Autodesk Advance Concrete was a specialized software for reinforced concrete design and structural detailing, built directly on the AutoCAD platform. It was primarily used to automate the creation of construction drawings, bills of materials, and reinforcement schedules. Status and Transition
Autodesk discontinued Advance Concrete several years ago, with the final standalone versions released around 2017. Users were largely transitioned to Revit for concrete modeling and detailing, although some community members have noted that Revit initially lacked some of the specific efficiency and presentation tools found in Advance Concrete. Core Functionalities When it was active, the software focused on:
Modeling: Quick creation of 3D reinforced concrete structures including slabs, beams, columns, and walls.
Reinforcement: Sophisticated tools for rebar distribution and the generation of bent mesh schedules.
Drawing Automation: Automatic generation of formwork and reinforcement plans directly from the 3D model.
Interoperability: Support for BIM workflows through links with Revit and Graitec Advance Design. Modern Alternatives
For those looking for similar functionality in current Autodesk products: Revit can't replace Advance Concrete ! - Forums, Autodesk
The Legacy and Future of Autodesk Advance Concrete If you’ve been in the structural engineering world for a while, you know that Autodesk Advance Concrete
was once a powerhouse for reinforced concrete detailing. However, as the industry shifted toward Building Information Modeling (BIM) , the software’s role changed significantly. 🏗️ What Was Advance Concrete? Originally developed by Graitec and later acquired by Autodesk
in 2013, Advance Concrete was a specialized AutoCAD-based tool. It excelled at: Automatic Detailing : Creating 2D reinforcement drawings and shop drawings directly from 3D models. Bar Bending Schedules (BBS)
: Generating accurate schedules and bills of materials (BOM) for fabrication. Dynamic Linking
: Maintaining a link between the 3D model and 2D sections so that updates in one reflected in the other. 🔄 The Transition to Revit In early 2017, Autodesk officially discontinued Advance Concrete
. This wasn't the end of concrete detailing at Autodesk; rather, it was a move to consolidate these features into Revit Structure has largely absorbed these capabilities, offering: 3D Reinforcement : Advanced tools for modeling complex rebar shapes. BIM-Centric Workflows
: Better coordination between architects, engineers, and contractors in a single model. Cloud Collaboration : Integration with Autodesk Construction Cloud for real-time project management. 🛠️ Still Using It?
For those still maintaining legacy projects in Advance Concrete, remember that it operates as an AutoCAD vertical . If you are looking to modernize your workflow, exploring
Advance Concrete is a specialized AutoCAD-based software designed for structural engineers and reinforced concrete detailers. While it was once a cornerstone for 3D modeling and automated construction drawings, it is important to note that Autodesk officially discontinued advance concrete autodesk
the product on January 31, 2017. The company has since shifted its focus toward integrating these capabilities into Autodesk Revit to support Building Information Modeling (BIM) workflows. Core Capabilities and Features
When it was active, Advance Concrete was recognized for its efficiency in moving projects from initial design to final fabrication. Key features included: 3D Structural Modeling:
A comprehensive library of "smart objects" like slabs, beams, columns, and stairs allowed for rapid 3D modeling within the familiar AutoCAD environment. Automated Reinforcement:
Users could apply reinforcement to structural elements using automated tools, which significantly reduced manual detailing time. Dynamic Drawing Generation:
The software automatically generated sections, elevations, and isometric views from the 3D model. Changes to the model would update all associated drawings and Bill of Materials (BOMs). Interoperability: It featured a bidirectional link with Autodesk Revit
, allowing designers to sync models between the two platforms for better coordination. Microsol Resources The Transition to Revit
Autodesk’s decision to retire Advance Concrete was driven by the industry's move toward BIM-centric workflows
. Modern reinforcement detailing is now handled primarily within , which offers: Microsol Resources Unified Environment:
Unlike the isolated workflow of Advance Concrete, Revit integrates concrete detailing with architectural and MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) designs. Advanced Rebar Tools: Recent updates to Revit, such as adaptive rebar propagation
, allow for high-speed modeling of complex reinforcement across entire building structures. Fabrication Readiness:
Revit models now support CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing) file generation for precast concrete planar elements through specialized extensions like the Structural Precast Extension Autodesk Community, Autodesk Forums, Autodesk Forum Current Status and Alternatives Autodesk Advance Concrete - Microsol Resources
The Evolution of Concrete Engineering: Exploring Autodesk Advance Concrete
Autodesk Advance Concrete was a specialized CAD software designed for structural engineers and reinforced concrete detailers to model and detail concrete structures with high precision. Built on the familiar AutoCAD platform, it automated the production of construction drawings, Bill of Materials (BOMs), and NC files, significantly reducing manual drafting time.
