Item Type Lookup Tables at Workset Level

I have a lot of item type data that is going to be project (workset) specific. Instead of manually entering in the data in the properties dialogue of Microstation, I would like to enter that information in excel, then have each of those item types lookup that data from the excel file based on the first column manual input (similar to articles below). I know that I can use the ITEMTYPE_LOOKUP configuration variable to accomplish this as shown in those articles below, but those articles talk about putting the excel lookup file in the same spot as the DGNLIB file, and adding the ITEMTYPE_LOOKUP variable to the Organization Standards configuration file. However, since the data I want to lookup is going to be project specific (vary from project to project) I need to put it at the project level. So a few questions I have about this:

  1. Is something like this even possible?
  2. If yes to above, how would I map the configuration variable to the project (workset) level? What would that look like?
  3. In order to do the above, I would need to place that ITEMTYPE_LOOKUP variable in the workset cfg file. Is that even possible? Will the lookup still function properly like they show in the articles below?
  4. If by some miracle all of the above is possible, can I map that one manual input (first column) to a pick list which is actually the first column of my lookup table to ensure they use the same data?

Item Types - Populating Items using Lookup Tables

Expression to Derive Data from Lookup Tables

Parents Reply Children
  • Hi Mangesh,

    I didn’t realize my forum “signatures” didn’t appear on original posts, rather only replies. See info below, although I need to update that as I am on U16 for microstation now. The biggest thing I need help with is where place the ITEMTYPE_LOOKUP variable in the workset cfg file and what that line of code would look like, especially file path. I not overly familiar with getting into the weeds of this kind of stuff (Config variables, syntax, etc) but am trying to learn so I can know what is possible. 

    OpenBridge Modeler - 10.10.00.85
    Microstation - 10.16.02.34

    Comprehensive 3 Day OpenBridge Modeler Training

  • Hi Steven,

    I didn’t realize my forum “signatures” didn’t appear on original posts, rather only replies.

    In some forums (like MicroStation Programming), it's recommended to use standard subject format [<product> <version> <API] <Question>. Because in normal MicroStation forum API information is not required, to use e.g  [MStn CE U16] Item Type Lookup Tables at Workset Level looks like good idea, because it provides basic information about used product and version automatically, without spending time to read the whole post.

    I not overly familiar with getting into the weeds of this kind of stuff (Config variables, syntax, etc)

    In MicroStation, workset configuration files are stored at

    C:\ProgramData\Bentley\MicroStation CONNECT Edition\Configuration\WorkSpaces\<workspace name>\WorkSets\

    Also, to add another wrinkle of complexity to this, I am working off of ProjectWise

    It depends how ProjectWise is used: When managed workspaces are used, I guess you have to ask PW admin for the change, whereas when not, MicroStation uses standard workspaces as installed on local disk. But my ProjectWise knowledge is limited :-(

    Regards,

      Jan

  • I am using U16. The thing I am unsure about is is the configuration setup. This is from the link in my first post:

    To make lookup table(s) available to Item Types the configuration variable ITEMTYPE_LOOKUP must be defined and set to include the path and file names of any Excel files containing lookup tables:

    ITEMTYPE_LOOKUP = $(_USTN_ORGANIZATION)Dgnlib/DEC_ItemTypesLookup.xlsx

    This should be added to the organization Standards configuration file, in this example: D:\DEC_Configuration\Organization\01_DEC_Standards.cfg

    I am unsure where to put the ITEMTYPE_LOOKUP variable in the workset cfg file (maybe it doesn't matter?), and am also not sure what the bold filepath would be in order to map to the workset folder. It would need to be something relative since we would put it in the workset template we use to create our worksets.

    OpenBridge Modeler - 10.10.00.85
    Microstation - 10.16.02.34

    Comprehensive 3 Day OpenBridge Modeler Training

  • I am unsure where to put the ITEMTYPE_LOOKUP variable in the workset cfg file (maybe it doesn't matter?)

    It does not matter, typically custom modifications are added to the end of the configuration files, after standard content generated by MicroStation.

    Moreover, this definition overwrite existing one (because = is used), which makes sense, because there should be only one xlsx file.

    and am also not sure what the bold filepath would be in order to map to the workset folder.

    It probably should be something like

    $(_USTN_WORKSETROOT)$(_USTN_WORKSETSTANDARDSDIRNAME)/Dgnlib/DEC_ItemTypesLookup.xlsx

    Be aware the variables beginning with _ are hidden in MicroStation GUI by default, but any variable value can be checked using expand echo key-in, e.g.

    expand echo $(_USTN_WORKSETROOT)

    With regards,

      Jan

  • Thanks for explaining Jan. I gave what you suggested a shot and unfortunately did not have success. I tried adding that variable line to the end of the workset cfg file, no success. I then tried adding it to the end of my organization cfg file as those articles suggested, no success. See info below. In my case, my workset name is "delete1" for testing purposes.

    Variable I am adding to the cfg files

    ITEMTYPE_LOOKUP = $(_USTN_WORKSETROOT)$(_USTN_WORKSETSTANDARDSDIRNAME)StructuresTables/StandardStructuresTables.xlsx

    File path of my lookup table file

    C:\Worksets\FDOT\delete1\Standards\StructuresTables

    Lookup Table

    Item Type Definition

    OpenBridge Modeler - 10.10.00.85
    Microstation - 10.16.02.34

    Comprehensive 3 Day OpenBridge Modeler Training