Agentic and Agent-based AI

Over the last two years, AI technology at AIA24 and AIA25 has steadily matured, and we saw many AI solutions last year. However, this year, AI and automation were scaled up a notch. In particular, we are beginning to see Anthropic’s MCP (model context protocol) technology rolling out across product solutions and agentic AI technologies that orchestrate data and workflows. This is different than AI that simply finds information for you, whether about your application or data out on the internet.

Model Context Protocol

For clarity, Model Context Protocol (MCP) is closely tied to agentic AI, but the MCP standard is an infrastructure protocol, not an autonomous AI agent itself. Think of it as plumbing. In fact, the popular analogy for MCP is “USB-C for AI.” Tools that now support MCP are becoming numerous in AEC. Two key ones were awarded Architosh’s AIA26 BEST of SHOW honors yesterday. (see, Architosh: “AIA26: Architosh 12th ‘BEST of SHOW’ honors for digital technologies at AIA San Diego,” 22 June 2026)

MCP by itself doesn’t really do much. You need an AI architecture that can orchestrate the core software system and manage the AI’s state, controls, and logic flow. Such systems instruct the software on what step to take next. So we are seeing Anthropic’s Claude AI technology now connected to software systems like SketchUp and Bluebeam Max to do very useful kinds of things that normally take a considerable amount of time to do the old human-only way. Claude is used as a natural language user interface (NLUI) and can speak to the software and get work done.

SketchUp’s new Claude integration brings generative AI modeling to the popular 3D modeling platform.

In SketchUp’s case, it can create (model) 3D objects directly inside SketchUp. In Bluebeam Max’s case, Claude can produce Revu commands such as batch operations, batch search, highlight, and a whole lot more. Both of these tools were highlights of AIA26 San Diego this year.

Other solutions have chat-based palettes built directly into their interfaces. This is becoming table stakes for software in the age of AI. These solutions are often called “co-pilots” or “agent-driven UIs”. They don’t just answer questions about the software; the AI itself has an execution layer and can map natural-language intent directly into function-system operations. We discussed this intently in our recent feature on ARES 2026 software, where it was possible to talk your way into having the CAD and BIM software actually draw things for you, or create layers within your file, following your textual direction. (see, Architosh: “ARES 2027 Deep Dive: AI, Automation and BIM-to-DWG Workflows,” 5 May 2026). We also discussed this particular feature during an online event.

While CAD tools like ARES 2027 are nearly a full release cycle ahead of many CAD and BIM solutions in the industry in terms of this kind of AI capability, we are starting to see solutions like SketchUp, with its Claude integration, leverage AI automation to make work happen in a similar way. Basically, let AI drive the software and produce work for you.

So you may ask: what is the benefit of having AI drive the software in the same vein as having your Tesla drive itself?

The answer depends, but usually, if something is extremely repetitive, the AI can do it much faster. Or, if the task is quite complex and would require advanced skills in software you don’t have, the speed-up could be massive or even infinite, since you can’t actually do it at all. If you can’t model the Space Shuttle inside of AutoCAD or ARES, but you can use ARES’ AI tools to create it for you, the AI didn’t just save time; the AI made it possible for you.

Automation Matters Also

Not all the buzz in the AEC industry software involves artificial intelligence (AI). There are many ways general automation can occur without LLMs or agentic AI. With the new BIM 2.0 software tools, their data-centric workflows and API interconnections mean that data from tools like Arcol can stream directly into other solutions and data types via API linkages.

Arcol is showing its new integration of spreadsheets that can be bi-directionally synced with Excel files. This feature was highly requested by general construction and development companies so they could link building metrics with their own cost data.

As part of Arcol’s embrace of the construction industry (it is still focused on architects as well), the BIM 2.0 company added interconnections to spreadsheets (Excel) so that early-stage designs can be paired with cost data from large general contractors doing real estate development.

BIM 2.5?

We often write about BIM 2.0. But originally BIM 2.0 didn’t begin with AI in mind like we currently are thinking about AI. When firms like Spacemaker.AI (now Forma), Digital Bluefoam, TestFit, Arcol, and Snaptrude began their journey, it happened before the OpenAI explosion, and the public had no idea about such AI tools yet. But now that we are on the other side of this critical invention, what if someone built an AEC software ecosystem with agentic AI in its DNA from the ground up?

Newcomer (neoBIM), with its buildingOS system, is doing exactly that.

NeoBIM GmbH is a new German AEC software company aiming to reshape the industry with the industry’s first AI-native ground-up software ecosystem architecture. The company and its buildingOS system have several discrete tools so far, including a TestFit-like early-stage planning tool called Gen.

NeoBIM has a new AI-centric application system architecture for the complete building lifecycle, from early site test fits (shown above) to post-occupancy digital twins. The German software firm’s founder is Moritz Luck, who was co-founder and GEO of Enscape and is also the founding partner of SilverScale Capital. Their demonstrations at AIA26 were impressive, and so NeoBIM GmbH is definitely a company on our radar this year, and we look forward to learning more about what they are doing.

The post AIA26: AI and Automation Shine in San Diego—Some Highlights appeared first on Architosh.

Architosh BOS

This is our 12th year of judging what we saw at AIA as “BEST of SHOW.” These honors are aimed at directing our global readers’ attention to both interesting newcomer applications and critical trends that impact technology adoption. On this last note, the history of our selections for these honors is notable. Put another way, if our AIA BEST of SHOW were investment picks, Pete Evans and I would have done exceptionally well, financially.

Just a few representative examples include Gehry Technologies’ GTeam (winner in 2013), which was later acquired by Trimble and is now Trimble Connect. Then there was IrisVR (winner in 2015), which merged with The Wild and was later acquired by Autodesk. We can say similar things about some smaller companies, which, perhaps not acquired (or recently acquired), have grown into powerhouse brands in AEC.

Honors and Prizes

For this year’s announcements, we are going to jump directly into the winners and write about our award categories, criteria, and thematic issues at the end of this article. We also always publish a “Perspectives” companion feature, but last year we switched that to a recorded discussion (video). Look for a forthcoming piece.

So let’s focus on the honorees. Without further ado.

Congratulations to the 2026 Architosh AIA ‘BEST of SHOW’ honorees!

BEST of SHOW — EMERGENT TECHNOLOGY Category

Winner: SketchUp (w/ Claude integration)

Trimble SketchUp has long been the standard for easy conceptual modeling in the early stages of design. Contractors also gravitated to this platform as it offered rapid visualization, which could be used for 4D visualizations and project realization. “This year, SketchUp transforms its accessible capabilities into a built-in, real-time collaboration space for teams and clients, a cloud-connected, multi-user workflow focused on the middle of the project delivery,” says Pete Evans, AIA, senior associate editor, Architosh. “It builds on its legacy of ease-of-use with an in-app chatbot for workflow assistance that can also generate 3D objects from text prompts and images, and likewise generate photorealistic images from models and text prompts.” 

More radically, it also introduced its first (Trimble-based) MCP connector, the “SketchUp Connector for Claude,” to open AI workflows more widely to vibe modeling. Pete Evans, AIA, Architosh, notes, “This multi-pronged AI approach includes a built-in intelligent core, but complements that with open, interoperable workflows and ease-of-use that SketchUp has forever been famous for by opening up and staying at the forefront of AI capabilities.” This is on top of other new features now built into the core of SketchUp, like the Analysis Hub and Lab tools, with specialized extensions such as Daylight analysis, which provides daylight metrics, illuminance data, heatmaps, and “right-of-light” submission capabilities. Live components also added more parametric-like capabilities for more powerful modeling alongside powerful cloud collaboration as part of its 2026 release. “At the heart of our decision to place this in the emergent technology winner category is the agentic AI interface with Anthropic’s Claude,” adds Anthony Frausto-Robledo, AIA, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Architosh. “MCP and agentic AI workflows embedded into popular industry tools today are at the very heart of what is critically emergent in AEC tech in 2026.” 

Winner: Bluebeam Max

A mainstay in the AEC/O industry gained a new superpower thanks to agentic AI, coupled with both acquired and in-house-developed AI capabilities, in Bluebeam Max. “There are several different AI technologies in the Bluebeam Max product offering, but the Claude integration with the integral MCP server in Revu is the tech that has users exceptionally excited,” says Anthony Frausto-Robledo, AIA, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Architosh. “Bluebeam Revu workflows in AEC are naturally highly repetitive, so Claude’s ability to automate these functions is a force multiplier in efficiencies. Moreover, the Smart Review AI features are already being used by GCs to find discrepancies in drawings within a day, which typically reveal themselves slowly over many weeks or months during the construction phase. As a result, it behooves AE professionals to deploy Bluebeam Max as part of their workflow prior to releasing drawings for bid or construction, so they find these errors first.”

Criteria Notes: The novelty of MCP with AI orchestrators like Anthropic’s Claude showcases a dramatic shift in how architects can work with existing desktop-era tools like SketchUp and Bluebeam, enabling users to experience a tremendous speed-up in software workflows. AI can request specific tools or data “on-the-fly” based on evolving tasks rather than operating on a pre-defined set of constraints. Claude powers both tools, revealing just the beginning of agentic AI’s capabilities. This speaks to our emergent technology award category at multiple levels, representing both convergence and a thematic change for practice. 

BEST of SHOW — INNOVATION Category

Winner: Kestrel Labs

“Kestrel Labs’ new compliance platform focused on building codes was one of AIA26 San Diego’s biggest highlights with respect to digital tools,” says Anthony Frausto-Robledo, AIA, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Architosh. “While other AI code tools exist, Kestrel’s solution puts their compliance engine directly inside the design and documentation environment, whilst also having an intelligent web-based code analysis space for its users.”

An added unique feature of Kestrel’s strategy and implementation is the notion that your project’s “code work” moves with the project through different tools over different phases of the project’s lifecycle. While not all of this is available today, as Kestrel develops its solution for tools like SketchUp next and other BIMs, this unique feature will benefit its users. “Kestrel’s implementation is also particularly strong for a new application,” adds Frausto-Robledo, AIA, Architosh, “with a visually appealing GUI and brand identity that speaks to architects in a similar way that Monograph’s award-winning app does as well. “Every few years, maybe around every five, a brand new tool comes out that really has the ability to capture a critical beachhead—that Omaha Beach moment—where we just know a tool and its strategy is super strong and will have rapid success. We believe Kestrel is that,” adds Frausto-Robledo. 

