[BM CE U1] WFS still disfunctional :-(

Hi,

I reported this issue several years ago, but it seems - despite of it's about INSPIRE - nothing has changed so far.

Problem description

When trying to access WFS servers operated by State Administration of Land Surveying and Cadastre as official INSPIRE data source (EU legislative), both connect to WFS server and import do not work.

There are two different issues, but I guess they are caused by the same problem in WFS implementation.

Workflow 1

  1. Open Map Import/Export dialog
  2. Use e.g. http://services.cuzk.cz/wfs/inspire-CP-wfs.asp?service=WFS&request=getCapabilities
  3. Try to run import. The error message is displayed.

Exception: 
Logical operators are not supported by this WFS server
System.NotSupportedException: Logical operators are not supported by this WFS server
   at Bentley.EngineeringContent.Storage.Wfs.Query.WfsFilterDefinition.StartGroup(ECCombinationOperations operation)
   at Bentley.EngineeringContent.Storage.Wfs.Operations.WfsFilteredOperation`1.ParseQueryFilterGroup(WfsFilterDefinition filterDefinition, ECQueryFilterGroup filterGroup)
   at Bentley.EngineeringContent.Storage.Wfs.Operations.WfsFilteredOperation`1.AddFiltering(WfsProxy wfsProxy, ECQueryFilterGroup filterGroup, String featureClassName)
   at Bentley.EngineeringContent.Storage.Wfs.Operations.WfsFilteredOperation`1.GetRequest(WfsProxy wfsProxy, String serviceUrl)
   at Bentley.EngineeringContent.Storage.Wfs.Connection.WfsProxy.ExecuteOperation[ReturnType](WfsOperation`1 wfsOperation, ExecutionController executionController)
   at Bentley.EngineeringContent.Storage.Wfs.Query.WfsStorageQueryExecutor.RetrieveDatasets(IEnumerable`1 featureRequests, WfsProxy wfsProxy, ECCursorModifiers cursorModifiers, ExecutionController executionController)
   at Bentley.EngineeringContent.Storage.Wfs.Query.WfsStorageQueryExecutor.ExecuteGetFeatureOperation(IEnumerable`1 featureRequests, WfsStorageConnectionContext connectionContext, ECCursorModifiers cursorModifiers, ExecutionController executionController)
   at Bentley.EngineeringContent.Storage.Wfs.WfsStorage.ExecuteQuery(IECCriteria criteria, ECCursorModifiers modifiers, IExtendedParameters extendedParameters)
   at Bentley.Geospatial.DataInterchange.GDIImportProcessor.ImportStorageImport(IImportCriteria criteria, IStorageImportCriteria storageImport, Boolean cancellable)
   at Bentley.Geospatial.DataInterchange.GDIImportProcessor.Import(IImportCriteria importCrit, IStorageImportCriteria singleStorage)

Despite of the message is forumalted in a way "it's the problem of the server, because it does not support...", the problem is in Bentley Map. All other competitors (both big ones and local solutions developers) support ČUZK servers (not only INSPIRE) for years without any problem.

Workflow 2

  1. Open Map Import/Export dialog
  2. Use e.g. http://services.cuzk.cz/wfs/inspire-AD-wfs.asp?service=WFS&request=getCapabilities
  3. No features are displayed to be selected and imported.

A note about testing workflows

To work in a proper place, you can use the attached xwms file with parcels. Attach it to plain 2D model, no GCS is required (it's published in XY meters) and zoom to view where only a few parcels will be displayed. It ensures the server will not reject the request because too many features are queried at once.

A note about error messages

Sometimes they are confusing, e.g. when the same data sources are attached (not imported), the only message is error "No arguments supplied" in Message Center. Workflow 2 does not generate any error message or even simple information what is happening. Very confusing... :-(

With regards,

  Jan

cuzk-kn.zip

Parents
  • Hi Jan. You are absolutely right, these issues are still present and we're sorry about that. It seems there are two separate issues here. The first one with http://services.cuzk.cz/wfs/inspire-CP-wfs.asp is a problem with the query by View operation in Bentley Map. I've looked at the GetCapabilities response for that server and it indicates it does not support full spatial filters but it does support a minimum BBOX type filter. It seems our implementation of WFS prefers to go through a full filter and does not make use of the BBOX type filter. I believe we should be using the BBOX filter in that case. It is possible to do a full query (All) on that server but I understand that is a poor workaround. 

    The second issue is with http://services.cuzk.cz/wfs/inspire-AD-wfs.asp where Bentley Map does not recognize any features in the schema. It seems we had a similar issue with other inspire services of that server (au and cp) and those are now working but this one is still not working properly. 

    We will prioritize both of these issues for the next Bentley Map CONNECT Update. Thanks for reporting them.

       Martin

      

  • Hi Martin,

    thanks for your comment.

    It is possible to do a full query (All) on that server but I understand that is a poor workaround. 

    I guess it will not work at this case, because ČUZK limits queries for INSPIRE WFS services, both in terms of area and number of returned features. It makes sense, even though INSPIRE RUIAN data (RUIAN is an acronym for "registry of spatial identification..") is simplified comparing to original Czech cadastre data, it's still about online publishing of tens of million of features. To limit data per query is probably the only way how to keep the services operational ;-)

    It seems we had a similar issue with other inspire services of that server (au and cp) and those are now working but this one is still not working properly.

    Does make it sense to contact you with people inside ČUZK, responsible for data management and services?

    We will prioritize both of these issues for the next Bentley Map CONNECT Update.

