Cell/label to show item types attach to model

Robert Högberg said:

I've tried to attach items to a model, create text within that model as a function of those item types

I copied your DGN file to a new file, then opened it with MicroStation CONNECT and modified the model properties.  The new property values show automatically in the text you already created...

Robert Högberg said:

place a fence around it and create a cell. I place that cell as a label in another model

So it's the process of creating and placing a cell-with-label that doesn't work for you?  Your example file name DrawingSeed.dgn provides a clue to a solution!  Use that file as a DGN seed for each project, and the model properties will be replicated.  Of course, it would be useful to know why the cell-with-label doesn't work correctly.

Yes, that's my plan for now. 

But as you say, it would be nice to now why i don't work. Also i would be great to be able to delete and then replace that "cell" without having to connect all the textfields again. 

First, I realize this is a 2  year old post but I was looking to do something similar to Robert and it took me a while to figure it out so I'm documenting it here in case it helps someone else or possibly me a year from now when I've forgotten how I did it.

An Item Type can be added to a File, Model or Cell.

FILE:

To add an Item Type to a File go to Explorer, File Tab, right click on the file name at the top of the section and select Attach Item.  Select what Item Type you want and then fill out the data.

MODEL:

The process is identical for Model Properties except in Explorer, File tab, go down to the Models at the bottom of the section right click on the specific model and then select Attach Item. Select what Item Type you want and fill out the data.

CELL:

What didn't work: I expected that cell would be just like model by going into the cell library and adding an item to the model (cell definition).  But that didn't work for me in my many attempts.

What did work: In a new model of a cell library set it to be placed as a cell and set it to Parametric (these options are in the create model dialog).  Draw the cell or copy/paste from wherever you drew it.  Go to Drawing/Constraints tab.  Select Variables (fx icon).  Near the top find the Item Type drop-down and pick the Item Type that you want.  Set the settings that you want when you place this cell.   If you also want some variables then add those and any Variations that you want.  Not sure why but for me if I didn't add all of those at one time then some of it didn't show up when I added the cell to a new file.

Once you have the cell set up with the Variables.  Go to a different dgn file and attach the cell library and place the cell as normal.  When you place the cell it will realize it is a parametric cell and will show the Item Type fields as well as any custom fields or variations. The values of the Item Type fields will default to whatever you set in the variables dialog.

I know this all works, though I'm not positive if this is what Robert was asking for.

First, I realize this is a 2  year old post but I was looking to do something similar to Robert and it took me a while to figure it out so I'm documenting it here in case it helps someone else or possibly me a year from now when I've forgotten how I did it.

An Item Type can be added to a File, Model or Cell.

FILE:

To add an Item Type to a File go to Explorer, File Tab, right click on the file name at the top of the section and select Attach Item.  Select what Item Type you want and then fill out the data.

MODEL:

The process is identical for Model Properties except in Explorer, File tab, go down to the Models at the bottom of the section right click on the specific model and then select Attach Item. Select what Item Type you want and fill out the data.

CELL:

What didn't work: I expected that cell would be just like model by going into the cell library and adding an item to the model (cell definition).  But that didn't work for me in my many attempts.

What did work: In a new model of a cell library set it to be placed as a cell and set it to Parametric (these options are in the create model dialog).  Draw the cell or copy/paste from wherever you drew it.  Go to Drawing/Constraints tab.  Select Variables (fx icon).  Near the top find the Item Type drop-down and pick the Item Type that you want.  Set the settings that you want when you place this cell.   If you also want some variables then add those and any Variations that you want.  Not sure why but for me if I didn't add all of those at one time then some of it didn't show up when I added the cell to a new file.

Once you have the cell set up with the Variables.  Go to a different dgn file and attach the cell library and place the cell as normal.  When you place the cell it will realize it is a parametric cell and will show the Item Type fields as well as any custom fields or variations. The values of the Item Type fields will default to whatever you set in the variables dialog.

I know this all works, though I'm not positive if this is what Robert was asking for.

Hi Mike

I didn't have time to try this out right away, and then it got totally forgotten. Thanks for your reply. 

I'm still trying to figure this out. Looks like one step of what I'm after is missing in your workflow. So for instance I want to place this section arrow. I would like the text I can edit easily when I place the cell as parametric (good idea) to be the text in the cell itself:

Right now I can't find a way to connect these! 

If I understand correctly you are wanting the actual text shown to be pulled from the Item Type value thus if you change the text in the Item Type it would also change visually in the design.  I believe I tried that but was unsuccessful to do that.  As far as I could see parametrics applied to text is very limited.   

Dimensions of lines, shapes, etc. can be connected to variables to control size but actual text and text size could not be connected to variables from my attempts.  (If I'm wrong I hope a Bentley person will explain how to do it).

Yes, you're right. Thank for trying.