#1: Start with the boring stuff

Most Revit users jump straight into Revit API without understanding programming fundamentals (myself included...).

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This leads to bad code, a lot of frustration and even giving up thinking Revit API is too hard, when they actually struggle with Python basics...

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To avoid this, invest a few weeks in Python basics.
Understand the core concepts like data-types, loops, functions, classes, error handling and others.

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This foundation will make everything else 10x easier.

Don't know where to start?

I'm working on a full FREE YouTube python course for Revit Users. It'll help you focus on what really matters and finally learn python for Revit.

Meanwhile, you can start with other free python courses.

#2: Steal Like an Artist

Once you become better friends with Python, it's time to get into Revit API, right? Wrong!

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There are thousands of working code samples for pyRevit and it would be stupid to ignore them. Do not reinvent the wheel, instead - Steal Like An Artist.

Go through code samples in pyRevit and GitHub and copy tools you find useful for your work. It's a great way to quickly build a prototype toolbar and show it to your team.

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And don't worry if Revit API is still confusing, at this stage you're creating a library of working code samples that you'll study and reuse code for your new tools.

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Use Chat GPT to:

• Understand Code

• Identify core API concepts

• Learn from examples you actually need

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Here is the best prompt to help you:

Why it works?

1. It explains code in plain English (no bs)

2. It identifies core Revit API concepts you need to know

3. It generates a tutorial for beginners based on the code.

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💡The secret sauce is to ask it to make a tutorial from the code.

#3: Focus on Core API Concepts

Alright, by this point you already making a progress.

✅ Python Basics
✅ Custom Toolbar with tools
✅ Starting to learn about Revit API

Now it's time to double down on Revit API core concepts.

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Keep in mind that Revit API is huge, that's why it's so powerful. But there is no way to know everything and you don't have to. Focus on understanding the core classes like:

• Element

• Parameter

• Selection

• Transaction

• FilteredElementCollector

• And a few others...

These core concepts will be enough to start creating a lot of simple tools and begin saving time.

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Here is the proven roadmap from LearnRevitAPI.

This roadmap will teach you the core basics one at the time. No need to be overwhelmed trying to learn all at once.

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Each concept is built on the previous one so you keep adding them together and see how everything fits together.

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And if you miss any of these steps, you will be limited in what you can achieve. So it's worth following it step by step and not jumping too much ahead of yourself.

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Just make sure you practice as you learn these concepts. Theory alone isn't worth much, you need to put it to use.

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And if you want to take a shortcut, consider joining training programs that will guide you through all the basics and provide plenty of practical examples.

#4: Code Fast and Dirty

And finally, it's time to create lots of tools.

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Avoid a common trap. When new devs start creating tools, they often want to create 'Revit Killers' with every new add-in. That doesn't work.

If you only focus on large tools, you're more likely to get stuck, waste a lot of hours and get disappointed. Some even quit...

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Instead, focus on small wins. That's how you build a great foundation and keep your confidence high. And as you create lots of tools you'll learn a lot of about Revit API.

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Apply MVP when you create your tools, which stands for Minimum Viable Product.

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The idea is to focus on the absolute basics and essential functionality of your tool and develop it as fast as possible. That means you need to code quick and dirty until it "kind-of works".

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And once you know you can get to the end, then we can focus on optimization and making it prettier.

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Overtime you'll create plenty of small tools and you'll begin joining them together to create much bigger and more powerful automations. ​

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Code Fast and Dirty and create lots of little tools to learn.

What about AI?

A lot of people think AI is great at writing code. And that's true - and false (at the same time).

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AI is amazing at coding, IF you can provide the right context and ask good questions. And the more context and explanation you provide, the higher the quality of the code output AI generates for you.

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Which means... if you don't understand how to code on your own, and how to think as a programmer, you'll never be able to figure out how to leverage AI the best to automate Revit.

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SO make sure you have a good understanding of Python and Revit API basics. This will help you write good prompts.

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AI is great at writing first 60-80% of the code, but at certain point you have to take the lead. Do not blindly copy-paste AI code without understanding what's going on. That's a recipe for disaster.

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Always stay in control of your code.

P.S.

Let me know your #1 challenge with Revit API.

I'd love to hear from you so I can help you go to the next level sooner. Hit Reply.