Batch adding attributes

HI all

We receive a bunch of Microstation files from various authors/vendor/clients.

Since  those all are create from various template, the attributes attach to those files are not homogeneous.

In order to help make those files more similar, I need to add a set of attributes to incoming files.

This way If files are being exchange ( export to a none manage environment), we will still have a common ground to sort file when import back to our system after review or rework.

I hope that having the same set of attributes, will help us on the medium/long term.

How can I do that in batch? Is their a tool that will allow me to fill the name of those attributes and push those attributes in a batch of .dgn file? Can this be done inside Projectwise?

Can that tool be redistribute to our vendor/client/Author so they can update .dgn file before sending us the data?

  • Unknown said:
    I wish to make them Microstation attibutes

    One possibility is MicroStation tags.  Tags can be defined to be invisible, so third-parties would not see them without some effort.  However, tags are dependent on a host element (e.g. a title block cell).  Tags are handled well by MicroStation VBA and have built-in reporting tools.

    Another possibility is user data, which are handled quite well by MicroStation VBA.  You can create an invisible application element to store a DataBlock of custom data.

     
    Regards, Jon Summers
    LA Solutions

  • Carl

    «...When you say MicroStation Attributes may be you could elaborate what exactly...»

    I use the word Attribute because it is the term I saw in Projectwise and Microsation and wanted to avoid causing confusion by using a different word.... The correct wording I should have used is Properties (Metadata), as mention in the links you send me.

    I believe you provide the info I was looking for. I would only wish it does not involve using VBA. Still have not finish reading all the links.

    Just to add more info

    Basically what I was looking for is:

    • Select multiple files in projectwise (same folder or from a search result)
    • Select multiple files from Windows explorer and open the properties and fill them

    RMB on them and fill the properties OR click add properties and create a new properties.

    Later I could link those properties to an environment and use them to search and populate border.

    At a later time I wanted to enforce those properties so each time a document is add to the system, people had to enter those properties.

    I plan to update the templates use to create files, so the Properties will be there by default. But  now, I have a 1 1/2 years of document (30 000 +) to update. So quick tip that would allow me to perform this will help  me.....

    Thank again for the input

  • Unknown said:
    I have a 1 1/2 years of document (30 000 +) to update. So quick tip that would allow me to perform this will help  me...I would only wish it does not involve using VBA

    You're asking for something unusual, and you need to automate that operation (unless you can find a reliable intern to annotate 30,000 files).  Maybe you don't like VBA, but you're compelled to choose some tool to perform your task.  If that tool doesn't exist, you need to write it. 

    Of course, you don't have to write VBA — there's C++ as an alternative.  Why not hire a consultant programmer?

     
    Regards, Jon Summers
    LA Solutions

  • Hi John

    The more it goes the more it head in that direction :-).

    As mention somewhere, I'm fairly new to manage Bentley stuff so, I wanted to clear as much as possible of the gray area of the full picture before committing to something.....that is why I ask all those questions.


    Thank you all for your inputs that is really appreciate. Do not hesitate to chime in if you have any experience to share.

    Have a good day all.
  • Typically - as metadata per file - this is is handled by a document management system. Like ProjectWise or others in the market. For 30000 files this is definitely required. Especially as handling that amount of files in a team also probably requires further consideration regarding advanced access control and workflow securit as well as storing the files in a protected environment.

    If you have say ProjectWise you can import those files and the metadata utilizing a spreadsheet. For revisioning "roundtrip" this will require a bit more sophisticated workflow. In very condensed terms: The typical document manager creates packages as tramsmittals and sends them to the external contractor as a transmittal. After being edited the package is brought back into the DMS by the document controller. Upcoming there are also portal solutions where handling of those packages is facilitated and controlled in cloudbased envionments. (Solving the issue of insecure mailing of the packages)

    Are those properties in the file in some form ( like as text ) ? DMS systems allow a "titleblock" synchronisation that can handle this.

    imho any other way would be reinventing the wheel.

    To expand on the terminology:

    If you are on the other hand thinking about attaching properties to elements inside those files - this leads us into asset management - Like to cells e.g of machinery, piping, steelwork etc. this is done through tags (until V8i microstation) and items (in Connect and also before within different craft specific applications earlier)