Unexpected, automatic updating of model when working on the MicroStation integrated platform for OpenFlows Products

Product(s): WaterGEMS, WaterCAD, HAMMER, SewerGEMS, SewerCAD, StormCAD, CivilStorm, PondPack
Version(s): 08.11.XX.XX, 10.XX.XX.XX
Area: Modeling

Problem

If a hydraulic model's associated DGN (MicroStation) file is copied to another location, changes made to model elements in that copy are still reflecting in the original hydraulic model file.

Background

This unexpected, automatic updating of the model file (when editing the DGN copy) occurs because the link between the DGN and the hydraulic model is still maintained. Meaning, both copies of the DGN file are still linked to the same hydraulic model, even though they may be in different folders.


When saving a project in the MicroStation integrated environment, the main drawing file is a .DGN, which is linked to the hydraulic model (.STSW and .SQLITE for storm/sewer, .WTG and .SQLITE for Water/HAMMER or .PPC and .MDB for PondPack V8i). So, the hydraulic model does not reside inside the DGN and hence when copying the DGN, it still references the original hydraulic model files.

Solution

The best solution to avoid this confusion is to work with Scenarios and Alternatives. Once the original model is created, keep it in a separate Scenario and then work on it in a different Scenario without affecting the original model. There can be multiple Scenarios to model and simulate different options all within the same model. The usage of Scenarios and Alternatives is detailed in this article.


Alternatively, if a separate .DGN file needs to be created for some reason the following workflow can be adopted;


The below workflow uses WaterGEMS as an example but can be used with other OpenFlows products integrated with MicroStation.


1. Close WaterGEMS for MicroStation.
2. Browse & locate the .wtg file created for the original model.
3. Open the .wtg file by double clicking on it. This will open the .wtg file in WaterGEMS standalone.
4. Here you can create a copy of the .wtg file by File > Save As with a different name. Close WaterGEMS
5. Now open your original .DGN file in the MicroStation integrated platform.
6. Go to File > Save As. Create your copy of .DGN file.
7. A prompt will appear to create a new .wtg file. At this stage if you wish to create a new .wtg file, you can proceed and create one. But we have already created a copy of our original model in Step 4. So, cancel this step and let the model load.
8. Once the model is loaded, go to WaterGEMS > File > Detach. This will detach any existing .wtg file from the .DGN file.
9. Now attach existing .wtg file created in Step 4 by going to WaterGEMS > File > Attach Existing.
10. The new .DGN file is now linked to your new .wtg file. Any changes made in this .DGN file will be saved to this model only and the original model won’t get automatically updated.

See Also

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