Revit 2014 API Languages

Revit 2014 has added a couple new language options for people who can speak to Revit through its API (application programming interface). If you have a long history with CAD you might have spent more than a few hours "Lost in parenthesis" (LISP)? In Revit we can get lost in them when we deal with conditional formulas in the family editor.

In Revit 2013 the API supported two languages C++ and C# (technically any VB.net language). Revit 2014 has added Ruby (aka Ruby on Rails) and Python. If you have no programming experience they are not gems or reptiles, just alternatives to the far more widely used C++ and the much newer C# (and supposedly "easier to learn").

The dialog is a little smaller too (really subtle eh?).

If you are looking to get started with the Revit API you might consider Don Rudder's book:

Instant Autodesk Revit 2013 Customization with .NET How-to

Looking for some hands-on training with a sherpa? Get in touch with Harry Mattison (Boost Your BIM), he's gone from deep within Autodesk working on Revit and its API to the life of a freelancer who shares his knowledge on his blog and creates applications for hire. He's started offering some online training too.

Don Rudder and Case-inc have also offered API focused training in the past and are always considering hosting another so keep an eye on their site for a future class offering.

I've also written a couple blog posts before about getting started with the API (though I'm still remiss in taking it seriously myself).

Getting Started with the Revit API
My First Revit Plug-in

Years ago when I did some programming more seriously I found the book "Code Complete" by Steve McConnell quite helpful to help understand the process and concepts.

Happy coding!

Autodesk Ed's Channel - Three New Student Video Collections

I was asked by Philipp Mueller, a student attending the Technical University Graz in Austria, to help spread the word about some training videos that he helped create. There are three sets of videos hosted on the Autodesk Ed's Channel at You Tube. By the way, Alan James Wooldridge posted about the Detailing videos earlier on his Revit Structure Learning Curve Blog.

• Getting Started Video Tutorials for Revit Architecture 2011 (14 Videos +/-85 minutes)
• Advanced Detailing Tutorial for Autodesk Revit Architecture 2011 (12 Videos +/- 65 minutes)
• Professional Mass Modeling & Render Video Tutorials for Autodesk Revit Architecture 2011 (12 Videos +/- 74 minutes)

I find You Tube's dump-it-all-in-there approach to video organization a bit frustrating so gratefully Philipp provided the following links for each video collection:

Getting Started Video Tutorials for Revit Architecture 2011
This tutorial is conceived to allow an easy start with Autodesk Revit Architecture 2011 and to get an extensive overview of the power of building information modeling.

• Step00/14 Introduction (2:13)
• Step01/14 User Interface (4:07)
• Step02/14 Grid & Levels (6:50)
• Step03/14 Wall, Columns, Floor Modifications (6:06)
• Step04/14 Split Element, Match Properties, Attach Elements to Top (3:47)
• Step05/14 Interiors Walls, Trim / Extend Elements, Doors (5:42)
• Step06/14 Windows, Stairs, Shaft Opening (5:14)
• Step07/14 Railing, Modification of Curtain Walls (5:29)
  
• Step08/14 Import Site, Building Pad, Place Site Components (5:17)
• Step09/14 Groups, Rooms & Rooms Tag, Color Scheme (7:05)
  
• Step10/14 Dimensions (6:32)
• Step11/14 Wall Constuction & Wall Wrapping, Schedules & Tag Elements, Section (5:45)
  
• Step12/14 View Template, View Properties, Sheets (5:50)
• Step13/14 Freeform (6:13)
  
• Step14/14 Sun Path, Camera & Navigation Wheel, Render Properties (6:39)

Download Datasets & Handout
http://students.autodesk.com/?nd=revit2011_english

Advanced Detailing Tutorial for Autodesk Revit Architecture 2011
This tutorial is dedicated to the detail planning. In the next 12 steps you will learn how to draw details and create detail components.

• Step 00/12 - Introduction  (0:48)
• Step 01/12 - Project settings (5:11)
• Step 02/12 - Override graphics in view, link a Revit project, import a dwg (3:39)
• Step 03/12 - Bearing structure (5:23)
  
• Step 04/12 - Roof and roof joins (7:12)
• Step 05/12 - Renovation plan (6:21)
  
• Step 06/12 - Wall sweep and reveal, create in‐place component (5:59)
• Step 07/12 - Sloped insulation, multi layered wall and wall joins (5:02)
  
• Step 08/12 - Lines, create line type, callout (4:40)
• Step 09/12 - Masking region, filled region, repeating detail component, detail component (5:03)
  
• Step 10/12 - Cut profile, tag material, element keynote (4:47)
• Step 11/12 - Linework, view range, plane region (4:50)
  
• Step 12/12 - Title block, legend component, print and export (4:42)

Download Datasets & Handout
http://students.autodesk.com/?nd=revit2011_english

Professional Mass Modeling & Render Video Tutorials for Autodesk Revit Architecture 2011In this Tutorial you will learn a variety of methods to sketch easy and complicated freeforms with Autodesk Revit Architecture. To be able to present effectively architectural drafts, we will also show several ways to visualize your architectural design.

• Step 00/12 – Introduction (1:21)
• Step 01/12 – Extrusion – Work Plane – Void (5:16)
• Step 02/12 – Conceptual Mass – Blend Mass – Edit Mass Profiles (5:31)
• Step 03/12 – Reference Lines – Freeform Surface – Revolve Mass (6:37)
• Step 04/12 - Swept Blend Mass – Dissolve Mass – Spline Through Points (5:02)
• Step 05/12 – Divide Surface – Surface Patterns – Adaptive Elements  (4:30)
• Step 06/12 – Panel by Pattern (Part 1) Type – Parameter (6:40)
• Step 07/12 – Curtain Panel by Pattern (Part 2) Instance – Parameter (5:38)
• Step 08/12 – Autodesk Mass Floors – Floor Area and Volume Calculations – Place Floor, Wall, Curtain System and Roof by Face (6:00)
• Step 09/12 – Walkthrough (7:03)
• Step 10/12 – Render Materials – Exterior Daylight Render – Background Image (6:49)
• Step 11/12 – Night Render – Adjust Exposure – Render without Textures (7.26)
• Step 12/12 – Graphics Display Options – Shadow Settings – Interior Daylight Render (4:59)

Download Datasets & Handout
http://students.autodesk.com/?nd=revit2011_english

Family Editor Training Options

These are two options that have been brought to my attention recently.

Mastering Series by Paul Aubin

Paul has been running some online web training this summer and is currently conducting one focused on making Revit families with the family editor. He has increased the number of participants so he can accept many more students now. For more details you can visit his website.

BIM Tutorials - Virtual Tutor Revit Families

I received an email last week (as some of you may have as well) from this organization that has just created a DVD of tutorials focused on the family editor as well.