Hello,
I have the following situation:
I have received DWG file and it has various shared cells in the model. I obviously don't have corresponding .cel file with the definitions and I know I can export them all to separate file but it creates hundreds of models which have nested models (definitions) inside with even more nested definitions and it's too messy to work with. What I would like to do is to attach a blank library and save definitions I need to edit in that library one by one so I can edit shared cell and update in the model and move to the next one. Is that possible somehow without taking this shared cell, resetting rotation/scale setting up the origin, dropping the instance, creating a new definition for editing and cleaning up the file? It seems very complicated since that definition is already in the file... I am happy if it could be done programmatically even! Ideally, I would love to be able to edit it in place but that doesn't seem to be possible?
Also related to this, what would happen if I do the following:
I have shared cell (A) inside multiple other shared cells (B, C, D and so on) in my file and it is also all saved in the library. Then I open the library and edit shared cell (A) and save the library. Now I understand that all the shared cells in the library (B, C, D and so on) contain updated definition as the library has basically nested structure with nested models, right? So if I now open my main file and reload the library and decide to update those cells (B, C, D and so on) from the library, am I safe to assume that all the instances will contain an updated version of the cell (A)??
Regards,
Bartosz Perepeczo
Jon,
Actually something you said drew my attention now:
Jon Summers said:It's an unusual request because of your workflow: the original DWG cells are not available to you.
Why is it unusual? Every time DGN file is sent (without accompanying .cel file) to someone else they are in exactly the same situation as I am now if I'm correct? Am I doing something fundamentally wrong? Does it matter if the original file was DWG? If I save it as DGN it shouldn't change much in that regard?
Cisco said:Every time DGN file is sent (without accompanying .cel file) to someone else they are in exactly the same situation as I am now
When you send a DGN file it contains the cell instances that were copied from the cell library...
In neither case is the cell library required for someone else to view the DGN model.
AutoCAD blocks are converted to MicroStation shared cells, corresponding to workflow (2) above.
Regards, Jon Summers LA Solutions
So, in this case, how can one edit any of the definitions? I have just created a blank DGN file, drew few elements, created a new library saved those elements as a cell in the library, inserted that cell from the library (as a shared cell), detached the library and deleted the library file. Now I'm left with DGN file which has shared cell instances and a definition inside (copied from the library). I know I can view cells, but how to edit them?
You edit the cells in the library (open it just like a designfile, each cell is a model in the library file) After your edit you go back in your designfile and replace the cells that you have edited. (see Davids links above)
also see this wiki: communities.bentley.com/.../update-replace-a-shared-cell-definition-without-original-cell-library
Cisco said:I know I can view cells, but how to edit them?
Use MicroStation's drop tool. You can drop a shared cell to a normal cell, or to its graphic components.
You can create an anonymous normal cell using the Group command. You can assign a name to that anonymous cell using the Element Properties dialog.
So, your workflow might be...