Revit API VS Naviswork API

[lizqutar]

Hi, everyone.

May I know the major differences between Revit API and Naviswork API? Which one is easier for the development? 

Regards
Li

Research Student

[OR_AND_NO]

There are different products - solve different tasks

[xiaodong_liang]

Hi Li,

in short:
Revit: for designing model. quite a lot of specific industries knowledge is required
Navisworks for managing/reviewing model. the knowledge of model reviewing, project workflow is required.

if simply comparing the number of functionalities, Revit is much more than Navisworks. The same to APIs.

as to programming, both are .NET (Naivsworks has also old API that is COM). It is quite similar to get started with the two APIs. but as said, since Revit's functionalities are much more, and specific designing knowledge of industry is required, the learning curve of Revit is longer than Navisworks.

in a word, the are two different products for different targets.

[lizqutar]

XiaoDong

May I know is it possible to communicate between Navisworks and Microsoft SQL database (not M Excel and M Access). The data can be updated from both sides (Means that with the assistance of API, the Navis and SQL data are updated at the same time and the data can be displayed in Navisworks). Currently, I manage to find the linkage between M Excel and M Access but not Microsoft SQL database (mdf). Thanks.

[OR_AND_NO]

Could You please show link to Naviswork API developer's guide.

Unfortunately I can't find it.

[OR_AND_NO]

What are problems with navisworks?

In revit i did it easy.

[xiaodong_liang]

Hi,

Navisworks API is based on .NET API. You can use SQL like any other .NET program. Navisworks API only provides the interfaces to read/write the data you are interested in such as object properties. 

If I misunderstood your question, could you elaborate it?

[xiaodong_liang]

Hi,

This is the link of developer guide:
http://www.autodesk.com/developnavisworks

[OR_AND_NO]

Thank You very much!!!

[lizqutar]

Xiao Dong

Meaning to say that it is only able to read/write the "additional data" that will be displayed as object properties? Rather than it can modify the Navis model data? So, theoretically, API allows two ways communication between Microsoft SQL and Navis, am I correct? Thanks

[lizqutar]

I try to modify and add additional info to the Navis model. But, seem like only additional data can be added to Navis model (one way direction/ communication, e.g. having M access and Navis, the data in M access can be displayed in Navis but the data cannot be edited in Navis)

[xiaodong_liang]

Hi,

I am not sure I have understood your scenario. to clarify:

1. Object Properties from source CAD file and corresponding properties tabs: Read Only
2. Custom Properties (adding by API or UI), and corresponding properties tabs: Read-Write. See this blog for detail:http://adndevblog.typepad.com/aec/2012/08/addmodifyremove-custom-attribute-using-com-api.html
3. Model attributes (color etc): Read-Write
4. Model Geometry: Read only
5. Change Model Geometry: cannot do
6. Add model objects: can only do in term of appending model