Dynamo or Add-ins - which to learn?

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Before someone calls me out: API = *Application* Programming Interface I said action by accident >_< Sounds cooler though!

[@Masoud-kia]

Dynamo is only tools to expanding BIM power into AUTODESK products. If anyone working advance on revit, they must know it. If any company wants to use specific uses of BIM needs to have specific plugins. For example one company makes their country standards into revit plugin to use frequently. There are many plugin in the market that do anything . You indicate them in this video. Thanks to this video.

[@AussieBIMGuru]

You're welcome! Great point that development is required beyond Dynamo if companies wish to delve outside the Autodesk systems.

[@HyunWooKim_EnjoyRevit]

I think it's simple. It's just up to their job. I don't think every Revit engineers or architects have to learn C#. There are programmers and they do the work as their job. How can Revit engineers can do the work better than them? But I really recommend to learn Dynamo. It can expand usability of Revit a lot, easily. If I was good at programming and wanted to make money, I would make games, not Revit addins. haha... Thanks for the vid.

[@AussieBIMGuru]

You're welcome, and I totally agree - context is the key! There seems to be a bit of stigma towards Dynamo by developers who think it should only ever be the starting point. I myself find that it does most of what I need it to, and more than happy to leverage other people's apps where it suits rather than write them all from the ground up myself.

[@ATTechTutorials]

Dynamo is definitely a good starting point for stepping into the programming world

[@AussieBIMGuru]

For many it's also a suitable stopping point too I think, it just depends on what they need programming to do for them.

[@adharmacharmalok6651]

Great video. Dynamo is a good starting point

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Sure is!

[@fabian3412]

I was having those questions, this discussion is so helpful.

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Glad it helped!

[@janiryagum1194]

Now I know....thanks much!

[@AussieBIMGuru]

You're welcome!

[@daveotis7016]

Nice video! Dynamo is definitely a good start for sure. I’m use it all day. I learn python in the same time and it’s very helpful together. Nobody talk about the add-in we use. My best add-in is Definitely RF Tools, this add-in is very complete for a Bim manager. He replace many of my Dynamo script!

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Yeah rushforth is great! I used to use CTC but I'd probably use RF these days.

[@immi85]

Very good explanation. I am happy with Dynamo but maybe in future i will learn c# and make my own Add-in 😄

[@AussieBIMGuru]

You'll know when the time comes :)

[@biminitiative8472]

Gavin, As discussed previously, I bought Three Suites, with similar features but the author in one has the better vision and resolution than others. This was before Dynamo. The comment on LinkedIn by Paul Wintour was succinct about addins, Identify and address the root cause of the need for a addin before you load tons of addins; sage advice I feel. The addins are good because, as Sean Page said today, the users get something dependable and less maintenance is required. From a developer standpoint, I thinks we have fallen to the Apple cost model, I want the application for 90c - $10 max then I will buy lots of tools. But, this has led to lots of Replication, with UIx changes. Thats not going to make money for the Developer. I know how valuable the Addin is to me, the question I ask of Users is "Do you?" DiRoots have been gracious in the offers they made, so addins are really powerful. Equally, the Dynamo developers have provided similar value, for which I say thanks to all who have shared the "love". These two options have their place equally, when the appropriate use case is clearly understood. Thanks for the hard-work and sharing. (Here endith the rant! lol)

[@AussieBIMGuru]

The apple model does indeed appear to be one possible future for all of this. As such alternative ideas as BIMbeats are indicating, one can rise above the pile simply by offering a unique or hard to replicate service as well though I guess whilst the rest 'race to the bottom'. It has been great to see various comments and opinions emerge from this video, as I expected most developers say people should readc beyond Dynamo - the question that remains is whether the average AEC professional has the time or interest to do so however!

[@markovicnikola]

Do you plan on reviewing (and upgrading) user-submitted scripts, maybe on a live video?

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Hrm not sure to be honest. Whilst I get scripts emailed to me sometimes, usually I avoid 'fixing' the scripts for them as this doesn't teach people to solve their problems. I find the biggest hurdle for most people learning dynamo is learning not to give up if their script has a warning/problem so my assistance tries not to get too hands on for this reason. That, and if I fixed everyone's scripts for free I'd probably never have any time to do much else! Having said that, from time to time a user's challenge actually becomes a video. A good example of this is my duct supports workflow, this came from a discussion with a user where i found the query interesting enough to make a video for.

[@vijayaccet92]

It' a good discussion....what about python and Revit API?!

[@HyunWooKim_EnjoyRevit]

python is very helpful when i use Dynamo. It fills some lacks in Dynamo.

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Exactly what Hyunwoo Kim said, Python is a good way to expand on Dynamo without leaving the program. I recommend exploring it once you are comfortable with the standard noding/code block processes.

[@vamsikrishnapadala]

Hi its really good comparision though i used to feel like revit adding will do much more than what dynamo can do but due to my limited knowledge in programming I limited myself to dynamo and i am happy for that, i know python basics like creating function loops classes e.t.c. now I want to call methods from revit api to use them in dynamo. I generally call methods from other python classes without any problem but I dont know where i am doing wrong I am unable to do this with revit api. Can someone suggest me any good resource to learn how to call revit api methods using python in dynamo.

[@AussieBIMGuru]

I would check out the Dynamo Python Primer; dynamopythonprimer.gitbook.io/dynamo-python-primer/ Sol Amor has some handy examples on his githib also; github.com/Amoursol/dynamoPython I have some videos on Python/Dynamo/API on my channel as well if these help (focusing less on Pythonic terms and more on API commands).

[@vamsikrishnapadala]

@@AussieBIMGuru thank you for reply I will check for sure 🙂

[@timmcguire9831]

I think its as you've said once before: Some of the most useful scripts are the ones that are simple. Often find the more complicated ones you invest a lot of time in end up falling over lol

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Indeed they can, and many of mine have!

[@ahmedselim1209]

Please I want to help me to make script convert from autocad line to conduit or pipe

[@AussieBIMGuru]

I would look into the Bimorph nodes package which can read CAD files by layer. The challenge you will face is the vertical aspect, your cad lines will need to be Z elevated in CAD ideally so Revit can just use the curve as is as the pipe/conduit path. For the MEP elements, you might want to look at the MEPover package, lots of handy nodes. Many others have done this before - it's a very common script. Check this out for reference; forum.dynamobim.com/t/create-pipe-from-dwg/3308