InfraWorks intelligent visualization

Summary

As a UX design lead at Autodesk, I guided the data aggregation workflows team in developing seamless cross-platform integration between Revit and InfraWorks. This project tackled the challenge of efficiently bringing diverse modeling data into InfraWorks, ensuring that civil engineers and architects could visualize proposals more effectively without unnecessary complexity.

Through user research and iterative prototyping, I identified key user expectations around level of detail (LOD), intelligent filtering, and seamless workflow connectivity. The result was a drag-and-drop, metadata-driven filtering system, which significantly improved efficiency and usability.

This project exemplifies my expertise in designing for complex, technical workflows, streamlining data-driven processes, and aligning software capabilities with the real-world needs of engineers and architects.

Project Overview

The Challenge: Bridging Revit & InfraWorks for Data-Driven Visualization

Autodesk's InfraWorks is a lightweight visualization tool that enables engineers and architects to explore large-scale infrastructure projects. However, integrating detailed building models from Revit presented workflow friction due to:

🔹 Data Overload – Users often imported unnecessarily high-detail models, leading to performance issues and visual clutter.
🔹 Disconnected Workflows – Engineers needed a seamless way to transfer Revit data without manual rework.
🔹 Lack of Filtering Options – Users wanted intelligent filtering to control the level of detail (LOD) when importing models.

Our goal was to develop a smooth, intuitive import process that would empower users to bring Revit models into InfraWorks efficiently, while maintaining clarity and usability.

Approach & Solution

To address these challenges, I led a user research-driven design strategy in collaboration with Autodesk teams in Shanghai. My approach included:

User Research: Understanding Real-World Needs

I conducted in-depth user interviews and workflow analysis with civil engineers and architects to uncover:
✔ Varied LOD Requirements – Users needed control over detail levels to balance performance and clarity.
✔ Context-Driven Importing – Different project stages required different model complexities.
✔ Cross-Software Expectations – Users wanted InfraWorks and Revit to feel seamlessly connected.

Concept Development: Drag-and-Drop & Smart Filtering

Based on research insights, I designed a drag-and-drop import system with intelligent metadata filtering, allowing users to:
✔ Import models quickly without unnecessary manual steps.
✔ Automatically filter objects based on LOD requirements.
✔ Customize visibility based on project needs.

Prototyping & Iteration

I collaborated with engineers to develop interactive prototypes and validated usability with real users. Key refinements included:
✔ Adaptive LOD controls that adjust based on project scope.
✔ Real-time preview of imported models before finalizing.
✔ Automated metadata tagging to streamline workflow efficiency.

Impact & Business Value

✅ Enhanced Productivity – Reduced time spent on manual adjustments, allowing engineers to focus on design.
✅ Seamless Integration – Strengthened Autodesk’s ecosystem connectivity, improving user adoption.
✅ Scalability for Future Workflows – The design framework supports future expansion to other Autodesk products.

This project highlights my ability to lead UX strategy in technical domains, aligning complex software tools with the practical needs of engineers and architects while driving business and user value.