The Building Coder

Scaling, Face and Mesh Triangle Normals

Let's look at a couple of scaling and triangle orientation issues that recently came up – Transform and scaling in Forge – ModPlus and scaling text in dockable panel – Exporting view image extents – Mesh triangle orientation – PlanarFace normal... Read more →

Retrieving and Snooping Dependent Elements

Håvard Leding of Symetri raises another exciting topic on using the the GetDependentElements method to retrieve and snoop dependent elements, e.g., the sketch of a floor and the model lines defining the floor boundary in that sketch – The GetDependentElements method – Snoop dependent elements – CmdSnoopModScopeDependents – RevitLookup update... Read more →

Before Getting Started with Design Automation

Several people have recently asked how to get started with Forge Design Automation for Revit or DA4R. I will not get into any nitty-gritty details, since they are well covered by the Forge Design Automation API documentation, which includes DA4R tutorials and samples. Here are examples of two conversations on planning first steps for DA4R solutions – Structural analysis with DA4R – Implementing a DA4R RVT round trip... Read more →

Assigning a Level to an Element Missing It

I recently implemented the IfcSpaceZoneBoundaries add-in to link in and analyse IFC file zones and spaces, then prepared it for use in Forge Design Automation. Now I want to add level information to the CSV export. However, the DirectShape elements created to represent the rooms and zones have no valid level assigned, so their Level property is invalid. Happily, we can easily analyse the BIM and generate the equivalent information ourselves – Retrieve levels sorted by elevation – Determine level from element elevation – Carl Bass and Zoox autonomous vehicles – Physical reasons to be happy to be alive... Read more →

AI, Trends and Yearly API Usage Cleanup

Same procedure as every year: eliminate all deprecated Revit API usage warnings before even thinking of migrating to the next major release. First, however, two other technical news items – Self-teaching AI surpasses human knowledge – CAD trends 2019 – Deprecated API usage warnings – Replace GetRules by GetElementFilter – Deprecated material asset accessors – Update with zero compilation warnings... Read more →

Forum Français and Treeview Performance

As usual, I have been much too active in the Revit API discussion forum recently and worked too little for my taste here in the blog. Here are some of the recent items that I want to share plus a few pictures from my latest mountain outing – Marat's shapka ushanka and Balmer's Graetli – Naveen is a top solution author now – Revit et BIM en Français – Tree view performance optimisation – Underture... Read more →

Register for DevDays Online

Revit API and Forge updates – keep up to date with the new enhancements by joining the upcoming webinars; also enjoy the fact that your Revit knowledge is a valuable skill – DevDays online schedule – Revit is one hot job skill... Read more →

Creating a Sweep with Multiple Closed Loops

A demonstration of using the NewSweep method was very kindly provided in yet another helpful answer by Frank @Fair59 Aarssen to the Revit API discussion forum thread on how to create a sweep with multiple closed loops in profile. Let me also highlight an interesting TED talk on the topic of poverty versus universal basic income – Creating a sweep with multiple closed loops – Poverty versus universal basic income... Read more →

Accessing and Modifying Settings in the Ini File

Some interesting settings are stored in and can be modified by editing the Revit ini file. Peter @pgerz pointed out yet another possibility in his answer to the Revit API discussion forum thread on adding a project template to 'New Project' via API. Question: I noticed the UI method for adding a project template to the 'New Project' dialog on the Start Window by going to Options > File Locations and clicking the little plus symbol... Read more →

Stable Reference Relationships

Håvard Leding explores relationships between stable reference of main elements and their sub-elements, related to the intriguing undocumented ElementId relationships and stable representation magic voodoo. We need to access the sketch association to the element being sketched. I printed out stable references for 3 floors, and also the references for each ModelLine in their 3 Sketch elements... Read more →

Aborting Filtered Element Collection

I just discovered an interesting and not completely obvious aspect of using a filtered element collector in the Revit API discussion forum thread on aborting a long running filtered element collector. Question: I have really large models where I use an ElementIntersectsElementFilter that can take a long time to process, and sometimes I want to abort it in a graceful way. Is this possible? Read more →

Preparing a Revit Add-in for Design Automation

Today I discuss the next step in my IfcSpaceZoneBoundaries project, how to prepare a Revit add-in for use in the DA4R or Design Automation for Revit environment and figuring out how to best handle it in the VS solution – Context, add-in functionality and history – Preparing the add-in for DA4R – Local testing versus live deployment – User defined input arguments for DA4R – Logging of results... Read more →

