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Your First Project

Create your first BIM development project with Cursor AI assistance.

Project: Wall Analysis Tool​

Let's build a practical Revit plugin that analyzes walls in a project - a common task in BIM development.

Step 1: Create Project Structure​

Cursor Prompt: "Create a Visual Studio project structure for a Revit external command plugin that analyzes wall properties. Include proper folder organization and project files."

Expected Cursor response:

  • Project file with Revit API references
  • Organized folder structure
  • Basic external command template
  • .addin file for registration

Step 2: Implement Core Functionality​

Cursor Prompt: "Create a Revit external command called 'WallAnalyzer' that collects all walls in the active document, extracts their type, height, area, and level information, then exports the data to Excel with proper formatting."

Key Features Cursor Will Generate​

  • FilteredElementCollector usage for wall collection
  • Parameter extraction with proper type handling
  • Excel export functionality using EPPlus or similar
  • Error handling and transaction management
  • Progress indication for large models

Step 3: Enhance with AI Suggestions​

Advanced Features Prompt​

Cursor Prompt: "Enhance the wall analyzer with filtering options: allow users to select specific levels, wall types, or parameter criteria. Add a WPF dialog for user input and preview results before export."

Cursor will suggest:

  • WPF user interface components
  • Data binding patterns
  • Filtering logic implementation
  • Preview functionality

Step 4: Add IFC Export Capability​

Cursor Prompt: "Add functionality to export the wall analysis data to IFC format, creating custom property sets for the analyzed metrics while maintaining IFC schema compliance."

This demonstrates Cursor's ability to:

  • Understand IFC schema requirements
  • Generate property set definitions
  • Handle file format conversions
  • Maintain data integrity

Step 5: Testing and Validation​

Cursor Prompt: "Create unit tests for the wall analyzer that validate parameter extraction, data processing, and export functionality using mock Revit elements."

Real-World Application​

This wall analyzer project demonstrates typical DCMvn workflows used in projects like:

  • Munich Airport Terminal 1 (95,000 m²): Analyzing structural wall systems
  • Konzerthaus München (74,000 m²): Acoustic wall property analysis
  • Überseequartier Residential (419,000 m²): Multi-building wall standardization

Performance Considerations​

DCMvn Best Practices​

Based on our experience with 100+ Revit models:

  1. Batch Processing: Handle large models efficiently
  2. Memory Management: Dispose resources properly
  3. Progress Reporting: Keep users informed during long operations
  4. Error Recovery: Handle model inconsistencies gracefully

Optimization Prompts​

Cursor Prompt: "Optimize the wall analyzer for large models with 10,000+ walls. Implement progress reporting, memory-efficient processing, and cancellation support."

Common Challenges & Solutions​

Issue: Transaction Management​

Problem: "Transaction not started" errors Cursor Solution: Prompt for proper transaction wrapping and error handling

Issue: Parameter Access​

Problem: Null reference exceptions on parameters Cursor Solution: Safe parameter access patterns with null checking

Issue: Large Model Performance​

Problem: Slow processing on complex models Cursor Solution: Efficient filtering and batch processing strategies

Extension Ideas​

Once you master the basic wall analyzer, try these advanced prompts:

  1. Multi-Model Analysis: "Extend the wall analyzer to process multiple linked Revit files simultaneously"

  2. Real-Time Updates: "Create a real-time wall property monitor that updates analysis when model changes"

  3. Cloud Integration: "Add cloud storage integration to automatically backup analysis results"

Validation Checklist​

✅ Plugin loads in Revit without errors
✅ Analyzes walls correctly across different models
✅ Exports data in multiple formats (Excel, CSV, IFC)
✅ Handles errors gracefully with user feedback
✅ Performs well on large models (1000+ walls)
✅ Follows DCMvn coding standards and conventions

Next Steps​

With your first project complete, explore:

  • Cursor Features: Deep dive into AI capabilities
  • BIM Development: Advanced Revit API patterns
  • Examples: More complex project scenarios

Getting Help​

If you encounter issues:

  1. Use Cursor Chat: Ask specific questions about errors
  2. Check Documentation: Reference official Revit API docs
  3. DCMvn Support: For enterprise assistance, contact DCMvn CO., Ltd

Project tutorial by DCMvn CO., Ltd - Empowering BIM development with AI