Graphisoft, the Nemetschek Group company that develops Archicad and other BIM software for architects and multidisciplinary design teams, is preparing a built-in connection that will allow Archicad users to send design models, documents, and project information to Autodesk Forma Data Management while continuing to work in Archicad.
The Archicad-Autodesk Forma Connection is set to arrive in an upcoming Archicad update. Graphisoft says it will exchange information securely using native formats.
The development targets a problem faced by Archicad users joining projects that require Autodesk Forma workflows, where manual workarounds may otherwise be needed to transfer information into the Forma environment.
Graphisoft plans to present its connection to US audiences at the AIA Conference on Architecture & Design in San Diego on 11 and 12 June.
Archicad users gain a route into Forma workflows
The built-in add-on will allow architects to stay in Archicad while participating in Forma-based collaboration.
Its arrival follows an interoperability agreement reached in April 2024 between Nemetschek and Autodesk. Under that agreement, the companies agreed to provide mutual access to their APIs and industry clouds. The products identified included Archicad on the Nemetschek side and Autodesk Forma among Autodesk’s platforms.
The two companies said the agreement would enhance existing data exchanges and enable new data-centric workflows across their respective software ecosystems.
Márton Kiss, chief product officer at Graphisoft, said the new connection would enable firms to work across platforms while remaining in their preferred design environment.
Nemetschek plans an open collaboration fabric for AEC teams
Graphisoft has also announced a Nemetschek Group initiative to develop what it calls an open collaboration fabric across the group’s design ecosystem.
The planned system is intended to keep models, documents, issues and project decisions synchronised across teams using Graphisoft products and the wider Nemetschek portfolio. Support is planned for industry formats, including IFC, BCF, PDF, DWG and RVT.
Sylwester Pawluk, vice-president of product management for collaboration at Graphisoft and Nemetschek Group, said the system would provide a multidisciplinary collaboration environment that connects architects, engineers, builders, owners and operators around a common source of project information.
Early access is planned for 2026.
AI-assisted design platform set for October early access
Graphisoft is also developing a web-based design intelligence platform that leverages AI and integrated simulations.
According to the company, users will be able to explore hundreds of massing, layout and performance scenarios and optimise them against project goals and constraints in seconds. The platform will provide a shared browser-based workspace that does not require users to have BIM expertise.
Developed by Graphisoft and intended for scaling across the Nemetschek Group, the platform is scheduled for early access in October.
Graphisoft’s wider AI portfolio includes AI Assistant and AI Visualizer, with further services planned for a common platform as part of its Design Intelligence Strategy.
Nemetschek and Graphisoft are also planning a coordinated update to their product ecosystem in early October. The portfolio is anchored by Archicad, BIMx, BIMcloud, MEP Designer and DDScad, with the broader strategy spanning work from early feasibility studies through detailed BIM and into subsequent collaboration.
