3 Revit tasks to Automate using Dynamo

With time-bound complex AEC projects, designers are always challenged to chalk out efficient workflows and adopt them. The preconstruction or design stage is a crucial milestone, wherein designers need to get their 3D models right and approved. 

With wide industry adoption, Revit has been the most powerful and popular BIM tool for the construction industry. Yet, its functionalities require a powerful extension like Dynamo to achieve comprehensive Revit automation. Repetitive tasks, inefficient workflows, incomplete data access, fewer design options, and insufficient design performance are some of the drawbacks that need a powerful solution like Dynamo for Revit to outperform project needs.

AEC stakeholders can take full advantage of Autodesk Dynamo workflows to automate the design structure and create tailored solutions that can be integrated into existing client workflows.

How Dynamo benefits the construction industry 

• Dynamo automates tasks to speed up the design process.
• Dynamo allows interoperability and data integration between various platforms to access accurate and complete data.
• Dynamo provides better design options or prototypes enriched with quality control and quality assurance.
• Dynamo offers improved design performance based on model standardization and real-time parameter assessment of ventilation, energy, lighting, etc.
• Dynamo enables enhanced workflows derived through analysis, coordination, simulation, and quick visual scripting.

Working within Revit with Dynamo

Some Revit tasks to create 3D models can be mundane and time-consuming. As a visual programming platform, Dynamo is exceptional at computational or generative design. It integrates well with Revit, and extends its functionalities to build transformational Dynamo workflows.

• 3D model elements or nodes can be easily manipulated to create smooth design workflows.
• With each node having an input or output, certain functions can be executed from the API.
• Nodes are interconnected via wires to exchange model data to garner required outcomes.
• Designers can create, share, and upload packages in the Dynamo Package Manager to get a list of various nodes to perform tasks.

The following case study reflects the true nature of Dynamo to achieve automation for a 3D BIM model creation for a European Housing Corporation.

As we proceed further, we will consider 3 crucial tasks to automate in Revit using the power of Dynamo.

Task 1.  Renumber the sheet sequence

Renumbering sheets in a project can be cumbersome and time-consuming. Manual renumbering of sheet sequencing can lead to a sheet miss-out, sheet duplication, or inaccurate renumbering.

Automating this particular task with Dynamo is significantly helpful to stakeholders when dealing with hundreds or thousands of sheets. Renumbering sheets in the right order with Dynamo is quick and easy.

• The first step to getting started is to ensure that the sheets are placed in the right order.
• If there are new sheets added, renumber the new sheet with the suffix and the number of the previous sheet.
• For example, if you want a new sheet to appear after “A100”, rename the new sheet as “A100A”. This will place the new sheet after sheet number “A100”.
• Grouping of sheets can be achieved by using various suffix such as “A”, “B”, “C”, etc.
• In the Dynamo properties section, users can enter the starting sequence number, followed by sheet ID#, and the last sheet ID#.
• Once the sheets in the project browser are sorted, a Dynamo script using nodes can be programmed to quickly renumber your sheets – “WITH AUTOMATION”.

Task 2. Add levels above the previous levels

Adding levels is another monotonous task that needs automation. Projects with 4 or 5 levels are doable without automation. But, what if you need to create more than 50 levels or 100 levels for high-rise projects. The Dynamo plugin is integrated with Revit to add levels above the selected level has made it easy for designers.

• In the Dynamo properties bar of the Dynamo plugin or player, select the option: Add levels above the selected level
• .Set the properties to create: number of new levels and the distance from the selected level.
• Click the  Select button to select the previous level.
• Press the Play button to complete the process.

Task 3. Batch-insert families

Batch-inserting Revit families without Dynamo automation can be challenging. Using Revit alone, designers would have to access each Revit file to upgrade it in that year of Revit and save it. This would require repetition for each file. Dynamo automation to upgrade Revit families requires a Revit upgrade to the latest release.

• To begin with, designers need to make a copy of the family library
• A folder needs to be selected to perform a Dynamo upgrade
• Begin by opening the Revit file in that year of Revit you want to upgrade the file or open the Dynamo editor to create a new file 
• Install Rhythm and Clockwork to utilize all the scripting nodes
• Use the directory path node to select the folder that contains the Revit files for upgrade
• The Directory.Contents+ node helps designers retrieve files from the specified folder
• The Code Block node is used to ensure files with specific formats are found
• After all the files have been identified and contained in the specified folder, each file needs to be opened, saved and closed
• Opening the file can be done by using the node from the Rhythm package such as Application.OpenDocumentFile
• Closing the file is done by using the node from the same Rhythm package such as Application.CloseDocumentFile
•  A Boolean node that indicates “True” or “False” can be set up to save the file

Conclusion

The Dynamo Plugin is a powerful tool to automate repetitive tasks that makes projects more effective and efficient. Designers ready to save time with Dynamo can leverage custom nodes to extend the functionality of Revit.

Better performance, greater ROI, quick TAT, and tailored solutions are direct consequences of computational design without having to write complex code.  Got some redundant or repetitive tasks Revit activities to perform? Let Dynamo handle it!

Authored by:

Harika Singh is an academician and published writer. Her passion for engineering and technology reflects in the in-depth coverage she provides on technology trends. 20 years of work association with institutes of repute across India and the US positions her to provide valuable insights to business stakeholders on achieving scalability and operational efficiencies through digitalization.