[v8i] Number of models

Hi guys,

how many models can I create in a DGN file?

Thanks a lot.

PM

  • how many models can I create in a DGN file?

    That's a difficult question to answer.  Each model contributes to the DGN file size. 

    • How big is a model? 
    • What do you consider to be a manageable file size?
    • What is your concern...
      • File storage?
      • MicroStation operation?
    • Have you run into a limit?
      • I don't recall anyone posting a comment here that they have been unable to create N models

     
    Regards, Jon Summers
    LA Solutions

  • Hi Paulo,

    there is no an artificial limit defined and also I guess no exact number has been mentioned anywhere.

    Technically the number of models depends on maximum DGN V8 file size and content, stored in such file:

    • The maximum DGN V8 file size is defined by OS. It has been usually specified as 4 GB, which was valid for Windows NT and NTFS, but I guess it can be more on today Windows with enhanced NTFS file system. Because DGN V8 is based on Microsoft Compound File specification, to calculate limits without detail knowledge of internal structure is impossible (see general limits).
    • Every new model definition will consume let's say several hundreds bytes. It means, with every added model, the file size will grow.

    It mean when you will add only new models without any content (elements) added, after a huge amount of models (millions at least), you will reach the max file size limit.

    But such discussion is pretty theoretical, because practical limits are far smaller. I think with tens or few hundreds of models, plus with some content int them, operations like the file opening or switching from one model to another will become annoyingly slow (which of course depends on a lot of next things like how many references are used, complexity of content etc.).

    With regards,

      Jan

  • how many models can I create in a DGN file?

    Personally I would avoid putting all my eggs in one basket  because if that multiple model file gets corrupted and you can't open it any more you lose everything..

    How ever if you use reference files and nested references you may corrupt one or two files but you can always still use the rest   and rebuilt one ref and replace it in the nests and all is well again... if nest ref file goes bad you can always remake it as the ref files are still available...

    its convenient in 3d to create sections to use multimodels  but don't go mad and use it instead of making nested ref files or refiles instead...

    Lorys

    Started msnt work 1990 - Retired  Nov 2022 ( oh boy am I old )

    But was long time user V8iss10 (8.11.09.919) dabbler CE  update 16 (10.16.00.80) 

    MicroStation user since 1990 Melbourne Australia.
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  • I would avoid putting all my eggs in one basket

    So, that means not more than one cell per DGN cell library and not more than one worksheet per Excel file?

    Assuming that you disagree with the above, what is the limit?  It's hard to say:  All we can say is, as Jan implies, 'it depends'.

     
    Regards, Jon Summers
    LA Solutions

  • I meant avoid doing this for drawings if you can for files that you open and edit all the time, most of us have cell libs and dgn libs in read only on shared server so they don't often get corrupted... but I have had some bad experiences with inroads designers providing me with multi model reference files and them getting corrupted and file wont open any more and  none of these as refs work now in multiple drawings... so again personal preference and of course anecdotal experiences but they usually turn out to be right and avoid much pain and lost productivity...

    Lorys

    Started msnt work 1990 - Retired  Nov 2022 ( oh boy am I old )

    But was long time user V8iss10 (8.11.09.919) dabbler CE  update 16 (10.16.00.80) 

    MicroStation user since 1990 Melbourne Australia.
    click link to PM me