Criteria Notes: Innovation winners often herald “new directions” in digital technologies often solving age-old pain points. Kestrel’s AI-powered compliance platform is a rather textbook example. The quality of attack on addressing code review in practice is particularly impressive, as is its implementation at version 1.0

BEST of SHOW — BIM Category

Winner: Arcol

Arcol short-circuited development by deeply connecting to Rhino3D instead of developing its own complex geometry engine. Today, this is a live feature in Arcol’s second year at the AIA conference. (Arcol won this award last year.) Arcol embeds live Rhino3D geometry in its modeling environment, where, if changed (remotely), it is continuously updated as native Arcol geometry within the data-rich collaborative web environment. Pete Evans, AIA, Architosh says, “Adding Rhino as a live, two-way directional bridge allows a new, very strong accelerator to data-rich modeling form that is unlimited.” Another distinct area of acceleration is in its tables and boards for team members beyond presentation. Specific data tables can be “soft time-stamped” to hold a state for a specific view, but they can be updated while still connected to the underlying project data.

This provides a contractor, for instance, with a more static view of a table that doesn’t dynamically change with model updates. This table can then be updated, but this clear communication shifts from static versioning and archiving, as in today’s practice, to an Arcol project that contains a live, data-rich core and narrative from start to end for continuous updates and shared decision-making. “We also like how Arcol, as both a company and a BIM 2.0 application, is gaining traction in the market with large general contractors and real estate developers,” adds Frausto-Robledo, AIA, “as this indexes Arcol’s stated goal of creating a BIM 2.0 application for the entirety of the industry and not just architects.” Finally, the company’s goal for agentic AI “agents” operating with IP knowledge from various industry leaders working alongside human designers is a compelling future vision. “This future aspect of the app isn’t factored into our award decision,” adds Pete Evans, AIA, “but it sharpens our watch on what we believe is the market forerunner on BIM 2.0 outside of Autodesk’s own similar tools.”

Criteria Notes:  While the BIM category winner can be new or old, Arcol (as a 2nd-year “Best of Show” winner) continues to rapidly expand its BIM capabilities and attack multiple pain points with its novel approach, and underpins that power with a full embrace of future agentic BIM (see notes below). Critically, this release includes Arcol’s ability to solve a critical pain point in advanced modeling integration with Rhino 3D, plus its worksheet functionality (bi-directional linking to Excel files like xRefs) to address the needs of large GCs (and we know of several as early customers), addressing longstanding cost-control issues in the AEC industry, by bringing these cost management functions up to the front of the process. 

The ability to corral multiple AI agents for its early-phase design includes costing, zoning, and structural agents, with a perspective that builds on the core real-time collaborative nature of Arcol. “Intelligent by default” positions Agentic BIM as a massive shift in the Macleamy curve itself, enabling a collaborative jumpstart with buildable information in a radically shorter timeframe.

BEST of SHOW —  CLOUD Category

Winner: Morpholio Trace

“Morpholio Trace has always been a special tool in the AEC universe,” says Frausto-Robledo, AIA, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Architosh. “But a tight integration with this particular BIM authoring tool (Vectorworks) seems like the perfect match-up that will yield special advantages for both Vectorworks users and established Morpholio users.” While the sister brand Vectorworks acquired Morpholio, we don’t see Morpholio staying connected only to Vectorworks in the long term. “In addition to bringing the sketching-thinking process closer to an advanced BIM tool—where there are so many layers of interaction opportunities—Morpholio can serve as the ultimate first step to sketch-to AI-rendering and animation,” adds Frausto-Robledo, AIA.

Strategically, Morpholio Trace is a significant net benefit to the entire Nemetschek Group because sketch-to-AI visualization workflows are currently the highest accelerators in the industry. “Nothing in AEC is currently moving faster than AI-based rendering, and nothing is better to steer and control this kind of AI rendering than using a pen and digital paper,” says Frausto-Robledo, AIA. “Given that Nemetschek also owns Maxon with its rekindled interest in archviz, the next steps for where to take Morpholio Trace seem super obvious to me.”

Criteria Notes: Cloud-first and mobile-first solutions are those that drive at full utilization and maturing cloud-to-mobile or cloud-to-web tech stacks. Morpholio, with its new integrations with Vectorworks’s hybrid CAD/BIM environment, seems like it has found its ultimate dance partner. Morpholio Trace is strategically positioned to converge with AI visualization, and its underlying sketching environment is poised to drive such workflows. In the meantime, Morpholio Trace has so much to offer to the sketch-to-BIM concept at Vectorworks. 

BEST of SHOW —  VISUALIZATION Category

Winner: Chaos Veras

Chaos Veras 4.0 introduced a new AI rendering engine powered by Google’s Nano Banana Pro, which improved geometry fidelity, material realism, and lighting accuracy. Accuracy improvements were alongside reduced image artifacting and “AI hallucinations.” This creates better control and precision for both image generation from reference sketches or prompts, but also using a model as the underlying design to create more valid visual results. New capabilities also introduced 2D to 3D visualization with floor plans to generate spatial renderings and the ability to construct multiple perspectives from an initial view, without rebuilding geometry. Animation is also a new capability from a static image while controlling camera motion, animated entourage such as cars and people, time of day, and different weather conditions. Pete Evans, AIA, noted, “Veras is a whole new level of storytelling that invites more technically-based architects as well as non-technical designers, such as an office principal, to a new, rapid visual idea layer for interactive project visualization.

Veras radically reduces the need for a technically accurate, time-consuming 3D model during early-stage ideation. This frees up valuable resources for creative visual iteration and communication.” “The time-savings and yield advantages of AI rendering tools like Veras are major force multipliers in practice,” adds Frausto-Robledo, AIA. “While there are numerous options in the market, we see future advantages of Veras being a part of Chaos beyond just its integration with all of Chaos’ tools.”

Criteria Notes: Chaos continues to challenge and transform the way architects approach the visual landscape of architectural visualization. The release of Veras 4.0 this year presented significant and compelling materials for seeing architecture in unprecedented ways. This tool’s advancement easily meets the criteria for this category (see below), especially in implementation quality and the acceleration of solution quality. 

BEST of SHOW — The Economics Prize

Winner:  Chaos Veras

The Economics Prize is awarded to solutions that reflect substantial process improvements even through “creative destruction.” Chaos Veras is a leading mature AI visualization tool in the industry, Uber-izing a known process: photo-realistic 3D renderings and animations. “While Veras is a worthy winner of the Economics prize for the sheer speed-up of its abilities to produce useful visuals deployable to different purposes in the design communication process, it is also disruptive to established archviz professionals who have painstakingly developed advanced visualization and animation skillsets,” says Anthony Frausto-Robledo, AIA, Architosh. Architects today are finding Veras a force multiplier for securing client buy-in and for design exploration prior to it. “It’s not hard to see why Veras, and tools like it, are so incredibly popular,” adds Frausto-Robledo, AIA. “They accelerate both sides of the visualization coin: the part that helps us design as architects and the part that helps us sell our ideas to our clients.” 

Criteria Notes: Veras delivers sizable process improvements to a common industry deliverable: photorealistic renderings. The “Uber-ization” part of our comments relates to the accessibility of what Veras produces and the three-point superiority factors: cost, speed, and quality. The cost of final images is multiple times lower; the output speed (via the process) is multiple times faster than traditional rendering; and the quality is solid and fit for purpose.

Award Categories and Criteria

Our award categories are designed to be broad and flexible, enabling us to honorably note a product across multiple categories if warranted.

• Emergent Technology (emTech) Category Award — acknowledges industry potential for novel or bleeding-edge technology implementations that will offer “thematic” change for practice or create convergent technology paths and drive synergistic directions for the industry.
• Innovation Category Award — acknowledges the “most promising” companies and products that are heralding innovative “new directions” in AEC software or hardware technologies, as measured by: (a) implementation quality, (b) acceleration of quality of solution, (c) quality of attack on addressing “pain points” in practice, and (d) fitting convergent technology paths and driving at synergistic directions for the industry.
• BIM Category Award — acknowledges both new or mature companies and products serving the “BIM workflow” industry transformation, touching down at any segment of the MacLeamy Curve where value gets added, as measured by: (a) implementation quality, (b) acceleration of quality of solution, (c) quality of attack on addressing “pain points” in BIM workflows, (d) adoption, extension and commitment to Open BIM philosophies so that data and toolchains are social and democratized to their fullest extent, and (e) fitting convergent technology paths and driving at synergistic directions for the industry.
• Cloud Category Award  — acknowledges technology solutions (software or hardware) driving at full utilization of synergistic and maturing “cloud-to-mobile,” “mobile-to-cloud,” and “cloud-to-web” technology stacks, exhibited or seen at the AIA convention, as measured by: (a) implementation quality and novelty, (b) acceleration of quality of solution, (c) quality of attack on addressing pain-points in AEC, and (d) fitting convergent technology paths and driving at synergistic directions for the industry.
• Visualization Category Award  — acknowledges the “most compelling visualization solutions” and technologies that are “transforming the architect’s workflow,” heralding new ways of seeing architecture for all stakeholders and not just clients, accelerating design optioneering, material, and light discovery, design problem solving, and design collaboration, as measured by: (a) implementation quality, (b) acceleration of quality of solution, including rendering speeds and image qualities, (c) quality of attack at addressing “pain points” in practice, and (d) fitting convergent technology paths and addressing synergist directions in the industry.
• The Economics Prize — reflecting an important shift within the architectural industry to acknowledge the extent of poor economics for architects and a newfound demand for better working conditions and pay, the Economics Prize is awarded to digital technology that shines in the direction of better economics for architects, as measured by: (a) sizeable process improvements to common industry deliverables via creative disruption (ie, Uber-ize a known process), (b) notable value disruption by a vendor via license cost comparison without “bundling,” (c) notable outsized release update delivering exceptional value increase for users, and finally (d) performance capture due to innovative, leading-edge software or hardware solutions.  

Congratulations to the 2026 Architosh AIA ‘BEST of SHOW’ honorees listed below.

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Design Intelligence Strategy

“Building on the Design Intelligence Strategy introduced last year, Graphisoft is unifying key components into a single, cloud-native platform that extends from feasibility studies to detailed BIM and lifecycle collaboration,” said Márton Kiss, Chief Product Officer, Design Division & Graphisoft. “This next step reinforces our mission to deliver an intuitive, data‑driven design experience that helps architects and engineers focus on how buildings should be built, not just how they can be built.”