Link in and Analyse IFC File Zones and Spaces

I am working on extracting room and zone information from IFC files, both geometry and relationships, specifically room and zone boundaries and containment. My new IfcSpaceZoneBoundaries add-in project retrieves this information, exports it to CSV and demonstrates a host of other important aspects – What happens on linking in an IFC file? – Read user configuration input settings from a file – Log messages, warnings and errors to an output file – Read the IFC properties stored as shared parameters – Extract the horizontal boundary information from a DirectShape element – Export the relevant data to CSV – Programmatically link in an IFC file into a Revit RVT project – Retrieve all currently linked-in IFC files from the Revit application... Read more →

Design Automation for Revit in Public Beta

The long-awaited public beta phase for Design Automation for Revit (aka Revit IO and DA4R) has finally arrived! Design Automation for Revit makes the power of the Revit API available as a Forge-based service... Read more →

Face Methods and Custom Command Line Arguments

Inundated with interesting topics, let's skim a few topmost ones off – Passing an add-in custom command line parameters – Useful methods help verify a Face is rectangular – Automate complex family creation – C++ code extracts 3D line segments from point cloud – Big data visualisation and storytelling... Read more →

New RevitLookup Snoops Edges, Faces and Links

Håvard Leding of Symetri added three new commands to RevitLookup – Three new RevitLookup commands – About "Snoop Pick Face" – About "Pick Linked Element" – Running in a family document... Read more →

Retrieving Linked IfcZone Elements Using Python

Today, I present a little exploration of how to access zones defined in an IFC file in Revit. If you are following this blog closely, you might guess that this is related to the room boundary CSV exporter project that I recently discussed. For this exploration, I installed and used RevitPythonShell. Here are the detailed steps – Importing IFC zones into Revit – Installing and using RevitPythonShell – Programmatically accessing IFC zones in Revit... Read more →

pyRevit Keynote Manager and Becker Forge Blog

Today, I discuss a simple Revit API getting started question from StackOverflow, a new Forge blog and a request for feedback on the keynote manager beta – Retrieving a wall type for creating a wall – CAD Becker Forge blog – pyRevit keynote manager beta... Read more →

Room Boundaries to CSV and WPF Template

Happy New Year! I spent some time during the winter break working on CSV export of room boundaries for a Forge BIM surface classification tool. Ali Asad presented a new Visual Studio WPF MVVM Revit add-in template – Export room boundaries to CSV for Forge surface classification – Visual Studio WPF MVVM Revit add-in template... Read more →

Python Rotate Picked Around Bounding Box Centre

Let's highlight a nice interactive didactical Python-based Revit API learning challenge on how to get the bounding box from a Revit element and determine its centre – Cyril's Python HVAC blog – Rotating elements around their centre in Python – Retrieve element and bounding box from picked reference – Use location point instead of bounding box centre – Final working solution... Read more →

Accessing Dimension Line Weight

Today we share a quickie from the Revit API discussion forum thread on how to access the line weight for dimension lines – I want to programmatically access a dimension line's line weight... Read more →

Dynamo, Symbol vs Type and Exporter Exception

Today we discuss a couple of Dynamo considerations, Revit family and element fundamental concepts, and an exception handler required for a custom exporter – Revit API versus Dynamo for Revit – Dynamo 2.0.X versus 1.3.3 – Difference between FamilySymbol and ElementType – Custom exporter Execute may throw – Turned on Git LFS... Read more →

Rebars in Host, .NET Framework, Importance of Fuzz

Here are a couple more Revit API discussion forum threads well worth highlighting – Retrieve rebars attached to structural element – Installing the .NET framework 4.7 for Revit 2019.1 add-ins – Importance of fuzz for curtain wall dimensioning... Read more →

Fire Rating Zone Intersection

Let's tackle a 2D fire rating zone intersection task. Actually, it was originally raised a 3D intersection task. Reducing it to 2D makes it much more tractable – 3D solid extrusion creation and intersection task – 2D area intersection task – Jack's sample and description – Soffit subdivision sample code – Cleanup and GitHub repository... Read more →

Using an Intersection Filter for Linked Elements

Intersecting elements has always been a hot topic, cf. various previous discussions on 3D Booleans, cutting and joining elements; intersecting with elements in a linked file is even more challenging. Happily, the Revit API provides tools to support that as well – Intersecting linked elements with current project ones – Retrieving rebars intersecting a structural element... Read more →

