Revit is a versatile parametric modeling tool that not only supports built-in features but also allows users to develop custom parametric modeling tools, enhancing its capabilities beyond the default functions. The Revit product suite offers interfaces tailored for plugin development, enabling users to extend its functionality through coding.
API, or Application Programming Interface, refers to the set of protocols used to build and interact with software applications. The Revit API specifically provides a programming interface for Revit. Every component in Revit corresponds to a class, and these class names are utilized during plugin development. When a plugin runs, the Revit API translates user commands into function calls within the code, enabling practical use of the software’s features. The Revit .NET API supports programming in any .NET-compatible language, including Visual Basic .NET, C#, C++/CLI, and F#.
(1) Main Functions of the API
The Revit API provides three primary categories of functionality:
- Model Manipulation: Accessing model parameters and graphical data, as well as creating, modifying, and deleting model elements.
- Custom Commands: Implementing new commands through secondary development, such as creating add-ons and macros to automate tasks within the Autodesk Revit user interface.
- Third-Party Integration: Connecting with external software to extend Revit’s capabilities.
(2) Development Tools
Because Revit’s built-in features may not fully meet all engineering requirements, secondary development is often necessary. Although Revit includes a built-in development tool called Macro, it has significant limitations and is rarely used in practice. Instead, Visual Studio (VS) is the most commonly used development environment for Revit plugins.
Since Revit runs on the .NET framework, Visual Studio is required, and developers should select the appropriate supported versions of Visual Studio and .NET for compatibility.
Revit SDK: Autodesk provides a Software Development Kit (SDK) that includes comprehensive documentation of the Revit API, over 100 sample projects with source code, and essential tools such as Addin Manager and Revit Lookup to assist developers.
ILSpy: ILSpy is a free, powerful .NET decompilation tool. It allows developers to inspect classes and functions within any .NET assembly and view decompiled source code, which is invaluable during plugin development.
RevitLookup: Included in the Revit SDK, RevitLookup is a specialized Autodesk utility that reads properties and parameters of Revit objects. It provides source code and utility classes that help developers visualize API object data and relationships without writing extra code. This tool greatly aids in troubleshooting and accelerates the development process.
AddinManager: Also an official Autodesk plugin, AddinManager is designed to load Revit plugins efficiently. It allows developers to modify and reload plugin code during debugging without restarting Revit, significantly reducing load times and improving workflow.
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