Tag: revit 2013 api

Revit Programmer challenge: Revit Add-in Backup Tool

Luke Johnson

I was going to make a script or something myself, but I figured there is a API-guy out there waiting to make something useful and simple like this.

Challenge:  make a tool (can be an application, script or CMD) that locates and backs up all API add-ins from Revit add-in files.  Ideally, this tool would place the result in a ZIP file with subfolders that are logical and could be ‘restored’ to a new / clean installation of Revit.

Go!

Note: if you are going to ‘take the challenge’ I recommend that you post a comment so that you can co-ordinate with other coders if necessary.

Some of my notes below:
Need at least 2 x add-in folders and any referenced dlls

On my PC:
C:ProgramDataAutodeskREVITAddins2013
C:UsersLukeAppDataRoamingAutodeskRevitAddins2013

Wiki – addin locations:
http://wikihelp.autodesk.com/Revit/enu/2013/Help/00006-API_Developer%27s_Guide/0001-Introduc1/0018-Add-In_I18/0022-Add-in_R22

Environment variables:
http://www.askvg.com/list-of-environment-variables-in-windows-xp-vista-and-7/

CMD Reference:
http://ss64.com/nt/

Some simple yet very cool API and Macro tips

Luke Johnson

You may have already heard about Boost Your BIM – a new and quite prolific programming (API and macro) blog for Revit by Harry Mattison.  If his recent posts are anything to go by, this blog should be on your ‘must follow’ list.  Also, I could be wrong, but I think his profile image might be a reference to my post here…

On Twitter at twitter.com/BoostYourBIM

Here is some recent posts that I found to be pretty interesting:
Macros vs. Add-Ins – What’s the difference?
The code for your macro is stored in an RVT file if it is a document macro. If you create an application macro the code is stored independently on your computer … The code for your Add-In gets compiled into a DLL file.  

Revit API Wiki and RevitAPI.chm
Revit API Developer’s Guide Wiki at http://wikihelp.autodesk.com/index.php?title=Revit/enu/2013/Help/00006-API_Developer%27s_Guide. 

Scrubbing Out Dimension Styles
Harry provides a deleting / purging macro that handles both dimensions in sketches and dimensions in unplaced groups.

Save a Set of Elements with SelectionFilterElement
Although full Revit 2013 (Onebox) has built-in Saved Selections, you can see how little code is required to actually make basic selection filters on this post.

I previously posted about a free add-in for single selections, and there is also Case Apps Reusable and Sharable Selection Sets…

Finally,
Making Lines Not Print (with Events)
I can’t say I’ve ever wanted this … but it basically switches a certain line style to white before printing, then back afterwards… 

Some info about Harry (from BIMopedia):
Harry joined Revit Technology Corp in 1998 and spent his last few years at Autodesk as a software developer on the Revit API team. Now Harry has set out on this own and would like to help more people appreciate and benefit from the Revit API.

Revit 2013 API – Intro and New Features Video for download with Samples

Luke Johnson

Thanks to Jeremy Tammik at The Building Coder:

The recording of the Revit 2013 API webcast that we held on May 17 is now available from the ADN DevTech Webcast Recordings Archive, entering “Revit API” as the course topic, or directly from here. 
 
The 34 MB zip file includes:

  • ReadMe.txt
  • Slide deck
  • Recording
  • Code Samples

The webcast addresses two main areas: an introduction to Revit programming for beginners, including a quick walkthrough of basic concepts, and a discussion of some of the new functionality provided by the Revit 2013 API, which will be of interest to both beginners and experienced developers. The two parts are roughly equal in length.

via
The Building Coder: Revit 2013 API Webcast Recording