Advancing Open Collaboration

Graphisoft notes in its press materials that the global construction industry experiences an annual USD 2.1 trillion loss each year due to project overruns and delays. In response to this waste and inefficiency, Graphisoft has announced that the Nemetschek Group is developing what it calls an “open collaboration fabric” of the Nemetschek Group design ecosystem, one that is more broadly open to the greater AEC industry than anything currently offered elsewhere.

Design Intelligence Platform showing carbon analysis on a conceptual tower building in a city. See our discussion below on Previewing AI-Assisted Design.

To address roadblocks, cost overruns, broken handovers, misalignment, and miscommunication, the Design Intelligence technologies will synchronize models, documents, issues, and decisions across Graphisoft solutions and the broader Nemetschek portfolio while robustly supporting standards such as IFC (Industry Foundation Classes), BCF (BIM Collaboration Format), PDF, DWG, and RVT (Revit). The solution, due in early 2026, will be a browser-based, multidisciplinary collaboration environment that brings architects, engineers, builders, owners, and operators into a common single source of truth.

“Our goal is simple,” said Sylwester Pawluk, VP, Product Management – Collaboration, Graphisoft and Nemetschek Group. “To offer the AEC industry a truly open alternative — one that is trustworthy and accessible for everyone. This is the open collaboration layer our entire industry has been missing.”

Previewing AI-Assisted Design

Also in development is a next-generation, web-based design intelligence platform that is infused with AI-driven workflows and integrated simulations to help design teams make smarter decisions with greater impact on the project earlier in the design-build process.

Users will be able to explore hundreds of massing, layout, and building performance scenarios in seconds, all while keeping project stakeholders aligned in a shared, browser-based workspace, without requiring BIM expertise. This design intelligence platform (which will have an exciting name, Graphisoft executives tell Architosh) is being developed to scale across the Nemetschek Group and its solutions, with AI-assisted solutions planned for early access in October.

Márton Kiss, Chief Product Officer, Design Division & Graphisoft, stated:

Readers interested in gaining a further peek into Graphisoft’s Design Intelligence Strategy can do so at this link. And we provide additional contextual oversight below.

Archicad—Autodesk Forma Connection

In other critical news from AIA26 San Diego, Graphisoft also announced its new Archicad—Autodesk Forma Connection, coming this month (June). This connection enables Archicad to fully participate in the Autodesk Forma CDE (common data environment), formerly known as Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) and BIM Collaborate Pro. (see, Architosh: “Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) is now Autodesk Forma,” 31 Mar 2026).

A view of Archicad with its AI Assistant providing assistance to the user.

Graphisoft is also building its AI portfolio, including its new AI Assistant and AI Visualizer, plus additional upcoming AI services built on the common platform described above. In fact, AI is a core pillar of the Design Intelligence Strategy, and readers can learn more about that here.

Architosh Analysis & Commentary

It is important to clarify that this combined Graphisoft press statement timed for AIA26 is saying essentially two things. First, what was last year called “Project Aurora” is now simply Graphisoft’s “design intelligence platform,” a web-browser-based cloud software system akin to other BIM 2.0 systems with differences, of course. The design intelligence platform (DIP) helps with design intent exploration, including site potential or test-fitting, space planning, sustainability (energy impacts of early-stage design modeling and layouts), plus cost/time impacts from an early-stage looking forward. 

The second thing announced was the “design intelligence strategy,” which is exactly what it sounds like: a strategy to link together Graphisoft and Nemetschek tools with an open BIM model framework supporting wide data exchange via APIs and MCPs across portfolios. This means native BIM connectors (see below) and the synchronization of data with 2nd and 3rd party clouds, such as the newest (and certainly not the last) Autodesk Forma.

Design Intelligence Platform showing planning and unit modeling workflows.

This “design intelligence platform” is just one component area of the larger Graphisoft – Nemetschek Group design intelligence strategy discussed above. Starting with Agentic workflows (AI embedded in all products), project intelligence, generative design, optioneering, quality checking, and simulations (all BIM 2.0 characteristics) feed into the project as it advances from these new cloud-based tools into Graphisoft’s and the Nemetschek Group’s older desktop era tools like Archicad. Importantly, the Nemetschek Group’s ecosystem strategy includes modernizing its portfolio of solutions to include updated APIs and MCP (model context protocol) for interoperability with modern data and AI workflows. This means that projects may begin in the design intelligence platform (which will have its own new name) and then push out data to Archicad and possibly other Nemetschek solutions.

Furthermore, Nemetschek’s existing desktop-era design tools will have native BIM data connectors. This means they will read each other’s data natively. This is a monumental change from past postures the daughter companies had toward each other. This means that Archicad users can benefit from Vectorworks Landmark’s superb land planning and terrain modeling capabilities, things that Archicad or Revit lack, for example. It also means more streamlined workflows between, say, engineers working in Allplan and RISA and architects working in Archicad or Vectorworks. Moreover, Vectorworks’s new acquisition of Morpholio Trace won’t stay exclusive to Vectorworks long-term. That tool will likely flush out its BIM integration path with Vectorworks users and push those capabilities to Archicad and maybe Allplan users as well. Morpholio—much like Vectorworks Landmark—is too valuable a tool to keep exclusively connected to one daughter company. 

These are just some of the plans and ideas that are both possible and coming when the Nemetschek Group pulls its diverse portfolio of solutions into an intelligent, cloud-native single platform with API and MCP data exchange and native geometry interoperability. When you step back and look at how the Nemetschek Group is now beginning to operate and compare it to its chief rival ecosystem (the world of Autodesk), we see new reflections of each other that echo how the AEC market and its users want to operate. All AEC/O users want better data and geometry model interoperability. They also want “mix and match” streamlined solutions within company ecosystems—something few of the big four AEC software firms truly deliver. This last point is crucial because AEC firms vary widely in size, expertise, building types, and regions. 

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Kestrel raised USD 2.15 million in pre-seed financing from New Stack Ventures, FirstMile Ventures, Denver Ventures, and Avesta Fund.

Kestrel Labs

Kestrel Labs is the first software company to deliver this capability, bringing code compliance natively inside BIM workflows.

Key Takeaways

• Industry-first compliance platform built natively inside BIM authoring tool.
• Introduced first for Autodesk Revit, with SketchUp support coming soon. There is also live Trimble Connect integration
• Compliance analysis is also supplemented with an AI building code assistant available directly inside the plugin palette in Revit or in the web browser

This will give architecture teams the ability to check design elements against jurisdiction-specific code requirements directly inside Revit before drawings reach plan review stages.

Kestrel Labs, shown inside Autodesk Revit, is the AEC industry’s first native BIM compliance platform. With Kestrel, architects can bring building code analysis directly into the BIM authoring environment, where Kestrel’s unique technology works with the data and geometry in the BIM file to discover and instruct on code compliance issues.

Based on data from the Construction Industry Institute, the cost to fix a compliance issue multiplies tenfold at each successive project phase. So what might cost an hour to fix during design can multiply to a week’s worth of time after construction begins. For decades, architects have been navigating a compounding problem, and as senior architects with decades of tacit knowledge about building codes begin to retire, the knowledge transfer that used to happen on the job is beginning to disappear at exactly the same time compliance paths are increasing in complexity.

The Kestrel Platform

The Kestrel Compliance Platform consists of multiple components at this initial launch, including:

• Kestrel Compliance Analysis — One click inside Revit runs a full compliance check in about 30 seconds, with every result tied to the specific model element in question and cited to the exact code section.
• Kestrel Compliance Chat — A built-in AI building code assistant and thought partner that answers project-specific compliance questions in plain language, cited to the exact code section. This AI building code chat assistant is available in both the Revit Kestrel panel and in the web browser.
• Kestrel Portal — A web-based compliance dashboard for project managers and firm leadership with no BIM file required.

Marian Pulford, co-founder and CEO, Kestrel Labs has told Architosh:

“New hires are billable from week one now,” adds Micah Gray, AIA, Director of Technology and Innovation. “There is little runway to sit with a senior architect and transfer twenty years of code knowledge. Kestrel changes that equation. The code is in the model, visible to everyone, and it does not depend on who is in the room. That is not a small thing for a firm that is trying to grow.”

Deep Investor Positivity

“Construction is one of those industries where everyone knows the problem, and nobody has built the infrastructure to fix it,” says Nick Moran, General Partner, New Stack Ventures. “Kestrel came to us with deep domain knowledge, a product already running inside the tools architects use every day, and a data foundation that would take most companies years to assemble. That combination – inside the workflow, grounded in authoritative data, solving a problem the profession has accepted as unsolvable – is exactly what we look for.”

Kestrel Labs in action with the code violation window shown. As you work through the code issues list, Kestrel brings into view the specific BIM element in question.

“We invested in Kestrel because they understand what most AEC companies miss: compliance is not a feature. It is the foundation,” adds Aaron Stachel, Founding Partner, FirstMile Ventures. “Every permit delay, every round of rework, traces to building code issues in the design process. Kestrel fixes that from inside the BIM model. This is not a workflow improvement but a structural shift for the industry, and this team is built to lead that shift.”

Availability and Pricing

Architects can find Kestrel Labs’ solution inside the Autodesk Design & Make Marketplace, the Trimble Connect Marketplace, and soon with added SketchUp integration (coming soon).

Pricing works through a firm-wide annual license. There is no per-seat fees.

• No limits on users, projects, or compliance checks.
• Pricing reflects firm size, project complexity, and jurisdictional scope.
• Charter customers receive preferred pricing and input on the jurisdictional roadmap.

On that last point, Kestrel’s compliance platform intends to expand beyond North America to address code compliance for architects worldwide. In an upcoming Architosh interview feature, both co-founders discuss in detail how Kestrel Labs began, how the origin of its co-founders impacted the solutions they are bringing to market, what core technologies are at play, and numerous other details about Kestrel’s direction moving forward. So look for that upcoming interview feature soon!

To visit Kestrel Labs, go here now.

About Kestrel Labs

Kestrel Labs, located in Denver, Colorado, is the first AI-powered building code compliance platform built natively inside BIM and the first structured compliance data layer for the built environment.

Architosh Analysis and Commentary

This is a technology that should have been embedded in BIM authoring tools years ago, so we are excited to see Kestrel Labs tackle this age-old problem of code compliance and code-checking. Most large architectural offices either have a dedicated code specialist or regularly consult with a code specialist consultant, and there are many around. However, working with code consultants is a different kind of workflow and has limitations. What Kestrel is doing is democratizing code compliance knowledge, which is especially meaningful as we enter the crest of the Baby Boomers wave as they retire over the next decade. When they leave, so does decades of hard-earned tacit knowledge (know-how) about how code compliance works in architecture. Kestrel Labs has arrived just in time for the world of architecture.

