Insert connectors

[cbpires98]

Greetings, everyone!
I have a simple question, but it’s one that’s kept me busy all day with a project issue. Is it possible to insert hydraulic connectors at specific points automatically using Dynamo? Or is it a 100% manual process?

[Nick_Boyts]

Assuming you’re wanting to create them in a family, yes, it’s available within the API.
CreatePipeConnector Method

[sovitek]

Genius Loci have some few nodes there maybe could help

[cbpires98]

I’m trying to install it on a gutter outlet in my project. I’m selecting it within the model. I created the code below, but it gives an error saying it can’t find the piping system within the project, which is very strange, since I have pipes with this configuration.

# Import necessary libraries for Revit API and Dynamo
import clr
clr.AddReference('RevitAPI')
from Autodesk.Revit.DB import *
from Autodesk.Revit.DB.Plumbing import PipeSystemType

clr.AddReference('RevitServices')
import RevitServices
from RevitServices.Persistence import DocumentManager
from RevitServices.Transactions import TransactionManager

# Get the current Revit document
doc = DocumentManager.Instance.CurrentDBDocument

# Dynamo node inputs
# IN[0] = The list of Faces where the connectors will be created
# IN[1] = The desired RADIUS for the connector in CENTIMETERS (e.g., 5)
# IN[2] = The NAME of the Pipe System (text) OR the System Type element itself

# Try to "unwrap" the Dynamo elements to use them in the Revit API
try:
    faces = UnwrapElement(IN[0])
except:
    faces = IN[0]
    
radius_in_cm = IN[1]
systemTypeInput = IN[2]

# Block to ensure the system name is always a text string
systemTypeName = ""
if isinstance(systemTypeInput, str):
    systemTypeName = systemTypeInput
else:
    try:
        systemTypeName = Element.Name.GetValue(systemTypeInput)
    except:
        systemTypeName = "INVALID INPUT"

# List to store the created connectors
new_connectors = []

# Robust method to find the Pipe System Type
# This block does NOT use the problematic '.OfClass(PipeSystemType)'
collector = FilteredElementCollector(doc).WhereElementIsElementType()
all_element_types = collector.ToElements()
pipeSystemType = None

for el_type in all_element_types:
    if isinstance(el_type, PipeSystemType) and Element.Name.GetValue(el_type) == systemTypeName:
        pipeSystemType = el_type
        break

# Check if the system type was found
if pipeSystemType is None:
    OUT = "ERROR: Pipe System Type '" + systemTypeName + "' not found in the project."
else:
    # Start a transaction
    TransactionManager.Instance.EnsureInTransaction(doc)

    # Convert the radius to Revit's internal units
    internal_radius = UnitUtils.ConvertToInternalUnits(radius_in_cm, UnitTypeId.Centimeters)
    
    # Loop through each face
    for face in faces:
        try:
            # Use the modern and correct method to create the connector
            connElement = ConnectorElement.CreatePipeConnector(doc, pipeSystemType, face.Reference)
            
            # Set the properties using BuiltInParameters
            paramRadius = connElement.get_Parameter(BuiltInParameter.CONNECTOR_RADIUS)
            paramRadius.Set(internal_radius)
            
            paramFlowDir = connElement.get_Parameter(BuiltInParameter.RBS_PIPE_FLOW_DIRECTION_PARAM)
            paramFlowDir.Set(2) # 2 means "Out"
            
            new_connectors.append(connElement)
        except Exception as e:
            new_connectors.append("Error creating connector: " + str(e))

    # Finalize the transaction
    TransactionManager.Instance.TransactionTaskDone()

    OUT = new_connectors

[cbpires98]

It may seem strange, but when I use the “create pipe connector” node, my dynamo freezes and doesn’t generate what I expected. Can you see if it works normally for you, please?

[sovitek]

could you show your graph ?

[cbpires98]

Before that, I’m just selecting the gutters and processing them to get the gutter outlet. With that, I select the bottom faces, where the connectors should be positioned.

[sovitek]

you will need the reference from surface and as autodesk db surface, genius loci should have some nodes for that as well

[cbpires98]

I believed that the surfaces to faces node would be able to do this job. So do I need another node besides it?

[sovitek]

yes and keep in mind will only work on planar surfaces, and in family document

[cbpires98]

So in this case, is it unfeasible to apply this node to a house project, for example?

[sovitek]

and be families there can host connector

[cbpires98]

So that’s the problem, I’m trying to put it in a family within my project.

[sovitek]

yes, but guess its possible as well, with some background open, but another topic

[cbpires98]

I will try to research it! Thank you very much!

[sovitek]

genius loci have some great nodes for that as well…

[cbpires98]

to be able to access and edit the family through dynamo?

[sovitek]

yes and in project document as well, play around with it, we have a tons of that kind here in the forum, just search, and if it cant work, just show us where and we will be happy to help

[cbpires98]

Right! Thank you so much again, this was a great help!