The "special" Bentley Map elements, Are they fully supported in next generation of Microstation?

We don't think we are going to be able to push the update on time in the next Microstation generation release, the first one at least. However, we get more and more request similar to this, so it's now kind of; on top of our to-do list for us. For now, unfortunately, there is not much we could add.

I'm going to prepare a new wiki entry related to this and will paste the link here. It will basically explain why we did this. There was pretty good reason behind this, which is basically, linked to Bentley Map data integrity.

Hope it clarifies a little

Regards

Hi Sebastien
All changes that makes BM data compatible with plain Microstation is welcome, but should have been done already!

This issue contains even XFM attributes that can´t be read anywhere else that in BM. Is there going to be changes in this matter also so the XFM is changed to the same attribut standard as next generation of Microstation is using??
I am hoping to use MS Items (with BM attributes) instead of XFM Features "locked" attributes.

//Tom

Hi Tom,

On the fact that XFM attributes cannot be read by plain MicroStation, I can certainly see where you come from. The reason is that Bentley Map XFM engine was created before MicroStation was enriched with such capability to deal with Features and properties.


Most of our industry specific products have their own mechanism to deal with their concept of features and their industry specific needs (think at Map Manger as well as collections in Map case). This applies to our Building and CIvil products for example. A way to make that intelligence accessible to Vanilla MicroStation is to export those files to I-models.

The next generation of Bentley Map will still rely on XFM engine and we do not plan any significant change in the file format of Bentley Map. This said we are working on other ideas to make Bentley Map XFM features analysis and review richer in MicroStation. (less locked)

I don't understand well what you mean by "MS items".

Maybe it would be more efficient to have a call to review the workflows you have in mind and that are impacted by this limitation.


Please contact me by email (benoit.fredericque@bentley.com) and we'll set a meeting to review them.

Regards
Ben

Hi Tom,

On the fact that XFM attributes cannot be read by plain MicroStation, I can certainly see where you come from. The reason is that Bentley Map XFM engine was created before MicroStation was enriched with such capability to deal with Features and properties.


Most of our industry specific products have their own mechanism to deal with their concept of features and their industry specific needs (think at Map Manger as well as collections in Map case). This applies to our Building and CIvil products for example. A way to make that intelligence accessible to Vanilla MicroStation is to export those files to I-models.

The next generation of Bentley Map will still rely on XFM engine and we do not plan any significant change in the file format of Bentley Map. This said we are working on other ideas to make Bentley Map XFM features analysis and review richer in MicroStation. (less locked)

I don't understand well what you mean by "MS items".

Maybe it would be more efficient to have a call to review the workflows you have in mind and that are impacted by this limitation.


Please contact me by email (benoit.fredericque@bentley.com) and we'll set a meeting to review them.

Regards
Ben

Hi Ben

I´ll send you an email as soon I have time to. Have to finnish my current projects first.

I don't understand well what you mean by "MS items".

Found this explanation by Jon Summers on communities:

Item Types

Item Types, new to MicroStation V8.21, are meta data that define data types. In other words, a schema. Item Types  are not graphic elements; rather, they represent a MicroStation capability for storing structured alpha-numeric data (what Bentley Systems term 'business data').

• Item Types  define data, not graphics
• A graphic element can be associated with Item Type  data
  • MicroStation V8.21 provides tools to enable a user to make that association
• A text field can link to Item Type  data
  • Elements that can include  … can display item data
  • Text elements, labels and notes can display Item Type  data
• Item Types  are the data source for Reports, new to MicroStation V8.21
  • Reports are the precursor for Tables, also new to MicroStation V8.21

http://communities.bentley.com/products/betas/microstation_early_access_program/f/343352/t/100088

//Tom

Hi Ben 

Now 4 years gone and my question still reminds. Are there or is there going to be any changes in this issue?

//Tom

Hi Tom,

Lillhannus said:

Are there or is there going to be any changes in this issue?

as Ben wrote 4 years ago and as Bentley Map CONNECT Edition was implemented, there is no change in used data structures, so there are still XFM objects with metadata defined in external configuration created by Geospatial Administrator. Consequently it means the situation has not changed.

Your original question was about "full support in MicroStation", which I don't understand. What does it mean the full support when not original (authoring) application is not available and also not project metadata can be accessed?

As far I as I know the situation is the same with Bentley Map CE and AECOsim BD CE (not sure about OpenRoads Designer): When the file is opened in a plain MicroStation, only geometry is available and the object properties are hidden. The difference between BM and ABD is that BM locks its elements, so they cannot be corrupted in MicroStation.

Regards,

  Jan