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Truong Giang Vu edited this page Feb 14, 2026 · 2 revisions

Trace Geometry - 3D Visualization

Beautiful transient geometry display directly in Revit 3D views, integrated with trace logging.

Overview

The Geometry Visualization system allows you to display transient geometry directly in the Revit 3D view, similar to Dynamo's preview functionality but integrated into your development workflow.

Supported Geometry Types

  • Faces - Surface geometry from Revit elements
  • Curves - Lines, arcs, splines, and complex curve geometry
  • Solids - 3D solid geometry with volume
  • Meshes - Triangulated mesh geometry
  • Points (XYZ) - Individual points or point collections
  • Bounding Boxes - Element bounding box visualization
  • Collections - Multiple geometry objects at once

Key Features

  • Transient Display - Uses Revit's DirectContext3D for rendering (inspired by RevitLookup)
  • Manual Control - Use ClearGeometry to remove geometry on demand
  • Performance Optimized - Efficient rendering and disposal
  • Mixed Geometry Types - Trace collections of different geometry types in one call
  • Real-time Counter - Shows number of objects displayed in the ClearGeometry button

How to Use

1. Enable Geometry Tracing

Ensure the logger is started (geometry tracing is automatically enabled).

2. Trace Single Geometry Objects

// Trace a face
Face face = GetSomeFace();
Trace.Write(face);

// Trace a curve
Curve curve = GetSomeCurve();
Trace.Write(curve);

// Trace a solid
Solid solid = GetSomeSolid();
Trace.Write(solid);

// Trace a mesh
Mesh mesh = GetSomeMesh();
Trace.Write(mesh);

// Trace a point
XYZ point = new XYZ(10, 20, 30);
Trace.Write(point);

// Trace a bounding box
BoundingBoxXYZ bbox = element.get_BoundingBox(null);
Trace.Write(bbox);

3. Trace Multiple Geometry Objects

// Trace multiple faces
var faces = new List<Face> { face1, face2, face3 };
Trace.Write(faces);

// Trace multiple curves
var curves = selectedElements.SelectMany(e => GetCurvesFromElement(e));
Trace.Write(curves);

// Trace multiple solids
var solids = elements.SelectMany(e => e.GetSolids());
Trace.Write(solids);

// Mixed geometry types
var geometries = new List<GeometryObject> { face, curve, solid };
Trace.Write(geometries);

Python/IronPython Usage

import clr
clr.AddReference("RevitAPI")
# For Revit 2025 onward:
clr.AddReference("System.Diagnostics.TraceSource")

from Autodesk.Revit.DB import *
from System.Diagnostics import Trace
from System.Collections.Generic import List

# Trace individual geometry
face = GetSomeFace()  # Your method to get a face
Trace.Write(face)

# Trace collections
curves = List[Curve]()
curves.Add(curve1)
curves.Add(curve2)
Trace.Write(curves)

# Trace points
point = XYZ(10, 20, 30)
Trace.Write(point)

Usage Examples

See complete working examples in the repository:

C# Examples:

Python Examples:

Clearing Visualizations

From UI:

  • Click the Clear Geometry button in the Trace panel
  • Number shown indicates how many objects are currently displayed

From Code:

// Clears all visualized geometry
// (Not exposed via API yet - use UI button)

Best Practices

  1. Clear Regularly - Use Clear Geometry button to avoid cluttering the view
  2. Performance - Large geometry collections may impact performance
  3. 3D View Required - Geometry only appears in 3D views (not plans/sections)
  4. Document Workflow - Combine with trace logging for complete debugging

Troubleshooting

No Geometry Visible

  • Ensure logger is enabled
  • Verify you're in a 3D view (not 2D plan/section)
  • Try toggling Start/Stop Listener

Geometry Persists

  • Use "Clear Geometry" button
  • Restart listener if needed

Performance Issues

  • Reduce number of geometry objects traced simultaneously
  • Clear geometry between operations
  • Use simpler geometry types (curves instead of solids)

Related Topics

🏠 Quick Start

🚀 Getting Started

📦 Modules

CodeExecute

Logging

Visualization

📚 All Examples

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