Revit MEP API Leveraged for Construction
Figure 1
The Autodesk® Revit® MEP platform provides a robust API to allow programmers to take grasp of the functions inside of Revit. Autodesk uses this API internally with programmers to create specific tools and workflows to assist with the Revit MEP platform. As Autodesk puts it, “eating their own dog food.” This also allows resellers and users to utilize the API to create some unique tools.
As you can see in Figure 1, Revit provides the factory. This factory makes generic hammers and nails. The API allows the developer to create the specific hammer and the nail the worker will keep and use in his toolbox. The add-in or custom application interface is how we provide which type of hammer and nail will be used.
Add-Ins
You can see some of Autodesk’s own “dog food” in Figure 2. A huge one is External Tools Navisworks. With one click of a button it creates an NWC file, which brings over lots of pertinent information for clash detection inside of Navisworks®. Also some other great ones from Autodesk are BIM 360, COBie Extension, and Chronicle.
Figure 2
The Revit Exchange Store has 57 add-ins available for download (as of October 2014). I wouldn’t classify all these add-ins for construction. I see add-ins for exporting to Excel, auto dimensioning walls, creating 3D PDFs, column splitter, and model slicer.
COINS and Tekla are created outside of Autodesk. COINS is amazing for doing an isolate by a certain distance from an object. Tekla is great for bringing in Tekla Structural models.
Revit does some amazing things, but it is lacking content and connectivity for MEP construction. SysQue is bridging that gap for engineers and subcontractors to work in Revit. An integrated model is key for collaboration between architecture, structural, MEP trades, and more. No need for the architect to export out 2D CAD drawings to the MEP subs.
Now let’s see how SysQue uses the API and truly makes Revit a construction tool.
Using the Cloud for Content and Connectivity
The cloud is everywhere—music, pictures, online storage, BIM models, and data content.
SysQue utilizes Building Data, which has more than 2.9 million lines of MEP content. This gives the user the ability to download a manufacturer-specific family (RFA) from the cloud and have the ability to start using it instantly. No need to spend countless hours building a complex family as required for construction.
This is also done by using the family editor portion of the Revit API. Each family created by Building Data has connectors associated to it. By doing this, the face-to-face connections that typically come with Revit are no more.
The same rule applies to valves that require flanges or a socket depth for soldered/threaded. Once a valve is placed, the API looks at the connectivity and will automatically add the bolt set, gasket, and flange or inset the pipe to match the correct valve.
The API loads its content at run time. Instead of having a Revit template with every family you think you might use, the API will load only the family you select from its user interface (UI) pallet (Figure 3). This gives the user the ability to have spec-driven systems instead of a large library of fittings you need to scroll through the family browser. Having the API allow for a spec-driven interface enables more route preferences based on size, materials, and manufacturer.
Figure 3
Using the Cloud for Bills Of Materials (BOM)
Revit is limited to specific information for the cost and weight of a particular item. For example, a 4” IPS Painted Groove Coupling Style 77 from Victaulic has only one parameter for cost and weight, not a separate cost and weight for each size of the fitting. SysQue goes to the cloud to pull down the Harrison cost, MCAA labor, and weight of each size of the fitting. It can then be saved to Excel.
Figure 4
Download to Cutter (CAMduct and Vulcan)
Having the ability to draw duct in 3D doesn’t mean subcontractors can do anything with it, especially if you draw a duct that’s 30 feet long. SysQue utilizes the API to separate the duct standards per SMACNA (USA), DW144 (UK), and PA (Australia). It also gives users the ability to create customize specifications per their manufacturing process.
Figure 5
SysQue Connect
The API allows the ability to rotate fittings without cutting a section view and using the rotate command, which can be cumbersome. As you can see in Figure 6, SysQue Connect is activated (Step 1), then placed on the end of a pipe (Step 2), the compass then gives the user which angle to rotate the fitting (Step 3). Press OK (Step 4) and then select which fitting you would like placed (Step 5). So with five clicks you have a fitting rotated, instead of 17 clicks with standard Revit.
Figure 6
First Fitting
After the first five steps you now have a fitting rotated at the angle chosen.
Figure 7
Second Fitting
With SysQue Connect activated you can continue adding fittings at the desired angle.
Figure 8
Third Fitting
With a total of 17 clicks, we now have three fittings (2 elbows and an eccentric reducer). Standard Revit is 37 clicks. That includes cutting a section view.
Figure 10
Why Use the API?
Autodesk might not give us all the tools in the toolbox we need, but it does give us to the ability to create specific tools to speed up our day-to-day processes. We need to keep pushing the limits of the BIM world. Change is the only constant. So let’s get creative and build that special hammer and nail that you need to be successful.
Link to the Autodesk API: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=2484975