Forge DevCon Keynote and BIM360 Model Access

The November Forge DevCon keynote address has been published. Fittingly, some new hints on accessing Revit models from BIM360 – Forge DevCon 2018 keynote – Accessing BIM360 models... Read more →

AutoCAD Architecture 2019 API Documentation

We need to migrate our tools to AutoCAD Architecture 2019. I see no information on the new API, although it has obviously been modified. Can you share a link? ... Read more →

Efficient and Elegant Code

I remain busy, mainly in the Revit API discussion forum. Here are three recent samples dealing with pretty generic questions – Efficiency and elegance in simple code – Pushing wall type to doors... Read more →

Dashboard, Regen and Revit API Panel at AU

Topics to start the week – Revit API panel at AU in Las Vegas – Automatic BIM dashboard data extraction – When to regenerate the document? – RevitLookup centre parent for forms... Read more →

Revit Window Handle and Parenting an Add-In Form

Access to the Revit main window handle changed in Revit 2019, raising a couple of questions – Making Revit the add-in parent – The Revit 2019 MainWindowHandle API – Docking system and multiple main window explanation – Updating The Building Coder samples... Read more →

Design Automation for Revit at AU and in Public

One of the most exciting Revit related topics at Autodesk University is the expansion of the Forge Design Automation API to include support for Revit families and models in RFA and RVT files, aka Design Automation for Revit or DA4R – Design Automation for Revit Public Beta – FDC226894 – DA4R at DevCon at AU Las Vegas – AS226079 – Manage Revit Digital Content using DA4R – What is Forge Design Automation for Revit (Revit.io)? – Revit.io Model – Terminology – Why Revit.io? – Cloud based content management with automated client requirements and standardization – Generating native project templates through Revit I/O on the cloud – Creating Templates – Learn how to link to Forge for Real-Time query and visualization – Learn how to manipulate and manage content in the cloud... Read more →

More on Transaction Groups and Assimilation

We return to the question on how to combine multiple transactions into one undo with a new answer by Arnošt Löbel, ex Senior Principal Engineer of the Revit development team – How do I know how many transactions, and which ones, are assimilated into group? – What if I start a transaction before starting a group (in the same API context) and then call Assimilate, will this ahead started one also be assimilated into the group? – I can leave the API context (external event or Execute method) with the transaction group still open... Read more →

View Template Include Setting

A solution to a longstanding question on the view template 'include' setting – Does the Revit API provide any access to the view template 'include' settings defined by the check boxes in this form? – I can get the 'includes' via viewTemplate.GetNonControlledTemplateParameterIds. The method returns a list of parameter ids, and you can then use viewTemplate.Parameters to map them... Read more →

Tailor Your BIM with F#, Forge, IFC and Takeoffs

I have a whole bunch of exciting overdue topics lined up. Let's start with these – Tailor Your BIM sums room areas with F# – Control view for design option elements with F# – Copy legend view and component from background file – Forge RVT to IFC translation defaults to 2x3 – Latitude and longitude in Revit IFC export – Takeoff creation requires branch duct... Read more →

Resources, Rotated Rebar Stirrups and Steel Stuff

I'll start this week with several solutions from the Revit API discussion forum and elsewhere, especially two different approaches to create rotated rebar stirrups – Embedded tooltip icon resource – Revit 2019 tooltip videos are MP4 – How to read and write bolt, plate and weld – Creating rotated rebar stirrups... Read more →

BIM 360 Issues API

Today, I am presenting a class on Design Automation for Revit or DA4R and the BIM 360 Issues API at the German Autodesk University in Darmstadt. The first and main part is similar to yesterday's presentation at the Forge DevCon conference. Therefore, I will just share the BIM 360 slides here and now – Overview – Four types of issues – Permissions – Attachments – Assignee – Issues API – Get issues – Create issues – Issue type and root cause of field issue – Directly attach local files (photo) to issues – Pushpin Forge viewer extension – .NET core sample – Node.js samples – API Limitations... Read more →

Forge Design Automation for Revit

Today, I am presenting a class on Design Automation for Revit or DA4R at the Forge DevCon preceding the German Autodesk University in Darmstadt – What is Forge Design Automation API for Revit? – Examples? – How do you use it? – Workflow: uploading a Revit add-in – Workflow: running a client application – Things to consider – How to create a Revit add-in which works with Design Automation API? – Create an IExternalDBApplication – Determine inputs – Use the bridge library to be notified when Design Automation is executing – Create a failure handler – Logging and errors – Further reading... Read more →

