The Building Coder

Revit 2025.1 and Handling Lack of UI in DA

The Revit 2025.1 update release, placing a detail group in ASP Design Automation, lacking the UI, a hacker's guide to LLM and an LLM retrieval augmented generation in 10 lines of code... Read more →

API Context, Input State and DA4R Debugging

We present a long-awaited solution to check for a valid Revit API context and a whole bunch of short pointers to other mostly AI-related topics of interest – Determining Revit API context – Detect Revit user input state – Easy Revit API – Gemini with image and video input – LLM is not self-aware – Generative AI transformer – Design to reduce junk data – C and C++ are risky – Ultra-processed food is toxic... Read more →

OptionsBar and Bye Bye to DA4R 2018

A great new open-source productivity enhancement tool making use of the built-in OptionsBar provides handy access to frequently used information, utilities, element selection options and more, and a reminder of the deprecated DA4R Revit 2018 engine... Read more →

IFC, Dimension and Reference Intersector with Links

Pros and cons of the reference intersector and how to use it with linked files and filtered element collectors, a design automation IFC exporter, dimensioning linked elements using the reference stable representation and new forays with large language models – Reference intersector with filters and links – Revit IFC exporter for APS DA – Stable representation voodoo with links – Running Dalai LLaMa locally – ChatGPT invented a game... Read more →

APS, Nairobi and NetTopologySuite

I am writing this in Nairobi, Kenya, getting to know the team here; also, the new APS landing page just went live, and Benoit points out a useful geometric modelling library to help power your Revit add-in – DAS team in Nairobi, Kenya – NetTopologySuite in Revit add-ins – New APS landing page – You can create RVT using APS... Read more →

Purge Unused and eTransmit for DA4R

Today, we return for a summary and a new, deeper look at a recurring topic – eTransmit documentation – Purge via performance advisor – eTransmit functionality in DA4R – Updated Autodesk Revit IFC manual – AI solves programming tasks... Read more →

Revit Roadmap, API and DA4R Survey

Opportunities to provide feedback on the Revit product, the Revit API and the Forge Design Automation API for Revit – Revit public roadmap update – Revit and DA4R API survey 2021 – MacOS Big Sur upgrade – The Economist on ransomware and cybersecurity... Read more →

Flip, Mirror, Transform and Transient Graphics

How are reflections like flip and mirror reflected in the BIM element transform? – Transient elements hack – Temporary incanvas graphics API video – Shared versus non-shared parameter creation – Direct PDF export and DA4R... Read more →

Model Group and DA4R Language in Forge

Today, let's look at two Japanese Forge questions, on model groups and the Revit engine language, another RevitLookup enhancement, and, while we're talking about languages, a surprising scientific discovery on naked mole-rat dialects – Retrieving Revit model group in Forge – Specifying the Revit UI language in DA4R – RevitLookup supports ScheduleDefinition GetField – Naked mole-rats speak in community dialects – Van Gogh 360... Read more →

Face Triangulation LOD, .NET 5 and Core

Today, we discuss cores, splinters and data – Using .NET 5 and Core – Controlling face triangulation LOD – SQL versus NoSQL... Read more →

DA4R Cannot Save Directly to Cloud

Today, let's address a resurfacing question in the Forge Design Automation for Revit or DA4R context – DA4R cannot save RVT as a cloud model – Every program launch is logged... Read more →

Doc Session Id, API Context and External Events

Some new topics, and, as always, some recurring – Document session id – Valid Revit API context and external events – Determining RVT file version for DA4R workitem – Revit API via HTTP – Parable of the polygons... Read more →

Forge Design Automation and DesignScript

Today, I'll mainly pick up some non-desktop issues – DesignScript with Dynamo and Revit – Forge getting started material – Getting started with DA4R – DA4R local debug tool – AI vision model images – Vonnegut on technology... Read more →

Creating Material Texture and Retaining Pixels

A bunch of interesting discussions on creating material with texture, modifying element level, cutting off image pixels and other things – Creating a material with texture in Revit and Forge – Export image cutting off pixels – Change level of existing element – Physics is cool – Forge job openings... Read more →

DA4R I/O, Logging, Updater and Custom Properties

Forge Design Automation for Revit or DA4R is really starting to take off – Display custom properties – Upgrade Revit file version – Logging – Input and output files – CesiumJS open source 3D mapping – Banksy's wife hates home office – Virtual Forge accelerator... Read more →

External Communication and Async Await Event

async and await external event wrapper! Communicating from outside with Revit is often better replaced by the Forge Design Automation API for Revit. However, it is also possible to make use of Revit as a server in a limited way via an external event – Communicating with another process – Autodesk open positions... Read more →

