Feature Definitions in PRT SS4 with OpenRoads Modeller

Question

All 
 
 Have just upgraded to PowerRail Track SS4. This is the first version I have used with the OpenRoads Modeller, and I have mixed feelings. I have a couple of questions that I would appreciate some clarification on if anyone has any experience - I have had a look on the forum to no avail. 
 1. - Feature Definitions as opposed to Styles in Template Modeller. I switched to SS4 to take advantage of the modelling features. When I bring my existing template .itl file into the software, the features that I have set for components are no longer there. Instead of having feature "styles" managed by the style manager and named symbology manager, there is something called "Feature definition" which is not picking up the styles defined in my .xin file. What do I need to make this work in the same way 
 2. - Cross Section Creation. Where has this gone? I assume the capability has not been removed, but simply moved elsewhere. Where is this and how can I interface with the cross section controls in the same way. 
 
 3. This is a little one but its annoyance to me at least. Stationing is now being displayed as 184+100 as opposd to 184100. I have my units and tolerances set to ssss.ss but for some reason the software is overriding this. 
 As with all new software I am quite excited about trying it out, but at the moment I am frustrated by these things.I think Ineed to spend a bit more time with it before I can give an accurate assessment, however at a glance it seems that functionality has been reduced, even though I know that isn't the case. 
 Any help would be appreciated. 
 
 A

EBlach · Accepted Answer

1. - You can import your active xin file into feature definitions by right clicking Feature Definitions (under Civil Standards) and select "Link Active Feature Styles". If your templates are set up with a specific style name, this should automatically be replaced by your new Feature Definitions. 
 
2. - Creating cross sections are done under Corridor Modelling. As a new, helpful feature, you can now make a cross section view, which updates automatically whenever you make a change to your corridor (this of course requires you to have a corridor set up). 
 
3. - Stationing units are controlled under Settings > Design File

jpln · Answer

There are good video on the leaning server.

But minimum things to do to get his own SS2 setting into SS4:

Create a new dgnlib
Import all the levels you are using in your symbologies (maybe other features like text styles if required and not in another one)
From the style manager right click on the list of styles and export styles into an XML file
In your new dgnlib go into element templates and import the XML file
The element templates matching the surface styles you've got in your xin are created.
Don't rename the Components folder. it will be used automatically at next step
In your new dgnlib link the active xin (check the active is yours, if not open it)
The Feature styles are then created in the dgnlib and the display properties are using the native style (from the xin) but 3D is using the template elements found in the components folder
Copy the example project (Bentley-Civil-<units>) and copy the XIN, DGNLIB, ITL in the good location, /data and /dgnlib (check with files already there)
Edit the pcf file and add your dgnlibs, xin and itl. Something like:
MS_DGNLIBLIST     > $(_USTN_PROJECTDATA)/dgnlib/<your dgnlib>.dgnlib
CIVIL_ROADWAY_TEMPLATE_LIBRARY    = $(_USTN_PROJECTDATA)/data/template_library/<your template library>.itl
CIVIL_XIN_FILE                    = $(_USTN_PROJECTDATA)/data/feature_definitions/<your xin>.xin
CIVIL_CONTENTMANAGEMENTDGNLIBLIST > $(_USTN_PROJECTDATA)/dgnlib/<your dgnlib>.dgnlib

Here is a video how to do it. English product ... but comments in French.

https://bentley-my.sharepoint.com/personal/jp_laville-noel_bentley_com/_layouts/15/guestaccess.aspx?guestaccesstoken=wc1qT%2f3IPtVUKWLhVAOisEjRwV1uZ1shQp4hTV%2bqPks%3d&docid=1e928f17df31543578a1f997023e2499c&rev=1

jpln · Answer

Components are no more stored in a DTM. They are stored in the DGN and in the 3D Model of the DGN. You are not any more able to create components as you used to in SS2. It is now corridor modelling and components are always displayed in the 3D Model. You can turn ON/OFF levels or by feature definition. 
Dynamic cross sections show everything 3D from the 3D model (level ON). A big advantage compared to SS2 especially in a "BIM" workflow. 
You get the same in the cross Sections drawing but it is not linked to the 3D Model (It is in Openroads Designer), it is still SS2 Technology. But you have noticed and I confirm that update cross sections is no more available in SS4. To be consistent this function should have been totally rewritten to allow updating everything that come from the 3D model. As explained above, it is not just displaying components from a surface. 
So workflow must be updated accordingly. To update the cross sections you have to recreate the cross sections. This is a disadvantage if you already added dimensions, text, etc on the cross sections. A workaround is to annotate in another model in which you reference the cross sections model. Of course not ideal and just a workaround waiting for Openroads/Openrail designer where cross sections will be live sections of the 3D model.