The DGNWS file, full name DGN WorkSet file, is very important. It contains WorkSet properties, custom properties, WorkSet sheet index, and the WorkSet Link Set. Each of these, other than the sheet index, involves some initial data input. As a project proceeds the sheet index will build up automatically.
If a DGNWS is accidentally deleted a new blank DGNWS will be created, any data will be lost, so this is a file that needs to be backed up.
The default location is in a WorkSets folder alongside the WorkSet.cfg and the project data folders:
In practice the WorkSet folders that contain the live project data will be on a separate share, a method for this is outlined in CONNECT Edition - Custom Configuration - Part 5 : Separating Project Data from Standards.
All configuration and other organization content will be in the Organization location. This will preferably include the WorkSet.cfg files, to maintain consistency these should only be edited by CAD/BIM administrators so need to be in a secured location.
Having set the location for the WorkSet.cfg files there is a choice about where to locate the DGNWS. It can either follow the WorkSet content to the project data share or be located with the WorkSet.cfg. Administrators may initially prefer to locate the DGNWS with the configuration where it can be managed and secured separately from the more accessible project data. However as the DGNWS has to be user writable to allow the sheet index and other content to be updated as the project proceeds this requires some quite specific file access permissions. It may be as effective to rely upon good backup routines and place the DGNWS in the WorkSet with other user-writable project data.
We have two slightly different variables that can enable this choice.
_USTN_WORKSETSROOT (the plural) points to a location within the Organization's (Custom) Configuration folders
_USTN_WORKSETROOT (the singular) can be set to point to a different location.
In an example where _USTN_WORKSETSROOT resolves to:
\\server\Configurations\CE\WorkSpaces\JointVenture_01\WorkSets\
This is the location where all the WorkSet.cfg files will be located.
_USTN_WORKSETROOT can be set to resolve to:
\\server\ProjectData\JointVenture_01\G_01_Project_001\
G_01_Project_001 being one of the WorkSets within the JointVenture_01 WorkSpace.
This allows the project data folders to be in a different location from the Configuration, the default requirement of most organizations.
There are two variables that control the location and name of a DGNWS file.
Use them both to generate the DGNWS alongside the project data where MicroStation is able to write to it in response to user input.
These statements are ideally the added to copy of WorkSpaceSetup.cfg in the root of a Custom Configuration.
In the example configuration above, the default value will locate it in the ProjectData share with the design data, which is generally the most appropriate location for the DGNWS.
For instance:
_USTN_WORKSETSDGNWSROOT = $(_USTN_WORKSETROOT)Standards/
_USTN_WORKSETDGNWS = $(_USTN_WORKSETSDGNWSROOT)$(_USTN_WORKSETNAME).DGNWS
This locates the DGNWS in the WorkSet Standards folder (note the singular ...WORKSET... used here):
\\server\ProjectData\JointVenture_01\G_01_Project_001\Standards\G_01_Project_001.DGNWS
To locate it in the Configurations share, use this example:
_USTN_WORKSETSDGNWSROOT = $(_USTN_WORKSETSROOT)
This will locate the DGNWS alongside the WorkSet.cfg. (note the plural ...WORKSETS... used here). In the example above this would be:
\\server\Configurations\CE\WorkSpaces\JointVenture_01\WorkSets\G_01_Project_001.dgnws
Ensure that users have write access if an administrative location is chosen. (For instance, Windows permission can be used to allow write access while denying delete permission.)
Note:
When archiving projects, both the DGNWS and the WorkSet.cfg should be archived with the project data wherever they are located.
Translated German Wiki article:CONNECT Edition - Konfigurationstipps: Wo soll ich meine DGNWS-Dateien aufbewahren?