Cloud computing seems to be all the rage these days. Many software companies are beginning to develop their products so that you can do all of your work anywhere, anytime by keeping your work stored on the internet. Autodesk is no exception to this new workflow. They have created a cloud-based solution called Autodesk 360.

Getting Started with Autodesk 360

Autodesk 360 can be accessed at https://360.autodesk.com/. You login using your Autodesk single sign-on account. Within Autodesk 360, you can upload your documents to be accessed from other computers or mobile devices. Autodesk has a list of different 360-enabled mobile apps. Keep in mind that even though the different apps are free, some of them require you to have access to services that you must pay for. An example is the BIM 360 Glue app. 360 Glue requires you to pay for the service. Once you have paid for it, you will be able to utilize the mobile app with your Autodesk account.

The Autodesk 360 Mobile app is free to access and allows you to view 2D and 3D DWF, DWG, RVT, and Navisworks files from your mobile device. Whether it’s an Android Tablet or smartphone or an iPhone or iPad, the 360 Mobile App lets you login to your 360 account and view your files in 3D, on the go. This makes cloud computing simple. You are able to share your files with other users as well as add comments to a file for collaborative use. You can also view an activity stream, which keeps track of who has viewed a file, whether a comment has been added, etc.

Cloud Based Solutions

Autodesk 360 can go beyond simply viewing the files you’ve already made. Many of the cloud services that you pay for expand the functionality of Autodesk 360 immensely. BIM Glue, for instance, allows you to utilize clash detection and integrate files directly from Navisworks. Buzzsaw allows you to utilize data management tools to help support your BIM workflows across desktop, web, and mobile platforms. To see an entire list of Autodesk 360-enabled products, go here.

Cloud computing is no doubt changing the way the world works. Being able to access your design information from anywhere at any time is extremely powerful. Autodesk knows this and is continuing to improve and deliver new cloud-based solutions. Take a few minutes and give Autodesk 360 a shot and see if it works for your needs.

Author: Mark Phillip