The post AIA26: Kestrel Labs — Native BIM Compliance Platform appeared first on Architosh.

Veras is Chaos’s popular AI-powered visualization tool and has been a hit within the larger Archviz professional community, competing against a sea change of new AI visualization platforms. This largely has to do with the integration of AI into the professional Chaos visualization tools that AEC visualization professionals already know and love.

Veras Integration

For years, Chaos’s library of visualization tools has been used from the earliest stages of design through final deliverables, and as the company’s software ecosystem grew, it became increasingly logical to tightly integrate Versa across it.

Key Takeaways

• Chaos is now issuing a single installer for all products, simplifying deployment and installation of Chaos ecosystem products, including Veras. With this comes a more unified licensing toolset.
• There are broad new updates for Enscape, V-Ray, and Corona beyond the Veras integration
• Veras is now deeply integrated across the product range listed above. 

“Our customers have spoken. Tool-hopping and disconnected workflows are burdens to anyone tasked with complex projects,” said Petr Mitev, Vice President of Product Development at Chaos. “Today, our ecosystem begins feeling a whole lot smoother, letting users tap a shared infrastructure, cross-product features, and the most purpose-built AI in the industry. This will speed up any workflow, without sacrificing quality or control.”

Veras is now fully integrated into all Enscape, V-Ray, and Corona renderer solutions.

Veras is highly important to the Chaos ecosystem of visualization tools because with it, designers, architects, and archviz pros can quickly turn hand sketches, 2D images, and 3D models into presentation-ready images and animations far faster than workflows that are missing the AI (artificial intelligence) technologies embedded in Veras.

Whether professionals are working in 3D modelers like SketchUp, Rhino, or 3ds Max, or working in BIM tools like Archicad, Revit, or Vectorworks, they can explore early design ideas, moods, and visualization styles easily when working in Chaos’s rendering tools.

Hybrid Licensing System

Chaos is also introducing a new hybrid-licensing system that adapts to the actual way users want to work. This license works on a new credit system that provides access to cloud rendering and AI services, and users can scale up or down the credits depending on what they actually need.

New ability for light to override materials, rendering example.

“Having AI capabilities integrated directly into our tools has made a big difference to our workflow,” said David Law, BIM Manager for Bellway Homes. “Going from Revit into Enscape with a click, and then into Veras with another click, is far more efficient than opening separate software and moving files around. Any design changes we make are instantly reflected, which keeps the whole process moving smoothly.”

Enscape Updates

As part of this launch, Chaos is also announcing fresh updates for several products, including Enscape. The new features include:

• vEnvision Live Link — Moving scenes from Enscape to Enscape Envision is now a one-click affair, helping users jump into advanced animations without a complex export-import process.
• 2500+ New Chaos Cosmos Assets — Chaos’ massive 3D asset library gains new real-time optimized people, vegetation, accessories and branded assets, making it easier to add AEC-ready entourage to a scene. In addition, a new AI-driven search tool will help users find their “perfect” Cosmos assets in seconds using natural language (also in V-Ray and Corona).
• Chaos Cloud Video Collaboration — New access to remote video collaboration tools connects the design, presentation and feedback process into a visually robust loop.

V-Ray and Corona Updates

• 1000+ New Chaos Cosmos Assets — New archviz-ready assets are available to visualization teams, including new high-quality accessories and furniture.
• Vantage in the Viewport — Chaos real-time rendering engine Vantage is now accessible within the V-Ray viewport, enabling rapid scene exploration and smoother design reviews, even while working with massive, fully ray traced scenes.

Corona-Only Updates

Today, also marks the launch of Corona 15, which will see Chaos’ push-button simple renderer continuing to evolve beyond visualization, as it brings AI ideation, photoreal rendering, and cinematic animation into one intuitive environment.

• Enhanced Material Detail — The new Glints layer simulates the sparkle of small, angled surfaces, making it essential for replicating metallic flakes in car paint, sand and snow.
• Improved Gaussian Splats Blending — Gaussian Splats now accurately bounce Global Illumination light onto 3D models, allowing captured environments to blend naturally into the scene.
• Faster Animation Parsing — Users can now reduce animation render times in 3ds Max, using a smarter rendering workflow that no longer reprocesses the entire scene for every frame.
• 3D Streaming — Anyone can now walk through their vision in real time. Users simply share a 3D streaming link and stakeholders can instantly explore the visualization interactively, at their own pace, on any device.

For more ecosystem updates, product tips and user stories, check out Chaos’ blog and social channels.

Pricing and Availability

All updates are available now. For full pricing information, please visit the Chaos pricing page.

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Bluebeam Max

First shown at Bluebeam Unbound 2025 in Washington, DC, last fall, Bluebeam Max ushers in powerful new AI-powered workflows, including deep Revu and Anthropic Claude integration, automatic stitching, magic markups, and intelligent overlay and review technologies.

Key Takeaways

• Bluebeam Max has a tight integration with Claude from Anthropic via MCP (model context protocol), thus giving Bluebeam Revu users a natural language path to prompt Revu into automating numerous regular and repeating Bluebeam Revu workflows.
• Smart Overlay and Smart Review are new AI-powered features that quickly enable teams to identify design changes and discrepancies across entire drawing sets and disciplines, as well as provide clear, actionable insights. 

Max brings smart automation so that Bluebeam Revu customers can accelerate their workflows by automating away tedious and time-consuming tasks.

This image shows Bluebeam Max with Revu and Claude integration. Click the image to read the AI prompt workflow and the output that can be generated.

Usman Shuja, CEO of Bluebeam, stated:

Bluebeam Max delivers these specific functionalities that are either entirely new or substantially automated from regular Bluebeam Revu prior, including:

• Revu + Anthropic Claude via MCP — enabling natural language prompts to automate repetitive tasks and transform markup data into actionable insights.
• Stitching — automatically combines multiple drawing sheets into a single, navigable, to-scale view for large and linear infrastructure projects.
• Magic Markups — to automate repetitive markup and reduce manual clicks, making takeoffs faster and more accurate.
• Smart Overlay — allowing teams to quickly identify design changes and discrepancies across entire drawing sets and disciplines.
• Smart Review — provides clear, actionable insights into design discrepancies, scope gaps, and missing information to catch issues early and prevent costly setbacks.
• Connected Studio Sessions with Revit, linking Bluebeam markups directly to the correct location in Revit drawing and model views to collaborate effectively across PDF and BIM.

The results from over 2,000 beta program users reported that productivity gains from Bluebeam Max were substantial, calling it a “game-changer” for design and planning workflows.

Client Success Stories

Martin-Harris Construction 

Martin-Harris was a Max beta tester firm. They benefited from Bluebeam Max with multiple Revu workflows, including utilizing Max’s Smart Overlay and Smart Review features to compare revisions for pricing and impact analysis during both design and construction.

The Bluebeam Max supports a deeper integration between Bluebeam Revu and Autodesk Revit.

“Bluebeam is already the backbone of how we review and collaborate on projects, but Bluebeam Max takes that to another level,” said James Miranda, Director of Preconstruction at Martin-Harris Construction.  “Features like Smart Overlay help us instantly see what’s changed and where to focus, which is critical when you’re managing complex projects at scale. As the full AI capabilities continue to evolve, this has the potential to significantly reduce manual effort and free up our teams to focus on higher-value coordination and decision-making.”

KPFF Consulting Engineers – Los Angeles Office

KPFF also found notable gains with Bluebeam Max, where its LA-based civil and structural engineers benefit from Bluebeam Revu in their day-to-day work.

“Even small improvements can have a big impact on our workflows,” said Dillon Wilke, Associate and Bluebeam Max early adopter at KPFF LA Civil Office. “Features like offset are reducing the need to go back into CAD for certain tasks, especially when working with parallel utilities or curved geometry. What used to take multiple manual steps can now be done much more efficiently in one place.”

Bluebeam Max is available now, and readers interested in learning more can do so by following this link and reading more in our analysis and commentary section below.

Architosh Analysis and Commentary

Last year, Bluebeam announced it was acquiring AEC AI startup Firmus-AI. That technology included the foundations for Smart Compare and Smart Review, based on Firmus-AI’s. Bluebeam already innovated the industry’s first “compare” features, but Firmus-AI took it to another level, and now that technology is inside Bluebeam Max. 

Firmus-AI’s solutions were cloud applications, and we can see that the newly integrated AI-powered capabilities in Smart Compare and Smart Review are also cloud-based. Notice the browser window. But notice the dashboard summary.

The Smart Review AI technology is equally impactful, if not more so. AEC design professionals struggle to maintain consistency and catch conflicts and omissions in their drawings due to the sheer volume and time pressures to get projects out the door. Now Bluebeam Max has the tools to help solve that glaring issue in the AEC. This AI technology can read AEC industry drawings and identify scope gaps, contradictions, errors, and omissions. Running Smart Review and Smart Compare can help architects and engineers increase accuracy and consistency in their documentation before it heads out to the construction site, helping prevent construction issues and embarrassing conflicts that cost owners money and increase liability for design and engineering professionals. 

Another impact-building new feature is the stronger tie-in to Revit so that comment markups link back into the right locations in Revit, where architects, engineers, and designers live to take action on these issues. 

And last but not least, the Anthropic Claude integration enables Revu users to leverage AI to compare two documents (document 1 and document 2) and highlight the differences in the Bluebeam issues markup list. A perfect example would be different versions of a section in the building code. See how the building code or any kind of document has changed. 

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Sketch-to-BIM

This integration comes with Vectorworks 2026 Update 5 and connects iPad sketching directly to Vectorworks.

Key Takeaways

• New Export to Morpholio Trace command — sends selected, scale-accurate sheets or viewports from Vectorworks via the cloud to a dedicated Vectorworks folder in Trace on their iPad.
• New Import from Morpholio Trace command — brings sketches from Trace back into Vectorworks files as images or vector-based linework, streamlining tracing to CAD/BIM workflows.

Architects today still begin design processes with hand sketching, and many use tablet-based software products like Morpholio Trace. The Apple Design Award-winning iPad app has been labeled “dream software for architects,” and combines the power of Apple Pencil technology with the incredible processing power of the Apple iPad.

Vectorworks 2026 now has full integration with Apple award-winning app Morpholio Trace.

