The physical file “” does not exist in the catalog directory

Hi all,

Whenever I create a new symbol and try to place it down, the following message pops up – “The physical file “” does not exist in the catalog directory.” I have checked the project setup and everything is pointing to where it should be. I’m working out of my local database so the system paths and catalog paths are pointing to C:\ProgramData\Bentley\Promise V8i\Program Data\. Please note that I am creating symbols from scratch (not importing graphics from autoCAD or anything like that). 

Are there any solutions? I’m happy to give for info if needed.

Thanks,

John

  • Hi John, it sounds like the DGN file for the symbol is not getting saved into the catalog folder. Please take a look at the Error - Physical file does not exist, Insert Symbol article and let us know if it helps.



  • Hi Matt,

    It is correct that the DGN file for the symbol is not being saved there even though the system path and catalog path are pointing to C:\ProgramData\Bentley\Promise V8i\Program Data\. The existing symbols in my catalog are all DGN files and I am using Promise Microstation. 

    When I create a new symbol from scratch, the DGN file of the symbol is not being create in the catalog Symbols folder. But I can still search it up in the catalog manager. When I Rebuild the catalog, it just deletes the new symbol I created in the catalog.

    One another note - After reading the article you linked the issue might be because we originally used Promise Autocad version, backed the project up, then restored it in a Promise Microstation because we wanted to use Microstation version instead. However I was still able to create symbols up until yesterday. The only think I can think of that caused this issue is when I updated the seed file (I copied a default IEC seed file and added some more levels, I didnt delete or change any default levels). Surely this can't be the issue?

    Thanks Matt

  • John, right, it seems unlikely that the problem would be the seed file(s) based on what you did. But it's easy enough to test by replacing the seed files in your data folder with the out-of-the-box ones available in the Data folder archive.

    If that doesn't help, can you manually create a file of any kind in the Symbols subfolder of your catalog folder?



  • I've replaced the seed file with the default IEC seed file and still have the issue. I also tried copying the whole project and still no luck. For some reason the symbol DGN files are not being saved when creating symbols in this project.

    However we have found a workaround. We created a new project from scratch (using our custom project settings and seed file) and copied over the drawings from our old project (with maintaining the complete tags). Essentially we have the same project, but now we are able to create symbols, and the symbol DGN files are being created in the catalog folder.

    This might be a quick workaround if anyone else has the same issues.

    Thanks Matt