topic BIMx now requires login? in BIMx

BIMx now requires login?

Rex Maximilian — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 16:47:01 GMT

Am I to understand that BIMx now requires a login to open and view models? So when we send our clients a link to the BIMx app, and then a link to our model, they have to create a Graphisoft account?

https://community.graphisoft.com/t5/BIMx/BIMx-Licensing/ta-p/304184?anchor=bimx_license_types&gstype=knowledgebase

Re: BIMx now requires login?

runxel — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 18:12:27 GMT

Oof, that would be as bad as it gets.... 😑

Re: BIMx now requires login?

Jeff Griffin — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 19:52:52 GMT

Models, yes. Model, no. The third bullet point at the link you shared indicated that users would be able to open one model without signing in. Users will also be able to open the built-in demo model and the featured models from the BIMx Model Transfer site without signing in.

Re: BIMx now requires login?

DGSketcher — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 19:54:28 GMT

Not good is it? Marketing probably want to start bombarding our clients with stuff they have little interest in, meanwhile all those repeat clients who were thinking BIMx is the next best thing to PDF will think twice about opening the model because they don't want another web account to worry about.

Re: BIMx now requires login?

DGSketcher — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 20:47:35 GMT

Clear as mud. But it would appear after checking by logging out that you can continue to view the first model you opened when you first start using the updated app, but any other models are locked until you sign in.

So single model client. ok. Repeat client with different sites or large split / phased projects will be require everyone using the BIMx app to sign in.

Re: BIMx now requires login?

Rex Maximilian — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 04:00:06 GMT

I usually do one model per phase:

Existing conditions

Conceptual/Schematic Design

Design Development

Looks like every damn client will now have to create a login, and then inevitably tell me they could review my latest revision because they forgot their password, etc.

Really not fair for us to put our clients through this. Does any other major CAD software require their viewer apps to use a login?

I don't get it.

Re: BIMx now requires login?

runxel — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 15:58:40 GMT

Looks like per Q&A session today that GS absolutely thinks that this would be a great idea and doubling down on it.

Hey Graphisoft: IT IS NOT.

Please stop this utter nonsense. Or just keep digging your own grave, idk man.

Re: BIMx now requires login?

Rex Maximilian — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 20:01:41 GMT

I now dread the future conversations with my clients explaining why they have to sign up for "another" web account just to see my model of their house.

*sigh*

Re: BIMx now requires login?

Jp1138 — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 07:38:58 GMT

Well, maybe you can have a "Client" account to pass around? At least that way they don´t have to register...

Re: BIMx now requires login?

DGSketcher — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 08:01:48 GMT

Interesting idea, it also makes the point that the registration feature could become a complete waste of time, which it is anyway.

Re: BIMx now requires login?

hevi — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 08:54:45 GMT

If nothing else they will have a large number to dress up as a key performance indicator - just as the 60 000 member community!

Re: BIMx now requires login?

Rex Maximilian — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 10:23:29 GMT

That's an excellent idea. Then we just pass the credentials to the client for log in.

Re: BIMx now requires login?

joelsdg — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 16:30:15 GMT

I also have to agree that this is a HORRIBLE move from Graphisoft. Now we get to go from "just download this app" to either "create another web account that you won't use but WILL lose the password to, REPEATEDLY, and resent us for telling you to do this" OR "here's a login and password (which you'll still lose and always ask us for) we set up for you to use, that we don't know if it has a maximum number of users that can be logged in while using said 'used-to-be-easier' app and may result in you having to set up another useless web account ANY WAY." Rinse and repeat.

Way to help us build client relationships, Graphisoft.

Sorry but I don't see the benefit. Other than pumping someone's numbers for marketing/shareholder results. Wasn't it enough to analyze the numbers from the various App Store downloads? Those accounts have emails assigned to them.

In my brief experience, I was only able to view one model without log in. Even if I erased all the models on my device, it still required a login for the next one I attempted to open, unless it was the Demo model, which is of no use to our clients.

And to add to the misery, I don't recall getting ANY WARNING this was coming. I get to hear it from my boss first thing in the morning, when he can't open a model that "opened just fine" yesterday. If a warning was issued, it missed me.

Joel

Re: BIMx now requires login?

Eduardo Rolon — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 12:08:21 GMT

So every client will have access to all of your published BIMx files?

Re: BIMx now requires login?

DGSketcher — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 21:32:53 GMT

Only if they know the file address(es), which is no different to the current arrangement & what stops the client sharing their credentials anyway? Even now my client will sometimes forward the BIMx model to 3rd parties with my prior agreement as it helps them explain their part in the project.

A login requirement would provide a degree of security which some companies may want on sensitive projects, but on balance I think it is a deterrent for general adoption of the BIMx viewer. The more the viewer is used the more chance GS will pick up new business from those seeing the benefit of using AC and the BIMx output.

Perhaps GS could provide an optional "This file can only be viewed with a valid account" option when publishing? A bit like having a password protected PDF or Word file.

Edit: Just checked the Transfer Site and and reminded myself that file visibility can be Public, Private or Private (password protected), so even now the login offers nothing new on the security front.

Re: BIMx now requires login?

Rex Maximilian — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 23:13:29 GMT

Yikes!! Well, there's that. Hmmm... good catch!

Re: BIMx now requires login?

Rex Maximilian — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 23:21:11 GMT

It's almost like they sit around the conference table and ask...
"What can we do to aggravate our user base?"
"I know, require their clients to log into BIMx!"
"Hahaha!" (the entire table erupts with laughter!)

Honestly though, they do the thing with the "Pro" version going away, which was AWESOME! Great move Graphisoft (sincerely)... but then they take that proverbial "one step back."

Re: BIMx now requires login?

Nathan Hildebrandt — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 00:35:18 GMT

If you have ever worked on projects on ACC or BIM360, you must have a login to access those files. It is common practice for people who work on the 'other software' to have clients login to access files on their projects. Add to the mix the extensive use of Revizto (another platform that clients have to login to use) and you will see that Graphisoft is late to the party with this approach, but is following the direction of the BIM software market in the approach to logging in to access files.

Regards Nathan

Re: BIMx now requires login?

Rex Maximilian — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 01:45:23 GMT

It doesn't matter what other companies do. It's a bad decision. There is absolutely no reason a client should have to create an account to view a design from their architect who paid $975 a year per license. We deserve a seamless way to digitally present our design without this logistical issue for our financial commitments with this software. You can have people log in to use advanced BIMx features (formerly Pro); that's fine. But to simply view a design, no.

Again, they don't have to do what everyone else does. Graphisoft using that excuse during the Building Together Q&A was, well... lame.

Re: BIMx now requires login?

joelsdg — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 00:47:36 GMT

I understand that people use the BIMx app differently. Awesome.

From our perspective, we only use the 'viewer' feature of the BIMx app for showing the model to our clients that allow us (and them once they have the app) to walk through the model. That's it. It is a tremendous advantage and marketing tool that allowed us to simply share the latest version of our clients' dream with them for their approval. And they could easily explore the model at their leisure.

We haven't had a good reason to upgrade to the "pro" version of the app and its increased feature set. It was a simple use of the app.

Apparently it was a novel enough use that Graphisoft didn't consider it a big deal to make this change to the app.