Open/reference zipped DGN

Unknown said:

I am able to attach DGN from ZIP file directly as reference by using this syntax "C:\temp\zipped.zip\zipped.dgn"  but is it possible to attach zipped DGN automatically with  drag&drop? There is File->associate which is used for drag&drop but not sure how to link ZIP files correctly.

otto,

I've not been able to do this with the  ref manager, but I have been able to use the attach link to element  and  use the  zip file as the  linked file and when user clicks on the  link or linked element follow path it  launches the  zip tool and shows the  zipped files in a browser and  if you click on any there it opens the  zip with the associated program... great for interactive maps or plans like geotech boreholes locations and their  reports etc  or photos etc

Not sure exactly what you are meaning by performing a Drag&Drop from a zipped file as a reference. You might already know that you can drag and drop a design file from Windows Explorer into the Reference dialog within MicroStation to attach as a reference. I have tested this using a DGN file within a ZIP file by dragging it directly into the Reference dialog. This works as expected but I was concerned whether it would locate the DGN file within the correct location of the ZIP file. As you can see from the location of the full file name at the end of the video it is suggesting the files are located in the Temp folder of each User account. What I believe might be happening with Windows is that when you open your ZIP file in whatever application you use it stores all of these file from within the ZIP in the Temp folder until they are extracted.

We have local special file format for signed digital documents named ".edoc" or ".asice". These are actually zip files which contain documents and their signature. It need to be stored in packed state as unpacking invalidates signature.

The idea is to associate edoc with Microstation so by double-click on file or by drag&drop the edoc we could open DGN file which is inside. As the edoc file structure is known and the edoc filename matches signed document for example "Design.edoc\EDoc\Document\Design.dgn" so the DGN can be extracted from edoc filename. I tried to use "File->Associate" but unfortunately it doesn't allow me to run any key-in or macro also syntax is not clear. I also see that there is possible to link GZIP format in associate window how does this is handled in Microstation?

Example attached. Rename .zip to .edoc. Try to open file from Microstation file dialog providing full path for example "C:\Design.edoc\EDoc\Document\Design.dgn"

To see file contents either rename file back to .zip or associate edoc file as compressed folder in Windows explorer running elevated CMD and entering command "assoc .edoc=CompressedFolder"

"assoc .asice=CompressedFolder"

Design.edoc.zip

At the end this is what I had.

Created a new File->.Associate->Drag/drop then create ZIP->Custom with this key-in "vba run [zippedfolders2ref]ziprefdialog"

Now drag&drop a zip file on Microstation window will open it in reference dialog to choose a file from zip. Only issue it can't browse subfolders so didn't work for my task.

zippedfolders2ref.mvba