When I've docked the Properties dialog it may not display after I open a DGN file in OpenBuildings Designer. Instead, the application just keeps loading and blocks any other action. After waiting at least several minutes the Properties dialog sometimes appears, and other times OpenBuildings Designer will just hang. How can I resolve this?
It is possible that location and/or the contents of the local schema mapping file is an issue. This file maps OpenBuildings Designer's native DataGroup schema data to MicroStation EC schema so that the Properties dialog (a MicroStation tool) can display these properties. Normally you can check the configuration variable BB_DG_ECSCHEMA_CACHE to see whether it is defined, and if so, where it is pointing. The default location is ..\WorkSpaces\Building_Examples\worksets\BuildingTemplate_Name\Standards\Setting\BuildingDataGroup.01.00.ecschema.xml.
However, if you've docked the MicroStation Properties dialog and OpenBuildings Designer is hanging, it may difficult or impossible to check the variable. So in this case you will want to launch OpenBuildings Designer and immediately create a new empty file which should allow the product to open. After OpenBuildings Designer is open, you can check where the variable is pointing, and then if needed rename the existing file in that location so OpenBuildings Designer will create a new version.
Once this is complete you can re-dock the Properties dialog box, Save Settings, and exit OpenBuildings Designer.
For good measure you can also try remaning your Preferences folder as outlined in this wiki:
Improving DataGroup System load time when using MicroStation tools
AECOsim Building Designer - BB_DG_ECSCHEMA_CACHE
OBD unresponsive after launching Properties dialog box