Creating Title block with Item type + EC Expression +Texts

In this Blog, we will show you how you can create title blocks with Connected Project and Workset/Workspace properties using item types.

By following the steps here below we will create an example title block with the required text fields driven by Item Types properties.

• We will create a sheet border, title block and an item type, whose properties will be used to drive the title block text, using Item Types Expressions.
• We will attach the item type to the DGN file through Explorer.
• We will set up these Item Types properties to drive Text Fields in our Title block.
• We will need to create a new DGN file in our Workspace/Workset, into which we will place the title block/border.

At the end of the above steps we will see how the text fields will be automatically populated with the Item Types properties and will show any changes that these may undergo to.

Step 1: Creating a Drawing border and title block:     

•  Create a DGN file with respective border and title block with respective Standards as below:           
• Create border DGN file within respective workspace.      

Step 2: Create item type with Item type Expressions and attach to DGN File

• Create item type, item type property definitions and set EC Expression to get Activefile, Workset/Workspace properties.     

• Attach created item type like “Project” to File node as shown below:   

• After attaching item type, you will see project properties in Property pane as below: 

Step 3: Set up these Item Types properties to drive Text Fields in our Title block.

• Place attached item type fields in Title block through “Place text” tool.  

Step 4: Create new DGN within respective Workspace/Workset to place Title block-Border.

• Create a new DGN file in our Workspace/Workset, into which we will place the title block/border.   
• Place title block using “Create model” tool.   

Result: Title block with respective fields will be populated automatically.      

Alternative workflow:

There is an alternative to create border and title-block within a cell and attach item type with expression to it. Finally, place such cells to respective DGN file created in Workspace/Workset.

Links:

In order to complete this workflow, we will have to use Item Types and their expressions. You can check these blogs {links} to have a better understanding of these two exciting MicroStation CONNECT EDITION features.

https://communities.bentley.com/products/microstation/b/microstation_blog/posts/ec-expressions-in-item-types---new-in-microstation-connect-edition-update-12

/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-27-58-25/_5B00_Technology-Preview_5D00_--Item-Types-EC-Expressions.pdf