From initial concepts and design details to construction administration stage markups, Morpholio Trace delivers intelligent workflows for architects using the power of immediate hand to sketch workflows.

MORE: Vectorworks acquires popular Morpholio—Leading Mobile Design App

The new Trace integration with Vectorworks reflects a market-proven fact that drawing, tracing, and sketching remain central to how designers think, explore, and communicate ideas. Through the connection with Vectorworks on desktop, designers can move between various workflow scenarios and personas, from the immediacy of hand sketching to the intelligence of their BIM and CAD models.

“With this integration, we’re bringing the power of sketching and the precision of BIM closer together than ever before,” said Vectorworks Product Planner Iskra Nikolova. “Drawings and sketches now move seamlessly in both directions through Vectorworks Cloud Services. Designers can start in Vectorworks and then sketch in Trace, or begin in Trace and bring those ideas back into Vectorworks, enabling a fluid, flexible creative process without extra steps or friction. The release of this integration in Vectorworks 2026 Update 5 marks another milestone in our commitment to connected, mobile-friendly workflows that honor the craft of design.”

Getting Features

This new integration comes with Vectorworks 2026 Update 5, available now. This update is now accessible for all currently released English-language versions of Vectorworks 2026 through subscription and Vectorworks Service Select customers. Vectorworks users can install by selecting “Check for Updates from the Vectorworks menu (Mac) or Help menu (Windows).

To explore the new Morpholio Trace integration and all the latest features, start a free 7-day trial of Vectorworks Design Suite and download Morpholio Trace for iPad and iPhone in the Apple App Store.

Architosh Analysis and Commentary

Morpholio Trace works with more applications than just Vectorworks, as it can ingest 3D models created in various applications, from BIM to professional 3D modelers. Usually, you export your model out to a (.USDZ) or (.OBJ) file format to bring into Trace. Of course, the Vectorworks integration is even smoother than this, and it’s automated in the cloud. 

Beyond Morpholio Trace, Morpholio Journal is another sister app for simply having a digital sketchbook. It features amazing pens and brushes, and you can also write in it. Then there is BoardPro, a mood board application. ELLE Décore magazine called it “addictive” and awarded it “Best Apps” for interior design, home decor, and interior architecture. This particular app is interesting because Vectorworks, as a company, has toyed with the idea of an industry vertical version of Vectorworks for interior professionals. Currently, interior professionals buy Vectorworks Architect or Vectorworks Design Suite to use as their CAD-BIM environment, but we could see an evolution in which both Vectorworks and this suite of apps (especially BoardPro) develop into a consolidated solution or package called Vectorworks Interiors. 

The advantage Vectorworks has created through its industry vertical solutions is the delivery of a tailor-made solution for a particular type of AEC/O professional. Architosh has written about this in the past in some detail: the one-size-fits-all approach will eventually lose out to highly focused, more pointed, and specialized solutions. We don’t know for certain if that is where the company will go next, but the acquisition of Morpholio Trace offers interesting suggestions. 

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Importantly, Newforma announced a simplified, modular user-based software licensing model, which will help firms better align purchases with role-specific needs.

Newforma and AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) was front and center at Newforma World 2026, the company’s annual user conference. So was updating and modernizing the company’s product offerings.

Newforma announces its broad strategic visions for the AEC/O global industry.

Key new announcements include:

• Newforma Vojo — the company’s new AI assistant, built on an agent-driven framework that lets users search project information, analyze content, and complete tasks more efficiently. Initial capabilities include natural-language search across project data, AI-driven analysis of BIM models and documents, and AI-assisted submittal review workflows.
• Hybrid Modernization — continued investment in hybrid modernization with Newforma Project Center, a reflection of its strategic vision, helping with a seamless transition to the cloud, cloud-connected environments, and more.
• Newforma FedRAMP Moderate — new initiative to address ongoing work toward advanced compliance requirements.

At Newforma World 2026, the message was about flexibility towards the cloud, combining Newforma’s AI-driven automation and support of open integrations, and reinforced a “cloud-first, not cloud-forced” approach that supports customers wherever they are in their modernization journey.

Customers choose when and how they modernize. We decided not to be cloud-only, and it’s by design,” said Carl Veillette, Chief Product Officer at Newforma. “Everything we build must either lower risk, save time, or unlock scale.”

MORE: Newforma accelerates AI innovation and AWS expansion

The AI agent Vojo is embedding intelligence directly into project workflows, such as Smart Email Filing, an AI-powered capability that automatically associates emails with projects and recommends filing locations for RFIs, submittals, and action items, which aids firms in maintaining a more defensible project record.

These capabilities are supported by the company’s collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS), providing secure and scalable infrastructure for advanced AI innovation.

“AI is only as powerful as the data it’s built on,” said Ben Schreiner, Head of AI and Modern Data Strategy Business Development at Amazon Web Services. “Newforma’s approach combines secure, scalable AWS infrastructure with an agent-driven AI framework to help AECO teams surface insights, reduce manual effort, and make more confident decisions, and we’re thrilled to be partnering with Newforma.”

To learn more about Newforma’s latest announcements, go here.

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Benefits for AEC/O Clients

For firms in architecture, engineering, construction, and operations (AEC/O), Graitec’s new status provides tangible advantages, including deep expertise and technical product know-how. Additionally:

• • Expert Guidance: Access to one of the industry’s most highly trained Bluebeam teams 
  • Operational Efficiency: Proven onboarding frameworks for faster implementation and tailored workflow optimization 
  • Strategic Support: Priority support and strategic consulting to maximize ROI on software investments 
  • Future-Proofing: Early visibility into product innovation roadmaps and upcoming updates 

As a Sapphire-level partner, Graitec staff receive advanced training, next-level support, and early access to the latest software advances by the California-based software company. All of this ensures that AEC/O clients of Graitec’s receive top-level services on all their Bluebeam software deployment needs.

Graitec’s team received the award for Bluebeam Sapphire Partnership.

“Being named a Bluebeam Sapphire Partner is a tremendous achievement for our organization,” said Scott McMaster, Chief Revenue Officer of Graitec Group. “It reflects the strength of our strategic partnership with Bluebeam, investments we are making in our go-to-market teams, including the expanded expertise brought through Microsol Resources joining the Graitec Group. This recognition reinforces our commitment to delivering exceptional service, deep technical knowledge, and measurable value to our clients across North America.”

“We are proud to recognize Graitec as a Bluebeam Sapphire Partner,” said Curt Bramel, VP of Global Channel Sales of Bluebeam. “Their team consistently demonstrates a high level of expertise and a strong commitment to customer success. As the industry continues to evolve, partners like Graitec play a critical role in helping firms leverage Bluebeam to improve collaboration, productivity, and project outcomes.”

To learn more about Graitec, visit them online here.

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Claude Meets SketchUp

A new SketchUp Connector brings in the power of an MCP (model context protocol) service that allows Claude to interact directly with SketchUp (.SKP) files.

Key Takeaways

• SketchUp users can utilize Claude AI to generate 3D models from prompts, including both text prompts and pictures.
• SketchUp users will need a Claude AI account to utilize the new SketchUp Connector for Claude.

The connectivity benefits users by enhancing their ability to create 3D models, regardless of their SketchUp 3D modeling skill level.

What Can You Model

Users can create new geometry by simply describing their design goals, such as building massing models, landscapes, or furniture.

SketchUp Connector for Claude AI powers AI-generated 3D modeling in Trimble SketchUp.

They can provide plain-language inputs, reference images, sketches, photos, floor plans, and dimensions that they upload to give Claude the necessary context to understand the design modeling objective. Claude then builds the geometry in a cloud SketchUp session, iteratively verifying the dimensions.

Chris Cronin, vice president and general manager of architecture and design solutions at Trimble, says:

“Natural language prompts and the power of AI make it easy for anyone to get started and excel,” adds Cronin, “including inexperienced and non-traditional 3D design users, bringing us closer to our ‘3D for everyone’ goal.”

This new specialized Claude integration with SketchUp is consistent with Trimble’s overall initiatives to democratize advanced technologies and make them available to a wider range of users.

More Claude Advantages

SketchUp Claude Connector also tracks version history within a single chat, allowing users to quickly navigate, troubleshoot, and refine their models. If the design is not quite correct, the user can describe what is wrong, and Claude will make adjustments based on what is specified as wrong.

MORE: Trimble set to acquire AI-powered Document Crunch

When a model is complete, the Connector creates a 2D preview thumbnail and provides a direct download link to the (.SKP) file. Once downloaded, the user can then manually edit the model.

And one more final note. Users can train Claude on core skills and unique workflows to complete competitive tasks.

Availability

Users can get started today by enabling Trimble SketchUp in Claude’s MCP directory connector settings. Accessing the connector does require a Claude account and a Trimble ID for authentication. Users receive a free SketchUp entitlement that allows them to save up to 30 SketchUp models; after that, a paid entitlement is required. Resulting files can be opened in SketchUp for Web, Desktop, iPad, or iPhone.

Architosh Analysis and Commentary

As some additional directions. When you log into your Claude account, go to Customize, click on Connect your Apps, and then you will have a list of all of Anthropic’s partners. Search for Trimble. Hit the plus icon to connect Claude with SketchUp. 

View of Claude’s main sign-in page. You need an Anthropic Claude account in order to link SketchUp to Claude for AI-powered modeling.

In watching some users explore this technology, the results are varied but also quite solid. Reference images only type Claude-generations may be off quite a bit, while others are strangely very good. Perhaps most positive is that a combination of detailed reference images (those including dimensions), combined with detailed prompts with dimensions, can yield substantially good results. We are talking about whole combinations of rooms, like a bedroom suite. Another positive side is that Anthropic‘s Claude appears to be quite fast. Trimble doesn’t really note that in their announcement, but user tests are showing good speed for results. You still have to download the file, but that doesn’t take a lot of time in the grand scheme of things, especially if Claude saves you 30 minutes of modeling. 

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DACH Region

The news reflects the company’s interest in establishing a stronger European hub that builds on ComputerWorks’ market expertise, technical support structure, and sales channel developed over decades of service to German-speaking architects and designers. The acquisition is expected to be completed by 4 May 2026.

As part of the deal, ComputerWorks in Germany will be renamed Vectorworks Germany GmbH. ComputerWorks AG will spin off its CAD division to establish Vectorworks Switzerland AG, while the remaining business will continue as ComputerWorks AG.

Vectorworks has new corporate offices in Germany and Switzerland, acquiring its DACH region distributor, ComputerWorks AG’s CAD division. 

