[MStn CE U15] Bug: Raster + vector displayed differently than in V8i

Hi,

I tried to search whether this bug was reported in the past. Maybe it's the same as issue discussed here (plus I found a few more similar discussions), but because it's more than a year old discussion and the bug still exists, I wrote this post.

The problem was discovered by by customer, but original data cannot be shared, so I created very simple test case to illustrate the bug. Unfortunately, it's critical issue, blocking migration to CE (they use MicroStation and ORD). I informed my other customers working with similar data (literally, all civil customers) about this threat, because data are displayed differently.

Problem description

There is 2D model, referencing another 2D DGN and DWG (3D, but with 2D elements at Z=0 in tested case). In the root model, there is a raster attached (tested with WMS, but raster file attached from disk has the same problem). Because the raster is at background plane, in V8i is correctly displayed behind all elements. But in CE U15, it hides elements from DWG:

Problem analysis

I guess the problem itself is clear: Even when the raster has to be always at background, it's not. And because the results are different in CE U15, it's very dangerous (and migration blocking) bug, because some geometry can be hidden without any notification. And there is no chance, when typical civil design consists from tens of DGN and DWG files, to check every file whether everything is correct or not.

Quite accidentally I found a dependency: When references Update sequence dialog is used and root model is changed to be first, hidden elements are displayed. But it cannot be used as a workaround in many situations, because such change would break something else.

I will create also Service Ticket for this issue.

The test case is attached (used WMS is public). Can somebody from Bentley confirm the issue, whether it's defect #1064558 or a new one, and if its fix is planned for U16?

With regards,

  Jan

test-case.zip

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  • The Update Sequence is incorrect if you want the references to display on top of the raster. The Update Sequence of the references will display the last one in the list on top of the previous files.

    Think of it this way; the one listed first is the first one processed and displayed. The second one listed is then processed next and will be displayed on top of the first one processed. (newest on top) MicroStation continues down the list displaying each file on top of the files further up the list.

    So the first thing you want to do is move the Active Design File to the top of the list in the Update Sequence dialog box. This will take care of the DWG file displaying on top of the active file (raster image).

    Something that may be effecting the display order is the “Plane” setting in the Raster Manager dialog box. With your drawings, this setting was available to me sometimes and not other times. It should only be available for raster references and not embedded rasters. I am not sure why I got it sometimes but it does seem to effect the display order of DGN references and rasters. It allows you to display rasters as a background. This may be why the referenced DGN was displayed on top of the raster image and not use the Update Sequence. It did not affect the display order of the DWG reference. If anything, this needs to be looked into be Bentley.

    Since the Update Sequence was wrong in your drawings, and should have the active file listed first, this may be Working As Designed. I do not have V8i installed to compare the two versions but V8i Did not have the “Plane” setting in Raster Manager and could be causing the difference.

    @Jayson; you may want to research this issue further.

  • Hi Pellet,

    The Update Sequence is incorrect if you want the references to display on top of the raster.

    In my opinion you do not understand the reported problem: It's not about whether Update sequence is correct or not, which, btw, is), but that design files created in V8i are displayed (and printed) differently in CE, which can easily lead to serious troubles in engineering practice.

    Think of it this way

    Even when you are right in general, this rule is not valid for the discussed situation, because when a raster is placed at background plane, it was defined (at least in V8i) it will be always behind vector elements. It's the reason why the background plane (and foreground plane) exists.

    With your drawings, this setting was available to me sometimes and not other times.

    They are clear rules defined, when planes can be used (are supported), so it's not "sometimes". The planes were introduced together with element priority concept and they made Update sequence obsolete in 2D completely (but still useful in some 3D scenarios).

    Since the Update Sequence was wrong in your drawings

    Again, you missed the point: Something that works fine in V8i does not work in CE.

    The second point you miss is that assignment to background planes have the highest priority (controls how raster are displayed) over all other settings.

    Regards,

      Jan

  • Hi Chris,

    one more note: Even when the discussion about configuration variables are valuable, I'd like to highlight that the original bug still remain and cannot be solved as "it's WAD": The attached test case, which I created using standard tools in MicroStation, is displayed differently in V8i and CE. And I hope you agree that it's migration blocking issue.

    Maybe, with the setting used in the file, even in V8i it should be displayed "incorrectly", but it's not the point. The crucial is the difference, which can easily lead to huge problems.

    Regards,

      Jan

  • Hi Jan,

    Yes , different display in V8i and CE is a big problem. I think the help document should add more explanation about how the Update sequenece works together with the plane set (background/foreground/design). Here the logic is a little confusing when considering reference model ,if you reproduce the issue again , please tell the steps , I will have a further investigation.

    Best Regards
    Chris

  • Hi Jan. This is marked as WAD (works as designed) however, you are correct in that we have not made it clear how the update Sequences work and which one wins. We will continue to investigate and will write a blog on the topic.

    Samir

  • Will you also add the clarification to the Help file? That's the first place plenty of users will look to see how the software works. They may not know to look for a blog.

    MaryB

    Power GeoPak 08.11.09.918
    Power InRoads 08.11.09.918
    OpenRoads Designer 2021 R2

        

  • Hi Samir

    If you are going to write a blog on the topic, I would like to suggest that you include the following: Raster Reference plane, Update sequence, Priority (2D drawing) and in the View Display Styles the setting “Use File Order”. All of these settings, and there could be more, control the display order of elements in a drawing. We need to understand the order of priority to be able to control how the drawing should display. Thanks

Reply
  • Hi Samir

    If you are going to write a blog on the topic, I would like to suggest that you include the following: Raster Reference plane, Update sequence, Priority (2D drawing) and in the View Display Styles the setting “Use File Order”. All of these settings, and there could be more, control the display order of elements in a drawing. We need to understand the order of priority to be able to control how the drawing should display. Thanks

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