Do I have to remove the Autodesk COBie Extension to use BIMRelay?

No. BIMRelay reads the extension's COBie parameters when they are present, so the two can run side by side or BIMRelay can replace the export workflow entirely.

Is the Autodesk COBie Extension free?

Yes, the add-in is free for licensed Revit users. The cost is the specialist time to set up the models, rerun exports as models change, and coordinate the results.

Does the COBie Extension add data to the Revit model?

Its setup workflow can add COBie parameters and supporting schedules to Revit. Parameter Mapping can reuse existing parameters, but the export still depends on correctly configured model fields. BIMRelay reads those fields when they exist but does not require COBie-specific parameters in the models.

Who can generate the COBie Extension export?

Someone working in Revit with access to the models and the Autodesk Interoperability Tools installed, usually a BIM or modeling team member rather than the wider delivery team.

Does BIMRelay produce a COBie 2.4 workbook?

Yes. BIMRelay generates the standard COBie 2.4 worksheets, references, and PickLists as XLSX.

Compare your options

An alternative to the Autodesk COBie Extension for Revit.

BIMRelay generates a COBie 2.4 workbook from your Revit model in the cloud, with validation and AI Review to help fill the gaps. Complete it with your team in a browser, then export to Excel. No Revit add-in required.

The shared COBie workbook BIMRelay generates from published Revit models — One generated COBie 2.4 workbook across the host and linked models, completed by the whole team.

In short

How is BIMRelay different from the Autodesk COBie Extension?

The Autodesk extension requires a Revit license and manual setup before exporting. BIMRelay generates your COBie workbook in the cloud, with automatic validation, AI suggestions, and collaboration in your browser.

Side by side

Compare the delivery workflows

Both approaches can produce a COBie workbook. The difference is where setup, collaboration, validation, and regeneration happen.

Workflow	Autodesk COBie Extension	BIMRelay
Generate	Autodesk COBie ExtensionRun the spreadsheet export from inside Revit.	BIMRelayUpload a model or connect Forma and generate the workbook without opening Revit.
Prepare the model	Autodesk COBie ExtensionCreate COBie parameters and schedules, or map existing Revit parameters, then configure the export scope.	BIMRelayMap available Revit properties in BIMRelay. COBie-specific model parameters are optional.
Check asset scope	Autodesk COBie ExtensionChoose the types and instances to export in Revit, then check the selection yourself.	BIMRelayAfter each model update, Asset review recommends assets and attributes to include or exclude, for a manager to confirm.
Complete missing data	Autodesk COBie ExtensionMaintain delivery values in Revit or coordinate additional information after export.	BIMRelayAI researches product details and suggests missing classifications for you to approve. Invite your team to complete the remaining information in one shared browser workbook.
Validate	Autodesk COBie ExtensionApply the team's checking process to the generated spreadsheet.	BIMRelaySee cell-level findings for required values, PickLists, identifiers, and worksheet relationships.
Regenerate	Autodesk COBie ExtensionA Revit user reruns the export and coordinates the refreshed spreadsheet after model changes.	BIMRelayUpdate from newer model versions and carry your edits forward.

What you need to use the Autodesk COBie Extension

The add-in is free for licensed Revit users, but setup and every re-export happen inside Revit, run by someone with the tools installed and access to the models.

Configure worksheet behavior and export scope.
Create COBie parameters or map correctly configured existing parameters.
Add or use supporting schedules for data collection.
Select which types and instances participate in the export.
Return to Revit and rerun the export after model revisions.

BIMRelay moves delivery work into the browser

BIMRelay reads your Revit model, then gives the project team a shared COBie workspace. The people who know warranties, serial numbers, contacts, and turnover requirements can enter that information directly without Revit or modeling experience.

Process the host and selected linked models as one coordinated set.
Review workbook cells beside the corresponding model elements.
Choose which Revit properties fill each column without changing the model.
Resolve cell-level validation findings with the wider delivery team.
Export XLSX or generate a new version from newer model data.

Get a second opinion on asset scope

With the extension, the person running the export decides which Revit types and instances become COBie rows. BIMRelay's Asset review checks that selection against COBie 2.4 guidance after each model update and recommends assets or attributes to include or exclude, with the reasoning for each.

A project manager previews the exact rule before anything changes, and the team can discuss each recommendation in its own comment thread.

See how Asset review works

Reduce the cost of every model revision

The extension has no separate license cost, but repeated exports still consume specialist time. Each revision can send the workbook back through a Revit user for model access, setup checks, export, and spreadsheet coordination.

With BIMRelay, newer model versions update the workbook and your team's edits carry forward, without routing every update through a modeler.

Use the COBie data you already have

Projects that already use COBie Extension parameters do not need to discard them. BIMRelay reads those authored values and can use them as workbook sources.

New projects can use ordinary Revit properties instead and keep delivery-only information out of the design models.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to remove the Autodesk COBie Extension to use BIMRelay?: No. BIMRelay reads the extension's COBie parameters when they are present, so the two can run side by side or BIMRelay can replace the export workflow entirely.
Is the Autodesk COBie Extension free?: Yes, the add-in is free for licensed Revit users. The cost is the specialist time to set up the models, rerun exports as models change, and coordinate the results.
Does the COBie Extension add data to the Revit model?: Its setup workflow can add COBie parameters and supporting schedules to Revit. Parameter Mapping can reuse existing parameters, but the export still depends on correctly configured model fields. BIMRelay reads those fields when they exist but does not require COBie-specific parameters in the models.
Who can generate the COBie Extension export?: Someone working in Revit with access to the models and the Autodesk Interoperability Tools installed, usually a BIM or modeling team member rather than the wider delivery team.
Does BIMRelay produce a COBie 2.4 workbook?: Yes. BIMRelay generates the standard COBie 2.4 worksheets, references, and PickLists as XLSX.