Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC): A VDC Team's Practical Guide

Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) is the unified platform Autodesk introduced to consolidate BIM 360 and several other project management tools. If you are still running BIM 360 on active projects or configuring a new project for the first time understanding what ACC is, how it differs from BIM 360, and how to configure it effectively saves significant setup time and prevents collaboration failures.

What Is Autodesk Construction Cloud?

ACC is Autodesk's common data environment (CDE) for the construction industry. For VDC teams, the most relevant modules are:

• Docs Document management, RFIs, submittals, and model storage (BIM 360 Docs successor)
• Model Coordination Cloud-based clash detection without local Navisworks (BIM 360 Model Coordination successor)
• Design Collaboration Shared model views and version comparison (new in ACC)
• Build Field management, quality and safety (BIM 360 Field successor)

ACC vs. BIM 360: What Actually Changed

Unified login and project structure. BIM 360 had separate modules with inconsistent permissions. ACC has a unified admin interface and consistent role-based permissions across all modules a real improvement for multi-module projects.

Model Coordination improvements. ACC supports cloud-based clash detection you do not need Navisworks locally for basic clash tests. However, it is not a replacement for Navisworks for high-volume triage. Think of it as a stakeholder-facing overview tool.

Design Collaboration. New in ACC allows design teams to publish models on schedules and compare versions. Useful for tracking model progress across design milestones.

How to Configure ACC for Effective BIM Coordination

1. Set up your folder structure before anyone starts uploading. ACC's folder structure cannot easily be reorganized after files are in it. Define your folder hierarchy in the BEP: typically by discipline (Architectural / Structural / Mechanical / Electrical / Plumbing / FP / Civil) with subfolders for current models, archive, and reference.

2. Define permission levels explicitly. ACC has five permission levels: View, Download, Upload, Edit, Manage. Most subcontractors should have Upload to their own folder and View/Download to others. The GC VDC coordinator should have Manage across all project folders.

3. Configure Model Coordination with the right model set. A model set in ACC Model Coordination defines which models are included in clash detection. Create separate model sets for different coordination zones (e.g., podium, tower, mechanical penthouse) rather than one enormous model set it keeps clash counts manageable.

4. Publish on a schedule, not ad-hoc. The value of ACC as a CDE is that everyone works from the same current models. Establish a publishing schedule in the BEP (e.g., subcontractors update by Monday noon), and enforce it. Models that are weeks out of date make coordination meaningless.

5. Connect ACC to your issue management workflow. ACC's RFI and issue tools can be connected to Revizto or directly managed within the platform. Decide before the project starts running two parallel issue tracking systems is worse than one imperfect system used consistently.

ACC Model Coordination vs. Navisworks: When to Use Each

Use ACC Model Coordination for:

• Real-time model viewing by non-technical stakeholders (owners, field staff)
• Basic clash overview without requiring local software installation
• Design review and model version comparison

Use Navisworks for:

• High-volume clash triage (1,000+ clashes requires Navisworks-level filtering and grouping)
• Complex clash test configuration (tolerance settings, discipline pairing, search sets)
• VDC coordinator-level analysis work

Frequently Asked Questions About Autodesk Construction Cloud

Is Autodesk Construction Cloud the same as BIM 360?

No — ACC is the next-generation platform that replaces BIM 360. Autodesk began migrating customers from BIM 360 to ACC starting in 2022, with BIM 360 entering an official sunset phase. The underlying capabilities are similar (document management, model coordination, field management), but ACC has a unified interface, consistent role-based permissions across all modules, and new features like Design Collaboration and improved cloud-based clash detection. BIM 360 projects remain accessible but Autodesk is no longer adding features to the platform — new projects should be started in ACC.

Can ACC replace Navisworks for BIM clash detection?

For basic clash overview and stakeholder communication — yes, ACC Model Coordination works without requiring local Navisworks installation. For serious VDC coordination work with high clash volumes (500+), complex discipline pairing, custom tolerance settings, and triage grouping — no. ACC's clash detection is designed for visibility and summary reporting, not for the detailed analysis work that a VDC coordinator does to produce an actionable clash list. Most VDC programs use both: Navisworks for coordinator-level analysis, ACC for distribution.

How do you manage model versions in ACC?

ACC uses a publish-and-consume model. Subcontractors upload updated model files to their designated folder on a defined schedule (typically weekly). The model set in ACC Model Coordination automatically detects new versions and makes them available for coordination. The BEP should define the publishing schedule, the folder each discipline publishes to, and the file naming convention. ACC maintains version history for all uploaded files, so rolling back to a previous version is possible if a model update introduces new issues.

What is the difference between ACC Docs and ACC Model Coordination?

ACC Docs is the document management module — it stores and manages all project files (drawings, specifications, RFIs, submittals, BIM models) with version control, markups, and approval workflows. ACC Model Coordination is the BIM coordination module — it aggregates 3D models from ACC Docs into model sets and runs clash detection. Think of Docs as the filing system and Model Coordination as the coordination tool that uses the files stored in Docs. Both modules are included in the ACC standard subscription.