ValueParsingOptions - convert decimal values to Feet and Inches fractional

[studio-a-int]

I'm trying to convert decimal values inside a Python function to Feet and Inches (fractional), IE: 1.5 -> 1'-6"

For that I tried to use this method from the API:

UnitFormatUtils.TryParse Method (Units, UnitType, String, ValueParsingOptions, Double)

I could not find examples besides the API, where I ran into issues with ValueParsingOptions

Anybody can point out to an example, or a simpler method to convert from decimal to fractional feet+inches using the API?

I did write a Python function for converting from decimal to fractional, but I was looking for a lazy solution this time.

Thank you for your help.

[recepagah12]

As a sample, you can look to the Units Sample in Revit SDK Samples.

But, I didn't find it very helpful. I searched about Revit Unit Conversion many times but there is no single solution as I see. In Building Code  Jeremmy Tammik had explained this a few times. He said only imperial unit in Revit is length but I found much strange values in Revit API. I suggest you keep going to create your classes. But maybe, I couldn't figure it out. You can try the SDK sample. I hope you find it.

I hope this helps,

Recep.

[jeremytammik · Accepted solution]

Dear Adrian,

Thank you for your query, and many thanks to Recep for his valuable help.

The Revit API provides quite a lot of quite powerful unit conversion utility functions.

However, I mostly prefer to roll my own anyway. Question of taste.

TryParse is not intended to be used for the task you describe:

https://apidocs.co/apps/revit/2019/3e6dcee8-6a58-efe5-67f8-3422af74545c.htm

It parses a formatted string into a number with units if possible.

However, you have a number to start with, not a string.

What you need is the Format method taking (Units, UnitType, Double, Boolean, Boolean):

https://apidocs.co/apps/revit/2019/4131eb4b-3d50-9f2b-f876-654b9b54975e.htm

It formats a number with units into a string, which is just what you are asking for.

Example code from the Revit SDK Samples FabricationPartLayout/CS/PartInfo.cs:

  private string GetStringFromNumber(Document doc, double number, UnitType unitType)
  {
    return UnitFormatUtils.Format(doc.GetUnits(), unitType, number, true, false);
  }

To convert decimal value of 1.5 to feet and inches (fractional), e.g.: 1.5 -> 1'-6":

  GetStringFromNumber( doc, 1.5, UnitType.UT_Length )

I hope this helps.

Best regards,

Jeremy

[studio-a-int]

Jeremy -

thank you!

Yes, that is exactly what I was looking for. I refactored the Python code with the function to mimic the C# Class, and is executing as expected.

Thanks again.

[stefanome]

Here is the non-obsolete version that works in Revit 2021:

private string GetStringFromNumber(Document doc, double number, ForgeTypeId unitType)
{
    return UnitFormatUtils.Format(doc.GetUnits(), unitType, number, false);
}

GetStringFromNumber(Doc, 1.5, SpecTypeId.Length);