Transparent Local File Creation - GUI (v5) *UPDATED*

[dbaldacchino]

Hi all,

I decided to start a new thread since this represents a substantial re-work in the approach when compared to my original version. (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?t=65897) Although as you'll see, it's still quite faithful to the original concept of using a shortcut to launch your project on a daily basis.

I'm going to keep this short as you can find help on the ins and outs by clicking HERE (http://do-u-revit.blogspot.com/p/revit-make-local_10.html). Feel free to post comments, questions, suggestions, etc. in this thread. Hope you find it useful!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#### Version 5 - 04/18/2010

Revit: Tested to work with 2009, 2010 & 2011. Should also work with 2008 but have not tested.
OS: Windows 7 (x64), Vista Enterprise (x64). Should also work on XP (x64) but have not tested.
Features:

Centralized application with a GUI that lets you navigate to your Central File Folder and displays projects that comply with the naming convention. You can then right-click and pick an option. It's that simple!
Shortcuts are written to the desktop automatically so you only need to interact with the application window once. Next time you need to launch your project's local file, you use the desktop shortcut as in previous versions.
Most settings are now customizable within settings.ini.
Build checking has been greatly enhanced to only warn those machines working on a project whose build is behind that of the team. The warnings go away automatically once the machine is upgraded.

#### Version 5.1 - 07/21/2013

This has now been upgraded to work with 2013 and 2014 (even OneBox) and it can be downloaded from here (https://sites.google.com/site/dourevit/Home/Revit%20Make%20Local%20-%205_1%20%282013%20and%202014%29.zip) as I could not upload it to this forum for some reason!

[peter.wood82285434]

David,
Thanks for providing the update...Our Team members appreciate the creativeness.

[dbaldacchino]

Thanks! The first planned update is to add functionality to launch the worksharing monitor, similar to David Kingham's version...we'll see :)

[iru69]

Hmmm, I was just giving this a try and ran into a little problem with my version of Revit.

I don't know if you're still under NDA or not, but I'd like a peak at what they've got planned... maybe you could pm me some screen shots or something?

Edit: oh, now I see what's going on there... i'm suppose to add the version number of *revit* to the file name, not the version number of our "project" (we use "version" numbers through various design iterations). i got it now.

[dbaldacchino]

Hahaha 2041? I hope to retire by then :)

[gtmcleod]

Dave,
Love it! But...
If I have an integrated discipline model, the naming convention can't work. Can there be a line (or lines) added to the settings that identifies the discipline as "X" then gives user option of flavor?
-Gary

[dbaldacchino]

Hi Gary, can you please explain a little further with an example? Some example filenames would be valuable to understand the issue.

[gtmcleod]

Dave,
If I understand the launcher correctly, it looks to the discipline designator in the filename to pick the appropriate Revit flavor to launch. We have a single integrated model for multiple disciplines (and therefore using all flavors). My challenge would be for the flavor selection to be manually chosen by whomever is launching.

[dbaldacchino]

Gotcha. That would, however, defeat the automation-niceties of the app :)

For your very particular case, you can place the app on each user's machine (unzip to a folder) and modify the settings.ini file to point at the install path of the particular flavor you want that user to always use for this project. This way let's say all your users have all 3 flavors installed, but you want user A to open with RAC, B to open with RST and C to open with RMEP, then you force all paths for A to RAC, B to RST and C to RMEP. Now irrespective of the discipline designator you use, the 'forced' Revit flavor will be used for each user.

If the same users need to work on "normal" jobs and you need the original functionality (correct flavor of Revit to be used per discipline designator), then you can have them use an additional version of the application in it's original form (so you can have an independent settings.ini file), whether on the network or their local C drive.

If A has only RAC installed, B has only RST and C has only RMEP, then the application in its original configuration will still open the installed version for you and you don't need to tweak anything. You will just get one warning that the correct flavor was not found (ex: designator "A" and user only has RST) and will ask if you want to use another flavor to open it.

[NKramer]

David

We have been using a version of your local gen for the last few years. When I tried to update the script for 2011 the auto opened session of Revit is no longer seen by workshare monitor. After working with some other people we think we have this nailed down to the journal file from the old script.

The journal opens Revit just fine but apparently something is missing. The real mystery is that if you use a Revit created journal file to open a file then that session of Revit also is not seen by workshare monitor.

Looking at your Local Gen v5 you use a completely different set of commands. Is this something that you stumbled upon or are the commands documented somewhere in the API?