“For many years, ComputerWorks has represented Vectorworks to thousands of designers and planners in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland,” said Vectorworks CEO Jason Pletcher. “By bringing ComputerWorks into the Vectorworks family, we are not only expanding our presence in these specific countries, but also combining the strength of a global product organization with the expertise of trusted local professionals. This will enable us to help our customers move faster, collaborate more effectively, and deliver superior designs.”

German Language Market Needs

ComputerWorks AG has long localized Vectorworks products for the German language markets, tailoring the product line and offering complementary solutions to meet regional needs for the architecture, interiors, landscape, and entertainment industries.

“Designers in the DACH region face complex projects, demanding clients, and evolving regulations. They need partners who understand both the local context and global tools,” said Alexander Meier, CEO of Vectorworks Germany. “Becoming part of Vectorworks enables our team to bring our deep understanding of customer needs across all disciplines directly to the people building the software. Together, we can shape features, content, and services that reflect how our customers work today and where they want to go tomorrow.”

“With more than 30 years of development experience, we know that true innovation begins with a deep understanding of local needs and workflows,” said Andreas Hängärtner, CEO of Vectorworks Switzerland. “When that local insight is amplified through international collaboration and presented on a global stage, it creates new opportunities for our users to design with greater confidence and impact.”

German and Swiss Offices

The Vectorworks Germany office is located in Lörrach, Germany, and the Vectorworks Switzerland office is located in Basel, Switzerland. Vectorworks’s parent company, the Nemetschek Group, is headquartered in Munich, Germany, in the Nemetschek Haus, a large office complex that also houses several of its key brands, including Allplan and Bluebeam’s European offices.

Global Presence

Vectorwork, Inc., is an award-winning design and BIM software provider serving the entire AEC industry and the related entertainment design industry in 85 countries around the world. It is headquartered in Maryland, United States, with key offices in Newbury, England; Sydney, Australia; Vancouver, Canada; and Japan.

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However, new research from Bluebeam recently reveals encouraging signs of recovery momentum.

Recovery Efforts

Bluebeam, a leading developer of solutions and services for AEC professionals worldwide, reports that more than three-quarters of respondents (76%) have begun rebuilding, while a third say they remain dissatisfied with the pace of progress. This sentiment reflects not just new construction, but also the necessary new permitting initiatives put in place. Here are some details:

Hurdles For Homeowners:

• Nearly one-third (29%) remain uncertain whether their home can be fully rebuilt, underscoring the complexity of current requirements.
• Costs and financing challenges (43%), insurance issues (34%), and labor shortages (29%) are the most frequently cited obstacles.

Positive Momentum:

The reports show that delays in permitting persist as a significant frustration and point of uncertainty for homeowners navigating the rebuilding process:

• 27% of impacted residents cite permitting timelines as a key barrier to rebuild efforts.

• 88% of those homeowners who have applied for a permit in the wake of the wildfires have experienced delays.

• Only 4% of those surveyed said they were able to obtain a permit in under a month, and only 25% within two months, with most approval timelines far exceeding 30- to 60-day targets.

Despite this mix of signals, new initiatives pave hopeful paths forward.

Standard Plan Pilot Program

Based on the research, two-thirds (66%) of impacted homeowners are rather positive about the city of LA’s Standard Plan Pilot Program, which aids owners by offering a library of pre-approved, code-compliant home designs.

The use of standardized plans simplifies processes in meeting new requirements. One example is Bluebeam partner The Foothill Catalog Foundation (TFCF), a non-profit formed in response to the wildfires. TFCF offers pre-approved home designs in compliance with new permitting programs, helping residents rebuild more quickly. The organization has preapproved over 40 new unique designs to date, designs that help preserve the community identity as well.

Resilience for the Future

California ranks first in the nation for the number of homes at risk of extreme wildfire exposure (1.2 million), and homeowners are prioritizing long-term safety and resilience as they rebuild. Based on Bluebeam’s research:

• 83% of impacted residents plan to incorporate wildfire-resistant materials or design features into rebuild plans. Many are considering upgrades such as fire-resistant roofing, ember-resistant vents, defensible space planning, and use of non-combustible materials.

• 65% say they feel more confident in their preparedness for future wildfires because of these upgrades.

“With our global headquarters in Pasadena, the recovery from the 2025 wildfires is deeply personal to our team,” said Don Jacobs, Chief Innovation Officer at Bluebeam and local Los Angeles resident. “As homeowners rebuild, we’re seeing a meaningful shift toward resilient design that prioritizes long-term safety and durability. This research also highlights the opportunity to simplify and connect the systems behind rebuilding – particularly permitting – to remove delays and uncertainty. By streamlining permitting pathways, embracing resilient design, and fostering collaboration across all parties involved in the rebuild effort, we can help families return home faster and build communities that are stronger, safer, and better prepared for future wildfires.”

About the Survey

The survey was conducted in February and March 2026 with more than 500 Los Angeles County homeowners whose homes were damaged by the 2025 wildfires. The report provides insights into rebuilding progress, key challenges faced, and plans for future preparedness.

To learn more about the state of rebuilding efforts, visit: https://blog.bluebeam.com/from-cleanup-to-rebuild-project-mindset-wildfire-recovery/.

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MEP Designer

MEP Designer is Graphisoft’s BIM solution for engineers responsible for designing and documenting MEP systems in buildings. The solution is built on the Archicad BIM core engine, the industry-leading platform for architects, delivering complex collaborative BIM workflows between engineers and architects.

Graphisoft MEP Designer is a BIM design and documentation solution for MEP engineers in the AEC industry. It is built on the same Archicad core BIM engine and thus features some of the same visualization capabilities as Archicad, as well as being fully native for both macOS and Windows.

Available as a subscription-based product, MEP Designer is easy to learn and use, featuring an intuitive user interface and smart modeling tools that automate and simplify the MEP design process. Engineers and architects can obtain the software through MEP Designer Studio or Archicad Collaborate subscription plans. A flexible and adaptive solution, MEP engineers will discover how easy it is to develop MEP BIM models for their projects.

Márton Kiss, Chief Product Officer at Graphisoft, stated:

Key capabilities of the software include:

• Detailed documentation generated automatically — from floor plans and sections to schedules and parts lists — customizable and ready for submission.
• Built-in visualization tools and parametric libraries.
• Smooth communications and model consistency — on-site or remotely.
• Accurate planning and efficient coordination — CALHYDRA now connects to MEP Designer via a dedicated interface, enabling direct transfer of water and HVAC systems for hydraulic calculations; results are updated in the model for a seamless BIM-based workflow.

MEP Designer is currently available in select Asian and European markets on both Windows and macOS. It is the first native macOS BIM authoring and design tool for MEP engineers. For more information, visit graphisoft.com/mep-designer.

Architosh Analysis and Commentary

Graphisoft appears to be rolling out MEP Designer first in markets where it already has established bases of users in the engineering disciplines, as well as where engineering-focused sister subsidiaries of the Nemetschek Group consistently work with architects on the Archicad platform. These are likely Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Scandinavia, and perhaps Hungary. An exact list may be available only through Graphisoft sales channels. These European markets, plus select Asian markets, are the first targets for the rollouts. Graphisoft also owns DDScad, a MEP specialist software popular in Europe. The MEP Designer strategy seems to be tied to migrating DDScad users to MEP Designer adoption. 

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This year, Nirva Fereshetian (CIO of CBT Architects) and Niknaz Aftahi, CEO of aec+tech, will be hosting a similar event at the beautiful Carrier Johnson + Culture office in downtown San Diego during the AIA National Conference on Architecture & Design, the United States’ premier annual conference and exhibition for the architectural industry.

‘archi+tech’ Social Night

The evening event is a mixture of a social get-together with short presentations by technology providers and leaders in the global AEC industry. But largely, it’s a social event where attendees can have real conversations with members of the digital tech community in attendance.

A kind of class picture from last year’s first-ever ‘archi+tech’ Social Night at AIA National in Boston 2025. The event had sponsors from numerous AEC digital technology providers, including the industry’s largest companies.

Carrier Johnson + Culture is a larger architecture and planning firm in San Diego (with offices in Los Angeles and Seattle) with an award-winning portfolio spanning project types. They have graciously offered to host the event in their San Diego office.

Event Details

‘archi+tech’ Social Night will take place at 5:30 pm, Friday, 12 June 2026 (register here), during the week of the AIA Conference in San Diego. This year, the event is focusing on “innovation” and bringing together people who are actually shaping how technology is used in the architecture and AEC industry.

Nirva and Niknaz are curating a group of around 100 to 120 people at the intersection of design and technology, including:

• Architects and firm leaders
• CIOs, CTOs, and innovation directors
• BIM and design technology leaders
• AEC technology founders, investors, and accelerator teams

What is special about this event is the intimacy of the room and the opportunity to showcase the host firm’s location as a bit of an exhibition of their technological prowess. Last year, CBT Architects displayed a stunning set of digital solutions, specialty technology spaces, model shops, and interactive technology tools to give attendees a sense of what practice is like at a tech-forward large firm.

Registration

If you are attending AIA San Diego in early June and would like to attend this event, please register here: https://luma.com/dfmu0kut

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Steel Genie is New

Already a global leader in structural steel detailing and fabrication software and part of the Nemetschek Group, the launch of Steel Genie by ALLPLAN marks an AI-first for the German company in the critical area of construction estimating.

Key Takeaways

• The new product is called Steel Genie by ALLPLAN and automatically analyzes steel structural drawings using AI technology to power estimating workflows
• AI technology understands steel structural members and generates quantities and estimating-level 3D models in minutes.
• Steel Genie integrates into the ALLPLAN ecosystem of products, linking estimators’ workflows with steel detailing and fabricators

ALLPLAN Steel Genie utilizes AI technologies to automatically analyze structural drawing sets, detect key structural members, and generate quantities and estimate-level 3D models in minutes.

MORE: ALLPLAN 2026 — New ALLPLAN Model Viewer, AI, IFC4 and More…

Critically, the software addresses the pitfalls in today’s AEC market where manual counting and manual measurements are done by cost estimators using traditional methods, be they manual via printed documents or utilizing PDF drawings with some level of quantification automation. These new AI-powered automated methods are faster, thereby enabling the cost estimator to focus time on higher-value workflows.

Steel Genie by ALLPLAN is a new AI-powered estimating software that reads structural drawings to generate intelligent cost estimates.

