Autodesk Forma Site Design
Autodesk Forma Site Design is a cloud planning and schematic design environment for AEC teams that combines site context, fast massing exploration, AI-assisted option generation, and environmental analysis with pathways into Revit and broader Autodesk Construction Cloud workflows.
Early design moves quickly when context, geometry, and performance feedback stay in one place. Autodesk positions Forma Site Design as part of its AEC industry cloud story for pre-design and schematic work, with AI-assisted tools to create and compare alternatives alongside environmental analyses rather than exporting static massing to disconnected spreadsheets (Autodesk, 2026).
Site setup pulls geolocated context so proposals stay anchored to real parcels, and the same space supports 3D massing iteration plus analyses aimed at building performance decisions. Forma Board adds a collaboration layer for sharing metrics, visuals, and comments with clients and consultants during reviews (Autodesk, 2026).
Interoperability is a main selling point: Autodesk advertises connections from Forma Site Design into Revit for detailed design, plus links to Rhino, SketchUp, Dynamo, Autodesk Docs, and Autodesk Construction Cloud depending on your subscription mix (Autodesk, 2026). Customer stories on the Autodesk site quote firms cutting concept iteration time from multi-day manual rework to hours when moving into Revit with fewer remodel cycles (Autodesk customer stories, 2026).
Licensing commonly routes through the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Collection bundle, which Autodesk markets with a strong discount story versus separate annual subscriptions for the included products; standalone Forma Site Design subscriptions also exist for teams that only need this planning stack (Autodesk, 2026). Always confirm SKU, region, and tax with an Autodesk quote or reseller before purchasing.
Specifications
Pricing
Platforms
Used for
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Pros and cons
Pros
- Keeps planning, analysis, and stakeholder review in a single cloud workspace
- Backed by Autodesk???s roadmap for AEC cloud services and Revit-centric offices
- Trial access lets teams test workflows before committing
- Supports multiple upstream geometry sources beyond a single CAD vendor
Cons
- Subscription economics depend on whether you already own AEC Collection seats
- Deep detail modeling still shifts to Revit or other authoring tools
- Cloud performance and data residency questions need IT review for your enterprise
- Feature names and packaging change; re-check current Autodesk product pages before renewal
Key features
Site context: Geolocated setup and environmental analyses to ground early massing in real parcels (Autodesk, 2026).
3D massing: Explore concepts quickly and bring geometry in from common authoring tools (Autodesk, 2026).
Autodesk AI assistance: Option exploration and analysis workflows marketed as AI-assisted within Forma Site Design (Autodesk, 2026).
Forma Board: Shared boards for feedback, metrics, and visuals across AECO stakeholders (Autodesk, 2026).
Revit handoff: Path from proposals into Revit for detailed BIM production (Autodesk, 2026).
AEC Collection option: Included with the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Collection subscription alongside other Autodesk design products (Autodesk, 2026).
Pricing
Via AEC Collection (bundle)
per year
Free
Autodesk states Forma Site Design is included with AEC Collection; bundle pricing and discount claims vary by campaign. Verify on autodesk.com (2026).
Standalone subscription
per year
Free
Standalone list pricing changes by region; request Autodesk quote for current annual or monthly rates (2026).
Frequently asked questions
Is Autodesk Forma the same as old Spacemaker?
Autodesk???s public pages describe Forma Site Design as the current cloud planning offering under the Forma brand for pre-design and schematic workflows. Historical Spacemaker users should follow Autodesk migration notes for their accounts rather than assuming identical menus.
Do I need Revit to use Forma Site Design?
No. Forma Site Design can run as a planning environment on its own, but Autodesk highlights Revit handoff for offices that produce construction BIM downstream. You can still connect other listed tools depending on licensing (Autodesk, 2026).
Is there a free trial?
Autodesk advertises a 30-day trial intake for Forma Site Design on its product pages. Trials may require an Autodesk account and acceptable use terms; confirm the latest duration on autodesk.com before starting (Autodesk, 2026).
Can Forma Site Design export IFC?
The overview emphasizes Revit, Rhino, SketchUp, and cloud connectors rather than open IFC as the headline path. Ask Autodesk documentation for IFC or openBIM exchange if your delivery requires it.
How is Forma Site Design licensed?
Marketing copy positions it as available standalone or through the AEC Collection bundle. Exact price lists vary by region, term, and promotions, so use Autodesk???s store or a reseller quote for authoritative numbers (Autodesk, 2026).
Does Forma Site Design run on Mac?
The product is browser-based for authoring sessions listed on the overview. Heavy CAD links such as Revit remain Windows-centric in most deployments even when Forma itself runs in the cloud.