BIMx now requires login?

[Rex Maximilian]

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...

[thesleepofreason]

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

[Rex Maximilian]

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

[joelsdg]

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

[Eduardo Rolon]

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

[DGSketcher]

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.

[Rex Maximilian]

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

[Rex Maximilian]

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."

[Nathan Hildebrandt]

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

[Rex Maximilian]

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.

[joelsdg]

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.