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?  

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!

I work for a huge company. People come to me asking for help. People from all kinds of different fields. Right now our company is trying to transition everyone over to CONNECT. I've told them the hardest part is just finding out where Bentley has relocated the tools. 

What I'm trying to do is find the tool so that they can replace cells, they can replace text, like they can using Axiom. (We do it without opening a file. We use Global Replace in Axiom and then we use Print Organizer to plot them to pdf.)

Maybe instead of being grouchy towards Bentley, I should be grouchy towards the IT guys who said Bentley had these tools. They didn't have them in v8i why would they have them in CONNECT? 

But the answer I am looking for is: Where is the tool located to replace cells in a folder? 

I just put a support ticket in on this. 

I do want to thank Mary, Duncan and you. Because if they don't have this I will have to go back to the old days and write it myself. Then I'll have to figure out a way to get it to everyone in our offices around the world. 

So, yes, I want it to be in CONNECT really badly. 

There is a field, upper right of ribbon, for searching the ribbon. Type in replace, it will tell you where they are. On my GUI it's under Task Navigation>Overflow>pulldown cell thing.  or just key-in "replace cells". Again, apologies for not understanding the question, I'll work on that.

Kelly Ogle said:

Where is the tool located to replace cells in a folder? 

That does not exist.

what they are suggesting is nowhere near programming. It is a simple keyin string from a text file. The whole issue is what exactly the syntax is for the keyin needed.

This all can be done in the product. Is there a specific "button" for it ? no.

So you can either purchase the axiom product or spend some time getting the keyin string and use it in the batch utility provided by the software.

The batch utility allows a text file to be used for keyin commands to be applied to multiple files. As long as you know the keyin you want, you can use the text file to provide the keyins and then process this against a list of files. So this is not limited to just replacing cells, it could be used for other things.

That search button has been a lifesaver. I'm glad Bentley did that at least.  And we know where the replace tool button is. The problem is it only works in the single file. 

it's okay. I put in a service request.

But from everyone's answer here - it isn't looking good for the home team. Yay for the old way of doing things . . . <insert crying smiley here>  

Tim Hickman,

Please excuse me for using the wrong word 'programmer'. What descriptive word would you use for what it takes to figure out how to make a program work? I'll try and use that next time. 

If it is all so simple then why hasn't Bentley included it in MicroStation? 

Tim Hickman,

Please excuse me for using the wrong word 'programmer'. What descriptive word would you use for what it takes to figure out how to make a program work? I'll try and use that next time. 

If it is all so simple then why hasn't Bentley included it in MicroStation? 

Us old drafters have morphed into CAD technicians. It's not programming, just general CAD skills. I experience this same frustration, every few months I must figure out how to do something new, then I don't use again for a year.

Here is an example of a simple batch I used to get rid of the "add to workspace?" prompt on every new file after upgrading to Connect. Backstage>Tools>Batch Process will create and run the .bprc, the text file is simple command keyins. I vaguely remember having to edit something to the bprc by hand.

WSfix.bprc

[SETTINGS=bpOptions]
   logFile=_USTN_OUT:batchprocess.log
   cmdFileName=D:\PD\08\CMworkset.txt
   clearLog=1
   initialModel=-18
[SOURCE=D:\PD\08\*\*.dgn]
[MODEL=:Default:]

CMworkset.txt

FILE ASSOCIATEWORKSET
FILEDESIGN SAVE SETTINGS

Hint- For your task you may need to attach a cell library to each file (RC=<cellfilename>

there are many simple things that MicroStation does not do on multiple files. IE: you could place a line at specific coordinates in multiple files - is there a button for this ? no Can it be done ? yes  The batch utility with the needed keyins could do this. 

A descriptive word for knowing how to make the program work ? I would not call this programming.

I just wanted to clarify that this was not prgramming as we do have a specific community for this.

As you have done - filing a service request and asking for this functionality are the correct steps.

It never hurts to ask if something is possible as you may not be aware of its existence. In this case there is no specific button or tool. But the end result can be achieved thru the batch utility as mentioned above.

I have been mentioning the axiom tools to development for some time and that these functions should be in the product.

I will grab your SR (service request) and assign it to the enhancement.