Torsion Tools, Command Event and Info in DA4R

As always, interesting topics keep pouring in from the Revit API discussion forum and elsewhere – Torsion Tools GitHub launch and solution overview – Detect command launch – SelectableInViewFilter – Access project location in Forge – Distinguish structural elements and access volume information in Forge... Read more →

DA4R, FindInserts, Deployment and SplitButton

So many interesting things going on in the Revit API discussion forum. Also, the newest DA4R recording is now available online – Forge Design Automation API for Revit recording – Design Automation for Revit supports IFC – What does the FindInserts includeShadows flag do? – Easiest solution to deploy add-in – Always show the same button in SplitButton... Read more →

Forge Rooms, Effective Filtered Element Collectors

I successfully made it from Switzerland to Paris and the Forge accelerator in spite of the French strikes. My only worry is how to get back again tomorrow. Again, the train I have booked has been cancelled. Meanwhile, let's take a look at – DA4R room support and new samples – Effective filtered element collection... Read more →

Design Automation API, Stacks, Collectors and Links

The ultimatively painless introduction to the Forge Design Automation API, a solution for creating two stacked ribbon items, reinitialising filtered element collectors and picking a face in a linked file – Forge Design Automation API webinars – Stacking two 24x24 ribbon items – Reinitialising the filtered element collector – Use CreateReferenceInLink to select a face in a linked file... Read more →

Curve Projection, Detach and FBX in DA4R

Two little hints on Forge Design Automation for Revit or DA4R issues, projecting a curve onto a planar surface and an impressive list of add-in video samples – DA4R supports FBX and IFC – DA4R wrong user – Projecting curves onto a plane – Revit add-in versus Dynamo zero-touch node – Revit add-in sample videos... Read more →

Design Automation API for Revit Going Public

The hugely popular Design Automation APIs for Revit, Inventor, and 3ds Max will be officially released to the public on October 28. In a completely different vein, I found a very simple solution to download photos from an Android phone to the Mac – Public Forge Design Automation APIs – What can you do with Design Automation API for Revit? – Easy solution to transfer photos from Android to Mac – Gadgets in 1990 vs. 2018... Read more →

Get Project Parameter Id and Prevent Updater Loop

Let me once again highlight two helpful answers in the Revit API discussion forum and the newest pair of Forge Design Automation samples – Get project parameter id from its name – Preventing an updater loop – New Forge and Design Automation samples... Read more →

DevCon, Sun with True North and RVT without Revit

Please note that the European Forge DevCon in Darmstadt is looming imminent. Furthermore, here are some notes on two recent Revit programming discussions and a pointer to some of the top-rated online classes – DevCon Darmstadt – Personal DevCon invitation from Jim Quanci – Sun direction adjusted for project true north – Reading an RVT file without Revit – The top 100 free online courses... Read more →

Revit API and Design Automation API Survey

The Revit product team is conducting a survey to improve the functionality of the Revit services. Please help them prioritise new features and upcoming enhancements to future releases of the Autodesk Revit API and the Forge Design Automation for Revit API by taking a brief survey... Read more →

Roadmap, Rebar Curves, Wizard Zip and More

Topics for this week – Revit public roadmap July 2019 – Rebar curves – Built-in zip utility for add-in wizard – Only detail section views can be used for top view direction – Displaying an RFA family instance in DA4R – Revit 2020 alters the TEMP file system variable – Lattice multiplication... Read more →

Revit Camera Settings, Project Plasma, DA4R and AI

Here are this week's interesting items I want to share with you – Map Forge Viewer camera settings back to Revit – Project Quantum becomes Plasma – Mikako's DA4R overview – AI is affecting human game strategies – AI can convert speech to gesture – Barcelona Forge accelerator – Open positions at Autodesk... Read more →

SketchIt, Lookup Family Types, Definition Names

Today, we present yet another RevitLookup enhancement, a note on an undocumented built-in parameter change and a neat Forge Design Automation for Revit sample app – RevitLookup family types and parameter definition names – Bitmap aspect ratio built-in parameter renamed – DA4R SketchIt demo generates walls... Read more →

Filtered Element Collector Benchmark

Today, let's present a benchmark monitoring filtered element collector performance. First, however, a quick note on a very useful Forge learning resource – Forge learning resource – Filtered element collector benchmark... Read more →

Forge DA4R IFC Support and Snoop Enhancements

Let's close this eventful week with two important enhancements added to the Forge Design Automation API for Revit and our beloved RevitLookup tool – IFC Support in the Design Automation for Revit API – RevitLookup Snoop Enhancements... 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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →