Frequently Asked Questions

What is CRAFT?

CRAFT is a trusted automation add-in for AEC engineering teams. You describe a task or use a guided form — CRAFT creates a reviewable draft, validates it through a mandatory safety preview, and runs it locally inside your CAD host. It prioritizes reusing existing proven automations over creating new ones. Proven automations can be promoted to a shared team library through governed review.

Which CAD hosts does CRAFT support?

CRAFT currently supports Autodesk Civil 3D (2024+) and Autodesk Revit (2024+). It runs as a host add-in inside your existing licensed Autodesk environment. See Compatibility for system requirements and version details.

What kinds of tasks can CRAFT automate?

CRAFT handles repeatable engineering tasks: querying model data, enforcing naming standards, batch-updating parameters, generating schedules, placing labels, and exporting structured data. See Automation Examples for detailed use cases.

Does CRAFT use AI?

Yes, in a bounded role. Here is exactly what AI does and does not do in CRAFT:

What AI does: When you describe a task in natural language, AI helps classify your description into a structured task definition. Rule-based validation always applies. AI assists with interpretation when needed — it never generates code, executes automations, or makes decisions. If AI processes your description, the safety preview shows exactly where your text is sent.

What AI does not do: AI does not generate execution plans, write code, run automations, bypass the safety preview, publish automations, or make trust decisions. Execution plans are generated from structured templates — same inputs, same results, every time. The safety preview is rule-based with no exceptions.

The rule: AI proposes; compilers and the safety preview decide. AI is never the sole author or publisher of any automation.

Can CRAFT crash my Revit or Civil 3D?

CRAFT is designed for stability. It runs as a standard host add-in using Autodesk's supported plugin APIs. Automations execute through the same transaction model your CAD host uses for all API operations, which means failed operations roll back cleanly without corrupting your model. The mandatory safety preview also prevents automations from running if required host conditions are not met. That said, like any add-in, we recommend saving your work before running automations for the first time.

Is CRAFT available now?

CRAFT is in early access. We're working with a small group of AEC teams before general availability. Request early access for guided onboarding and priority support.

Where does my data go?

Your project files, model data, and execution results stay on your machine. Cloud services are passive — they store signed automation packages, handle licensing, and distribute trust anchors. The server never receives your project data. Telemetry is off by default.

Can an automation send data to an external server without my knowledge?

No. Every network destination is declared in the automation's data-disclosure profile and shown in the safety preview before execution. You must acknowledge it before the safety preview allows the operation to proceed. There is no silent network access.

Can CRAFT modify my model without asking?

No. Everything starts as a reviewable draft. The mandatory safety preview shows you exactly what will change before execution. CRAFT never takes autonomous action — you review and approve every operation.

What happens if CRAFT's server goes down?

CRAFT works offline for up to 7 days after the last successful license token refresh. Locally cached automations can be executed without server contact. After the 7-day window, the safety preview blocks seat-required operations until a refresh succeeds.

Can I verify automation signatures independently?

Yes. Trust anchors (public keys) are available via a public, unauthenticated API. You can verify automation signatures independently using standard cryptographic libraries. See Security & Trust for full details.

Can I override the safety preview if I trust an automation?

No. The safety preview is fail-safe with no override. If a dependency is missing, a host condition is not met, or a license check fails, the operation is blocked until the issue is resolved. Trust is earned through inspection, not bypassed.

How does governed promotion work?

Team members create automations as personal drafts. When they want to share, the automation goes through a governed promotion review. Approvers review it before it reaches the shared library. Nothing enters the shared library without approval.

How does CRAFT prevent duplicate automations?

Before an automation is published, CRAFT compares what it does against existing automations in the library and flags near-duplicates. You see the similarity warning before approving, so you can decide whether to consolidate or keep both.

Can admins restrict which automations are available?

Yes. Seat-based entitlements control who can create, publish, and approve automations. The Approver/Maintainer role manages the shared library, including deprecation and lifecycle decisions. Only automations that pass the safety preview and your approval process reach the shared library.

Can I try CRAFT before buying?

CRAFT is in early access with guided onboarding. Request access and we'll set you up.

How does pricing work?

CRAFT offers four plans: Free, Pro, Studio (planned), and Enterprise (planned). Free lets you run suggestions and browse the Library. Pro adds the Quick Builder and authoring. Studio will add the capability development workspace. Enterprise will add governance and approval workflows. No usage credits, consumption metering, or per-run charges. See pricing details.

What happens if I cancel?

Pro and Studio plans on team registries retain export-only access for 30 days after cancellation. Individual plan users keep run access for previously saved automations on their machine. See Pricing for details.

Is there a volume discount?

Enterprise pricing includes custom seat allocations and dedicated support. Contact sales for volume pricing.