Revit Add-In Locations and BIM360 EU

I am just getting ready to leave for Darmstadt, for the Forge DevCon and German Autodesk University. Here are some quick recent topics I want to share before jumping on the train – BIM 360 Docs API change for European data centre access – Revit add-in locations – Autodesk AppStore bundle format – Juli Zeh über das Turbo-Ich – YouTube video subtitles and auto-translation... Read more →

Forge DevCon in Darmstadt and Las Vegas

I am making my last preparations for going to DevCon Europe in Darmstadt next week; DevCon Asia took place in Tokyo in August, and DevCon for the rest of the universe is coming up next month – DevCon Europe at AU Germany in Darmstadt – DevCon at Autodesk University in Las Vegas... Read more →

Protecting a Family from Tampering

The Forge accelerator in Rome is winding down with the demonstrations of what was achieved being recorded as I write. An interesting conversation I had at the celebratory dinner last night gave me an idea for a solution to a longstanding question on family tampering protection – Roma accelerator group photo – Protecting a family from tampering – Implementing a canonical key for geometrical objects... Read more →

Floor Area Above Room and Mysterious Hide

Today, we focus on two pure programming questions from the Revit API discussion forum – Area of an exterior floor above a room – Mysterious element hiding activity... Read more →

Auto-Run an Add-In for Design Automation

Still at the Forge Accelerator in Rome and looking further into the Forge Design Automation API for Revit. Althpough it is not yet available or documented, you can still start preparing your add-in for the day when it comes – Aspects to consider – Accessing the Revit Application object – DB application add-in manifest – Next steps... Read more →

Swallowing StairsAutomation Warnings

One important step to take before trying to run your Revit API code fully automated and unattended is to ensure that it does not create or modify UI in any way. For example, you must ensure that it does not cause Revit to display any warnings. This can be achieved with a warning swallower. Let's implement one for the StairsAutomation SDK sample... Read more →

That BIM Girl and AskNow

I arrived in Rome Sunday afternoon and am now happy to be here at the Forge accelerator together with my Autodesk colleagues and the other attending companies. Before diving in further into the accelerator, I would like to point out the new inspiring AEC resources shared by That Bim Girl, and also post some notes to self on Q4R4 – That BIM Girl – Notes to Self on AskNow for Q4R4... Read more →

DevCon Europe and Typepad versus Google Search

I am making final travel preparations for the Forge accelerator in Rome next week, and need to start preparing for DevCon Europe as well. As always, when you have no time to spare, something else urgent cropped up as well requiring immediate attention – Forge DevCon Europe coming – Hijacking Typepad search input for Google site search... Read more →

Roadmap, CI for RTF, Geometry Library Limitations

Lots going on, and off to Rome next week for the Forge accelerator. Meanwhile, here three of the many topics recently discussed – Revit Public Roadmap – September 2018](#2) – Configuring CI to use the RevitTestFramework RTF – Revit Geometry library limitations... Read more →

Reality Solutions SDK Enables RCP File Read-Write

Today, we proudly present a DLL for reading and writing RCP files, announcing the Reality Solutions SDK, providing full access to the Autodesk proprietary point cloud format – Announcing the Reality Solutions SDK – How do I access the SDK? – Discussion and support resources... Read more →

Rebar, Wall Centreline, Core and Grid Dimensioning

My colleague Zhong John Wu just solved a Revit API discussion forum issue on how to create dimension line for rebar. I took this as a prompt to clean out a bunch of other dimensioning related issues lurking in my infinite and growing to-do list – Create dimension line for rebar – Newly created dimensioning not displayed – Dimension leader remains visible after removal – Dimension wall centreline, centre and faces of core – Grid references for dimensioning... Read more →

Support DLL, Zero Doc State and Forge Accelerators

If you are interested in Forge programming, don't miss the upcoming deadline for proposals for the Boston Forge accelerator! Looking at the Revit API, I migrated my sample demonstrating how to enable ribbon items in zero document state to Revit 2019. Let's look at that, and another recurring topic, on loading add-in support DLLs – Migrating the ZeroDocPanel to Revit 2019 – Loading add-in support DLLs – Rome and Boston Forge accelerators... Read more →

Five Secrets of Revit API Coding

Joshua Lumley pointed out the recording he made for his BILT submission on five secrets of Revit API C# coding. Before getting to that, here are a couple of pictures from this last weekend's mountain tour – Ruessigrat, Brotmesser and Matthorn – Five secrets of Revit API Coding... Read more →