Export|Import File-based Revit Parameters

Description

This sample demonstrates how to update a file-based Revit model stored in BIM 360 Docs, using Design Automation for Revit. The sample does two things:

1. export Revit parameters (Door Type Parameter “Fire Rating”, and/or Door Instance Parameter “Comments”) to an excel file.
2. Import Revit parameters (same as above) from a locally stored excel file.

The custom button in a viewer is provided to make it easier to see the parameter values. You can also see the values in the default property panel as well.

Thumbnail

Demonstration

Main Parts of The Work

1. Create a Revit Plugin to be used within AppBundle of Design Automation for Revit. Please check PlugIn

2. Refer (https://youtu.be/1NCeH7acIko) and simply use the Configure button in the Web Application to create the Appbundle & Activity.

3. Create the Web App to call the workitem.

Web App Setup

Prerequisites

1. APS Account: Learn how to create a APS Account, activate subscription and create an app at this tutorial.
2. Visual Code: Visual Code (Windows or MacOS).
3. ngrok: Routing tool, download here
4. Revit 2024: required to compile changes into the plugin
5. JavaScript ES6 syntax for server-side.
6. JavaScript basic knowledge with jQuery

For using this sample, you need an Autodesk developer credentials. Visit the APS Developer Portal, sign up for an account, then create an app. For this new app, use http://localhost:3000/api/aps/callback/oauth as Callback URL, although is not used on 2-legged flow. Finally take note of the Client ID and Client Secret.

Running locally

Install NodeJS, version 8 or newer.

Clone this project or download it (this nodejs branch only). It's recommended to install GitHub desktop. To clone it via command line, use the following (Terminal on MacOSX/Linux, Git Shell on Windows):

git clone https://github.com/autodesk-platform-services/aps-revit-file-parameters-exchange

Install the required packages using npm install.

ngrok

Run ngrok http 3000 to create a tunnel to your local machine, then copy the address into the APS_WEBHOOK_URL environment variable. Please check WebHooks for details.

Environment variables

Set the environment variables with your client ID & secret and finally start it. Via command line, navigate to the folder where this repository was cloned and use the following:

Mac OSX/Linux (Terminal)

npm install
export APS_CLIENT_ID=<<YOUR CLIENT ID FROM DEVELOPER PORTAL>>
export APS_CLIENT_SECRET=<<YOUR CLIENT SECRET>>
export APS_CALLBACK_URL=<<YOUR CALLBACK URL>>
export APS_WEBHOOK_URL=<<YOUR DESIGN AUTOMATION FOR REVIT CALLBACK URL>>
export DESIGN_AUTOMATION_NICKNAME=<<YOUR DESIGN AUTOMATION FOR REVIT NICK NAME>>
export DESIGN_AUTOMATION_ACTIVITY_NAME=<<YOUR DESIGN AUTOMATION FOR REVIT ACTIVITY NAME>>
npm start

Windows (use Node.js command line from Start menu)

npm install
set APS_CLIENT_ID=<<YOUR CLIENT ID FROM DEVELOPER PORTAL>>
set APS_CLIENT_SECRET=<<YOUR CLIENT SECRET>>
set APS_CALLBACK_URL=<<YOUR CALLBACK URL>>
set APS_WEBHOOK_URL=<<YOUR DESIGN AUTOMATION FOR REVIT CALLBACK URL>>
set DESIGN_AUTOMATION_NICKNAME=<<YOUR DESIGN AUTOMATION FOR REVIT NICK NAME>>
set DESIGN_AUTOMATION_ACTIVITY_NAME=<<YOUR DESIGN AUTOMATION FOR REVIT ACTIVITY NAME>>
npm start

Windows (use PowerShell)

npm install
$env:APS_CLIENT_ID="YOUR CLIENT ID FROM DEVELOPER PORTAL"
$env:APS_CLIENT_SECRET="YOUR CLIENT SECRET"
$env:APS_CALLBACK_URL="YOUR CALLBACK URL"
$env:APS_WEBHOOK_URL="YOUR DESIGN AUTOMATION FOR REVIT CALLBACK URL"
$env:DESIGN_AUTOMATION_NICKNAME="YOUR DESIGN AUTOMATION FOR REVIT NICK NAME"
$env:DESIGN_AUTOMATION_ACTIVITY_NAME="YOUR DESIGN AUTOMATION FOR REVIT ACTIVITY NAME"
npm start

Note. environment variable examples:

• APS_CALLBACK_URL: http://localhost:3000/api/aps/callback/oauth
• APS_WEBHOOK_URL: http://808efcdc123456.ngrok.io/api/aps/callback/designautomation

The following are optional:

• DESIGN_AUTOMATION_NICKNAME: Only necessary if there is a nickname, APS client id by default.
• DESIGN_AUTOMATION_ACTIVITY_NAME: Only necessary if the activity name is customized, ExportImportExcelActivity by default.
• DESIGN_AUTOMATION_ACTIVITY_ALIAS: Only necessary if the activity alias is customized, dev by default.

Using the app

Open the browser: http://localhost:3000, it provides the abilities to export & import parameter with Excel:

1. Select Revit file version in BIM360 Hub to view the Model, Select parameters which you want to export|import, choose either export or import and click 'Execute'.
2. Select the Door type or instance in Model Viewer, and open the customized property panel to see the result.

Note: When you deploy the app, you have to open the Configure button to create the AppBundle & Activity before running the Export|Import feature, please check the video for the steps at https://youtu.be/1NCeH7acIko. You can also delete the existing AppBundle & Activity and re-create with different Design Automation Revit engine version.

Packages used

The Autodesk APS packages is included by default. Some other non-Autodesk packaged are used, including socket.io, express.

Within the Revit Plugin, LibXL is used to read/write the date of Excel.

Further Reading

Documentation:

• Design Automation API
• BIM 360 API and App Provisioning
• Data Management API

Desktop APIs:

• Revit

Troubleshooting

After installing Github desktop for Windows, on the Git Shell, if you see a error setting certificate verify locations error, use the following:

git config --global http.sslverify "false"

Limitation

• Before using the sample to call the workitem, you need to setup your Appbundle & Activity of Design Automation, you can follow my Postman script to understand the whole process, or you can simply use the Configure button in the Web Application to create the Appbundle & Activity(https://youtu.be/1NCeH7acIko).
• Currently Revit Cloud Worksharing is not supported by the Design Automation. The scenario that this sample demonstrates is applicable only with a file-based Revit model.
• The free version of LibXL I used will write a banner in the first row of each spreadsheet and it will be able to read only 300 cells (first row is unavailable). If you want to remove banner and reading restriction, you may contact them for a license.
• It takes time for BIM360 to automatically translate the new uploaded Revit file version, please wait for a while to see the viewable and properties.
• Client JavaScript requires modern browser.
• Currently, the sample support Design Automation engine 2019 & 2020, you can use Configure button to delete|create different versions of Design Automation Revit engine.

License

This sample is licensed under the terms of the MIT License. Please see the LICENSE file for full details.

Written by

• Zhong Wu @johnonsoftware, Autodesk Platform Service
• Eason Kang @yiskang, Autodesk Platform Service