Table of Contents

Getting Started

This guide will help you get up and running with DBTools quickly.

First Launch

After installing DBTools:

  1. Open Revit - Launch any supported Revit version (2024-2026)
  2. Find the DB Tools Tab - Look for "DB Tools" in the Revit ribbon
  3. Explore the Tools - Hover over buttons to see tooltips

The DB Tools Ribbon

The DB Tools ribbon tab contains panels organized by category:

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  DB Tools                                                         │
├─────────────┬──────────────┬──────────────────┬─────────────────┤
│  Settings   │    Common    │    Structural    │     Testing     │
├─────────────┼──────────────┼──────────────────┼─────────────────┤
│ [Settings]  │ [GM] [TDV]   │ [SGT] [F.Tags]   │ [VTC]           │
│ [Debug]     │ [Elev Tags]  │ [A.Snap] [Joins] │                 │
│             │ [3D List]    │ [JGW] [Org.Fnd]  │                 │
└─────────────┴──────────────┴──────────────────┴─────────────────┘

Panel Overview

Panel Purpose
Settings Application settings and debug mode
Common General-purpose tools for any project
Structural Tools specific to structural engineering
Testing Development and testing utilities

Your First Task

Let's try a simple workflow to get familiar with DBTools.

Example: Using Global Mapper

The Global Mapper (GM) tool helps you map parameter values between elements.

Scenario: Copy the "Mark" value from one element to another.

  1. Open a Project - Open any Revit project with elements
  2. Click "Global Mapper" - In the Common panel
  3. Select Source Element - Pick the element to copy from
  4. Select Target Elements - Pick elements to copy to
  5. Choose Parameter - Select "Mark" from the list
  6. Apply - Click the apply button

The parameter values are now copied!

Understanding Tool Windows

Most DBTools tools use consistent UI patterns:

Ribbon Windows

Some tools (like GM and SGT) open a ribbon-style window:

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ [Tab 1] [Tab 2] [Tab 3]                          [─][□][×] │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ ┌──────────────────┐  ┌───────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │                  │  │                               │ │
│ │  Left Panel      │  │      Main Content Area        │ │
│ │  (Selection/     │  │                               │ │
│ │   Tree View)     │  │                               │ │
│ │                  │  │                               │ │
│ └──────────────────┘  └───────────────────────────────┘ │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ [Action Buttons]                              [Status]  │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Dialog Windows

Simpler tools use standard dialog windows with apply/cancel buttons.

Settings

Access DBTools settings through the Settings button in the ribbon.

Common Settings

Setting Description
Debug Mode Shows additional logging information
Log Level Controls how much is logged
Auto-Update Check for updates on startup

Tool-Specific Settings

Each tool may have its own settings section. Check the individual tool guides for details.

Keyboard Shortcuts

While in DBTools windows:

Shortcut Action
Esc Cancel/Close
Enter Apply/Confirm
Ctrl+A Select All
F5 Refresh

Tips for New Users

1. Hover for Help

Every button has a tooltip explaining what it does.

2. Use Preview Mode

Many tools show a preview before applying changes. Review it carefully.

3. Undo is Your Friend

DBTools operations can be undone with Ctrl+Z in Revit.

4. Check the Logs

If something goes wrong, check the logs at:

%APPDATA%\DBTools\Logs\

5. Start Simple

Begin with simple tools (like Framing Joins) before tackling complex ones (like GM).

Common Workflows

Parameter Mapping (GM)

  1. Open Global Mapper
  2. Select source and target
  3. Map parameters
  4. Apply

Bulk Tagging (Foundation Tags)

  1. Select foundation elements
  2. Run Foundation Tags
  3. Review generated tags
  4. Adjust settings if needed

View Template Comparison (VTC)

  1. Open VTC
  2. Select two templates to compare
  3. Review differences
  4. Merge or export as needed

Getting Help

  • Tool Guides: See the Tools section for detailed guides
  • Troubleshooting: Check Troubleshooting
  • Support: Contact your Revit administrator

Next Steps

Now that you're familiar with the basics:

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