The Dependencies folder was created with the dyn file when running the Generative design. However, if the Dependencies folder is not in the same folder, I checked it further in the folder in the Autodesk help case below.
@onehojoe Just to confirm that I am understanding your question right, this is what you are trying to find. You have created a new study type for generative design. Once you saved the dyn. file. You only find the dyn. file in the folder and not the dependencies folder associated with the newly created study type?
One thing I can think of is have you selected Include file dependencies?
Does your new study have any packages or custom nodes? The dependencies file is only created if the Dynamo graph includes any packages or custom nodes. The study type description that appears in the Create Study dialog (previously info.json file) and thumbnail is now stored as metadata in the Dynamo file.
The approach was changed in Generative Design in Revit 2022.1 when we introduced Graph Properties in Dynamo 2.12. This update enables adding descriptions, thumbnails, author names, etc., to the Dynamo file as metadata.
We should have done a better job of updating the Help documentation to reflect this change. Thanks for pointing it out! We’ll make sure the team updates the documentation to show the current state.
Oh my!
I couldn’t find the “Include file dependencies” button. It was unchecked!
However, even if I select the button and run it, the dependencies file is not created.
I checked the situation further. It seems that after the button is unchecked, even if I select it again, the selected value is not saved.
[Revit 2025.4v, 2023.1v] I will send you two separate test videos.
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I’ve figured out how to export the data even when the “Include file dependencies” button is unchecked.
However, the main issue that prompted this question stemmed from the following customer’s scenario:
A user generated various design alternatives using Generative Design on a high-performance computer. They then wanted to transfer this data to a less powerful laptop and use Explore Outcomes to conduct a presentation. Customers who want to introduce and use AEC Collection products are in the beginning, but not all computer settings are perfect.
Perhaps, because the “Include file dependencies” button was unchecked, they couldn’t find the Dependencies folder.
Is there any way to export or download the various generated results that can be viewed in Explore Outcomes? (When the “Include file dependencies” button is unchecked and there’s no dependencies folder)
I understand that the “Export Outcomes” function can’t be used to transfer and link to Explore Outcomes on a different computer.
To make it easier to understand the situation, I filmed the situation with a sample file. The steps in the video are as follows.
The “Include file dependencies” button is not selected
Save sample files after selection, check and reconfirm folder location
Restart Dynamo to verify
“Include file dependencies” setting not clicked
Restart and reconfirm but fail
Checked the same situation on 2023.1 dependencies test desktop 250111.mp4
I used the 3D Text package, but after checking the interaction of the sample file, it doesn’t seem to be affected by the package.
Dynamo should create dependencies folder automatically if you set your Dynamo graph type to Generative Design. In Generative Design panel, where you list your project, you need to select the parent folder that contains these two files (.dyn file and dependencies file).
Can you confirm that you set the Dynamo graph type to Generative Design from the Extensions->Graph Status extension?
“Include File Dependencies” option ensures that all the external files or resources(excel, CSV file etc.) your Dynamo graph relies on are bundled together and these files are included in the package sent to Generative Design. It copies any files referenced by an input node such as File Path in the graph into the Dependencies folder for that study, making it easier to share the study type with others. It does not have direct relation with the creation of Dependencies folder.
You will be able to create a Dependencies folder when you set the Graph Type to Generative Design and if your script can be saved as a Generative Design project. Graph Status extension will show warnings that prevent the script to be saved as a Generative Design.
@emrullah.yildiz
Thank you for your answer. After checking your response, I understood that the “Dependencies” folder, unlike the “Explore Outcomes” data, is specific to a user’s computer and is not shared.
In conclusion, I realized that the only way to share results from “Generative Design - Studies” is by using “Export Outcomes.”
Furthermore, I found that the reason a “Dependencies” folder wasn’t created in my case was due to not using any custom Packages. After using a package node and after checking the “Include file dependencies” option, I confirmed the creation of the “Dependencies” folder !!.
It turns out that one of the reasons for this issue was my lack of using any Packages in my Dynamo project.
Your response significantly aided my comprehension of the “Dependencies” folder.
And I will need to think about how to guide others on sharing Generative Design outputs.
We’ll make sure the team updates the documentation to show the current state.
(When the “Include file dependencies” button is unchecked and there’s no dependencies folder)
dependencies test desktop 250111.mp4
data, is specific to a user’s computer and is not shared.