Export IFC from RVT using Revit Automation API - Part II

Previously, we talked about exporting IFC from RVT on Revit Automation API in Export IFC from RVT using Revit Automation API - Part I.

In this blog post, we will discuss how to override the Revit IFC addin version on Revit Automation API. Sometimes, we would need to use a specific IFC addin version from https://github.com/Autodesk/revit-ifc/releases for some reason.

For example, here are use cases that we need to include the Revit IFC addin within our appbundle.

• Use case-1: Want to use the latest version published there, but Revit DA hasn't provided that version of Revit IFC addin.
• Use case-2: There are some steel-related elements inside RVT file, but they are missing after exporting it to IFC using Automation. Want to bring them back in the exported IFC.

Okay, here are the steps:

• 1. We download the MSI installer of a specific version of Revit IFC addin from https://github.com/Autodesk/revit-ifc/releases and install it on the local machine. For example, Release 23.4.1 for Revit 2023.
• 2. Copy all files and folders except for `IFCExporterUIOverride.*` from the Revit IFC addin installation location or the install folder when compiling from the source code of https://github.com/Autodesk/revit-ifc. For example, "C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\ApplicationPlugins\IFC 2023.bundle\Contents\2023".

• 3. Put copied files and folders into the Contents folder of your IFC exporter appbundle. For example, "RevitIfcExporter.bundle/Contents" like the following, if you refer to my IFC exporter sample at https://github.com/yiskang/aps-revit-ifc-exporter-appbundle.

• 4. Modify the "PackageContents.xml" of your IFC exporter appbundle, and add this line to load Revit.IFC.addin that we put in the Contents folder of the app bundle. e.g. Add "<ComponentEntry LoadOnRevitStartup="True" LoadOnCommandInvocation="False" AppName="IFC For Revit 2023" Version="23.4.1" AppDescription="IFC For Revit 2023" ModuleName="./Contents/Revit.IFC.addin"/>" to the "PackageContents.xml".

  Here is an example of using Revit IFC addin v23.4.1:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<ApplicationPackage Name="RevitDesignAutomation" Description="Revit IFC Exporter" Author="your email">
<CompanyDetails Name="Autodesk, Inc" Url="your website" Email="your email"/>
<Components Description="Export Revit RVT to IFC">
    <RuntimeRequirements SeriesMin="R2023" SeriesMax="R2023" Platform="Revit" OS="Win64"/>
    <ComponentEntry LoadOnRevitStartup="True" LoadOnCommandInvocation="False" AppDescription="Export Revit RVT to IFC" ModuleName="./Contents/RevitIfcExporter.addin" Version="1.0.0" AppName="RevitIfcExporter"/>
<!-- Add this line>>> --><ComponentEntry LoadOnRevitStartup="True" LoadOnCommandInvocation="False" AppName="IFC For Revit 2023" Version="23.4.1" AppDescription="IFC For Revit 2023" ModuleName="./Contents/Revit.IFC.addin"/> <!-- <<<Add this line -->
</Components>
</ApplicationPackage>

• Pack your appbundle as a ZIP and upload it to Revit Automation API.

That's all. Hope you enjoy it!

If you have questions about IFC export using Revit Automation API, please contact APS support.