Autodesk Platform Services (APS) is Autodesk's set of cloud APIs, known as Forge until 2022. Developers use it to access files and projects in Autodesk's cloud (including Autodesk Construction Cloud and BIM 360), convert and view models in a browser, read model data, and run desktop products such as Revit headlessly in the cloud. It is how many integrations, dashboards and, more recently, AI assistants reach Autodesk project data.
At a glance
| Former name | Autodesk Forge (renamed in 2022) |
| Access | An APS developer account and an app with credentials; users sign in with their Autodesk account to grant access |
| Typical services | Data Management (hubs, projects, folders, files), Model Derivative (convert and extract), Viewer (show models in a browser), Automation API (run Revit, AutoCAD and others in the cloud, formerly Design Automation), ACC APIs (issues, RFIs, admin…), AEC Data Model API (query design data with GraphQL), Webhooks |
| Pricing | Some APIs are included with Autodesk subscriptions, others are metered; check the current terms on the APS site |
| Community | APS blog, samples on GitHub, developer forums and Stack Overflow |
What it's used for
| Need | APS service | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Show models on a website or dashboard | Viewer + Model Derivative | A client portal showing the latest federated model |
| Report on project data | ACC APIs, Data Management | Open issues by company, RFIs overdue, files without status |
| Query elements and properties | AEC Data Model API, Model Derivative | All doors with fire rating EI 60 across several models |
| Run a Revit job without opening Revit | Automation API | Export room data sheets from 30 models overnight |
| React when something changes | Webhooks | Notify the coordinator when a model is published |
| Let an AI assistant use project data | APS behind an MCP server | Ask in plain language which issues are overdue on a project |
Autodesk publishes MCP server samples built on APS, for example one that runs Revit automation on cloud-hosted models. These are samples to learn from, not supported products.
Worked example
A contractor's digital team wants a weekly project health page for 25 projects in Autodesk Construction Cloud. A small service uses APS to list each project's issues, RFIs and published models, computes overdue counts and model publishing dates, and writes them into a dashboard. The project directors stop asking each BIM coordinator for screenshots on Friday afternoons.
Common mistakes
- Building on an API without checking whether it's in beta or general release.
- Using one person's credentials for a team integration.
- Pulling whole models when the question only needs a few properties.
- Ignoring rate limits and usage costs until the first bill.
Where to read more
The APS website and blog (aps.autodesk.com) document each API, publish samples and announce changes. Autodesk's GitHub organisation for APS hosts sample code, including MCP examples.