Are .addin- and .DLL-files compiled Macros?

[Haider_of_Sweden]

Hello,

I discovered Revit macros quite recently, and I understand they are written in C#, VB.NET, and other languages.

During my search for Macros on the internet, I found packages of .addin and a .DLL file.

Are these DLLs compilations of C# or VB.NET macros?

[RPTHOMAS108 · Accepted solution]

No but the same API objects are often used in both so you could easily convert from macros to Revit addins or back the other way.

Addins have specific entry points defined in the .addin manifest file pointing to code implementations of IExternalCommand, IExternalApplication and IExternalDBApplication (depending on your needs).

Macros are also compiled to dll files behind the scenes before they are run but the entry point for these are via ApplicationEntryPoint & DocumentEntryPoint (both implementing IEntryPoint).

[Haider_of_Sweden]

@RPTHOMAS108, so the code would need to be adjusted to either Macro or Addin?

Let me explain the reason if this post. There are a lot of great Macroscripts out there. I would like to have them accessible from the ribbon, just like I have seen the .addin + .dll offer.

Can it be done like that, or can ribbons only be made of .addin + .dll?

[aignatovich]

Hi!

Yes, you need .dll and .addin