flyingturtle13 / revit_dynamo-autogenerate_3d_views

Dynamo script auto generates 3D views (naming & setting Section Box) using Excel spreadsheet.

Revit Dynamo - Auto-Generate 3D Views

When creating 3D views in Revit, it becomes a tedious task when many have to be created due to multi-level or multi-sectioning structures. This Dynamo script can auto-generate multiple views while auto naming and pre-setting the Section Box using the provided Excel file. User must do most of the work in the spreadsheet and create a base 3D view in the Revit project for the script to duplicate and modify. An example is covered in the Running Script & User Implementation Instructions section. This workflow is most beneficial when levels or zones per project require more than than 10 to 20.

Note:

1. The Dynamo script (ProjectSetup-AutoGenerate_3D_Views.dyn) and accompanying Excel file (ProjectName-ViewsCreation-User_Input.xlsx) are included.
2. Example Revit models and Excel file are included to test the script.

Getting Started

Environment setup regarding script development logistics.

• IDE:

  • Revit Dynamo

• Language:

  • Visual Programming / Python for Custom Node Creation

• Output File Type:

  • dyn

• Additional Library Packages Implemented:
  

  • Clockwork
  • Rhythm

Dynamo Script Development & Structure

Script features and specs.

• Software Required

  • Revit (any version with Dynamo 2.1 and above installed)

• User Interface

  • Run script through Dynamo add-in

• Setup Requirements and Capabilities

  • User to create a default 3D view in the Revit project. The script uses this view to duplicate and modify based on user preferences.
  • User to modify the included Excel spreadsheet per project.
    • View_Name sheet serves as source for script to name all the views to be created (script will determine number of views by counting number of rows in the sheet)
    • X-Min and Y-Min serve as the coordinates to set the bottom left when looking in plan of the Section Box in the associated view (by row in Excel)
    • X-Max and Y-Max serve as the coordinates to set the upper right when looking in plan of the Section Box in the associated view (by row in Excel)
    • Z-Min and Z-Max serve as the coordinates setting the bottom and top plane of the Section Box in elevation
    • It is important to note that all coordinates inputted have to be float (decimal units) and positive and negative coordinates are based on internal project origin

Dynamo Script Layout

Overall graph view

1. User Input

   • Before running script, user to select or check correct target Excel file is selected for importing required data
   • User to also select 3D view from the Revit project to use as a base to duplicate and modify per Excel file inputs
     • View templates, element visibility, etc. are respected when duplicating the view (similar to manually doing it)

   

2. Create Views Backend Process

   • This process (List.Cycle node) takes the base 3D view and determines how many times to iterate over view by counting number of rows in the View_Name sheet (All sheets in Excel file should have same number of rows with data)
   • Then the View.Duplicate node creates a copy of the base 3D view and renames based on Excel file input

   

3. Section Box Dimensions Backend Process

   • The X,Y,Z minimum and maximum specified values are imported from the Excel file and used to generate a bounding box

   

4. New 3D View with Adjusted Section Box Created in Revit Project

   • View3D.SetSectionBox takes the newly created, custom named 3D view and modifies the Section Box using output from (3.).

   

Mapping Script to UI

1. Dynamo Script Layout 2. - autoamates having to right-click and selecting duplicate view (To reiterate, important for user to select correct 3D view to duplicate as it respects the view properties)

   

2. Dynamo Script Layout 2. - In the script, the view name is taken from the associated Excel file sheet row and applied to 3D view

   

3. Dynamo Script Layout 3 and Dynamo Script Layout 4. - The script helps the most in the Section Box adjustment process. In the Revit model, the section box is requires a few iterations to set it as desired. With the script it sets it based on coordinates specified.

   

Running Script & User Implementation Instructions

1. Clone or download project.
   
2. Using one of the example models (vertical multi-story structure and long horizontal, multi-zone structure) in Example Models folder, open the Revit file and associated Excel file.
3. In the Excel file, update the view names to desired naming convention in the View_Name sheet.

   

4. Still in Excel file, update coordinates with desired values for X-Min, X-Max, Z-Min, X-Max, Y-Max, Z-Max in respective sheets corresponding row in View_Name sheet. User will most likely need to refere to the model plan views to take measurements.

   

   Note:
   (1) In this case, the project units are in feet so enter values for decimal feet.
   (2) Coordinates to be inputted are based on project Inernal Origin so make sure to locate Internal Origin using Project Base Point or Survey Point.

   

   (3) Hint: use elevation views as reference to set Z-coordinate value for minimums and maximums

   

5. After Excel file setup is complete, open the Dynamo add-in in Revit and select Dynamo script included here.
6. Ensure Clockwork and Rhythm packages are installed. If not, use Package --> Search for Package --> Clockwork or Rhtyhm in Dynamo.
7. As described in Dynamo Script Layout 1., use 'File Path' node to select included Excel file (Project02Example-ViewsCreation-User_Input.xlsx) or file where modifications were done in (2.). Also select a base 3D view in 'Views' node per Dynamo Script Layout 1..
   Note:
   1. View properties in base 3D view will persist in duplicated 3D views.
      
8. Select Run and check Revit for results.