title: Is there a cloud API to extract data from a Revit model?
body: <p>Let's say I want to create a cloud-based service that can connect to a Revit Server and fetch a model data, process it, and return some useful information to a user in a web-based interface. Then the user modifies the model and commits the changes to the server. My app get's a notification with detailed information about what has been modified (diffing is avoided automatically), processes the changes and the cycle continues. In this example, I avoided modifying the model using my app but it could just be the case that the app needs to modify the model. Let me give a hypothetical use case.</p>
  
  <p>An architect wants to optimize performance of a design solution. S/he is constantly working on different parts of the model and committing some (most likely minor) changes to the model. Changes are sent to a central BIM 360 server or any other central Revit Server. My app will retrieve modification information from the server and evaluate the performance of the model and give feedback to the architect in a webpage.</p>
  
  <p>My app uses Python (sklearn, Tensorflow, etc) running on linux to process the BIM model, so independance from Revit environment and Windows is crucial. To display information to the user, it uses Web technology (e.g d3.js visualization library).</p>
  
  <p><a href="https://developer.autodesk.com/en/docs/model-derivative/v2/overview/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Model Derivative Forge API</a> provides <a href="http://thebuildingcoder.typepad.com/blog/2016/02/what-can-revit-on-the-cloud-do-for-you.html#comment-2990779003" rel="nofollow noreferrer">RVT to IFC (and SVF) conversion</a>. All of this (querying and writing BIM) is possible on IFC, however, every conversion means more complexity, data loss (IFC and RVT are not 100% compatible), computation and time. </p>
  
  <p><a href="https://stackoverflow.com/q/37964449/3274693">Here</a> is a simpler form (file format) of this question. Please upvote both questions if you are interested in these APIs. It MIGHT help in getting some attention.</p>