While discontinued as of January 31, 2017, in favor of Autodesk Revit, its legacy remains a cornerstone in the transition from traditional 2D drafting to modern Building Information Modeling (BIM) workflows. Key Features and Capabilities
Advance Concrete offered a suite of specialized tools tailored to the unique needs of reinforced concrete (RC) projects: Autodesk Advance Concrete was a specialized software for
3D Structural Modeling: Users could model reinforced concrete structures using intelligent objects like beams, columns, slabs, and foundations.
Reinforcement Detailing: The software included powerful tools for detailing bars and meshes directly on 2D drawings, which then automatically updated a 3D model for clash checking and visualization.
Automated Documentation: It could generate plan views, sections, elevations, and isometric views directly from the 3D model.
BOM and Scheduling: Advance Concrete automated the creation of bar bending schedules and material lists, ensuring higher accuracy in cost estimates.
Multi-user Collaboration: Large projects could be split among multiple users working simultaneously to speed up the detailing process. The Shift to Revit and BIM
The "story" of Autodesk Advance Concrete is a classic tale of corporate acquisition and technological evolution. It follows a software product that was once a standalone powerhouse, only to be integrated into a larger ecosystem and eventually retired to make way for newer innovations. 1. The Graitec Era (Beginnings)
Advance Concrete was originally developed by Graitec, a French software company. It was designed as a specialized tool for structural engineers and detailers to create 2D and 3D reinforcement drawings and construction documents on the AutoCAD platform. It became a favorite for its ability to automate complex rebar detailing. 2. The Autodesk Acquisition (2013)
In late 2013, Autodesk signed a definitive agreement to acquire the Advance Concrete and Advance Steel product lines from Graitec.
The Goal: Autodesk wanted to expand its Building Information Modeling (BIM) portfolio for structural engineering.
The Integration: For several years, Autodesk sold the product as "Autodesk Advance Concrete," maintaining its compatibility with the AutoCAD engine. 3. The Transition to Revit
As Autodesk shifted its focus heavily toward Revit as the primary BIM platform, Advance Concrete began to lose its independent spotlight.
Revit Integration: Autodesk began building advanced concrete detailing tools directly into Revit Structure.
Redundancy: Having two separate platforms for the same task became inefficient. While Advance Steel thrived and remains a key part of the Autodesk lineup today, Advance Concrete faced a different fate. 4. The "End of the Story" (2017) By 2017, Autodesk officially "retired" Advance Concrete.
Discontinuation: The software was removed from the active product list to encourage users to migrate to Revit for concrete detailing and Civil 3D for infrastructure projects.
Current Status: While some training centers and legacy projects still reference the software in educational materials, it is no longer sold or updated as a standalone Autodesk product. Important advanced features and workflows
Today, the spirit of Advance Concrete lives on within the Revit reinforcement tools, which have inherited the automated detailing logic that first made the original software successful. Autodesk Revit Structure 2017 Define Grid and Story Data
I’ll assume you mean “features for advanced concrete design in Autodesk” (e.g., Revit, Robot, AutoCAD). Here’s a concise guide to relevant Autodesk tools and features, plus when to use each.
Key Autodesk products for advanced concrete work
Important advanced features and workflows
When to use which tool (quick guide)
Recommended workflow (concise)
If you want, I can:
Which of those would you like?
Solution: Check your "Shape Code Library." Advance Concrete calculates length by the neutral axis. If your bending machine uses a different formula (e.g., total length vs. sum of legs), you need to adjust the "Deduction Rules" in the Project Parameters.
Using the Advance Drawing Manager, the detailer selects views (sections through the beam). The software places dimensions, rebar tags, and callouts automatically. Bar bending schedules are exported to Excel or PDF.
Even with powerful tools, issues arise. Here are solutions to common Advance Concrete Autodesk problems.
Modeling Strategy: Before creating solid content, plan your modeling strategy. Determine the level of detail needed for your project and model accordingly.
Use of Families: Leverage Revit's family feature to create reusable and parametric solid content.
Coordination: Ensure that your solid content works well with other project elements. This includes coordination with structural engineers, architects, and other stakeholders.
Performance: Be mindful of model performance. Detailed models can slow down your project, especially in large or complex projects.
Solution: Use "Area Reinforcement" in pattern mode rather than individual bars. Also, turn off "Realistic View" while detailing. Use the "Simplify Rebar Representation" setting (show rebars as lines rather than solid 3D).