Tips for using Hybrid Workflows of Legacy V8i Tools and MicroStation CONNECT Edition 3D Modeling Tools

If you are working in a hybrid modeling environment to combine the best of both MicroStation CONNECT Edition and V8i, then we have a few tips for you. 

Once you have installed MicroStation CONNECT Edition you can continue using the legacy 3D modeling tools, which are made available in the CONNECT Edition to ease your workflow.

1. You can use the V8i Task theme in Update 13 of the CONNECT Edition to access the familiar V8i Feature Modeling tools in the user interface or access them from Tool boxes.
2. It is advised to use the legacy solid tools when working on legacy data. The CONNECT Edition Parametric Solid tools can be used on legacy solids but you should bear in mind that on doing so. these will then be converted to Parametric Solids. The legacy solid tools won’t work on Parametric Solids, unless these are manually dropped to smart solids.
   
   
3. In case you happen to accidently use CONNECT 3D tools on a Smart Solid that transforms to a Parametric Solid, then this change can be reversed. You can convert this transformed Parametric Solid back to a Smart Solid using conversion tools available in CONNECT so that you can continue to use legacy feature modelling tools to complete your project. 
   
   
   
   
   
4. You can start exploring the parametric tools in our CONNECT Edition so that you will be familiar with them when starting your new projects and you will be able to produce smarter, re-usable content.
    
5. Amongst the many advantages of our CONNECT Edition, are its 64-bit architecture, for faster and better handling of larger datasets, and Item Types, which allow far more extensive property driven workflows, closing the gap with the BIM world. 
   
   Please feel free to share your experience working in a hybrid modeling environment and if you are interested in speaking with a Bentley expert about making the move to MicroStation CONNECT Edition, please complete this form to have someone contact you to provide advice and assistance.