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.

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.

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.