[CONNECT] Missing bentley library utilities in CONNECT version.

One of reason for many users staying with v8i versions is lack of Bentley Library utilities like Areatool, Civtools as there are no similar funcionality in CONNECT edition.

Are there plans to migrate these utilities or add such functionality in Microstation/Powerdraft?

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  • Yes man, Jon's tools works a charm, although I still use my old user command for areas, as I don't use it often.

    But if you want a few sections, manipulate surface models, station centerlines, profile, read shape file vectors with attributes, simply give Bentley another $8000.

    Connect r17 10.17.2.61 self-employed-Unpaid Beta tester for Bentley

  • I had gotten started at one point to create cell libraries of all the steel shapes available from the Steel MDL (Because that won't be available moving forward) but the sheer volume quickly overwhelmed the free time I had to do it.

    I know that we can develop parametric cells and models and all that, but it's a lot of new concepts and workflow to learn for a single W33 x 128 (or whatever) section that I need two or three times a year. Heck, by the time I need the next random steel shape, I'll have forgotten how to do all the fancy parametrics. Yes, there's an advanced tool that can be learned and used to generate steel sections, but it doesn't have the same functionality as Mr. Steinbock's brilliant MDL.

    Let me echo Jan

    It's not mentioned the new tools often require extra configuration, better understanding of dgnlib, and requires more mouse clicks from users and letting users to try to find all necessary information about such functionality like blogs or discussions, where old tools worked simply "load and use".

    That was the brilliance of some of these tools. There was little to no learning curve, and we were able to get results very quickly. ModZ and Civtools made moving elements to a set Z value (like 0!) nearly brainless. "Array Along Path" finally managed to pry CellTool out of my hands...But not all new tools and technology get the job done as easily as the old tools.

    MaryB

    Power GeoPak 08.11.09.918
    Power InRoads 08.11.09.918
    OpenRoads Designer 2021 R2

        

  • I don't do structural detailing anymore, but back in the day Bill Steinbock's steel.ma was a real gem. He had a whole suite of really user friendly tools. I've searched over at the Corps of Engineers (original providers of that stuff), unsuccessful. Someone has got updated code for that thing.

    Connect r17 10.17.2.61 self-employed-Unpaid Beta tester for Bentley

  • Bill Steinbock's steel.ma was a real gem

    I agree. I don't have the time to use parametric cells for all the steel sizes that I may want to use. 

  • Someone has got updated code for that thing

    Yes: Bentley Systems.  A Steel project is provided with the MicroStation CONNECT SDK.  If you have the appropriate tools (Microsoft Visual Studio) then you can build the app. from that source code.

    You might ask the question: Why doesn't a benevolent software developer build the app. and distribute it?  The answer is that the IP owner is Bentley Systems and no other entity is granted the right to distribute that app.

    IP: Intellectual Property

     
    Regards, Jon Summers
    LA Solutions