In open roads, what is the difference between a civil element, and a traditional element? Where are these properties inherited from, are they immutable? Where is this documented for us as users? Is there a list of "element types" and which tools

RE: In open roads, what is the difference between a civil element, and a traditional element? Where are these properties inherited from, are they immutable? Where is this documented for us as users? Is there a list of "element types" and which to

Mark Shamoun — Thu, 29 Dec 2022 04:58:42 GMT

Hi Dane,

Asking this is the ORD forum may help if its specifically about ORD Geometry. There are some rules to creating ORD data that OpenRoads users use that are a bit convoluted to start with, but ultimately organize and group data to make the data easier to deal with later down the track.

Personally i'd recommend creating your alignment data using the ORD 2d/3d workflows and then work purely in 3d for Terrains and OBM (although i disagree with that official workflow).

Youtube now has a lot of resources that can help - this is a good one to understanding Geometry basics:

OpenRoads Designer: QuickStart for Civil Geometry - YouTube

RE: In open roads, what is the difference between a civil element, and a traditional element? Where are these properties inherited from, are they immutable? Where is this documented for us as users? Is there a list of "element types" and which to

amabrich — Wed, 28 Dec 2022 21:37:46 GMT

Please contact me at alex.mabrich@bentley.com

RE: In open roads, what is the difference between a civil element, and a traditional element? Where are these properties inherited from, are they immutable? Where is this documented for us as users? Is there a list of "element types" and which to

Dane Parks — Wed, 28 Dec 2022 20:36:27 GMT

I appreciate you taking the time to respond, but you didn't answer my question at all, my issue is that I have a bunch of civil elements that are "forgetting" they're civil elements, always centerline profiles. We don't currently use OpenBridges in my Organization, we're exploring the idea, and I can't even start getting into the processes without first getting a working alignment with an associated profile. I don't know how, why, or if it's old versions being incompatible, bad work flows or what, but the civil elements break like 50% of the time I've tried to import or manipulate them and I have no idea what's causing it.

In other CAD software, it's a somewhat trivial task to open up the object explorer, and manually override an element's property's to basically anything you want and they have supporting documents online telling you how to do it that are good wihout paying for them. That is the reason I'm asking "what is the difference between a civil element and a non-civil element". Unfortunately, more introductory YouTube training will not resolve my issue.

RE: In open roads, what is the difference between a civil element, and a traditional element? Where are these properties inherited from, are they immutable? Where is this documented for us as users? Is there a list of "element types" and which to

Steve Willoughby — Wed, 28 Dec 2022 18:58:02 GMT

Dane:

OpenRoads is developed with the assumption that all horizontal geometry would be placed in a 2D design model. While you are in that 2D design model, you can select the alignment and choose the Open Profile Model icon to start the process of defining the vertical alignment. Once the profile is created, you can select it again and choose an icon that will make it the "active" profile.

As the person doing the bridge modeling, ideally you simply attach a geometry file created by the roadway design folks and reference it. Since the bridge model is tied directly to a PGL we need both an alignment along with an active profile to start the modeling process with the Add Bridge tool. Keep in mind that the Bridge Wizard can create a simple alignment/profile combo for the purposes of modeling a structure very quickly.

All of this and much more is typically covered in our virtual instructor led training classes. As someone that has been trying out he software and certainly has a lot of MS experience, you would be an ideal candidate for training as you know that has worked for you and where you have hit roadblocks. You will have the best questions for the instructor. The Developer network is for folks that want to write code to develop their own modeling tools on top of what is already available today. That does not sound like it would be beneficial in your case.

Good ORD Geometry wiki page: Geometry CONNECT

OBM/OBD Learning Path: https://learn.bentley.com/app/Public/ViewLearningPathDetails?lpId=112428

Links to videos for some of the modules in the Introduction to OBM Training guide:

Module 1 – Overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1R2xYUc9AHQ&list=PLTXGGjuaGicgViHWbp4WkhKGaFQoyH9wV&index=6
Module 3 – Precast Girder 2 Span Straight Bridge Model: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTihitqYFWY
Module 4w - Steel Girder 2 Span Straight Bridge Model using Wizard: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqOOEy6lZOk
Module 5 – Steel Girder Curved Bridge Model with Wizard: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5T0d_zI4HQ&list=PLTXGGjuaGicgViHWbp4WkhKGaFQoyH9wV&index=5
Module 7 – Libraries: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7t0pgw5ePac
Module 8 – Reports: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZirJTy7PNI
Module 9 – Interoperability: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-htl7GOLj-E
Module 10 – Plans Production: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MS2DwUasvx4

Let us know if you have other questions.

Steve