Bentleys Content Options

Anyone,

 

We have a client requesting Bentley BIM, eventually AECOSim and I’m trying to get a handle on the different Bentleys content options.  what works with the dataset catalogs and what doesn’t, what is parametric and what isn’t. From what I can tell, Microstation has 6 different file formats for content (PAZ, PAC, CEL, BXC, BXF & TRS), and then there’s also GCI’s. I guess I’m trying to figure out what is the best format for doing what.

 

I figured I’d start by learning PCS. Based on what I have read, PCS/PAZ seemed most powerful, even though a lot of people complain about it. They all seem to have their advantages and disadvantages though. Cells are obvious, there the legacy format, But If you want them to be parametric, when do you use the others and for what? when do you use a BCF vs. a PAZ? Why would you make a BXC vs. a BXF vs. a PAZ? Is there one format that is better all around?

 

HJM

  • Is there a reason you can't use the dwg files directly and just reference them?

    Do you really need "parametrics" post creation?

    Also have a look at Dimension Driven Design and Feature Modeling

    regards / Thomas Voghera

  • As Thomas said. just export each component from Revit to DWGs (be sure to use ACIS solids in export), use these DWG as mock-up and recreate them in DGN using Feature Solids. that's the best what you can get. and easiest as well. Feature solids allow you to change parameters and then you can have parametric cells

    forget about BIM in this case, you would just loose your time

    p.

    /pt

  • And if you have conveyer belts and such > have a look at Linestyles - they can be 3d!!

    regards / Thomas Voghera

  • Hi HJM,

    I hear that Revit's API is being exposed more and more these days. Soon, we may get a 3rd party exporter that preserves Revit's parametric 'intelligence'. Maybe when AD's version of GC ships, there will then enough pressure to provide a translator that can convert Revit's 'context sensitive' parametrics into GC style scripts which would hopefully be intrinsically easier to read.

    If 'dumb' translations are enough, you may like to explore using the lightweight JT format, using Inventor as a go between. I think there is some functionality for LOD control in Inventor that is essential to have for a lot of MCAD components, that would come in way too detailed and unusable otherwise.

    IFC: I suppose if the Revit components are described by IFC, a 'closest equivalent' parametric component could be rebuilt in BA using the appropriate tools, with a bit of automation help from Bentley. Doors for example could probably work fairly well this way?

    Anyways: I am glad that you are looking at this. Hopefully, Bentley could jump in and help, and in the process, get some 'advance' experience of dealing with parametrics as the 'rest of the market' understands it.

    Regards

    Dominic

  • Is there a reason you can't use the dwg files directly and just reference them?

    • My intent was to have them accessible  through the DataGroup catalog so I could add definitions. Which the way I understand it (which i may              be wrong, its been know to happen), would allow them to be schedulable?
    • The information the “families” have in them include manufactures, model, price, size, instillation information, etc….  I was hoping to add that info back in with definitions so it could be scheduled.

    Do you really need "parametric" post creation?

    •  For some Yes, for some it is not as necessary. Allot of them are one-offs, but If I have a Crane that is the same manufacture model, but may has length variances. I would rather Not have 5 different cells when 1 would do if I could change the length.

     

    Bentley has done a GREAT job at accommodating Autodesk/Revit formats, especially concerning the limited API access. Taking the initiative with the IModel format and such. Autodesk still will only export to the 10yr old  MSJ format from Revit. It would be nice if Autodesk would play nice and upgrade their export as well. I know as/when Autodesk releases more API access, Bentley will jump on it.

     

    So far…  I have spent a couple days looking at and playing with Frame Builder, then spent a week on PCStudio. Neither of which did what they were stating they could do in there literature “Frame Builder tool is the most powerful of the parametric modeling tools“…. My current realization is that I will probably need to just make them as Compound cells, and more than likely all one-offs. I will look into Dimension Driver Design and Feature Modeling though, hadn’t thought trying Inventor…. I have had mixed results when using IFC and other formats. My best results so far for getting the content translated (at least as a mass so I don’t have to rebuild it) is to go from RVT to DWG to DGN. Microstation then makes the content into Cells when the DWG is opened and saved as a DGN.

     

    Couldn’t help but notice, a lot of your replies are at 4:30 and 5:30am, in the morning, on the weekend…. Good Heavens people…. I’m still in bed at that time on the weekend. What are you doing up that early! :-)

     

    Thank you for all your advice,

    HJM