Place Custom Compound Cell Using The "Place User Defined" Tool


	Applies To

	Product(s):	AECOsim Building Designer
	Version(s):	08.11.09.747
	Environment:	N\A
	Area:	Essentials
	Subarea:	N\A
	Original Author:	Gerard Torres, Bentley Technical Support Group

Problem Description

Is there a way to place compound cells created by the user with the "Place User Defined" Tool?

Steps to Resolve:

If you are not familiar with the DataGroup System subject I suggest to take a moment and research the Help menu before applying the workflow bellow:

- DataGroup System properties can be assigned to any element. To add intelligence to Compound Cells, you can place these cells through the "Place User Defined Defined" toolbox. This toolbox is used because it is already setup to include all the DataGroup System Properties; whereas, the Place Compound Cell toolbox does not have the space in it for all the additional properties needed to add to the cell. The only other toolboxes that use the DataGroup System are Place Door and Place Window.

Here are steps on how to add these Compound Cell.bxc files to the DataGroup System:

1. Create the Compound Cells in the Compound Cell Manager.

2. Next, decide whether or not to use the existing delivered .xsd and .xml DataGroup System files for the new cells or create new definition files with new properties. This is done through Start > All Programs and selecting the DataGroup Definition Editor within the Building Tools > Datagroup menus. Select the Workspace and Project before the DataGroup Definition Editor will open. This step is not needed if you will be using an existing DataGroup Definition file.

3. From within a design file, open the DataGroup Catalog Editor and select "Insert Catalog Type". Rename the new catalog type with a desired name.

4. Right click on the new type and select the us_ncs_door.xsd and Paradef.xsd definitions, one at a time. The us_ncs_door.xsd already has the existing door properties defined in it and the Paradef.xsd is needed to be able to use the "Place User Defined Type" toolbox.

5. Click the cube icon "Show Catalog Items" at the top of the DataGroup Catalog Editor and select "Insert Catalog Item" to enter each door name that exists in the A&E Compound Cell Manager with the us_ncs_door.xml as the destination file or you can create a new DataGroup destination file from within the Attach Definition dialog box. You should get all of the properties of the existing doors in the datagroup system except that you will not be able to place them parametrically or change their size since they were create as Compound Cells.

6. After all the new cell names are entered under the new Catalog Type, enter the "Parametric Type" as "bxc" and the actual Compound Cell "Parametric File" name for each Compound Cell.

7. Save the DataGroup Catalog Editor after all the cells are entered.

8. Select the "Refresh DataGroup System" tool.

9. Open the "Place User Defined Type" toolbox for placement and select the "Refresh Library" icon in the upper left and the "Instance Data Type" from the pulldown list.

10. All of the new Compound Cells should now display in the pulldown list and be ready for placement.