Trevor English
InfoWorks ICM 2027.1 is now available, introducing new capabilities that help water professionals work more efficiently, visualize models with greater context, and streamline network design workflows.
The latest InfoWorks ICM release brings Autodesk Assistant directly into InfoWorks ICM, making it easier to access guidance without leaving the modelling environment. We’ve also expanded GIS integration with support for ArcGIS Maps basemaps, helping users better understand their networks in the context of the real world. Alongside these headline features, several enhancements to Network Design and Ruby scripting provide greater flexibility, automation, and control for engineers tackling increasingly complex infrastructure challenges.
Together, these updates continue our commitment to delivering intelligent, connected tools that help engineers design with greater confidence.
InfoWorks ICM adds Autodesk Assistant
First, we’re excited to introduce Autodesk Assistant in InfoWorks ICM.
Available directly within the modelling workspace, Autodesk Assistant brings AI-powered support to your everyday engineering workflows. Users can ask questions in natural language and receive contextual guidance without interrupting their work or searching through documentation.
Whether you’re learning a new workflow, exploring product capabilities, or troubleshooting a modelling challenge, Autodesk Assistant draws on the latest InfoWorks ICM Help content and Autodesk knowledge resources to provide relevant, reliable responses.
You can use Autodesk Assistant as a starting point for everyday workflow guidance, such as how to perform a task, where to find a feature, or what to consider when reviewing model setup and results. For example, you can ask whether a 2D zone needs to be remeshed after introducing a building object, how to approach a dam breach analysis, or which inputs are required for Network design.
(Want some tips on how to speak with the AI? See How to use Autodesk Assistant).
Autodesk Assistant is designed to accelerate learning, simplify troubleshooting, and reduce the time spent searching for answers, all while keeping you firmly in control of the modelling process. As always, engineering judgment remains central to every project, with Autodesk Assistant serving as a powerful companion throughout the design workflow.
Esri ArcGIS basemaps now available in InfoWorks ICM
Infrastructure doesn’t exist in isolation. Understanding how networks relate to the surrounding environment is critical for planning, analysis, and stakeholder communication.
With InfoWorks ICM 2027.1, Esri basemaps are now available directly within the application, allowing model networks to be viewed alongside high-quality geographic mapping.
When ArcGIS Maps is selected as the Map Control and a network includes a coordinate projection, basemaps are automatically reprojected to align with your model, providing seamless geographic context throughout the modelling experience.
The Basemap dialog lets you choose from available ArcGIS basemaps, turn the basemap on or off, and adjust opacity. InfoWorks ICM also retains the previously selected basemap when you close and reopen a network, helping you maintain a consistent GeoPlan view between modeling sessions. This gives you more control over how contextual mapping is displayed.
Whether you’re validating asset locations, reviewing model extents, or presenting results to clients and stakeholders, ArcGIS Maps integration makes it easier to connect engineering models with the real world.
Note: An active ArcGIS license is required to use ArcGIS Maps basemaps.
Greater flexibility and control for Network Design
Earlier this year, InfoWorks ICM Ultimate introduced Network Design, and we’ve now made it more adaptable to real-world engineering constraints while improving transparency throughout the design process.
New Design Locks allow engineers to preserve critical network conditions by fixing properties such as pipe diameter or invert levels during automated design. This helps maintain existing infrastructure constraints, downstream controls, and project-specific requirements while allowing the remainder of the network to be optimized.
Additional Velocity Options provide greater flexibility in how velocity-based design criteria are evaluated. Engineers can now select the hydraulic condition that best aligns with local standards or project objectives, helping balance hydraulic performance, constructability, and regulatory compliance.
The introduction of Relaxed Constraints enables Network Design to intelligently continue when a solution cannot be found using the primary design criteria. Rather than failing entirely, the design process can selectively relax predefined constraints on individual pipes, producing practical solutions while clearly documenting where exceptions have been applied.
To complement these improvements, the Design Report has been completely refreshed with a more intuitive review experience. New navigation tabs, interactive pipe selection, customizable tables, unit-aware reporting, and CSV export capabilities make it easier to validate results, communicate design decisions, and prepare documentation for project reviews or regulatory submissions.
Together, these enhancements provide engineers with greater transparency, flexibility, and confidence throughout the network design process.
Automate more with enhanced Ruby scripting
InfoWorks ICM 2027.1 also expands automation capabilities through several improvements to Ruby scripting.
New scripting methods allow simulation runs to be created using Time Series Data (TSD), making it easier to automate workflows involving rainfall inputs and flow surveys. Additional functionality enables statistical reports to be generated directly from existing report templates, simplifying repetitive reporting tasks and improving integration with external analysis workflows.
The maximum Ruby script size has also been increased, allowing larger and more sophisticated automation scripts to be developed and maintained within InfoWorks ICM.
These enhancements help organizations build more repeatable workflows, reduce manual effort, and integrate modelling activities more effectively into broader engineering and testing processes.
Available now
InfoWorks ICM 2027.1 continues to build on Autodesk’s vision of delivering intelligent, connected modelling tools that help engineers solve increasingly complex water challenges.
- You can update your InfoWorks ICM app by visiting manage.autodesk.com.
- Read the What’s New product notes.
- Did you know? We have a YouTube playlist that compiles The latest on InfoWorks ICM. It’s a good resource for product update information.