Old Journal


FileAppend,
(
'
Set Jrn = CrsJournalScript
Jrn.Command "Menu" , "Open an existing project , 57601 , ID_REVIT_FILE_OPEN"
Jrn.Data "File Name" _
, "IDOK", "%Destination%\%LocalFile%"
Jrn.Data "WorksetConfig" _
, "Editable", 0
Jrn.Data "MessageBox" _
, "IDOK", "This Central File has been copied or moved from ""%A_WorkingDir%\%CentralFile%"" to ""%Destination%\%LocalFile%""." & vbCrLf & "" & vbCrLf & "If you wish this file to remain a Central File then you must re-save the file as a Central File. To do this select ""Save As"" from the ""File"" menu and check the ""Make this a Central File after save"" check box (under the options button) before you save." & vbCrLf & "" & vbCrLf & "If you do not save the file as a Central File then it will be considered a local user copy of the file belonging to user ""%USERNAME%""."
Jrn.Command "Menu" , "Workset control , 33460 , ID_SETTINGS_PARTITIONS"
), %JournPath%specify.txt


Your v5 Journal



If VRSN >= 10
{
FileAppend,
(
'
Set Jrn = CrsJournalScript
Jrn.Command "Internal" , "Open an existing project , ID_REVIT_FILE_OPEN"
Jrn.Data "FileOpenSubDialog" , "DetachCheckBox", "True"
Jrn.Data "TaskDialogResult" , "Detaching this file will create an independent file and you will be unable to synchronize your changes with the original central file. Are you sure you want to detach this file?", "Yes", 6
Jrn.Data "File Name" , "IDOK", "%FolderCentral%\%CENTRALFILE%"
Jrn.Data "WorksetConfig" , "Custom", 0
), %JournPath%detach.txt
}
Else
{
FileAppend,
(
'
Set Jrn = CrsJournalScript
Jrn.Command "Internal" , "Open an existing project , ID_REVIT_FILE_OPEN"
Jrn.Data "FileOpenSubDialog" , "DetachCheckBox", "True"
Jrn.Data "MessageBox" , "IDOK", "Detaching creates an independent file and prohibits saving any changes back to the original Central File."
Jrn.Data "File Name" , "IDOK", "%FolderCentral%\%CENTRALFILE%"
Jrn.Data "WorksetConfig" , "Custom", 0
), %JournPath%detach.txt
}


I am trying to understand what the difference in the commands is and how we can avoid or correct the problem.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[dbaldacchino]

Hi Nicholas, the reason for the different journal is because the option to specify worksets as specified through the older journal doesn't work anymore in Revit 2011 x64 (not sure about 32 bit). The behavior is exactly the same as in 2009 x64 (it actually works in 32 bit) where you end up with a detached copy instead, which is unacceptable. David Kingham contributed the journal snippet and I used that instead since it works. The only difference is that the model is opened with all workets closed and then the dialog pops up and asks you which ones you want to open. My older version worked similar to what Revit's behavior is, where it asks you right away what worksets you want open before it does anything,

[estimmel]

Following up on the use of a journal file to launch Revit 2011 - have you found ( as David Kingham mentions here http://forums.augi.com/showpost.php?p=1075925&postcount=48 ) that addins (including specifically Worksharing Monitor) don't load when you open a Revit file using a journal file? It seems from your code that you are both using the same journal file I am using.

Thanks for the quick followup! Gotta love AUGI.

[dbaldacchino]

Hi there! I have honestly not used the script that much since changing jobs and we were not using the Worksharing monitor that much before so I never came across the problem. As David Kingham replied in another post, he has made major changes to his journal files because of this. When I get a chance I'll test and make any necessary changes.

[NKramer]

Hi there! I have honestly not used the script that much since changing jobs and we were not using the Worksharing monitor that much before so I never came across the problem. As David Kingham replied in another post, he has made major changes to his journal files because of this. When I get a chance I'll test and make any necessary changes.

What do you use in place of the script? Do you use the built in local file creation feature or something else?

[dbaldacchino]

I haven't worked on a workshared project since starting at my new firm. I'm sure we'll eventually start using it once we move on to standardize certain things.

[estimmel]

Yeah, I've followed David Kingham's lead on that and changed over to not use a journal file for the reasons he discusses. When NOT using a journal file, all addins are properly loaded. Thanks for the feedback!

[wrartes]

Hi,

I will like to know if the script will work in Revit 2012.

Thanks

[dbaldacchino]

In theory it should. Just edit the ini file to supply the correct paths and give it a shot. I have not tested on 2012 as we're not using it here. Plus with Revit Server, this type of workflow is pretty much obsolete.

[amorie]

I actually tried it on a 2012 test file yesterday. In the ini file simply adding the additional lines for 2012 products worked great. The only observed problem is the warning dialog box for the file being moved will not automatically close. You have to manually push the button.... Until we get Revit Server working, this is a great utility to keep everyone's hands off the Central file.

[david.kingham]

FYI Dave they changed the dialog from 'Copied Central File' to 'Copied Central Model' if you want to update it for the masses :) I need to update mine too...

[wrartes]

Is going to help a lot if we can receive a update of any possible conflicts with the script, for us the Revit server is not going to bring anything help. The project folder documentation structure is very essentially for our organization and for security reasons.

[dbaldacchino]

Thanks David. It never fails to have these changes brake things every year :). I'll make the update when I get a chance.

[PlamenHristov]

Hey David,

Have you had a chance to finish the update? We love the tool and want to continue using it.
At the moment it seems like the Detach function doesn't work either. Most likely because of the new "Do you want to preserve Worksets" dialog box...

Regards,
Plamen Hristov
Capital Engineering

[dbaldacchino]

Sorry, have not had the time to update. The dialog is not being dismissed because probably some of the wording in the dialog (which the code detected) changed. I'll see what I can do.

