Element templates

Hi Luc,

at first, you should provide an information about MicroStation version used (as described in MicroStation Forum best practices). I suppose it's not big difference at this case, but especially after MicroStation CONNECT Edition was released, the answer can be pretty different in general.

Luc Dierick said:

but is there a way just to prevent changing the multiline style when this is defined by a template?

In my opinion not, at least not without some MDL coding. It's how templates work: Parameters from particular template are applied to an element, but the element is not locked and can be edited further.

Luc Dierick said:

Second question: when using alt-click all attributes are matched with the selected element BUT NOT THE TEMPLATE..... Can this please be changed?

Please, ask one question in one post. Especially if it's formulated as a wish / idea for change. To post such request as the second question is pretty sure way how ensure it will be overlooked. Anyway: If you will check mouse buttons assignments, a key-in match attributes fromcursor is defined for Alt + Data point. I think there is no key-in that allows to match all possible parameters from all possible element types available.

With regards,

  Jan

Sincerely, "Element Template" needs to be improved a lot to be logic and functional.

It has 3 items that I don´t like.

1) The first one, as you said, it does not make sense selecting an "Element template" (with enabled Template association) if then the respective properties in the Properties dialog are not locked (or disabled) and later the user can edit them freely.

It produces a feeling of distrust towards the user, because the user does not know if the value properties of the selected "Element template" are applied 100% to the element.

To solve this, maybe a solution would be to get a messagebox (Yes/No) when the user is editing some property (*property also included in the element template)  and put the "template"=None if we press [Yes]

messagebox: "Are you sure that you want to change the value of this property? This property is linked to the Element Template." 

2) "Element template association" is very confusing overall in the help guide. Seems to mean that the "element template" can be associated or not, according to if we enable/disable that button before creating an element, but actually defines the value of Template property in Properties dialog. None value if "template association" is disabled (unlocked) or the active element template if it is enabled.

If Template property is always an element template (different to None), then is always ASSOCIATED.

3) If we have selected an element template in the combobox and we edit that element template from the "element templates" dialog, Microstation does not  auto update the values in the "Attributes" group.

It doesn´t even have a button so that the user can update manually. Instead, the user has to select another element template in the combobox and finally has to select the same element template.

Example:

1) choose an active element template.

2) Edit that element template.

3) draw an element.

Luc Dierick said:

I know you can find these inconsistencies in a drawing with the Standards Checker - but is there a way just to prevent changing the multiline style when this is defined by a template?

Hello Luc,

1074070 has been created.

Thank you,

Hyung

Smartmatch doesn't copy element templates it is old bug from year 2012 and counting (Change Request #286422) now logged as Enhancement Request 995509 in CONNECT edition because Bentley simply started a new tracking system without migrating. Seems the "change request" and not logged as "defect" could have played a role here so it was overlooked. But also it seems history will repeat itself as again it is not logged as defect but "enhancement". Really, an enhancement?

Vote here:

https://communities.bentley.com/administrators/archived-communities/microstation_early_access_program/i/drafting_and_detailing/cr_matchsmartmatch_element_templates