The Many Loves of COBie Data with Ideate Automation for Ideate BIMLink!
COBie Data Extraction needs to be assembled at multiple times during the life of a project, usually at the end of each work stage of the project.
Yes, I know that I’m playing off the title of a television show that ran from 1959 to 1963! If you have NEVER heard of The Many Loves Dobie Gillis, you should Google it. Now, let’s get down to some serious data that certainly is NOT 62 years old and in black-and-white!
COBie is an acronym for Construction Operations Building Information Exchange, and it is a non-proprietary data format for the publication of a subset of building information models focused on delivering asset data as distinct from geometric information.
COBie Data Extraction needs to be assembled at multiple times during the life of a project, usually at the end of each work stage of the project.
Ideate BIMLink is delivered with 15 pre-defined link definitions that are configured to use Revit shared parameters that are created as part of the Autodesk COBie Extension for Revit, which is a subset of the Autodesk BIM Interoperability Tools.
Many agencies and jurisdictions around the world use this data. As an example, the U.S. General Services Administration has deployed the Autodesk COBie Extension for Revit.
You can create the necessary COBie spreadsheet by choosing to export EACH of the 15 Ideate BIMLink library link definitions, one at a time, to a single Excel spreadsheet using Ideate BIMlink.
However, assembling this information to meet project requirements can be time-consuming and tedious.
Introducing Ideate Automation for Ideate BIMLink
Ideate Automation for Ideate BIMLink allows you to extract information from multiple models and multiple COBie Ideate BIMLink Link Definitions, allowing a designer to easily meet the COBie requirements demanded by many jurisdictions such as the GSA.
Ideate BIMLink used in conjunction with Ideate Automation allows designers to extract the data they need at the push of a button.
Please watch this short video to review the process of automating COBie Data Drops for multiple stages of your project.
In addition, please review this Help topic on Getting Started with Ideate Automation.
What is a Named User license?
A Named User license is assigned to one specific person rather than shared across a network. For a step-by-step walkthrough, see the Graitec Licensing Help Center - Named User.
Are Ideate Suites replacing Ideate Software Bundles?
Yes. Going forward, Ideate Suites replace Ideate Software Bundles.
What's the difference between the Ideate Software Bundle and the Ideate Suite?
Both include the same five tools: IdeateApps, Ideate BIMLink, Ideate Explorer, Ideate Sticky and Ideate StyleManager.
- Bundle: Each tool is licensed separately, so different people can work in different tools at once. For example, with one Bundle, five people could each use a different tool at the same time.
- Suite: One license covers all five tools for one person at a time. That person can move freely between every tool. While they're using the Suite, it isn't available to anyone else on that license until they finish.
A Named User Suite is assigned to one specific person. A single Network Cloud Floating Suite can be shared across your team, one person at a time.
Will my team need more licenses?
If several people on your team use different Ideate tools at the same time, you may need more than one Suite license. Contact us and we'll review your team's usage and help you choose the right setup.
Can I still buy an Ideate Software Bundle?
No. Bundles are no longer available for purchase. New purchases are offered as follows:
- Ideate Suite: Named User or Network Cloud Floating
- Enterprise Suite: Network Cloud Floating
- Active Host: Network Cloud Floating
- Automation: Network Cloud Floating
- Individual products: Named User or Network Cloud Floating (IdeateApps, Ideate BIMLink, Ideate Explorer, Ideate Sticky, and Ideate StyleManager)
Can I still buy IdeateApps, BIMLink, Explorer, Sticky, or StyleManager individually?
Yes. Individual products are available as Named User or Cloud Floating licenses until the new product lineup launches with the next major release, expected mid-2027.
Will floating (network) licenses still be available?
Yes. FlexLM remains available for organizations with security requirements, such as environments without internet access. FlexLM is not available through the online store, so please contact your account manager to purchase.
My organization has strict security requirements or no internet access. Can I still get a FlexLM license?
Yes. FlexLM remains available for organizations with security requirements, such as environments without internet access. FlexLM is not available through the online store, so please contact your account manager to purchase.
I'm an existing customer. What happens to my current license/s?
Your existing Ideate Software subscription is moving to our new licensing system at no cost. Your license quantities and expiration dates stay the same.
- Standalone licenses become Named User licenses. Set up your Named Users in the Graitec Advantage Portal.
- Cloud Floating (network) licenses become Network Cloud Floating Suite licenses. Deploy the latest release as you have in the past, using the new license code in your migration email.
- Each Ideate Software Bundle becomes an Ideate Suite.
To keep using Ideate, update to the latest release and activate your new license by March 31, 2027. Older Ideate licenses will stop working in Q2 2027.
Using Ideate with Revit 2022 or earlier? Contact ideatesupport@graitec.com to review your options. For account questions, contact sales@ideatesoftware.com.
I have a Bundle today. What will I receive when I move to the new licensing?
Conversions are one for one. Each Ideate Software Bundle becomes one Ideate Suite, and each network Bundle becomes one Network Cloud Floating Suite. Your license quantities and expiration dates stay the same.
Where do I manage my licenses?
In the Graitec Advantage Portal. Based on customer requests, starting with the latest Ideate release, license management and license usage information are handled in Graitec Advantage, outside of Revit. We recommend bookmarking the portal.
- Named User licenses: Assign licenses to people on your team in Graitec Advantage.
- Cloud Floating Suite licenses: Deploy the latest release with your new license code as you have in the past, then manage licenses in Graitec Advantage.
Watch the Graitec Advantage walkthrough
Can I transfer a Named User license to another person?
Yes. There's no limit on the total number of transfers, but each license can be transferred up to two times within a 30-day period.
How are licenses issued?
Each product on your order is issued as its own license once your order is processed. To try a product before buying, contact us to request an evaluation license.
I want to try the Graitec AI Assistant now, but I don’t have my new license code yet. What should I do?
Existing customers: We’re delivering new license codes to existing subscribers on a rolling basis over the next few weeks. If you need access sooner, contact your Graitec sales representative.
New customers: The Graitec AI Assistant isn’t available in the Ideate trial. Contact your Graitec sales representative to request an evaluation license or purchase a 6-month subscription.
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