Change Project Units

ChristianMolino · ‎06-24-2024

I am working on an add-in that will export a SAT file, but using the standard project unit of foot and fractional inches is causing the sat files to export at 1/12 scale. I found that changing the global units to fractional inches exports the SAT file at the correct scale.

To accomplish this via the API, I am trying to save the original units, change them to fractional inches, do the exports and then change the units back to the original. I am getting really hung up with the ForgeTypeId's and cannot get the code to run. What am I doing wrong? I am extremely new to coding/the Revit API so explain it to me like I am 5 please lol!

public void ExportSATFiles(Document doc, View3D view, ElementId dualDeckId)
{
// Retrieve the project's current unit settings for length
FormatOptions originalFormatOptions = doc.GetUnits().GetFormatOptions(SpecTypeId.Length);
Units originalUnits = doc.GetUnits();

try
{
// Change the project units to fractional inches
Units tempUnits = new Units(UnitSystem.Imperial);
FormatOptions inchFormatOptions = new FormatOptions(new ForgeTypeId("autodesk.spec.aec:length.unit#fractionalInches"));
tempUnits.SetFormatOptions(SpecTypeId.Length, inchFormatOptions);

using (Transaction tx = new Transaction(doc, "Set Project Units to Fractional Inches"))
{
tx.Start();
doc.SetUnits(tempUnits);
tx.Commit();
}

// Now perform the SAT export with units set to fractional inches
PerformSATExport(doc, view, dualDeckId);

// Restore the original units
using (Transaction tx = new Transaction(doc, "Restore Original Project Units"))
{
tx.Start();
doc.SetUnits(originalUnits);
tx.Commit();
}
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
MessageBox.Show("Error during SAT export: " + ex.Message);

// Ensure the units are set back to original even if an error occurs
using (Transaction tx = new Transaction(doc, "Restore Original Project Units"))
{
tx.Start();
doc.SetUnits(originalUnits);
tx.Commit();
}
}
}

Speed_CAD · ‎06-24-2024

Hi Christian,

What is the error message? So that someone can help you better, it is important that you provide more information.

Mauricio Jorquera

Mohamed_Arshad · ‎06-24-2024

Hi @ChristianMolino

You have given the wrong ForgeTypeId in FormatOptions , I have modified your code a little bit, Kindly refer to the below code for additional reference.

Reference Code:

	public void ExportSATFiles(Document doc, View3D view, ElementId dualDeckId)
	{
		// Retrieve the project's current unit settings for length
		FormatOptions originalFormatOptions = doc.GetUnits().GetFormatOptions(SpecTypeId.Length);
		Units originalUnits = doc.GetUnits();

		try
		{
			// Change the project units to fractional inches
			Units tempUnits = new Units(UnitSystem.Imperial);
			FormatOptions inchFormatOptions = new FormatOptions(UnitTypeId.FractionalInches); ///Code Modified
			tempUnits.SetFormatOptions(SpecTypeId.Length, inchFormatOptions);

			using (Transaction tx = new Transaction(doc, "Set Project Units to Fractional Inches"))
			{
				tx.Start();
				doc.SetUnits(tempUnits);
				tx.Commit();
			}

			// Now perform the SAT export with units set to fractional inches
			PerformSATExport(doc, view, dualDeckId);

			//Restore the original units
			using (Transaction tx = new Transaction(doc, "Restore Original Project Units"))
			{
				tx.Start();
				doc.SetUnits(originalUnits);
				tx.Commit();
			}
		}
		catch (Exception ex)
		{
			MessageBox.Show("Error during SAT export: " + ex.Message);

			// Ensure the units are set back to original even if an error occurs
			using (Transaction tx = new Transaction(doc, "Restore Original Project Units"))
			{
				tx.Start();
				doc.SetUnits(originalUnits);
				tx.Commit();
			}
		}
	}

You don't want to pass string in the constructor, can directly use its UnitTypeId Class static properties like below code