Floor Manager

Can anyone point me to an idiots guide to setting up the floor master in AECOsim?  I have read the help file and still can't figure it out.  I can't figure out where to copy, rename, or whatever the pcf file (or whatever else I need to do) so each project uses a different floor master.  I always end up having the same floor setup for each project.  I can use the program without the floor master, but I would like to figure out how to use it.  I thought I had it figured out in the provious version. Thanks.

  • The configuration variable BB_FLOORMASTER_DGN determines the location of the BB_FloorMaster.dgnlib file.  By default it's set at the application level; i.e., BuildingDesigner.cfg, but can be overriden in the respective Project_Name.pcf file - the PCF files actually include the variable commented out, you could point it where needed and remove the "#".



  • Hope this information isn’t too basic for you, but let’s see if we can get you pointed in the right direction.

    The .PCF files are the Project Configuration Files used by AECOsim BD and are part of the “workspace configuration”. Over in the Ask Inga Community there are various wikis about MicroStation workspace configuration, some of the information has been out there awhile but still valid and it is a good place to get some basics on MicroStation workspace configuration. AECOsim BD adds a whole other set of configuration files to the workspace.

    http://communities.bentley.com/communities/other_communities/askinga/w/askinga/workspaces-configuration.aspx

     The out-of-the-box installation of AECOsim BD’s workspace is all local. Where the files are depends on your operating system, choices made when installing and so forth. Depending on your company/organization/office's needs, the workspace is typically set up on a network, maybe managed through ProjectWise and so forth.

    So, using my out-of-the-box install on my Windows 7 operating system as the example, here’s where the .PCF files are located:

    C:\ProgramData\Bentley\AECOsimBuildingDesigner V8i\WorkSpace\Projects\BuildingExamples\

    Delivered with AECOsim BD V8i SS3 is the sample project: Building Sample US, and the template project: Building Designer US Empty Template Project.

    A .PCF file named BuildingSample_US.pcf is in the …\WorkSpace\Projects\BuildingExamples\ folder.

    When I run AECOsim BD I choose the project from the File Open menu, this list of projects is generated from the .PCF files that are in the …\Workspace\Projects\BuildingExamples\ folder.

    Opening the BuildingSample_US.pcf with a text editor you will find a section that specifies “Bentley Building-specific variables” that starts on line 89, in that section is the BB_FLOORMASTER_DGN configuration variable that Steve talks about.  It reads like this:

    # BB_FLOORMASTER_DGN: Sets the name and location of the Project's Floor Manager file

    BB_FLOORMASTER_DGN            = $(PROJ_DATASET)dgnlib/BB_FloorMaster.dgnlib

    The variable, PROJ_DATASET, is used here with the equal sign, dollar sign and parenthesis syntax to cascade the path from variables that have been defined previously. In the BuildingSample_US.pcf file, on line 24, the configuration variable PROJ_DATASET reads like this:

    # Establish the location of the project dataset                                                                                     

    PROJ_DATASET               = $(_USTN_PROJECTDATA)support/dataset/

    So my BuildingSample_US project’s floor manager file is the DGN library file, BB_FloorMaster.dgnlib, located in this folder:

    C:\ProgramData\Bentley\AECOsimBuildingDesigner V8i\WorkSpace\Projects\BuildingExamples\BuildingSample_US\support\dataset\dgnlib\

    In my example case, each project would need to have the …\support\dataset\dgnlib\BB_FloorMaster.dgnlib folder structure and file present, enabling me to have a specific floor manager file for each project.

    One thing to do to find out which .PCF file is in use when you are in AECOsim BD is to go to the Configuration pull-down menu and select About Workspace. This will show you what user configuration, project configuration, etc. AECOsim BD is using.

     

    If you can post how you have the workspace set up we might be able to give specific things to look at and get your project’s floor manager files good to go.



  • Thanks for taking the time to write a response.  I think your post helped me solve my problem (haven't had the chance to test it yet).  I teach at a college and we use AECOsim as a design/rendering/documentation tool - not for full production.  I am still figuring out the best/easiest way for students to set up projects on their laptops.  

  • Great! Here are some recommendations that present a quick project set-up that each student can do on their laptops. Again this is using the out-of the-box workspace. I’m running AECOsim BD V8i (SELECT series 3) – 08.11.09.225 in Windows 7.

    The students can create their own projects in the workspace folder structure. Open Windows Explorer and browse to the …\Workspace\Projects\BuildingExamples\ folder located here: C:\ProgramData\Bentley\AECOsimBuildingDesigner V8i\WorkSpace\Projects\BuildingExamples\

    This folder is where project folders reside. Delivered with AECOsim BD are two projects: BuildingSample_US and BuildingTemplate_US. The BuildingSample_US project is an example using a retail/office/condo building design with a high rise and a low rise example.  It contains models, drawings, etc. The BuildingTemplate_US is an empty project that can be used to create new projects. There are no models, drawings, etc. in the template project folders. The corresponding .PCF files are also located in the …\Workspace\Projects\BuildingExamples\ folder.

    In my screen capture you’ll see an additional folder and .PCF named Enterprise. This is a project I created.

    The students can create their own project by selecting the BuildingTemplate_US folder and copying it into the same folder, and then rename it as needed. In my example I’m naming it My_Project.

    The next step is to copy the BuildingTemplate_US.pcf file into the same folder and rename it to match the name of the project folder: My_Project.pcf.

    Now each student has their own project on their local machine. The key here is that the name of the project folder and the name of the .PCF file be exactly the same.

    When they run AECOsim BD they can choose their project from the Project list and the File Open dialog box will set them to the designs folder for their project.

    They can now create new files for their project. The template project is set-up with various folders to support a building design workflow, e.g., designs, drawings, extractions, sheets, and support files for the specific project in the support folder, e.g., …\support\dataset\dgnlib\BB_FloorMaster.dgnlib.

    This gets us back to your original post!

    Keep in mind companies/organizations/offices typically have a networked workspace and a folder structure according to their standards, etc.

    This should get your students going on their own projects.



  • I don't have the buildingsample_us.pcf file. How can I get it?