Purpose of this article
This article is for customers who do not choose Autodesk-assisted migration.
It covers two paths:
Self migration
No migration / disable at end of service
Self migration
What is self migration?
Self migration means your team manually moves content from UNIFI to Content Catalog or start from scratch in Content Catalog.
This may include downloading content from UNIFI, backing up content, uploading content to Content Catalog, and manually recreating organization, permissions, saved searches, or sharing workflows.
Self migration gives your team more control but requires more manual effort.
When to choose self migration
Self migration may be the best option if:
You want to clean up content before moving.
You only want to move selected content or start from scratch.
You want to reorganize collections.
You already have content in Content Catalog and do not want it reset.
You have a smaller content set.
You want to control your own migration schedule.
You have workflows that need to be rebuilt differently in Content Catalog.
Self migration overview
The self migration process includes:
Try Content Catalog and inventory your UNIFI content
Decide what to move, archive, or leave behind
Prepare Content Catalog
Download or back up content from UNIFI
Upload and organize content in Content Catalog
Configure permissions and workflows
Validate content
Train users
Complete migration before UNIFI access ends
Step 1: Try Content Catalog and inventory your UNIFI content
Try out Content Catalog
We recommend that you first provision your account in Forma, download and install the extension and Upload a small set of content (for testing only, whatever is created during testing will be purged as part of the migration service) so you can see how Content Catalog works. Note there are a few changes, some features vary between the products, and administration functions are now accessible in Autodesk Forma admin portal. To help you get started see the resources below:
Introduction: Content Catalog and Model Analytics
Product overview: Content Catalog feature page
Workflow considerations: UNIFI & Content Catalog compare
Getting started & more: Content Catalog knowledge base
Help center: Content Catalog support page
Future of Content Catalog and more: AEC Data Roadmap (look for Content Catalog)
Inventory
Before moving content, in UNIFI review the following:
Libraries
As a company admin create a report for each library from the admin library tab in UNIFIPending uploads
Use the date filters in UNIFI to check for all pending uploadsContent Requests
Close out requests as you will start new in Content CatalogShared Libraries
Identify any externally shared libraries in the web portal app.unifilabs.comChannel content
Identify any subscribed channels in the web portal app.unifilabs.comSaved searches
Review and confirm what saved searches you may want to rebuild.Insert-only content
It's recommended to have a Revit container file with all insert only content (Content that requires a revit rvt file to exist like sheets, schedules, drafting views and system families)
Suggested customer note:
Self migration is a good opportunity to clean up content that is outdated, duplicated, unused, or no longer aligned with your standards.
Step 2: Decide what to move
For each content area, decide whether to:
Move it to Content Catalog
Archive it outside Content Catalog
Rebuild it manually
Leave it behind
Step 3: Prepare Content Catalog
Before uploading content, prepare your Content Catalog environment.
Recommended actions:
Confirm your Autodesk Forma hub.
Plan naming conventions.
Plan permissions, add these when ready to launch.
Plan saved search strategy.
Decide how tags and properties should be used.
Consider content sharing for external users.
Identify users who will validate the uploaded content.
Plan for Content Catalog insert and export support for Revit versions n+3 (24-27)
Step 4: Download or back up content from UNIFI
Download content from UNIFI before access ends.
Recommended actions:
Select multiple items and right click to download content in manageable batches (100-500 items).
Prioritize high-value or frequently used content first.
Keep a backup copy outside UNIFI.
Use Revit .rvt file as container files where needed for insert-only content.
Important note: Some content may not be directly downloadable from UNIFI. For insert-only content, customers may need to place the content into a Revit container file and save that file as a backup.
Step 5: Upload and organize content in Content Catalog
After exporting or backing up content from UNIFI:
Upload content to Content Catalog.
Organize content into collections.
Apply and manage tags.
Recreate or build new saved search workflows.
Step 6: Validate your self migration
Before considering self migration complete, validate:
Download and install Content Catalog extension
Key content can be found.
Key content can be inserted or downloaded.
Tags and properties support search workflows.
Users can access the correct collections.
Admins understand how to maintain content.
Shared workflows have been recreated.
Users know when to stop using UNIFI
Step 7: Configure permissions and workflows
With content organized and validated you are ready to configure for rollout.
Configure user access.
Configure collection permissions.
Plan Content Request workflows with appropriate users.
Set up content sharing where needed.
Recommended check list
Admin access confirmed
User access confirmed
Collections created
Content Catalog extension installed
Key content uploaded
Tag/properties reviewed
Saved Searches created
External sharing users access confirmed
Admin training completed
User training completed
UNIFI backup completed
Step 8: Complete self migration before UNIFI access ends
Self migration must be completed before your applicable UNIFI end-of-access date.
After UNIFI is disabled:
You will not be able to log in to UNIFI.
You will not be able to download additional content from UNIFI.
You will not be able to recover content that was not backed up or migrated.
Autodesk-assisted migration may no longer be available.
No migration
What does no migration mean?
No migration means your organization does not want Autodesk-assisted migration and does not plan to manually move content from UNIFI to Content Catalog or start from scratch with Content Catalog.
This option may be appropriate if your organization no longer needs the UNIFI content or has already preserved what it needs.
When to choose no migration
Choose no migration if:
Your team no longer uses UNIFI.
You do not need the content in Content Catalog.
You have already downloaded or archived required content.
You understand access will end.
You understand content cannot be recovered from UNIFI after disablement.
No migration checklist
Before choosing no migration, confirm:
No active teams still need UNIFI access.
No required content remains only in UNIFI.
Any required content has been backed up.
Internal stakeholders know UNIFI access is ending.
No Autodesk-assisted migration is needed.
No self migration is planned.
Your organization accepts that UNIFI access will be disabled.
Final no-migration confirmation
Please confirm in the following form that you do not wish to migrate and provide any feedback for Autodesk to better understand your decision.