BRCM - Automatically Assign Raceway IDs to Microstation Levels

I would like to automatically assign Raceway ID to the Microstation level (layer). Is there any way to do this?

  • No, I don't believe this is possible. May I as why you would like to do this? Wouldn't you end up with very many levels?



  • We use Autodesk Navisworks Freedom to visualize our projects in 3D (from DWG & DGN files).  One of the features of Navisworks is the ability to see some properties of an object (ex.: cable tray) when you drag the mouse over it. The layer (level) is one of the properties we use.  The object ID (name) is not a property available.  As you said, we ended up with many levels but contractors in the construction phase are able to identify the name of the equipments just by looking the 3D model.

      

  • Bentley's approach to this would be to export i-models and have the contractors view them in Bentley Navigator. You can see the raceway ID along with other details about the raceway in Navigator. There is also a relationship between cables and raceways containing the cables in the i-model.

    I read on the internet that there was an enhancement request for Navisworks to support i-models, but I don't know if that has been implemented.

    I could submit an enhancement request for BRCM on your behalf, but it would not likely get implemented soon. It may be possible to perform some post-processing with a custom plug-in to do what you want, and if so, Bentley Professional Services could provide a proposal to do this for you. Let me know if you are interested in either.



  • Thanks Matt_P for your answer.  We have tried to use Bentley Navigator in the past but there was a bug loading AutoPLANT files from ProjectWise Explorer.  References of references (nested references) were loaded without ending (like an infinite loop). And it seems that there is no new update of the Navigator client since 2015.  We would probably need to migrate to the Connect Edition... I think we are not ready to do that yet.

    If you could submit an enhancement request for BRCM, as you suggest, on my behalf, I would greatly appreciate.  Also if Bentley Professional Services could provide us a proposal for a custum plug-in, that could be another interesting option for us.

    I've tried opening an i.dgn file with Navigator and has you said, the raceway ID is available along other details about the raceway. It's a nice feature.

  • Patrick, I've submitted this as enhancement request TFS 766943, but since Bentley Navigator is our solution for this, you may have an alternate solution sooner via Bentley Professional services. Someone from that group should be contacting you soon.



    Answer Verified By: Patrick Loiselle