Sunil Pandita, CEO of ALLPLAN and Chief Division Officer Planning & Design at the Nemetschek Group, tells Architosh:

Steel Genie employs artificial intelligence to analyze structural drawings and identify key design parameters. These factors encompass dimensions, length, weight, moment connections, camber, and shear studs. It subsequently identifies structural elements such as beams, columns, joists, and braces to automatically create material quantities and models that are ready for estimating.

ALLPLAN Steel Genie also boasts its own connection engine based on the AISC Design Guide and can export its estimate data to downstream workflows and fabrication teams. It also integrates fully into the broader ALLPLAN ecosystem, enabling estimating professionals to collaborate more effectively with detailing professionals.

Early customer feedback highlights the impact of the new technology.

“Steel Genie is an industry-changing tool for structural steel takeoff,” said Steven Tillery, Vice President of Preconstruction & Business Development at Steel Service. “Even during testing, we’ve seen how it can dramatically accelerate estimating.”

Availability

Steel Genie by ALLPLAN is now available to steel fabricators, estimators, and detailing teams seeking to automate steel takeoffs, improve estimating efficiency, and gain a head start on downstream detailing workflows.

You can sign up for a demo here.

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AI and Risk

Document Crunch’s tools use artificial intelligence to address critical pain points that impact a general contractor’s profitability.

Key Takeaways

• AI tech in Document Crunch identifies risks in contracts, specifications, RFIs, and other types of construction industry documents so that teams can address issues and prevent misalignment between stakeholders and partners early, before problems arise.
• CrunchAI is the company’s purpose-built AI engine for the AEC/O industry that general AI tools like OpenAI ChatGPT and Google Gemini can’t match.

These pain points include risk provisions, payment disputes, specification non-compliance, and notification failures. Adding Document Crunch to Trimble’s construction industry solutions bolsters the company’s ability to continue to serve high-value business problems within the industries it serves, such as infrastructure and building construction.

CrunchAI is a construction-industry-focused, purpose-built AI engine driving Document Crunch and delivers capabilities that general AI tools can’t match.

“Success in construction relies on the ability of every stakeholder to understand and mitigate risk in real-time,” said Mark Schwartz, senior vice president of AECO software at Trimble. “Document Crunch will provide a ‘contractual rule set’ to serve as the intelligent DNA for the entire Trimble Construction One (TC1) suite, automatically pushing critical obligations, compliance requirements, and payment terms into Trimble’s robust project delivery ecosystem.”

The Details

Document Crunch’s base of users, deployed across over 10,000 projects, is largely general contractors and subcontractors. The company reports there is also a growing base of designers, owners, insurance carriers, and others with an active interest in reducing risk in construction.

MORE: AIA Announces Strategic Sponsorship with Trimble

The acquisition will bring industry leadership and a seasoned AI engineering team directly into Trimble to drive immediate ROI for customers by:

• Preventing Costly Errors: Catching invoice payment term mismatches as well as broader contract, compliance, and scope risks before they escalate into disputes.
• Reducing Administrative Burden: Streamlining the review and generation of critical documentation, such as risk reviews, project playbooks, and delay notifications.
• Infusing Intelligence: Providing a contractual rule set that can push obligations and compliance requirements directly into project management and ERP workflows.

“The construction industry is at a tipping point for AI adoption, and our focus on risk reduction and automated compliance has positioned us to lead this next phase for the industry,” said Josh Levy, co-founder and CEO of Document Crunch. “We’re excited to build upon the strategic foundation of Trimble to help customers unlock new dimensions of value from data that resides across the construction lifecycle. Joining Trimble allows us to scale our vision and evolve to a core component of a widely comprehensive construction platform.”

Trimble AEC Segment

Document Crunch will be reported as part of Trimble’s AEC/O segment, which includes major AEC industry brands like SketchUp, Tekla, and Trimble ProjectSight. In fact, the software is already a Trimble Marketplace partner and integrates with ProjectSight today. The acquisition is expected to close in Q2, 2026.

To learn more about Document Crunch, go here.

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V-Ray 7 Update 3

“By bringing real-time ray tracing directly into the V-Ray viewport, artists can iterate faster while maintaining the quality that V-Ray is known for, all within a single, unified workflow,” said Vlado Koylazov, Head of Innovation at Chaos.

Key Takeways

• Final-frame-quality real-time rendering is now possible in V-Ray Viewport for those with a Vantage account
• V-Ray 7 update 3 is now out for Rhino and SketchUp, with 3ds Max coming soon
• AI Mood Match technology brings the atmosphere from a reference photo into your render

Real-time ray tracing technology in Chaos Vantage transforms how archviz teams work because it is able to handle complex lighting, large scenes, and large-scale geometry without slowdown. Now, V-Ray 7 users with a Vantage license can tap the power of real-time rendering without leaving the V-Ray workflow.

Parallax Interiors is the software that uses interior shaders from Cosmos. The effect holds from any camera angle and can be varied across a facade to avoid repetition, bringing convincing life to every window, especially during night scenes.

While real-time final-quality ray tracing rendering is a powerful update, Update 3 has eleven other great new features we discuss below, including impactful new AI capabilities.

New Features

There are multiple new features beyond the new capability to tap into Chaos Vantage technology directly in V-Ray 7. These include a new Gaussian splats relighting, Quick Caustics, Chaos Cloud Reviews, new Cosmos Sets, and New Assets.

AI Mood Match technology will be a hit with users who can use a reference photo and have AI match the lighting and atmospheric mood of the image and implement that in the rendered scene.

Moreover, there are multiple new AI tools that bring the power of AI deeper into the production process. An important one is the new AI Mood Match feature. Now, a user can use a reference photo to automatically align a scene’s lighting with the image’s look and atmosphere, reducing manual setup and achieving desired outcomes faster. Other AI features include the ability to AI-generate materials at 4K resolution for eye-popping renders.

Other features include in summary:

• Parallax Interiors — Architects can now add realistic interior depth and lighting to exterior renders without modeling or heavy geometry. Using parallax interior shaders from Cosmos, the effect holds from any camera angle and can be varied across a façade to avoid repetition, bringing convincing life to every window, especially in night scenes.
• Node Material Editor (V-Ray for SketchUp and Rhino) — Users can now build and adjust V-Ray materials visually using a node-based editor, making it easier to understand material logic and create complex shaders with greater control. The node editing workflow offers a more intuitive and visual alternative to traditional material creation and editing. The tool is now available as a preview, with more possibilities to come in future releases.
• AI Enhancer: Large Surfaces Coverage — Architects can add more realistic details to large surfaces, such as floors, walls, asphalt, and terrain, adding natural variation at the correct scale without manual re-texturing.
• AI Enhancer: Improved Accuracy and Single Object Creative Enhancement — Users can achieve more precise results across the board, with new support for applying creative enhancement to individual objects.
• Video Collaboration — Chaos Cloud becomes a professional-grade video review platform for animations and render sequences, with precise commenting tied to timestamps, ranges, and visual annotations.
• Cosmos Sets and New Assets — Cosmos sets provide a fast and simplified way to populate scenes with grouped assets that naturally work together. This update adds 700+ new Cosmos assets, including 400 high-poly Globe Plant models and new branded models.

To learn more and explore what’s new, visit the V-Ray Collection page on chaos.com. Or watch the video below:

Pricing and Availability

Launching first on V-Ray for SketchUp and Rhino, real-time rendering in the V-Ray viewport is available to users with an active Chaos Vantage or V-Ray Collection license. AI Mood Match and real-time rendering in the V-Ray viewport are expected to be introduced to V-Ray for 3ds Max.

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Infrastructure Focus

Founded in 1986, HCSS is a leading provider of software for the infrastructure and heavy civil sectors of the North American construction market. The company supports more than 4,000 construction companies with a total employee headcount of 550 professionals.

Key Takaways

• HCSS acquisition strengthens the Nemetschek Group’s position in valuable North American infrastructure construction market and aligns well with other Build & Construct segment brands plus Allplan
• HCSS generates well over USD 200 million in revenue, marking a new substantial revenue generator for the Group
• Thoma Bravo partnership means Nemetschek SE shares exchange hands but helps Group maintain a flexible balance sheet and sharp posture for future M&A deals

As part of the terms of the agreement, HCSS will become part of the Nemetschek Group’s Build & Construct segment, aligning with industry-leading brands like Bluebeam and GoCanvas, two brands with very strong North American market share. Nemetschek states that the Build & Construct segment and HCSS have comparable and unique growth and profitability profiles. In 2025, HCSS generated plus or minus USD 215 million in revenue, an ARR growth of ± 21%, and an EBITDA margin of ± 40%.

The Nemetschek Group is set to acquire US-based Heavy Construction Systems Specialists, LLC (“HCSS”). The Texas-headquartered company is a major software provider for infrastructure and heavy-civil construction companies.

These financials are not just strong but align with the Group’s Build & Construct segment’s historical performance. More critically, the Group says that HCSS enables the Group to expand into the heavy civil construction sectors where structural growth drivers include aging assets, large-scale government investments (eg, Biden era Infrastructure Bill), ongoing energy transition in the age of AI and datacenter expansion, as well as continued urbanization. This will strengthen Nemetschek’s position in the total market opportunity estimated at USD 12 billion by 2028.

Thoma Bravo Partnership

In an effort to preserve the Nemetschek Group’s balance sheet flexibility, the transaction is tailored such that Thoma Bravo will receive shares in the Nemetschek Group’s Build & Construct segment.

Nemetschek SE will hold approximately 72% of the shares in the Build & Construct segment, and Thoma Bravo will hold approximately 28% as a minority shareholder. As part of the terms, the Group will refinance all existing HCSS financial debt and liabilities, resulting in an impact of approximately EUR 450 million on the Nemetschek Group net debt position.

While this arrangement sounds as if the Build & Construct segment could be spun out of the Group, Nemetschek SE says that the Build & Construct segment will continue to function as an integral part of the Group.

Maintaining balance sheet flexibility enables the Group to support future growth ambitions through targeted M&A. The transaction has no impact on the shareholder structure of Nemetschek SE.

Yves Padrines, CEO of the Nemetschek Group stated:

“This acquisition significantly expands our size and our total market opportunity, deepens our footprint in North America, and perfectly complements our existing portfolio of leading solutions in the Build & Construct segment”, continues Padrines. “It will give us an even greater ability to innovate and expand our reach using our strong AI innovation abilities. We welcome Thoma Bravo as a partner and minority shareholder in the Build & Construct segment. We look forward to working with them and the HCSS team to unlock new growth opportunities in our Build & Construct segment and deliver even greater value to our customers and shareholders.” 

