the cloud has driven many customer-centered workflows. We’ll discuss these workflows, talk about some new workflows that Fusion Data and Data Exchanges enable, and also answer questions about the future of cloud information models that Autodesk is developing. We’ll have three customers and two Autodesk experts on hand to bring to light the power of the platform!

Last year we brought you “Tips, Tricks, and the Future for Forge Model Derivative Services.” We’re bringing even more goodies to this year’s presentation. We will include more details around the Revit flag to generate rooms and spaces for viewing. We will cover how you can use the model derivative data to do model version comparison. Finally, again we will preview some of the coming features in Model Derivative Service, including the improved SVF2 Forge Viewer format.

Is your organization using BIM (Building Information Modeling) but still stuck consuming and developing desktop-based apps and unsure of how to make the move to the cloud? This class will guide you through the journey of more than three years of challenges, changing the mindset from developing single-user desktop-based BIM solutions to a more collaborative and inclusive cloud-based environment. Learn how our team overcame difficult decisions, and how Forge empowered our business to develop feature-rich apps with less effort. We will go beyond tutorials and getting-started guides to explore how you and your team can take similar steps and build a pathway to port your existing solutions to run off-premises, just like Autodesk did. We will take a tour of several Forge APIs—OAuth, Data Management, Model Derivative, and Design Automation—to build applications that are ready for this new era of automation and collaboration.

How about taking the value from your intelligent models (building options, phasing, equipment placement) from preconstruction to the jobsite? And how about grabbing jobsite information (execution dates, consumed materials, purchase orders) to enrich your intelligent models? This is now all possible with easy deployment and no extra cost using connected Revit models thanks to the Forge platform and the Revit API. Some of the key features include: a custom user interface that fits exactly the jobsite needs (quick filters, interactive visual reports); the ability to monitor the progress of construction work with a 4D visualization experience and a calendar module; and input forms and a back-end database to collect the real execution data. This class is the story of how Vinci Construction and Autodesk Consulting have developed a Forge prototype that meets all of the above criteria. We will expose the workflow and demonstrate how we capitalized on the different API functionalities in Revit software and Forge, coupled with BIM 360 Docs software.

Manufacturing companies have a headache about visualising their designs. They need to revise their printed catalogues as their designs get changed. What if there is an automated way to overcome this obstacle? In this class, we will be presenting you solution to have a fully automated 3d catalogue using Autodesk Vault, Inventor and Forge. Learn how to leverage Robotic Process Automation to create dynamic data on your own website.