Auto Dimensioning Columns

Revit
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1

I am trying to create a script that auto-dimensions the structural column’s width and length in the floor plan at a specified distance from the edge of the column and not from the center.

Below is my trial script. I’m not sure what and how to change to get it working or if there is any simpler way.

Column Dimensions
Column Dimensions4320×1910 511 KB

Error Screenshot
Error Screenshot666×728 45.5 KB

Column Dimensions.dyn (66.3 KB)

2

Hi Viraj,

From a quick search, Dimension.ByElements works on a list of elements not a list of references:

image
image483×223 24.8 KB

There is another node called Dimension.Faces which accepts Surface[] but I could not find a way to make it work.

I think the best way is to just use the Revit api in a python node:

import clr
# Import RevitAPI
clr.AddReference("RevitAPI")
import Autodesk
from Autodesk.Revit.DB import *
# Import DocumentManager and TransactionManager
clr.AddReference("RevitServices")
import RevitServices
from RevitServices.Persistence import DocumentManager
from RevitServices.Transactions import TransactionManager
# Import ToDSType(bool) extension method
clr.AddReference("RevitNodes")
import Revit
clr.ImportExtensions(Revit.Elements)
clr.ImportExtensions(Revit.GeometryConversion)

doc = DocumentManager.Instance.CurrentDBDocument
view = doc.ActiveView

column = UnwrapElement(IN[0])

# geometry options
opt = Options()
opt.ComputeReferences = True
opt.DetailLevel = ViewDetailLevel.Medium

geom = column.get_Geometry(opt)

faces = []

# find faces
for g in geom:
    solid = g if isinstance(g, Solid) else None
    if not solid:
        continue

    for face in solid.Faces:
        pf = face if isinstance(face, PlanarFace) else None
        if not pf:
            continue

        n = pf.FaceNormal

        faces.append(pf.Reference)


# ensure two faces
if len(faces) < 2:
    raise Exception("Not enough faces found")

y_ref_array = ReferenceArray()
y_ref_array.Append(faces[2])
y_ref_array.Append(faces[4])

x_ref_array = ReferenceArray()
x_ref_array.Append(faces[1])
x_ref_array.Append(faces[3])

# get column location
loc = column.Location
pt = loc.Point

offset = 2

internal_value = UnitUtils.ConvertToInternalUnits(
    offset,
    UnitTypeId.Millimeters
)

# create dimension line Y
y_line = Line.CreateBound(pt.Add(XYZ(-offset, offset, 0)),pt.Add(XYZ(-offset, -offset, 0)))
# create dimension line X
x_line = Line.CreateBound(pt.Add(XYZ(-offset, -offset, 0)),pt.Add(XYZ(+offset, -offset, 0)))

TransactionManager.Instance.EnsureInTransaction(doc)


#detail_line = doc.Create.NewDetailCurve(view, line)
dims = []

y_dim = doc.Create.NewDimension(
    view,
    y_line,
    y_ref_array
)

x_dim = doc.Create.NewDimension(
    view,
    x_line,
    x_ref_array
)

dims.append(y_dim)
dims.append(x_dim)

TransactionManager.Instance.TransactionTaskDone()

OUT = dims

image
image1423×522 69.1 KB

1 Like
3

Thanks for giving a direction.

Initially, I was getting error with your python script. I modified .get_Geometry(opt) to add a check for GeometryInstance and unpack it using .GetInstanceGeometry().

The script worked. But I am unable to find those dims on view. They can be selected using element id but not visible in project.

image
image1404×853 44.9 KB

1 Like
4

Hi Viraj,

Sorry the script is very simplified and I have only tested it on the Revit Structural Sample Project.

image
image892×939 78.8 KB

The issue may be related to the face indexes used:

y_ref_array = ReferenceArray()
y_ref_array.Append(faces[2])
y_ref_array.Append(faces[4])

x_ref_array = ReferenceArray()
x_ref_array.Append(faces[1])
x_ref_array.Append(faces[3])

and if the column is joined with the slab or not (number of faces increases if joined):

image
image1468×676 153 KB

If you are still stuck and can share the family I can test it on my end too.

5

Yes, that would be great. Here is my sample file with the column. I am also attaching the script in case you want to have a look.

I am using the Architecture Template, Revit 2023.

Column dims 10-03.dyn (7.1 KB)

Sample Project.rvt (6.1 MB)

6

I think the example below may help.

You need to convert the reference into stable representation, combine it with the instance representation string and use the parse from stable to get the correct face reference.

Add the dimensions to the columns and then check with Revit Lookup for their references strings and then try to recreate them in Python.

The instance string in the example below is hard coded so you will need to find a way to extract it programmatically.

x_stableRepr = face.Reference.ConvertToStableRepresentation(doc)
                           x_ref_array.Append(Reference.ParseFromStableRepresentation(doc,'b4f1dd2d-6004-4419-ad80-c2045970e6a7-0004bff2'+':0:INSTANCE:'+x_stableRepr))

Column dims 10-04.dyn (18.9 KB)

image
image1177×787 45.2 KB

1 Like
7

Thankyou @Giovanni_Brogiolo. you gave a perfect direction. The “Stable Representation” trick you shared is the correct, advanced workaround.

1 Like