References Disappear in Drawing, Reappear after Compress or Save As

I am running Microstation V8i on Windows 10 and have always had this strange problem with my reference files.

-  The references are all mapped with relative file name checked on onto my local drive, not a network drive.  All references are .pdf

-  After I close and reopen a .dgn, the reference is not visible on the screen anymore.  It is definitely loaded in the reference list however.

-  Reloading the references does nothing; saving the file does nothing.

-  For some reason, compressing the file, with the reference button checked on, "reboots" the reference and it re-appears.

-  Also, Saving As, reboots the references and they reappear.  My guess is that the compression algorithm's save feature is what "reboots" the reference.

//

Finally, I have not been able to "Save As" anymore with the same file name; though I can use a different file name.  Normally, I could, and Microstation even asks me if I want to overwrite the old file.  I say yes and then get a message that it cannot be done because the file is read only.  This is a Microstation, not Windows message.  I checked the file properties and read only is not checked on.

My guess is that somehow the Connect Edition does not have this glitch and V8i is showing its age.  This occurs with all my references, and they are all .pdfs.  The .pdfs are not write protected or some special thing like that, they're just photos with captions made in word and converted to .pdf

It is a strange problem and I have not found any solutions...except to keep compressing my files in order to "reboot" my references and make them visible.

Maybe someone here can help, thank you.

Parents
  • DONOT use REF Manager to ref attach PDFs, your supposed to use the RASTER manager to attach pdfs,  as pdfs are rasters... but Bentley allows you to do it the wrong way .. maybe for a quick look to see or trace over... but the raster manger works best especially if you have several .. the graphics handler just does it better with the raster manger it doesn't matter if V8i or CE  you should always use the raster manager even  georefed PDFs will land in the right place if you use the raster manager... don't worry its a common error I've done it myself and tried to figure why they vanish then it occurs to me I didn't use raster manager...  let us know how it works out for you ok?

    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 

  • Lorys and MaryB, thank you very much.  I used raster manager instead of reference manager and it solved my problem.

    When is it recommended to use reference manager and what are the pros and cons of reference versus raster manager?

    ///

    Unfortunately, I was never able to find a good answer to the above question.  A drafting technician I spoke to told me to use reference manager. 

    Online, the literature makes it seem like reference manager is the best way to reference graphics files except aerial photographs, as if raster manager is outdated.

    Personally, I find raster manager to be far easier to use than reference manager.  I can dynamically place my raster where I want it, instead of finding it miles away and dragging it; I can stretch it dynamically...it is so much easier to use than reference manager it makes me wonder what the drafter was talking about and what exactly is the point of reference manager?

    I use microstation strictly for structural work and often have to reference photos with captions for repairs.  I don't do GIS applications and rarely reference in other models or .dgn files.  It's really basic stuff that I reference in.

  • My rule of thumb - if it's CAD-type linework, I use the Reference Dialog. If it's not CAD linework, I use Raster Manager. That keeps me out of most trouble.

    A lot of technicians are good at what they do, but they aren't always interested in learning too much more than that. I've worked with a couple of grizzled veterans before who were quite surprised any time I showed them anything new (that often ended up making their job easier).

    Reference manager is nice, and it has a couple of other features I enjoy. Rasters can be attached "geographically" if they come with GCS information. There's also the ability to adjust hue and brightness, which is nice for creating displays - those allow me to "fade" my rasters without having to mess with the actual image file.

    MaryB

    Power GeoPak 08.11.09.918
    Power InRoads 08.11.09.918
    OpenRoads Designer 2021 R2

        

  • Rasters can be attached "geographically" if they come with GCS information. There's also the ability to adjust hue and brightness, which is nice for creating displays - those allow me to "fade" my rasters without having to mess with the actual image file.

    But thats if you use the raster manager for rasters not ref manager and pdfs are rasters even if have gcs built into header...

    I think why you can attach the pdf with ref manager is available so you can just do it fast single pdf and check things or trace over it but if you try more than a few it doesnt work right where as the raster manager can handle loads of pdfs  even make the  pdf background white see through or negative  which is ánother really cool feature  and doesnt hide you cad underneath...but only  raster manager

    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 

Reply
  • Rasters can be attached "geographically" if they come with GCS information. There's also the ability to adjust hue and brightness, which is nice for creating displays - those allow me to "fade" my rasters without having to mess with the actual image file.

    But thats if you use the raster manager for rasters not ref manager and pdfs are rasters even if have gcs built into header...

    I think why you can attach the pdf with ref manager is available so you can just do it fast single pdf and check things or trace over it but if you try more than a few it doesnt work right where as the raster manager can handle loads of pdfs  even make the  pdf background white see through or negative  which is ánother really cool feature  and doesnt hide you cad underneath...but only  raster manager

    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 

Children
No Data