Batch Process to Attach Reference with Relative Path

Microstation noob here again,

I have been trying for months to attach references using batch process and saving it with a relative path. I have only been able to get the reference attach keyin, RF, to work if I put in the full path to the drawings. This is not ideal since it takes more work and we really need the files to be saved relative for when we have to email the client the DGN files. I was able to follow an example where they were referencing a file only a folder up. But in my case the references can be buried in the same general folder but be inside a sub folder(s) within that one. 

Like I said, I am very much an amateur and any help would be really appreciated. Even if its a link to help me better understand how Microstation Finds a relative file.

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  • This is not ideal since it takes more work and we really need the files to be saved relative for when we have to email the client the DGN files. I was able to follow an example where they were referencing a file only a folder up. But in my case the references can be buried in the same general folder but be inside a sub folder(s) within that one

    when  I send dgns to client I use the msnt utility Packager which harvests all ref files attached to selected dgns if you tell it to so you don't have to go find all the refs your self. packager  puts all of the dgns and other  harvested data including jpgs , imagery and a  manifest of all the data etc  into a .PZIP  file ( which you can rename to plain zip later if you wish)

    Also I adopted an acad user practice to have -XR-  in the ref file name to denote it is an External Reference or Xref.. My clients appreciate this.. and  don't  bother to separate the drg files from the xrefs.... but I do here at our work we put all the ref files in there own sub folder but they  still have -XR- in there file names...

    FYI packager is a batch process in it self as all you do is tell it what files your dgns are and if you want the xrefs and imagery etc too... I use it  a lot especially before revisioning so I have a full backup . pzip of everything including xrefs before I changed anything .. as all my xrefs are live in my drgs...

    I don't worry about  relative path much as the project configs and workspace configs set the paths to xrefs... but if you really have to have it I think its a variable... somebody else here will chime in on this... but if your just wanting it so you can share the data with clients then packager will do what ever you need...

    Lorys

    Started msnt work 1990 - Retired  Nov 2022 ( oh boy am I old )

    But was long time user V8iss10 (8.11.09.919) dabbler CE  update 16 (10.16.00.80) 

    MicroStation user since 1990 Melbourne Australia.
    click link to PM me 

  • That sounds convenient for large projects, but our client is a little hard headed and doesn't like to change things up. They want all the files to just be relative so they don't have to worry about anything. 

  • If every project is the same, then why don't you already have the files set up with relative attachments ? and if things never change - I don't follow what you are doing with a batch routine ?

    Timothy Hickman

    CADD Manager | CADD Department

    timothy.hickman@colliersengineering.com

    Main: 877 627 3772| 

    1000 Waterview Drive Suite 201 | Hamilton, New Jersey 08691

  • Well let me rephrase that, the sheets never change, the projects themselves vary since they are retail stores of different sizes. So we have our sheet, A1.1, there we load the title block and the bases which are named after the store number. So the reference would be named 0806-TB-44X36.dgn. I set up the batch so all you have to do is change that 0806 at the beginning to whatever the store number is.

  • a pcf or project config file would set where the xrefs live   but as you pointed out the client doesn't like change.. so you just do what they want...

    In any case I have a vba  tool with a GUI that does reref attached ref files  where the ref file has a different name and needs to be replaced, it can do batch process within it self ... if you want it pm me and I'll send it.. if enough people ask I'll post it here .. but here is where I found it  the version I have  I have created a text file to explain how to use it and some  pictures of the menus...

    I think this will do exactly what you want once all your original and future xrefs are attached relative path first

    Lorys

    Started msnt work 1990 - Retired  Nov 2022 ( oh boy am I old )

    But was long time user V8iss10 (8.11.09.919) dabbler CE  update 16 (10.16.00.80) 

    MicroStation user since 1990 Melbourne Australia.
    click link to PM me 

  • and does each store look fairly close to the one being copied ? Building is the same, yet the interior layout might vary slightly ?

    In other words you are copying an existing project and simply renaming the sheets and then going in and tweeking the building graphics with the changes for the new layout.

    Timothy Hickman

    CADD Manager | CADD Department

    timothy.hickman@colliersengineering.com

    Main: 877 627 3772| 

    1000 Waterview Drive Suite 201 | Hamilton, New Jersey 08691

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