By Dennis Collin
Dynamo for Revit is an open source visual programming platform. It is installed as part of Revit. Dynamo can be accessed from the Manage tab on the Visual Programming panel.
The out of the box functionality can do many repetitive tasks, such as the bulk of editing door references to things Revit cannot currently do, like schedule coordinates of columns and structural foundations.
These scripts are visual in style with selection and operator nodes connected with wires and once a script has been written, can be easily edited or played within the Dynamo editor or just simply executed via Dynamo script player.
Some previous posts I have made doing typical tasks using standard tools can be found here:
Scheduling coordinates: https://www.cadlinecommunity.co.uk/hc/en-us/articles/360001868817--Using-Dynamo-to-Schedule-Coordinates-in-Revit
Prefixing door references: https://www.cadlinecommunity.co.uk/hc/en-us/articles/360005302498-Adding-a-prefix-to-Revit-s-Mark-parameter-with-Dynamo-scripting-Part-1
Whilst this is just the beginning of what the out of the box tools can do, there are additional packages users can obtain which have extra functionality with the Python programming language, Excel and a variety of extra nodes going above and beyond the standard toolset.
Some recommended essential packages I would add to Dynamo are:
- Clockwork for Dynamo – Contains many additional Revit based nodes, also extra list management tools and additional options for working with strings and geometrical operations.
- Bumblebee – Additional and more powerful options when working with MS Excel data.
- Archi-labs.net - Some useful tools for bulk loading of Revit families and tags.
This is not an exhaustive list but depending upon what’s needed there are a full range of packages from working with Rhino model data, procedural modelling nodes to improved AutoCAD DWG linking options.
These packages are obtained from within Dynamo itself, via the Packages drop down menu and typing in the appropriate package. Type the name in the search field and click on the download button, taking care you install the right version of package for your build of Dynamo. If you are unsure of what is needed or just want to browse, leave the search field blank and scroll through the list.
Once installed, the list of extra tools and nodes are listed on the library under a separate Add-ons header. As always, specific nodes can be searched for and added to scripts as necessary.
In a future post I will show a script using these enhanced tools to make Dynamo make Revit work even harder!