    Thanks ... it would be nice, despite of it's too late for some my customers. My problem is that when RUIAN was started in 2012, everybody else were prepared and after first year, when both services and clients were debugged and tuned, all, from free QGIS through local developers to big players as Autodesk and ESRI, have offered documented tools and workflows. Bentley, without functional INSPIRE support (which is not about RUIAN only, but cadastre and spatial identification is the basis), not talking about zero support for local standards and formats, have left business step by step. Right now I  guess I know only one company using BM as GIS solutions, for others it's great drawing tool with limited spatial functionality :-(

    With regards,

      Jan

  • Hi Martin,

    I was successful in querying using the "all" mode but I did stop before reaching the end. I was just trying to fetch some instances from the server for testing. 

    I don't remember limits exactly, but I guess it's something like 2 x 2 km and 1000 features returned (and is checked what limit is reached first).

    To find a proper area to test the service, I recommend to use xwms I attached to my original post and to zoom to such level, where only a few parcels are displayed.

    Be aware our cadastral coordinates are tricky a bit:

    To use the services in CAD, EPSG 102067 (obsolete, not supported officialy now) or EPSG 5514 have to be used. They swap coordinates from JTSK GCS to CAD style in a way X(CAD) = -Y(JTSK); Y(CAD) = -X(JTSK). It's the reason why using xwms you can see coordinates like -737332.447m, -1045516.589m, but in fact they are 1 045 516.589 m, 737 332.447 m for surveyors.

    Fortunately EPSG 5514 is default for WFS services, so coordinates are transformed to "human / CAD friendly" format automatically ;-)

    With regards,

      Jan

  • bump

    It's 1.5 year later, we have Update 4 for few month already, but WFS still does not work for the most important geospatial source of data in Czech Republic.

    What has been a task of few intuitive clicks under a minute for years in competitive products, it's blocking issue for Bentley.

    I know Czech Republic is tiny country, one from many, in strange and weird market called Europe, but guys, even open-source products developed by volunteers are far ahead of you.

    Regards,

      Jan

  • Hi Jan. I believe the some of the issues we discussed 1.5 years ago are now fixed and delivered in Update 4. However there might still be issues remaining. We are currently reviewing all the information we have on these Czech servers and our known defects and fixes and we will respond here as soon as we've reviewed everything. Thanks.

      

  • Hi Martin,

    thanks for your answer.

    I am not at home this week, but I had a few minutes to check the discussed issue again.

    And frankly, I am still quite disappointed, because whereas i was able to attach to INSPIRE themes quickly and nearly drag-and-drop style in QGIS, in Bentley Map 10.04.00.42 the most of sources do not work and the overall process is more user aggressive (an opposite to user-friendly) and not intuitive:

    Theme Parcely: It's the only theme I found it works (but I have not tested all themes). But even this one starts with Error icon in Status bar and message No arguments supplied. Without an accidental clicking on Query feature, I even do not realize it works! :-(
    In QGIS: Define the data source, connect, check parameters, add, data are displayed.

    Theme Adresy: Does not work, but there is not any information why available.
    In QGIS, because the theme is published as set of attributes only features, it is displayed a list of available tables and it can be selected, what should be connected.

    Theme Budovy: Does not work and dialog Exception: The Geometrytype 'AbstractGeometricPrimitiveType' is not supported is displayed.
    In QGIS, it works fine in the same way as theme Adresy.

    Summary: One from three, and even for working the error icon is displayed during the process.

    Regards,

      Jan

  • Thanks again for the feedback Jan. I've had a developer check out WFS fix history as well as test these servers again. We had done some fixes in Update 4 and we have made a few more fixes that will be available in Update 5. We hope these will help. There might still be issues in some situations.

    We would like to have a call with you to get a better understanding of your needs and make sure we address them properly. If you agree, just get back to me in a private message and we will find a moment that suits you. Thanks!

      

Reply
  • Thanks again for the feedback Jan. I've had a developer check out WFS fix history as well as test these servers again. We had done some fixes in Update 4 and we have made a few more fixes that will be available in Update 5. We hope these will help. There might still be issues in some situations.

    We would like to have a call with you to get a better understanding of your needs and make sure we address them properly. If you agree, just get back to me in a private message and we will find a moment that suits you. Thanks!

      

Children
  • Hi Martin,

    sorry for the delay in my reaction, still busy ;-)

    The release of Update 5 (it's a shame there is not single announcement) motivated me to refresh opened discussions.

    We hope these will help. There might still be issues in some situations.

    I hope so, but honestly, it's too late and too slow development. INSPIRE is a topic for last about 15 years in EU (!), so all my customers who use these data more frequently, move already away from Bentley platform or have implemented an extra step to collect necessary data and to transform them to format supported by Bentley.

    We would like to have a call with you to get a better understanding of your needs and make sure we address them properly

    I appreciate your offer, maybe there will a reason to arrange it in future ;-)

    My needs (or better to say of my customers) are simple, just check how e.g. ArcGIS or QGIS work:

    • Simply drag and drop data sources (more, not only one!) to the project.
    • No complicated alternatives connection / import+export / XFM project done in GSA, more complicated with stream on/off option.
    • Flexibility (not locked elements as discussed in another thread).
    • Support for WFS without geometries.
    • Please, not weird confusing messages "No arguments supplied", always displayed in Message Center, that make users crazy with feeling something does not work.
    • When something goes wrong, any more descriptive what happened (in users' terminology, not just displayed Exception or general weird message) should be displayed.

    With regards,

      Jan