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?  

Kelly Ogle said:

I haven't used a .bat file in a decade

Don't conflate MicroStation's batch processor with a Windows batch (.bat) file.  Nobody is suggesting that you should or need write a Windows batch file.

Tim Hickman said:

The batch utility with the needed keyins could do this

MicroStation's batch processing utility has been available in V8 and CONNECT for many years.

It's designed explicitly to process one or more DGN files.  It executes the key-ins that you write.   If you can write a key-in for replace cell then it's eligible to be added to a command file.  You can save your key-ins to the command file and recall it another time. 

MaryB said:

Batch Process will do almost everything you want

Is that reassuring?

Is that reassuring? NOPE. I want to be able to push a button and have the software do it all. 

So I learned three things today. 1. Be VERY specific in how I use words and phrase a sentence in this forum. 2. MicroStation still needs input from humans. 3. My IT guys are wrong. We DO need Axiom or someone is going to have to sit down and figure this stuff out and then send it out to the entire company so that 300 of us aren't re-writing the same thing for the same problem over and over and over again. 

Thank you Timothy Hickman for sending this: "I would like to inform you that this issue resulted in Enhancement Request 711206. We are continuously improving our products via regular SELECT updates, during which we implement many of the Enhancement Requests reported by our users."

1. Yes, it can be challenging to come up with the most concise, correct phrasing to communicate my question.

2. Thank God it does, or we'd all be out of a job!

3. Tell your CAD administrator to get on top of this - that's what they pay them for, right? To make sure that everyone at the company has the resources they need to do their job?

Companies like Axiom have been in business for decades, and will stay in business for years to come because no software package has every possible tool that every potential user might want. That's why there's a rich history of third-party applications, and user customization tools. From UCMs to C++ apps, Microstation has been very customizable to meet the needs of large and small firms. They can't think of everything! And what is "obvious" to you may be useless to me. Bentley covers the basics (and a lot more than the basics!) and they give us tools to create the rest of what we need.

1. Yes, it can be challenging to come up with the most concise, correct phrasing to communicate my question.

2. Thank God it does, or we'd all be out of a job!

3. Tell your CAD administrator to get on top of this - that's what they pay them for, right? To make sure that everyone at the company has the resources they need to do their job?

Companies like Axiom have been in business for decades, and will stay in business for years to come because no software package has every possible tool that every potential user might want. That's why there's a rich history of third-party applications, and user customization tools. From UCMs to C++ apps, Microstation has been very customizable to meet the needs of large and small firms. They can't think of everything! And what is "obvious" to you may be useless to me. Bentley covers the basics (and a lot more than the basics!) and they give us tools to create the rest of what we need.

Thanks for your help Mary

That many users can be a problem, but it's also a potential great resource. Put together a small team for this sort of thing. The team can distribute the info to the various branch offices, disciplines, users.

Hi Kelly

Don't  sweat it, if you learn the batch processor utility  and save the proc file centrally all users can benefit from it..

I have made several of these over time  to run over entire folders  eg set the symbology overrides back on and  fit view then save and  move on to open next file

if you can do  the keyin manually to test it works to do what you want then you can use it  in the batch processor utility to do it to any number of files in a list...

The batchprocessor is one of the best tools around and  you don't have to use it  for 100s of files you can use it  just for the active file if it does what you need done  often or a lot  then make it..

I even have one for spell check on all folder contents as  we old dudes ( me) never had spell checker in microstation when we started so we tend to forget to use it while the file is open .. so before issue I just run the batch processor for spell check.. saves a lot of time and effort  and for things like fit view save it opens and  closes faster than me opening a file  hit fit view and save settings...

don't let negative comments  bug you there are a lot of users here who English is not their first language and are very literal in their questions and answers and some old grumps like me get tired of saying the same stuff and repeating stuff.. but DON'T  let it stop you from posting .. we are a community of users ( mostly volunteers) and some Bentley  employees  also visit and help thank God!

We  occasionally  need reminding that were all friends here and the purpose  to help one another and to learn from each others experiences. I have even fixed and urgent  file for some users that  just couldn't get things to work even if I didn't have axiom repair..

I've been using and contributing to the forum since early 90s when I first  found it, I was and still am, amazed at  the lengths others around the world will go to helping one for FREE.. I have been given lots of custom tools and tips and help over the years that  I wouldn't  be where I am today in  my job and the fraternity of  msnt users..

Good luck an  don't give up ok?

Thank you, thank you, thank you, for your kind words. I had decided to never use this forum again and I would most certainly quit recommending it to my co-workers. I felt beaten up - even by the Bentley people. 

I have been using and teaching MicroStation since the '90s. I know how to use the key-ins and do all the assorted things that they kept telling me. I just wanted a simple answer as to if this was set up in CONNECT (and for Bentley to tell me that they had in fact done the work themselves to we could easily get things done. I can't lie about that.) With all of that said I hope their answers do help someone else. 

As for me, I will always remember your kindness. Thanks again.