Harry Mattison – Demystifying Revit API’s – TABLED SUMMARY ATTACHED

Q: Can you tell us a bit about your journey in getting involved with Revit API
My journey to the API was that I was the Quality Assurance Manager for Revit Architecture and Revit Structure for several years, starting when Revit was a small startup company with no customers and before our first release. I always [...]

REVIT API – Asking Guy Robinson some tricky questions about Revit API’s

Guy Robinson is an authorised Autodesk Developer who is based in New Zealand and works on a diverse range of international projects. I have been lucky enough to be able to get some of his time and advice on my quest to understanding what the Revit API is all about.  Guy’s innate insight and candour [...]

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: An interview with Guy Robinson

I would like to acknowledge Guy for all his patience, advice and encouragement. His feedback has been very useful in assisting me to share information in regards to Revit API that is relevant, accurate and responsible. In my communication with Guy it has been clear that he is always thinking of the best way to [...]

GUY: Do you offer API consulting services? How can potential clients contact your firm?

An interview with Guy Robinson
 http://www.redbolts.com  has all my contact details so feel free to email or call to discuss. 
Guy has his own blog [ http://www.redbolts.com/blog/] and is a .NET software Developer providing custom applications and commands for architecture firms exclusively working with Autodesk Revit and integration with any associated applications.

GUY: How do you see API solutions being useful to companies and who should be considering their use?

An interview with Guy Robinson
I firmly believe every Revit firm should be using the API just not via traditional methods necessarily. In the past I have consulted to firms trying to help them in achieving this. However it is my experience that with the exception of enthusiasts, most API work is currently done for large [...]

GUY: How do you see API solutions being used in Revit?

An interview with Guy Robinson
In broad terms a lot of API work in AutoCAD was about automating common documentation tasks within AutoCAD. In Revit and BIM/IPD the API shouldn’t be about this so much because that is what makes Revit unique in the first place. IMO, the API is as fundamental as drawing a wall [...]

GUY: Can you tell us a little more about your vision or hopes of API….

An interview with Guy Robinson
Q: Can you tell us a little more about yourself and your vision or hopes of api-solutions in the future in regards to Revit?
Regarding visions, that is all in the hands of Autodesk and where they take Revit and the API. So I try and avoid visions on the API’s future [...]

GUY: Where is the future of Revit api heading…..

An interview with Guy Robinson
Q: Where is the future of Revit api heading? What can you foresee that users might be able to do in a few years time through Revit external commands?
??????????????????????????????? I’ll tell you when R2011 and then R2012 and then R2013… releases come out The current API is well designed [...]

GUY: How does a company evaluate when it is appropriate to create an API solution…

An interview with Guy Robinson
Q: How does a company evaluate when it is appropriate to create an API solution for a particular work flow outcome? What are the criteria’s for knowing when an API could be used? Do you have any suggestions?
This is difficult. I think the first test is – Can you do it [...]

GUY: What do you see as the biggest hurdle for companies….

An interview with Guy Robinson
Q:  What do you see as the biggest hurdle in regards to companies considering complex API’s or External Tool solutions for their business? How can this risk be minimized?
Software development is expensive. Plan thoroughly and be very clear on what you are trying to do short-term and long-term. Don’t compromise on [...]