Chapter 25

Getting Acquainted with the API

If you've ever wanted to learn how to customize or extend the functionality of Autodesk® Revit® Architecture software but thought that learning to program might be too difficult or time consuming, I recommend that you give it a try. In this chapter you will learn the basics of the Revit API and even build and install your first add-in. As with anything, if you start out small and practice, the concepts become manageable and possible to master. The benefits obtained from even a basic understanding of programming can be limitless. In this chapter, you will build an add-in that will generate 3D masses from room elements.

In this chapter, you'll learn to:

  • Understand the basics of the Revit API
  • Write, debug, and install your own API projects

Introducing the Revit API

About the Contributing Author: Don Rudder
Don Rudder is the CTO and director of software development for Case Design, Inc. He has extensive experience in .NET and web development for the AEC industry. His background, spanning over 15 years, is primarily in the MEP disciplines where he has served as designer, CAD manager, and customization consultant.
Don maintains a blog focusing on all things Revit and especially the API at www.RevitNet.blogspot.com.

An application programming interface (API) is a source-code-based specification intended to be used as an interface for other software components to communicate with each other. APIs are a common feature throughout successful ...

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