Create .rvt file from C#

[Anonymous]

Hello. 

I am a software developer and I am very new to Revit or Autocad. For a project, I need to create .rvt file from C# using the Revit API. I do not want to develop a plugin, I want to simply be able to draw objects and save them in a file .rvt extension so that the end user can just double click on this file and open it directly in Revit. 

I am unable to figure out a way to do this since the API documentation suggests its usage for building plugins. 

Please help me finding a solution how to create .rvt files. 

Thank you 

[joshua.lumley]

I think you need a 'macro'.  Start by copying a blank project. 

[Anonymous]

Hi. Thank you for your reply. Can you please share any blank projects for me to get started?

[joshua.lumley]

All you need to do is to create new, choose <none>, choose metric or imperial, save it where you need it. And there you go.

[Anonymous]

Hi, I do not want to create a plug in. I don't want to have to open Revit. I just want to write a rvt file from a C# program (without opening Revit, like writing a text file from a C# program) so that the .rvt file can be shared and may be opened elsewhere on the Revit software for later use. 

[joshua.lumley]

Attached are the files you wanted. 

[heba.eiz]

Have you found a way to create a new .rvt file from c#? I have been looking for the same thing but all in vein 

[MiguelGT17]

I'm new to forge but I've heard you can manipulate models without the need to open Revit. Perhaps you can create files too. Look into forge docs if helps with something.

pd: I was requested the same thing but never came to a conclusion.

Cheers

[jeremy_tammik]

Yes. There is no (official) way to programmatically create an RVT project file without making use of the Revit API, and the Revit API requires a running session of Revit.exe to obtain a valid Revit API context. Without such a valid Revit API context, the API cannot be used. It is completely event driven, and only Revit can launch the necessary events. So, for the desktop, this means you need to have a full Revit product installation and a running Revit session.

Miguel is perfectly correct (thank you! muchas gracias!) in suggesting the use of the APS Autodesk Platform Services (formerly Forge):

• https://aps.autodesk.com/

The APS Design Automation API for Revit enables you to create an RVT project file without installing Revit on your local machine. Instead, a Revit engine is launched in the cloud and executes your add-in code on a server, returning the resulting RVT file for you to download locally:

• https://aps.autodesk.com/en/docs/design-automation/v3/developers_guide/overview/
• https://aps.autodesk.com/en/docs/design-automation/v3/developers_guide/overview/#design-automation-a...

[heba.eiz]

Thank you very much @MiguelGT17 and @jeremy_tammik  for your replies! I will take a look at APS and see how it goes 👍