What is the difference between dynamo and Revit API?
In order to automate repetitive tasks inside Revit you have several tools including the usage of Dynamo which stands for using visual programming. Or you can write your code inside the Revit API using macros.
Dynamo
Most Revit modelers use dynamo to automate their tasks. It’s a great tool for those who are not usually comfortable with coding, because it provides a graphical interface that enables users to create custom scripts, perform complex calculations, and automate repetitive tasks.
The nodes in dynamo are the building blocks used to create scripts and automate tasks. Nodes are graphical representations of functions, operations, or data that can be connected together to form a script.
Each node in Dynamo performs a specific task, such as performing a calculation, extracting data from a model, or displaying information in a graphical format. Nodes can be connected together to form a network, and the output of one node can be used as input for another node.
Dynamo makes it easier for users who may not have a background in programming to automate tasks. However, When You are constructing a script using Dynamo, the functionality is limited to the available nodes. If the desired functionality is not included as a built-in node or created by a third-party, it cannot be implemented in the script.
In such case, the solution is to use the python scripting node. It is a powerful medium that provides users with access to the full range of functionalities provided by the Python programming language. This enables users to automate tasks that may not be possible with the built-in nodes in Dynamo.
Revit API
This is the macro manager button.
Revit Macros are automated scripts written within an IDE that is included with Revit. The IDE, SharpDevelop, is an open-source alternative to Visual Studio. Revit Macros can be written in various programming languages, including C# and VB.NET.
Revit Macros exist in two forms: application macros and document macros. Application macros are stored locally and can be accessed from multiple Revit instances. Document macros, on the other hand, are saved within a specific Revit model and are accessible by all collaborators working on that model. Document macros can be programmed to control the model during specific events. Unlike application macros, the document macros vanish once you open another Revit model.
Macro development is generally simpler and convenient compared to other tools, as the IDE is readily accessible within Revit, and macros can be tested quickly and easily using the Macro Manager. The Macro Manager has a similar interface to Dynamo Player, with a vintage appearance. This allows for efficient testing without the need for complex debugging setup.
All in all, Dynamo remains a visual programming platform that is geared towards automating simple and repetitive tasks in Revit, while Revit API is a software development kit that enables developers to build custom applications and plugins for Revit.
