Create compound cell changes levels assignments randomly in BA V8i

Using Bentley Architecture V8i we have created a 3d and 2d components then then create a compound cell. Each of these components are one different levels. 3d information is on a user created layer called Q-EQUIP-3D and Q-EQUIP-CLR, and the 2d information is on a user layer called Q-EQUIP-2D. It will create the compound cell and then when we go to place the new compound cell in a file, the placed compound cell is on random levels and we are unable to turn the element on or off. When we do this in Bentley Architecture XM, everything appears to work fine. Has something changed in V8i regarding levels and compound cells? Thanks Brian Thomas Selser Schaefer Architects
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  • Brian, one possibility: please check in the tool setting window when you place the compound cell; there is a setting called "Place Level" with options either absolute or relative.  If it was set to relative, please set it to absolute and see if it works properly.  If so, I'm thinking we really should consider removing the relative option from this dialog. It's an option that probably only made sense a very long time ago.



  • It is set to absolute. Any other ideas? Can have have multiple layers within a portion of the compound cell. For example can the 2d cell have elements on more than one layer or does everything have to be on the same layer? Also are there any special guidelines for elements to be on (example: construction class, default level, etc?) Thanks Brian Thomas Selser Schaefer Architects

    Brian Thomas, AIA, LEED AP BD+C

    GH2 Architects

  • Brian, I just tested it here. It works as expected.  I made a compound cell with elements on multiple levels in 3D and multiple other levels for 2D symbol.  After placing the new cell, all levels are correct.

    One trick you can use to quickly ID the level of elements inside cells is to hold the alt key while selecting an element.  This will set the active style to those of the selected element, so you can easily see the level of each subcomponenent without drilling deep into the information dialog.

    Here is my next guess. The file in which you are placing the cell does not contain the levels called in the cell and neither do these levels exist in your dgn library.  Could it be that these are levels you created in your office and you must copy those into the dgnlibs for V8i?



  • Yes we have made some new levels, but I have also placed them inside the delivered architectural.dgnlib. As a test I started with fresh install of BA V8i. I do the following: 1) I open the "empty.dgn" and drawing the following: 2) For my 2d I created a shape (rectangle) on level A-Area, pen 3; an arc on level A-AREA-OCCP, pen 2. For my 3d, I created a solid on level A-EQPM, pen 4; an solid on level A-EQPM-ACCS, pen 7. 3) Open Compound Cell Manager and under File, create a new file. 4) Hit Create and select the 2D elements, hit 2d; then select the 3d elements and hit 3d; then set the origin and select Create. It creates the cell. 5) If the place the new compound cell in this file it works perfect, but... 6) I close the "empty.dgn" file and create a new. dgn with the seed file BB modelseed.dgn. 7) Open Compound Cell Manager and place the same compound cell. 8) The information on level A-Area is now on a level called Vegetation; others check out ok. Why the switch? back to my original problem. I think you are on to something, but I don't understand that if I see the levels in my level manager (reading from my dgnlib) shouldn't this be good enough for all files? Is architectural.dgnlib the correct library to create new levels for use by all parts/files of Bentley Architecture (with dataset?)

    Brian Thomas, AIA, LEED AP BD+C

    GH2 Architects

  • After some testing it appears that if an element is on a level s in the compound cell that does not actually exist in the .dgn (even if it is the .dgnlib) it will assign that level to a random level. I think this is a bug. Brian Thomas Selser Schaefer Architects

    Brian Thomas, AIA, LEED AP BD+C

    GH2 Architects

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