Design App for Revit

Frequently Asked Questions

Understand the embodied carbon analysis

Our embodied carbon analysis process automatically maps your Revit elements to carbon data from trusted sources.

How does the Carbon Impact Analysis Process work?

Our carbon impact analysis follows a straightforward four-step workflow, taking you from your Revit model to actionable carbon insights in minutes.

1. Connect Your Revit Model -  Link your Revit project to extract all building elements from your 3D view.

2. Analyze Elements - The system categorizes every element and prepares them for matching.

3. Match to Carbon Emission Data - Elements are matched to appropriate carbon data from our databases.

4. Generate Results - View detailed carbon-impact results mapped directly to your 3D model.

How does the Intelligent Element Matching work?

Advanced algorithms match your Revit elements to standard building systems and carbon data.

1. Element Category - Walls, floors, windows, doors, and other elements are identified by Revit category.

2. Material Composition - Materials, layers, and compositions are analysed to find the closest database match.

3. Dimensions & Quantities - Sizes, thicknesses, and quantities are scaled to calculate accurate carbon impact.

4. Function & Context - Exterior/interior and structural/non-structural roles influence matching.

5. Object Naming - Element (type) names help interpret intended use and pick the most relevant system or product.

What are the Carbon Data Sources?

Two primary data types ensure the most accurate assessment of your building’s environmental impact.

Generic Data – ISO 14067
Industry-standard environmental data for common systems and materials, based on:
 • Standard industry databases
 • Average production methods
 • Typical material compositions
 • Broader material categories
 Used when: No specific manufacturer data is available or in early-stage design.

Specific Product Data
Manufacturer Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) provide:
 • Verified product-specific carbon data
 • Actual production processes and energy sources
 • Detailed material compositions
 • Third-party-verified measurements
 Used when: Specific products are identified in the model or can be matched to manufacturer data.

How do you get Comprehensive Results?

After processing your model, you receive detailed outputs that inform design decisions.

 • Total CO₂e Emissions - Total embodied carbon (A1-A3) for all matched elements, in ton CO₂e.

 • CO₂e per m² GFA - Carbon intensity per square metre of gross floor area for benchmarking.

 • Category Breakdown - Distribution of carbon impact across element categories (walls, floors, structure, etc.).


Iconoir icons used (Class name: Where it appears):
- iconoir-cpu: Tab “The Process”
- iconoir-puzzle: Tab “Element Matching”
- iconoir-database: Tab “Carbon Data”
- iconoir-graph-up: Tab “Results”; metric “Total CO₂e Emissions”
- iconoir-type: Matching criterion 1 “Element Category”
- iconoir-cube-scan: Matching criterion 2 “Material Composition”
- iconoir-ruler: Matching criterion 3 “Dimensions & Quantities”
- iconoir-cube-hole: Matching criterion 4 “Function & Context”
- iconoir-label: Matching criterion 5 “Object Naming”
- iconoir-plus: Button “Connect your Revit model”
- iconoir-scale-frame-enlarge: Metric “CO₂e per m² GFA”
- iconoir-layout-right: Metric “Category Breakdown”

The Design App Calculating building LCA from your Revit model

Do you only support building LCA A1-A3?

Right now the Design App focuses on the early design stage, which gives users of the app the ability to see LCA for A1-A3. We support the full building LCA if the users continue to work on their project on our platform prodikt.com.

What data sources do you use in your calculations?

We integrate multiple data sources to ensure a scientifically grounded climate assessment. Our product database includes data from Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) as well as generic data from Generic Product Compositions (GPCs). Additionally, we incorporate the generic database from the Swedish National Board of Housing, Building, and Planning (Boverket) as a supplementary reference. All climate data complies with the international standard ISO 14067.

Can I trust the results?

Yes, you can trust that the result you get is based on sustainability data following ISO 14067.

Will you add more data sources?

Yes, we are in the works on how to support more data sources. Please reach out if you need something in particular.

Can I define what data source to be used in the calculations?

Currently, no. However, we aim to support that in future updates.

What do I need to be able to use it?

You need to have either a Bimobject user account or a Prodikt user account to login to the app. When running the Design App, You need to have Revit open to sync a model.

Is this application free?

Yes, the Bim.com Design App is free to download and use. We are currently in a free-for-all beta stage and may eventually offer upgraded, paid features.

Will the Design App support other design softwares than Revit?

Yes. Although no specific timeline has been determined yet, the Design App will support other design software in the future.

Why is the Design App Windows only?

The Design App is Windows-only to ensure optimal performance and compatibility with industry-standard BIM software that predominantly runs on Windows.

The Design App and Prodikt

Should I work with the Design App instead of Prodikt?

If you are already working with Prodikt, you can use the Design App as a complement, not a replacement. Instead of importing an IFC file to get your model data into Prodikt, the Design App works as a connector in between Revit and Prodikt, ready to sync your model information directly. This makes it a lot easier to re-sync the model to Prodikt whenever you’ve made changes to the model.

Does the Design App use the same data sources and calculation methods as Prodikt?

Yes, the engine processing your model, the mapping method and the CO2 information is the same in both the Design App and in Prodikt. Your climate dashboard in the Design App will show results identical to the numbers in Prodikt. That’s why you can seamlessly jump between your Revit model, your Design App dashboard, and your project in Prodikt.

Will the climate dashboard in the Design App update if I work in Prodikt on a connected project?

Yes if you work with your project in Prodikt the dashboard in the app will show the same calculations.

If I re-sync my model in the Design App, will I lose the work I made on the connected project in Prodikt?

No, you will not lose any data. You can continue to sync the project in the Design App also after you have made edits in Prodikt.

The Design App file storage and library

Why should I use “My library” in the Design App?

The Design App comes with a built-in library for storing your design assets. When you upload files into your library, they are automatically categorized, and easily accessible directly from Revit.

What type of files can I upload and store?

You can upload and store any of your Revit families (RFA files) together with Revit project files (RVT), Revit template files (RTE), material and texture files (ADSKLIB, JPG, PNG, GIF, TIF) and PDFs.

Will my uploaded families become publicly available to other users on Bim.com and the Design App?

No, each Library is private, and its content is available only to you and the people you invite.

Can I share My Library with my team if I choose to?

Yes, you can invite up to 3 people to collaborate in one Library. Collaborators in the Library can access all the files in it, but only the Library owner can add or delete files.

Can I access additional BIM objects in the Design App?

You can browse the live global BIMobject.com library directly to access manufacturer specific objects and add to your library.

Can I place BIM objects from My Design App Library in other design softwares than Revit?

This first version of the Design App works only with Revit, but we aim to have it work with other design softwares in later versions.

Have any ideas for features or want to report a bug? Reach out to the team!