Generative Design in Revit vs. Dynamo Player

How is Generative Design different from Dynamo Player? When should I use one instead of the other?

Both Generative Design and Dynamo Player allow you to run Dynamo graphs (scripts) from Revit to interact with the model in some way. Both tools are designed to allow Revit architects and engineers, who may or may not be proficient with Dynamo, to run a graph without exposing its inner contents.

The difference is in the intent of each tool:

• Use Dynamo Player to perform some function on the current model. These graphs can calculate room occupancy load, update sheet names to upper case, add levels to the model, and more. They can automate repetitive tasks, run model checks, or extract and utilize information from the model.
• Use Generative Design to generate multiple possible solutions to a design challenge. After you examine and evaluate the alternatives and choose the optimal solution, you can integrate the selected solution into the model.

For both tools, architects and engineers who are not proficient with Dynamo require the help of a Dynamo author to create graphs that can address their specific needs. When a graph is created and tested, the architect or engineer can use Dynamo Player or Generative Design to run it directly in Revit within the context of the model.