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Ideate Automation contains several sample script (.testdef) files that can be used to open Revit and run several Ideate BIMLink processes in the background. The scripts can be used by the Ideate Automation Queue, as shown in the images below, or used in conjunction with other tools, like the Windows Task Scheduler. In this topic you can learn about the purpose of each sample script.
The IBL-Export script is designed to automate the export of a specific Ideate BIMLink definition to a single Excel file. Before using any Ideate Automation script it is best to be logged into your Autodesk Desktop App and to have Revit closed. This script’s defaults are setup to automatically export quantity takeoff (QTO) information for a single Revit project.
To use this link:
This script will launch the correct version of Revit based on your Revit file selection (#1 below), then open that Revit file, launch Ideate BIMLink, load the link definition specified, use the Export function to create an Excel file matching the name of the link definition, then close out Revit. See below for a variation on this script.
The script called “IBL-Export-NoViewer” is almost identical to “IBL-Export” but the difference is that it does not utilize Revit’s Viewer mode. In some conditions worksharing-related messages can only be suppressed in non-Viewer mode.
The script called “IBL-DIR” is similar to “IBL-Export” and is designed to work along with the Excel macro template used to automatically create document issuance records. Ideate BIMLink subscribers may request the macro template from our support team.
Before launching this script it is useful to place the macro excel file in the specified folder location (#2, below) so that it can be updated with the new data.
To use this link:
This script will launch the correct version of Revit based on your Revit file selection (#1 below), then open that Revit file, launch Ideate BIMLink, load the Revisions and “Revisions_on_Sheet” link definitions and then use the Export function to create or update an Excel file matching the name specified. When done it will close out Revit.
NOTE: This script uses “link_source” instead of “link_path” because there are two explicit Ideate BIMLink definitions that are being referenced by this script. Learn more on this Help Topic: Basic Scripting with Ideate Automation
The IBL-Export_Links script is designed to automate the export of any Ideate BIMLink definition found within a specified folder. The results are published as multiple worksheets within a single Excel file. Before using any Ideate Automation script it is best to be logged into your Autodesk Desktop App and to have Revit closed. This script’s defaults are setup to automatically all of the link definitions found within the Project Standards folder (see image below), making it easy to review and edit all project standards from Excel.
To use this link:
This script will launch the correct version of Revit based on your Revit file selection (#1 above), then open that Revit file, launch Ideate BIMLink, load any of the link definitions found within the linksource folder and then use the Export function to create or update an Excel file matching the name specified. When done it will close out Revit.
NOTE: This script uses “linksource_folder” instead of “link_source” shown above to allow for all links to be imported. Learn more on this Help Topic: Basic Scripting with Ideate Automation
Related scripts: IBL-Health_Check
The script called “IBL-Health_Check” is almost identical to “IBL-Export_Links” but instead of pointing to the Project Standards folder, shown above, it references the Health Check folder and does not include the default file naming date suffix that is part of “IBL-Export_Links”.
The IBL-MX-QC_Links script is designed to automate the export of any Ideate BIMLink definition found within the Quality Control folder. For each link definition, this script will create a separate Excel file with a file name that matches the name of the link definition. We are not sure if you’ll want this method so let us know if this seems useful.
This multi-project (MP) script highlights two special conditions. The first is that the default browse behavior is set to look for cloud models instead of published or local files. The second is the default folder is not specified. When a cloud model is accessed the file is a local copy buried deep on your hard drive. For this reason it is not practical to automatically place the export results in the same location — a separate location must be selected. Where appropriate you can browse to a corresponding BIM 360 Desktop Connector location.
This multi-project (MP) script highlights the ability to reference a pre-established list of files that have been saved as a .txt file. You can use the sample file that ships with the software to see the syntax required for this list.
This multi-project (MP) script highlights two special conditions. The first is that the default browse behavior is set to look for published models instead of cloud or local files. The second is that the default export folder is set to be relative to the selected files. This would create a new folder if necessary and create or update the exported results via the BIM 360 Desktop Connector.