Data Exchange Filters

Motivation and Use Cases

Filters in Autodesk Data Exchange are crucial tools for professionals in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. They help manage and organize large amounts of design data, ensuring that team members only see the information relevant to them. This is especially important in large projects where different stakeholders, like BIM managers, architects, or fire protection engineers, need to focus on specific data sets tailored to their roles.

For instance, when creating dashboards to analyze room spaces in buildings such as hotels or hospitals, filters can narrow down the data to show just room volumes and levels. This focused approach not only makes decision-making easier but also boosts the overall efficiency of managing the project. Similarly, in projects that prioritize sustainability, filters help by extracting data relevant to daylighting efficiency, enabling more accurate and meaningful analysis.

Design Process

The creation of filtering features in Autodesk Data Exchange was driven by thorough user research, including one-on-one interviews and a survey of over 500 beta users. Early concepts were introduced to spark discussions, gather feedback, and identify what resonated most with customers and stakeholders. The second iteration focused on aligning all customer touchpoints, including the GraphQL API, .NET SDK, desktop connectors, computational design tools like Grasshopper and Dynamo, and the ACC website UI, to create a seamless user experience. As the design evolved, it incorporated engineering constraints, product requirements, and platform specifics, ensuring it aligned with the broader vision and quarterly goals of the business division. The team also plans to integrate these features with other Autodesk offerings to streamline the user experience and avoid duplication of efforts.

Next Steps

The next phase will involve:

• Understanding different use cases, analyzing constraints and dependencies of various user interactions and features, and breaking down the design into components.

• Developing an ETP (Earliest Testable Product) design to validate a core concept in real-world scenarios.