“The Nemetschek Group has built one of the world’s most incredible customer- and product-centric company cultures,” said A.J. Rohde, a Senior Partner at Thoma Bravo. “The opportunity to merge HCSS with Nemetschek’s leading Build & Construct segment is a truly defining moment and we look forward to supporting the growth of the combined business. We have barely scratched the surface on the scale and speed of innovation that we can provide to customers of both companies, and we will work tirelessly together to fulfill the potential that the market deserves.”

“HCSS is a perfect fit for our Build & Construct segment,” said Usman Shuja, Chief Division Officer of the Nemetschek Group’s Build & Construct Segment. “Together, we can offer a best-in-class, end-to-end portfolio that enables customers to manage complex building and infrastructure projects with greater efficiency and confidence. By combining our complementary strengths, we will expand our global reach, accelerate AI-based innovation, and continue to deliver the trusted solutions our customers rely on in their daily work.”

The acquisition is expected to close in H2 2026 and is subject to regulatory approvals and closing conditions. J.P. Morgan is serving as exclusive financial advisor, Latham & Watkins and Hoffmann & de Vries are serving legal advisors to the Nemetschek Group.

To learn more visit here. 

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New in Revit 2027

Revit 2027 focuses on three primary areas: AI and data-driven BIM, production efficiency, and a modernized experience, which includes UI improvements.

Key Takeaways

• Autodesk Revit 2027 features on-board MCP (model context protocol) AI technology to enable context-aware AI.
• Autodesk Assistant can perform common workflow tasks, like finding and tagging elements, generating views and schedules, and more. 
• Revit 2027 features deeper connectivity with updated Forma Cloud offerings
• Accelerated Graphics is no longer in tech preview—Section Box offers real-time graphics

Revit 2027 now features Autodesk Assistant, an AI text prompt tool that leverages MCP technology to help you implement a large array of BIM functions, from finding and tagging all elements of a certain type, to generating certain views and organizing schedules, to providing in-product guidance to complete tasks and resolve issues.

Autodesk Assistant (tech preview), shown in this image of the new Revit 2027, helps users more deeply with context-aware AI assistance.

Autodesk’s AI agent (Autodesk Assistant) leverages Anthropic’s MCP (model context protocol) and is the first version of Revit to officially leverage a built-in MCP server. Introduced in 2024 by Anthropic, MCP is an open-source standard designed to solve “isolation” problems in AI models. What that means in short is that MCP enables AI to look into live BIM model data as if it were a native part of the Revit software, thereby bypassing the long-standing problem of BIM data being isolated within the walled garden of a software application. (see Architosh Analysis and Commentary for more).

MORE: Event: ‘archi+tech’ Social Night at AIA Conference in San Diego

This enables Autodesk Assistant to help you manage and accelerate your BIM workflows, refine those BIM workflows, and automate them. Autodesk Assistant can also save your prompts, so repeatable work goes faster. While early AI tools in Autodesk software helped you understand the application and what it can do, MCP-based AI actually helps you run the Revit 2027 software.

Forma Connectivity

To aid efficiency across teams and multi-stakeholder workflows, Revit 2027 has new connections to the newly updated Forma Cloud. Revit 2027 connects to the new Forma Data Management Essentials, Forma Site Design, Forma Building Design, and Forma Board. All of this comes as standard with a Revit 2027 subscription. For the user, this establishes a cloud foundation for Revit 2027 users, from early-phase site analysis and preliminary design through CDs to construction-phase workflows.

MORE: Autodesk intros new Forma Building Design

Issues for Revit are now part of the core Revit 2027 version. Users can display pinned issues from Forma Data Management directly in their model or create the issues directly in a Revit 3D view, assign responsibilities and due dates, and associate models. The Revit 2027 user can continually monitor and track issues from inside Revit.

Revit 2027 also improves interoperability with more granular control over the model, generating superior IFC exports for consultants. There is a new updated IFC parameter mapping control toolset. Recap Pro and Revit are also more tightly integrated.

Modernized Experience

Revit 2027 is also improved under the hood. Revit’s Accelerated Graphics is no longer a tech preview but is fully supported. The Options Bar is now removed, offering a cleaned-up modern UI/UX. And under the hood, Revit 2027 has been updated to .NET 10 runtime, which provides a faster, more modern, and stable foundation for Revit and its add-ins.

Accelerated Graphics is now foundational in Revit 2027 and works in tandem with .NET 10, which enables Revit to keep pace with modern software development on chips with unified memory (Intel Core Ultra, Apple M-series, etc.). Improved multi-processing due to .NET 10 fundamentally changes how the GPU and CPU process their memory tasks simultaneously, this time during Section Box manipulations.

Dynamo 4.0.2 now runs on .NET 10, resulting in dramatically faster geometry operations, helping complex parametric workflows. As for day-to-day use, the graduation of Accelerated Graphics from tech preview is the biggest win for users, says Autodesk. This is especially true for the user with a powerful GPU.

The section box now updates in real-time as you drag it, a huge win for Revit users who have longed for this since seeing it in rival BIM solutions offered years ago. Archicad’s 3D Cutting Planes have felt instant for well over a decade, and Vectorworks introduced its Clip Cube back in 2014. Why did Revit lag on this for so long? The difference goes back to how Revit was originally coded. Revit has worked by recalculating the entire model’s visibility and graphics every time the box moved. (see our Analysis Section below for a more technical explanation).

With Accelerated Graphics now foundational to Revit in version 2027, it should mean users experience much improved model navigation, increasing speed and responsiveness.

To learn more and watch some videos of the new Revit 2027, visit here. 

Editor’s Note

15 Apr 26 — The article has made a correction with Model Context Protocol, correcting “control” for “context.”

Architosh Analysis and Commentary

Software applications have long been a “walled garden” for data, especially for CAD and design applications like BIM. The long-held way to get data out of the walled garden was through a gateway we call “exporting” into industry-standard file formats like DWG, STEP, or IFC, for example. Another way data has been accessible outside the walls of the application is through a dedicated API (application programming interface) provided by the application itself. However, MCP solves technical limitations in an API. Every application API has its own inherent structure, and an AI model like Claude or ChatGPT doesn’t necessarily know how to talk to a Revit API. Without having to write thousands of lines of code to teach an AI how to translate AI prompts into API commands, MCP offers a plug-and-play MCP server model where you can point a generic AI like Claude at the server and the AI self-discovers what an application (like Revit) can actually do by reading its menus and available tools, commands, and knowledge. 

You can think of it like this. With Revit 2027 now having its own MCP server, an AI agent can learn nearly everything about Revit, map its software’s capabilities, and understand your specific BIM model’s data. The MCP server itself provides a list of JSON-based schemas that define what the AI can actually do. And the AI instantly understands your BIM model in context. There is so much to be said about the MCP technology in Revit 2027. (see, BIMsmith, “Revit 2027: What the Built-in MCP Server Actually Does in Practice,” 7 Apr 2026).

Finally, on the live section box, catch up. Why so long? The answer is that Revit was originally built as a massive relational database—a parametric spiderweb, if you will. In Revit, every element is aware of every other element. Historically, when you moved the Section Box, Revit tried to “re-solve” those relationships for every element being cut. The foundational issue is how Revit “thinks” about the model versus how other BIM solutions think about the model. 

In the case of Revit’s primary rival, Archicad separated the visual representation from the “database” much earlier. Well over a decade earlier. The same with its sister BIM, Vectorworks. The 3D visual environment of Archicad is more like a video game environment, built for real-time speed and interactivity. So, in short, Autodesk finally decoupled the “visual state” from the “database state” as part of its Accelerated Graphics technologies. We believe it now keeps a cached version of the model’s geometry in your GPU’s memory, enabling the user to interact with that geometry while the CPU waits for the mouse to stop before it rebuilds the Revit database. .NET 10 enables these actions to happen in simultaneous multi-processing threads. 

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Forma Building Design

Forma’s origins come from the Spacemaker.ai acquisition from a few years ago, where the Scandinavian SaaS offering was focused on pre-design and early design analysis.

Key Takeaways

• Forma Building Design is a new product offering from Autodesk and works like a specialized module within the broader Forma AEC industry cloud.
• Revit is the first official Forma Connected Client, and the implication here is that there will be more Forma Connected Clients in the future

Forma Building Design (FBD) enables teams to develop more complete architectural designs based on analysis data, including daylight, sun hours, and carbon energy impacts. It begins with teams geolocating their building site, which happens in minutes. FBD can then generate building design options, and architects can evaluate these based on a comprehensive set of analysis data.

Autodesk introduces Forma Building Design with Revit as first Forma Connected Client. The new application expands the existing Forma platform toolset and is a supplement to Forma Site Design.

Forma Building Design enables direct plan and massing manipulation so architects can work fluidly in a way that is much more difficult in today’s BIM tools. Program areas, unit types, and mixes are all definable and can serve as criteria in an outcome-defined workflow. The entire goal and purpose of Forma Building Design (FBD) is for architects and designers to explore and evaluate design options quickly before committing to more detailed design directions and pushing into other tools to continue the design work.

Sandra Petkute Roberts, Solutions Consultant at Arcadis, says:

“Forma Building Design is making it easier for us to explore more facade and layout ideas without heavy manual effort or in-depth expertise in more complex tools,” she adds. “With the potential to scale well across different teams and regions, Forma Building Design makes early design exploration more accessible for our designers during the schematic design process.”

To help teams do deeper energy analysis work in early phases, Forma Carbon Insights is also available now across Forma Building Design.

Revit as First Client

Autodesk Revit is the first Forma Connected Client and is now available as such in Tech Preview mode.

Forma Building Design also works with Forma Board as well as Forma Data Management Essentials.

Inside Tech Preview, teams can move building and sites into Revit from Forma Building Design and Forma Site Design, respectively, without manual file exchanges. The Revit connection is an important first step in the broader Forma Connected Clients initiative and will continue to expand to additional desktop solutions over time.

Availability

All current Revit subscribers now have access to Forma Site Design, Forma Building Design, Forma Board, and Forma Data Management Essentials. The Essentials version of Forma Data Management (formerly Autodesk Construction Cloud) provides all Revit subscribers with a more basic version of Autodesk’s cloud-based AEC industry CDE (common data environment). (see, Architosh, “Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) is now Autodesk Forma,” 31 Mar 2026).

To learn more about Forma Building Design, visit here.

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