Create a project in Forma

Step-by-step guide

Autodesk Forma helps planning and design teams deliver projects digitally from day one.

The first step in designing with Forma is to create a project.

1. In the Forma Hub, from the Home page, select New project.

To select a map area, which defines where the model is added and where analyses are run:

2. Enter an address, area name, or coordinates into the search field.
3. From the area options, select the appropriate area.
   

A terrain model is created, and the map automatically zooms into the selected area. This view can be toggled between the roadmap and a hybrid map.

4. If needed, continue to perform a text search for a different area or a more precise location.
   

The designated map area appears framed by a square boundary that disappears when the map is zoomed out beyond the maximum allowed area. Notice that while zooming or panning, in the Map area and terrain panel, the Selected area coordinates and area values update accordingly.

5. Once the map area is ready, click Confirm map area.

After loading, both the canvas and the Order data dialog box display.

6. Choose the data to use in the project.

The data quality and availability varies by country and region. Select from buildings, terrain, roads, property boundaries, or any combination of these types of data.

7. In this instance, the Open City Model is selected.
   

This opens the Open City Model details.

8. Review the details, and then click Order.
   

9. If the selected map area is too large, select a smaller area by using the control grips to adjust the boundary.
   

10. After making changes, select Order again.

In addition to ordering data from the suggested providers, data or existing models can also be imported.

To import data:

11. In the Order data dialog box, open the Import tab.
12. Drag and drop data files into the dialog box to import them into the project.

Supported filetypes include OBJ, IFC, DXF, and raster images.

13. Once the data is ordered, Close the Order data dialog box.

The canvas now displays the map area and the data.

14. To review the status of the data in the project, from the sidebar, select Library.
    

Here, the data orders, and any imports display as a thumbnail.