Old DWG files - Thinking outside of the box?

You peaked my interest with your various posts related to transitioning from Redline to something that addresses your client’s needs.  It took me some time to investigate the issues you are having for myself, but I was able to reproduce them.

At this point, as odd as it may seem, I would recommend that you try using the i-Model Composer "flavor" of MicroStation.  This would allow your clients to open the dwg files directly like Bentley View instead of having to work through the extra "layer" of the overlay file that Bentley Navigator requires and it provides support for VBA macros which is needed to overcome the level display issue of read-only dwg files.

You will need to contact your Bentley account manager to determine how licensing would be handled since i-model composer would need to be purchased, assuming your clients are not under a select service agreement.

Obviously, you'll need to adjust the interface and probably provide a custom user preference file, etc in order to downplay the i-model aspect of the program and ensure that the particular tools your users need are readily available.

Other than that, you will need to write some custom vba commands to handle the level on/off display needs since the on=, of= and level set display key-ins no longer work on read-only dwg files.

As a proof of concept, I was able to write a basic routine that handles turning the global display of active design levels on/off via key-in in read-only files.  This works in MicroStation as well as i-Model Composer.  If you are interested, send me an email to this address "r e q u e s t s a t f a r a o n e n t d o t c o m" and we can discuss your particular needs further.

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Regarding the whole global display of levels in read-only files issue, do you know if a TR or CR has been filed and if so what the number is?  I would like to follow up with Bentley on this.

It appears to me that Bentley modified the code behind the old "on=" and "of=" key-ins and took a more literal and restrictive interpretation on how they should work.  Technically, they are only supposed to turn on and off levels on a per view basis (which they now do). This means they are now ignored in dwg workmode since there is no view based level display control available.  But I find this to be a rather "narrow" interpretation since the equivalent in dwgmode *is* global level display.  Moreover, now there is no key-in that emulates what the user can do via the level display or level manager dialogs.

In addition, it appears they changed the code behind the "level set display" key-in so that it too no longer works on read-only files (dgn or dwg) even though the level manager and level display dialogs still allow the user to "temporarily" turn a level's global display or freeze settings on or off. This again is a more literal and restrictive interpretation on how these key-ins should work.  In the past, this key-in displayed a warning in the message center which was fine.

Maybe there should be a new option added to the “level set” key-in to indicate that the change is intended to be temporary and therefore should work in read-only files (i.e. not attempt to rewrite the level table). This read-only option should then also be made available in Bentley View.

Aubrie

Hi,

I need some help thinking outside of the box ...

I have a large group of clients who use a customized version Bentley Redline XM. 
Their interface has 3 buttons on it, that when pressed, turn on and off different groups of levels in old DWG (r14, 2000) read-only files using key-ins.

I am trying to figure out a V8i migration path for these clients.

Bentley View V8i SS1 & SS2 does not have any obvious keyins that will turn on/off levels in old read-only DWG files (on=all, of=all are not working for old DWG files). ProjectWise Navigator V8i (SS1 & SS2) is too complicated for my client group's needs.

I have attached a very simple DWG file ... does anyone have any suggestions, ideas, advice etc?

Thanks,
Anna