Import SHP Onto Level by Attribute

Question

Greetings, 
 
 Is there a way when importing a polygon SHP file to have features end up on specific levels in the DGN? ie. a parcel shapefile with an attribute named Use is imported into a DGN; "Residential" parcels end up on a Residential level; "Commercial" parcels end up on a Commercial level, etc. 
 I can use the Where Clause in the Interoperability dialogue and adjust the level each time. I was looking for something more automated. 
 (Bentley Map SS4 08.11.09.666) 
 Thanks in advance, 
 
 Clayton

Inga Morozoff · Answer

You can set up PBS (Property Based Symbology ) in your schema to drive the symbology and levels used when importing from SHP.

EastCity_XFM_Lots_PBS.xml

Sebastien Lefrancois · Answer

Hi Brian, several possibilities. 
 You can use mapped name as described by Inga above to import the shapefiles into DGN. 
 You can use the same mapped but by connecting directly to ArcGIS Feature Server. 
 If you do not want to play with schema from GSA, and depending on your needs, you can use symbology to display each municipality based on GNIS_NAME. 
 Finally, you can combine all of them. Here I queried NJ municipalities from Feature Server, define symbology by using GNIS_NAME value and adding Bing Maps as background. 
 I hope that helps. 
 Sebastien 
 NJMun.dgn

Sebastien Lefrancois · Answer

Hi Brian, well, you will need to edit those level names. You can update level name by mapping with .csv file from save as dialog. You will need to update too long level name first with powerful spreadsheet application. Then use that new list in .csv file to map with existing level name and save as new DGN file. New DGN and geometries will have more appropriate level name as expected. In the same time, only in Map, you have XFM tab allow you to "Remove Map specific data". This is useful to save Map specific data to simple design file. I see you created a new forum post. I hope someone will bring a more satisfying and useful solution on that post. I wish you the best on your project. Regards, Sebastien