# Setting up a Graph for Generative Design

## Setting Up a Graph for Generative Design

### Inputs

To set up a Dynamo graph for use with generative design tools, right-click on each node used to drive the graph and ensure that the *`Is Input`* option is checked. Renaming the node with a standard approach such as *`IN_description`* will help to distinguish these inputs in the Create Study dialog. Or you can group inputs together and give the group a descriptive header.

1. Right-click on each node used to drive the graph and ensure that the 'Is Input' option is checked.
2. Rename the node as explained above.
3. For slider nodes, set values for Min, Max, and Step values.

*Note: Current supported inputs include 'Number' or 'Integer' slider, 'Boolean', 'Number', 'string' or 'Revit Selection' nodes.*

![](/files/-LrPm3RD34f1FGvJhqME)

### Outputs

To define outputs for use with the generative design tools, right-click on the Watch nodes and select the *`Is Output`* option. Renaming the node with a standard approach such as *`OUT_description`* will help to distinguish these outputs in Generative Design. Or you can group outputs together and give the group a descriptive header.

1. Right-click on the watch nodes and select the Is Output option.
2. Rename the node as explained above.

*Note: Currently all outputs must be watch nodes with a 'Number' data type.*

![](/files/-LrPm3RH8kKdkEBK-8MQ)

### Export to Generative Design

Once both inputs and outputs are set up correctly and your graph is saved, it can be exported for use with the generative design toolset. 

To create an export to use with Generative Design, do the following:

1. In Dynamo, navigate to the menu > Extensions > enable Graph Status. Under Graph Type, save the graph as Generative Design. When the graph is saved, Generative Design will create a copy of your graph, which will be available to launch.

![](/files/-LrPm3RNzwzr4-i2unYG)

Generative Design will also create a dependencies folder with relevant packages loaded.

![](/files/-LrPm3RLGX53jf_B8E2j)

### Launch Generative Design

To launch Generative Design, do the following:

1. In Revit, navigate to Manage > Create Study in the Generative Design tab.

![](/files/-LrPm3RJXK5E3ndzTM0N)

Once the Create Study dialog has launched, you can map to your own folders where you saved your studies.

![](/files/lmNQFd5h5W0tcvNjWLLX) ![](/files/NUpqTQhihRR6RRCiln9V)

***

## Getting Creative with Inputs

### Creating an Interactive Date/Time Picker with Generative Design

We often run analyses that depend on time of day. Within Revit, we can use the time from the current model. But there are other ways.

In Dynamo Core, we have the ability to define a `DateTime` object with the following node:

![](/files/-MSEVYnVEnOdqYCIC2vv)

`DateTime.FromString`

Using this node, we can provide inputs that are usable in Generative Design by combining them into one string.

![](/files/-MSEVYnXzxBD4KVZPDZ7)


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