replace cells in an entire folder using MicroStation CONNECT

I haven't used a .bat file in a decade. I haven't written or played with a macro in probably that same amount of time. I'm not a programmer. I'm a drafter. 

Is our IT guy wrong? CONNECT doesn't have a tool that will replace a cell in a whole folder full of drawings without having to open each one individually? I see CONNECT still does have Print Organizer so I can print all of those drawings quickly. Is there something like that but it searches and replaces cells? Changes dates? Stuff like that?  

I haven't used a .bat file in a decade. I haven't written or played with a macro in probably that same amount of time. I'm not a programmer. I'm a drafter. 

Is our IT guy wrong? CONNECT doesn't have a tool that will replace a cell in a whole folder full of drawings without having to open each one individually? I see CONNECT still does have Print Organizer so I can print all of those drawings quickly. Is there something like that but it searches and replaces cells? Changes dates? Stuff like that?  

Batch Process will do almost everything you want. That's been available since V8i. The only caveat is that it does have to open the file (briefly) to make the changes. But it can run on a whole list of files.

At its most simple, you can create a command file that just has the keyins for the commands you want to run. You could also include VBA macros or MDLs as long as they don't require user interaction. Then, in the Batch Process dialog, you can generate the list of files that you want to run that command file on. I've used this many times.

You can also just open the windows command window and type in msbatch repcell.ma <DGN_file> <cell_library> <y | n> <cell_to_replace> <replacement_cell> but that is more for a single DGN file. You may be able to run an entire directory, but I've never tried it.

You can find batch process on the file menu in connect.

You can do this. Connect does provide the tools to "replace a cell in a whole folder full of drawings". But not in one click. Mary has laid out much of it below. If you just don't want to learn anything new, you may be in the wrong business.

Don't forget to create a quick archive before you start experimenting. Good luck!

Wow. Way to attack a person instead of software.

I'm not afraid of learning something new. Everything is old that is being written about in this post. (When I am asking very specifically if this tool is available in CONNECT. I'm not asking how to write around the software. I've tried to make that very very clear.)  

So, you must not be in the business of buying for your workplace or providing tech support for a whole lot of different departments? Otherwise, you would understand why I am asking. 



 

Apologies, was meant to help, not attack. I guess it's more what you're asking I'm not sure of. I have done tech support for a small department. Folks don't like honesty, I get that. Short of laying it all out for you, how else can we help? I'm not a Bentley employee, just a person trying to make a living. Help out when I can. Always wear the thick skin.