Automation in Revit: Revit Python API (1)

Part 1: Python Essentials

This section is dedicated to the basics of Python programming. You will understand the critical aspects of Python, including variables, data types, operators, conditional statements, loops, functions, and modules.

Introduction to Python: Why Python for Revit API?

• The role of Python in the AEC industry
• Advantages of using Python for Revit API

Python Basics: Data Types, Variables, Expressions, and Statements

• Understanding basic data types in Python
• How to use variables to store information
• Constructing expressions and forming statements

Control Flow: Conditionals and Loops

• How to control the flow of your programs with conditionals
• Understanding the different types of loops in Python

Functions and Modules in Python

• Organizing your code with functions and modules
• The power of Python's standard library

Hands-on: Python Basics Exercises

• Writing simple Python scripts
• Understanding Python syntax and structure

Part 2: Introduction to Revit API with Python

In the second part, you will be introduced to the integration of Python with the Revit API. You'll learn about Revit's database structure, elements, categories, and transactions and create your first Python script for Revit.

Revit API Overview

• Introduction to the structure and capabilities of Revit API
• Understanding the documentation and where to find help

Python-Revit API Integration Basics

• Installing pyRevit
• Setting up your Python environment for Revit API
• Writing your first Python script for Revit

Understanding Revit Elements and Categories

• Deep dive into Revit's Element hierarchy
• Exploring the role of categories in Revit

Transactions in Revit Python API

• What are transactions, and why are they needed
• Writing scripts that modify the Revit document

Hands-on: Creating a Basic Python Script for Revit

• Output data from the Revit file to the user

Part 3: Working with Revit Elements using Python API

The third part focuses on the manipulation of Revit elements using Python. You will understand how to create, read, modify, and write parameters for Revit elements and navigate the Revit database using Python.

Creating and Modifying Revit Elements

• Using Python to create new Revit elements
• Changing element parameters with Python scripts

Reading and Writing Element Parameters

• Understanding the concept of parameters in Revit
• Using Python to access and modify these parameters

Navigating the Revit Database with Python

• Exploring the structure of the Revit database

• Writing scripts to search and manipulate the Revit database

Hands-on: Automating a Repetitive Task Using Python in pyRevit

• Change parameter value of several elements
• Create sheets per scope boxes

Part 4: Automating Common Tasks in Revit with Python API

In the fourth section, you will learn to automate various everyday tasks in Revit, such as document setup and batch processing of Revit files. You'll also explore automating drawing and detailing jobs.

Automating Document Setup

• Using Python to set up your Revit document properties
• Automating the creation of views, sheets, and more

Batch Processing of Revit Files

• Writing scripts to process multiple Revit files at once
• Automating repetitive tasks across different projects

Automating Drawing and Detailing Tasks

• Using Python to assist with drawing and detailing tasks
• Understanding how Python can automate annotation and detailing processes

Hands-on: In-depth Revit Python automation

• Create Scope Boxes using Python in pyRevit

Part 5: Troubleshooting, Optimization, and Final Project

The last part is dedicated to debugging, error handling, and optimizing Python scripts in the Revit environment. You'll learn about best practices for writing efficient scripts and then put your skills to the test with a final project - developing a custom Revit add-in.

Debugging and Error Handling in Revit Python API

• Understanding common errors in Python and Revit API
• How to debug your Python scripts in Revit

Code Optimization and Best Practices

• Techniques for making your Python scripts run faster

• Writing clean and maintainable code in Python

Final Project: Developing a Custom Revit Add-in

• Creating your own Revit add-in using Python
• Presenting your final project to the class

‍

Writing simple Python scripts

We go through some simple Python scripts (independent of Revit) to get you started with Python. This way, you get familiarized with Python and its looks and feels.

Understanding Python syntax and structure

To better understand the structure of Python, we go through some different examples to highlight the structure.

Output data from the Revit file to the user

As a first Python script, we show how data from the Revit file can be shown to the user.

Automating a Repetitive Task Using Python in pyRevit

To highlight the differences between Macros, Dynamo, and Python, we will redo our previous automation in this project, but this time in Python! We look at how we can change one parameter value for all selected elements.

We also examine how sheet creation differs using Python compared to Dynamo and Macros.

Create Scope Boxes using Python in pyRevit

Time to dig a bit deeper and create scope boxes in our Revit file using Python inside of pyRevit! This project will look at element creation, orientation, and a bit of user input.

Creating your first Revit add-in using Python

‍