DYNAMO NOTES – CHAPTER 5 (EXPANDED EDITION)

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Chapter 5: Automation Workflows — Sheets, Views, Parameters & BIM Tasks

INTRODUCTION

Chapter 5 builds on the logic and Revit element fundamentals covered earlier. Now you will learn
how Dynamo transforms typical Revit tasks into efficient, automated workflows. These workflows
are used daily by BIM managers, architects, engineers, and project teams across the world to
reduce time-consuming manual work.

Automation in Dynamo follows a pattern:

1. Select or collect Revit elements

2. Filter or reorganize them

3. Perform an automated action

4. Push results back into Revit

This chapter covers the most common automation domains: sheets, views, parameters, model
maintenance, and data management.

SECTION 1: AUTOMATING SHEET CREATION

Sheet creation is one of the most common automation tasks.

Typical manual problems:

• Repetitive naming

• Hundreds of drawings to create

• Multi-discipline sheets

• Title block assignment

Dynamo workflow:

1. Create a list of sheet numbers

2. Create a list of sheet names

3. Identify the desired Title Block Type

4. Use "Sheet.ByNameNumberTitleBlock"

5. Output a structured list of created sheets

Advanced additions:
• Apply view templates

• Place views automatically

• Manage sheet sets

SECTION 2: AUTOMATING VIEW CREATION

View creation includes:

• Floor plans

• Ceiling plans

• 3D views

• Sections and elevations

Workflow example (floor plans):

1. Collect all levels

2. Filter for only building levels

3. Use “ViewPlan.ByLevel”

4. Apply associated view templates

5. Rename or organize views in browser folders

SECTION 3: PARAMETER AUTOMATION — THE MOST POWERFUL USE-CASE

Parameter automation is where Dynamo shines. Any parameter on any element can be:

• Read

• Calculated

• Compared

• Written back

Common workflows:

• Auto-filling marks

• Writing room names to doors

• Updating fire rating parameters

• Correcting inconsistent type/instance values

• Managing shared project parameters

Key nodes:
• Element.GetParameterValueByName

• Element.SetParameterByName

• String operations (concatenate, replace, split)

• Math operations

SECTION 4: BATCH RENAMING WORKFLOWS

Batch renaming is frequently needed for:

• Views

• Sheets

• Families

• Parameters

• Worksets

Typical renaming workflow:

1. Collect all target elements

2. Extract current names

3. Apply rules (replace text, add prefixes, numbering)

4. Write updated names

SECTION 5: TAGGING AND ANNOTATION AUTOMATION

While Dynamo cannot place all annotation types, it can automate:

• Tag placement using geometry

• Updating tag values

• Checking annotation completeness

Example: placing room tags

1. Collect rooms

2. Extract center points

3. Use "Tag.ByElement"

SECTION 6: MODEL CLEANUP WORKFLOWS

Many BIM managers automate model cleanup tasks:

• Purging empty views

• Deleting unused sheets

• Finding duplicated worksets

• Checking wrong category assignments

• Ensuring naming standards

Common nodes:

• List.FilterByBoolMask

• Element.GetCategory

• String.Contains

• List.Clean

SECTION 7: QUALITY CHECK & AUDIT WORKFLOWS

Dynamo is widely used for QC (Quality Control):

• Verify fire rating completeness

• Check for empty parameters

• Detect wrong level assignments

• Validate naming conventions

• Confirm BIM compliance

Audit workflow structure:

1. Collect elements

2. Extract key parameters

3. Compare values with standards

4. Output results as lists, Excel, or color overrides

SECTION 8: WORKING WITH EXCEL

Excel integration is essential for large-scale data tasks.

Common workflows:

• Export all room data

• Import equipment schedules

• Sync parameters between Revit and external databases

• Manage revision information

• Excel.ReadFromFile

• Excel.WriteToFile

SECTION 9: USING PYTHON FOR ADVANCED AUTOMATION (INTRO)

Python allows deeper access to Revit API:

• Creating complex elements

• Accessing element geometry in detail

• Writing multi-parameter loops

• Performing advanced filtering

Although a full Python course comes later, it’s important to know that Python drastically expands
Dynamo’s automation capabilities.

SECTION 10: BEST PRACTICES FOR AUTOMATION WORKFLOWS

1. Always test on a backup model

2. Keep scripts modular and organized

3. Use notes and groups

4. Build reusable graphs

5. Validate data before writing

6. Log changes using Watch nodes

7. Avoid scripts that modify too many elements at once

CONCLUSION OF CHAPTER 5

Automation is one of Dynamo’s strongest capabilities, allowing significant savings in time, effort,
and error reduction. By mastering sheet, view, parameter, and data workflows, you build the core
practical skills used in real-world Dynamo applications. The next chapters explore geometry,
Python integration, and advanced design workflows.

End of Expanded Chapter 5.