We would like customize seed files to better suit our projects, but when we open the \seed sub-folder within any of the delivered datasets we see there are many files, primarily divided into three categories:
1. We understand that DesignSeed.dgn is the template to create Design Models, so to customize we can change view attributes and other attributes, correct? We also assume that variations such as DesignSeed_Structural.dgn are intended for that specific discipline?
2. DrawingSeed.dgn is the template to create Drawing Models, which can be customized similar to DesignSeed.dgn, correct? If so, is DrawingSeed_DEM.dgn another variation of DrawingSeed.dgn seed that can be used in a similar fashion?
3. SheetSeed.dgn is the template to create Sheet Models, and as with the above can be customized as needed? There are three basic variations; SheetSeed_ANSI.dgn, SheetSeed_ARCH.dgn and SheetSeed_ISO.dgn, which we assume are based on SheetSeed.dgn with respective borders attached and different formats.
If the above is accurate, what is Design_and_Sheets_Seed.dgn? We see that it contains different Design and Sheet models but its purpose is not clear.
In general, yes, a DesignSeed is simply the "template" used when creating a new DGN file/Model of that type. Each seed file may contain any number of properties or attributes that can be customized as needed. For example, the Structural seed files include a few predefined View Groups with specific levels turned on and off.
For DrawingSeeds, the generically named "DrawingSeed" is the template used for Drawing Models and contains a single Model of that type. On the other hand, the _DEM.dgn variations contain a single 3D Model and are used as seed files for Drawing Extraction Manager, the predecessor to Dynamic Views.
For SheetSeeds, yes, the plain "SheetSeed.dgn" typically includes Models only for new Sheet Model/File creation, while the ISO and ANSI variations also have borders referenced in by default.
Lastly, the "Design_and_Sheets_Seed.dgn" is only included with a few specific datasets as a requirement for those regions. It is a combination of Design and Sheet Models, used as a template for cases where you know in advance that the resulting DGN file requires both Model types within a single container vs. separate DGN files.