[atbergma]

Despite having no interest in Revit, my wife graciously updated the .ahk script to dismiss the 2012 message (see attachment). I have not tried 2013 yet. I have tested this with Revit Arch 2011, 2012 - and only on Windows 7 pro 64 bit. We did not tackle the "detach" functionality with 2012 either (don't really use it).

I hope this helps someone.

[dbaldacchino]

Thanks Aaron and wife :) I have not touched the script, especially since with Revit Server projects this doesn't work. Hope some users still find it useful.

[thalim]

Hi Aaron and David,

I am trying to use the script for Revit Architecture 2012 and 2013, but the script stop where "Copied Central Model" dialog box pop-up and you have to click "Close" After you click "Close" button, then it works fine just like Revit Architecture 2011.

It usually the "Close" button automatically clicked in Revit Architecture 2011.
Do you know which line to add/edit so it will automatically click the "Close" button?

The other thing is Revit Architecture will open a new session everytime you try to open the next central file. It usually open the new central file within the same Revit session.
Do you know which line to add/edit so it will not open a new revit Architecture session?

Regards,
Tobin

[thalim]

Thanks to David.
I found the line (13 line from bottom script) "Copied Central File" and changed it to "Copied Central Model". Then, it automatically close the dialog box and continue open the file. Still trying to researc where to open Revit in one session.

Regards,
Tobin

[wrartes]

Hi, When I try to select the option to open the file with worksets, Revit fail to open the central file. Is that a bug or a error in the script?

[dbaldacchino]

The script works fine up to 2011 but I have not updated it further. It is probably failing in those areas where it depends on the dialog box text contents and if they change (which they surely have in 2012 and 2013) some features won't work. You'll need to make those tweaks to get it to work as unfortunately, I don't have time to fix it (and don't use it anymore).

[wrartes]

that is bad news for us, we use the script in all ours projects, and is better than the make local from Autodesk.

[wrartes]

well look the script no longer work for Revit 2014. no good news.

[dbaldacchino]

Ok, it has finally been updated. I think this will be the last one! See the first post for a download link.

[rene.ritzen422798]

Hi Dave (and all the other readers),

When I googled how to work with worksets and local files tis forum came up the most times, and there is alot of information here :) Thanks for that in advance
I'm quite new in the Revit world. So hopefully I'm not asking something obvious.

I want to work with your Revit make Local tool. But it keeps on giving me an "Revit MEP 2014 is not installed at the path specified in Settings.ini" error. I'm using the 5.1 version and edited the path in the ini file.
I'm using Revit 2014 (installed in the Autodesk Design Suite) Revit is not default installed on the C-drive but is installed on d:\program files\Autodesk\Revit 2014

I named the file: GPier-M14-central.rvt
Edited (only) this in the ini file:
14ONEBOX=1
14=d:\Program Files\Autodesk\Revit 2014\

What am I doing wrong ?

Regards,
René
The Netherlands

[dbaldacchino]

Hi Rene', it seems like in the settings.ini file you still have references to Revit MEP 2014, but if you have the "onebox" version, you need to remove those references and only leave the installation path as you have it above in your post. Let me know if it doesn't work and in that case, attach the ini file here and I'll take a look at it. Thanks. EDIT: Make sure to remove the back-slash after Revit 2014...that will also cause trouble.

[rene.ritzen422798]

Hi Dave thanx for your tips.

I've tried removing the "\" bud the result was the same.
I can't find anny other reference to MEP.
The only reference to MEP 2014 is in the filename (M14). Maybee I should rename the central file ?

I've added the file, so you can have a look at it.

Thanks in advance again !

Regards,
René
The Netherlands

[dbaldacchino]

Rene, you need to specify the path up to the word "Revit" for OneBox, as explained in the settings.ini comments. So remove "2014" and you should be good (see path for 13 OneBox for the correct syntax).

[erlich.denis]

This has now been upgraded to work with 2013 and 2014 (even OneBox) and it can be downloaded from here (https://sites.google.com/site/dourevit/Home/Revit%20Make%20Local%20-%205_1%20%282013%20and%202014%29.zip) as I could not upload it to this forum for some reason! [/COLOR][/SIZE]

David, I am rying to use your plugin on Revit 2015 (ONEBOX), and having a difficulty with syntax of the filename.. cople of things that might changed since version 2014:
Revit 2015 is now in the directory

C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Revit 2015
for the code, I just replicated and modified the 2014 line:

[REVIT]

14ONEBOX=1
14=C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Revit

15ONEBOX=1
15=C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Revit

it seems not to pick up the syntax for file name

something-15ONEBOX-CENTRAL.rvt

and not for
something-15-CENTRAL.rvt
Do you think it is still valid for Revit 2015?
Thank you in advance for reply!

[erlich.denis]

It did work for Revit 2015 with the "discipline" setting. i.e. P15-CENTRAL.
15="C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Revit"
Now, I am looking at "batch" functionality- as it is just opens detached unnamed file and stops, where ideally it would save all files in the folder as "detached " local files and close Revit.