SteelConnectionsData.xml

The SteelConnectionsData.xml file contains information about steel connections available in Revit.

The default location for this file is under C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\Revit Steel Connections 2025 under each of the 4 language folders.

Near the beginning of the SteelConnectionsData.xml file are the ResourceDll and PreviewResourceDll elements. These elements should already list the resource dlls for the AS connections included with the Steel Connections add-in for Revit. Add the resource dll for the .NET connection to these elements, separated by a comma from the existing resource dll names, as shown in the xml file snippet below.

  <ResourceDll>ASConnectionsResources.dll,CustomConnectionResources.dll</ResourceDll>
  <PreviewResourceDll>ASConnectionsPreviews.dll,CustomConnectionResources.dll</PreviewResourceDll>

Next, add the information for the new .NET connection to the appropriate category section. Each connection is represented by a PaletteItem. PaletteItems are grouped under a PaletteCategory node, such as "Plates at beam" or "Column - Beam", which identify the type of connection they are. The elements of PaletteItem are:

• Description - a description of the connection
• Command - the text command for the connection
• PreviewText - the text that explains how to place the connection, such as what order to select the connecting elements and what steel profiles are supported
• Images - should contain a subelement called string with the name of the image file in the resources dll to be used to display the connection in the Available Connections list
• PreviewImages - should contain a subelement called string with the name of the image file in the resources dll to be used to preview the connection in the Properties pane when creating connections
• TypeId - this should be the same GUID as the ClassId from AstorRules.HRLDefinition table
• ShowSectionMaterial - true or false to indicate whether to show section material
• ShowWeldType - true or false to indicate whether to show the weld type
• ShowWeldThickness - true or false to indicate whether to show the weld thickness

<PaletteItem>
          <Description>Sample connection</Description>
          <Command>sampleconnection</Command>
          <PreviewText>Preview text for the sample joint</PreviewText>
          <Images>
            <string>SampleJointImage.png</string>
          </Images>
          <PreviewImages>
            <string>SampleJointPreviewImage.gif</string>
          </PreviewImages>
          <TypeId>DFB7A86F-7E86-40F2-8E58-C16C776F7464</TypeId>
          <ShowSectionMaterial>false</ShowSectionMaterial>
          <ShowWeldType>false</ShowWeldType>
          <ShowWeldThickness>false</ShowWeldThickness>
	</PaletteItem>