I have a shapefile that contains some features I'd like to map to point-cell XFM features, and other features that I'd like to map to point-text FM features (so I can use PBA). I would really rather not create two separate XFM features, which would necessitate loading this file twice through the Interoperability Dialog. (One thing I'm afraid of is creating two instances of the features if the file is loaded twice.) Any way I can create a single XFM feature to handle this file? Thanks!
Janice,
If all feature instances are to come from your single SHP file, you could create 2 attachments in the Interoperability application and use different attribute filters to identify one set of features for your point-cell instances, and another attribute filter for the point-text instances. As long as the result sets for the 2 different attribute filters do not overlap there should be no risk of duplicate instances. I would also recommend that you setup the 2 connections to the SHP file, add all of your settings then save as an .impx file in the Interoperability application. You can then "Open..." the saved .impx file or even attach as a reference file.
Regards,
Jeff Bielefeld [Bentley]
What I'm hearing is that the answer is "no" - I can't create a single XFM feature for both point-cell and point-text features. Really? I'm surprised there's no way to hack around this.
Jeff, I'll try that approach, but will need some further coaching on how to use the "Where Clause" (I couldn't find anything in the Help files). Can you point me in the right direction?
Unfortunately, saving as an .impx file won't help us, as this isn't just one file that we keep re-loading - rather a workflow that we're trying to establish for how to handle this type of file (we receive lots of them). Thanks.
The answer may not necessarily be "no" as there are often different ways to achieve the desired result using Bentley Map and XFM data modeling. If you could send me a private message with sample SHP file, XFM schema and design file representing what you wish to achieve, I will gladly review to find the most appropriate solution.
Jeff - glad to hear, thanks. The .zip archive is 17 MB - do you have an FTP site I can upload to?
Yes, please use these instructions for posting files to our FTP site and then send me a note with archive filename etc...
In an effort to broaden the communities knowledge of the Property Based Annotation capabilities available in Bentley Map, I've posted a new "Using Property Based Annotation (PBA) Replacement Text During Interoperability Imports" wiki article which provides one solution for this particular use case.
A special thanks goes out to Janice who graciously provided the sample data depicted in that article.