What is actually a "Graphic Group"?

Hi.

I see 2 ways to create a Group in MicroStation:

- Group

- Named Group.

Group is very limitated because I understand we cannot add/remove elements later. And it is basically a Cell.

I understand that "Graphic Group" is a Named Group...

Because tools such as "Add to Graphic Group" and "Remove From Graphic group" are only for "Named Groups".

http://www.mdlapps.com/microstation/ustnhelp286.html#F26021

There is also "Graphic Group Lock" (ON /OFF) for Named Groups.

Why Bentley differenciates between Graphic Group and Named Group? is not the same? Is the old name of Named Group?

Thanks.

  • What Named Groups do (and for me) is to provide hierarchical groups that can be NESTED - even hierarchical nesting. With active and passive members. So I can move them around grouped grabbing the "active" element or single when grabbing one of the passive.

    I have this simplified workplace scenario in mind. RED is active, blue are the passive members. (GG-Lock on)

    … Workplace_001 > move active > move passive

     

     I can copy my workgroup -

     but then they are no group any more

     

     

    What would be of real ADDED VALUE is to be able to copy the workplaces (-increment like the legacy GGs), then add them to a hierarchical group … (see the mockup video below) Then you are still able to move things around - either together or single.

    (the highlight needs to show what belongs together including the relationship - like the colors I used here)

     

     

    Conclusion:

    The only bit that seems to be missing here is the copying with an  incemented Name!? And maybe some enhanced highlighting of the relationships

    It appears hard to follow the idea that NGs are 1. only one off and 2. to help to JUST create Display Sets

     

    I did not take in account the NGs with members from reference. There it gets quite arcane to me.

  • There are a couple of ideas regarding requested enhancements for Named Groups that are also worth to VOTE for

    https://microstation.ideas.aha.io/ideas/MSR-I-721

    https://microstation.ideas.aha.io/ideas/MS-I-281

    https://microstation.ideas.aha.io/ideas/MS-I-263 (including conversation with Michael Salino - you could add to)

  • Some would like to know use cases to then decide whether they are applicable for them

    For example, using a Named Group to populate a Display Set.  Now you can control the display of that NG.

    Update: I see that you already mentioned this Wiki on that same topic. 

    Question to Bentley Systems (): that Wiki article was written in 2004 and is archived.  Is it invalid for CONNECT?  If it is valid, move it to the current MicroStation Wiki.

    Vote!

    Vote for this Idea to have that Wiki brought into the CONNECT era.

     
    Regards, Jon Summers
    LA Solutions

  • When I could just select my elements, hit CRTL+G and continue on. I can even give my orphan cell a name in the time it would take to generate a named group

    You've changed topic.  Grouping elements by creating an anonymous cell (Ctrl-G) is not the same as the ancient Graphic Group mechanism. It pre-dates Named Groups by a MicroStation generation.

    The fact that Named Groups exist doesn't stop you using either the Graphic Group or anonymous cell idioms.

     
    Regards, Jon Summers
    LA Solutions

  • Another step, another setting, another few clicks before I can get back to working. When I could just select my elements, hit CRTL+G and continue on. I can even give my orphan cell a name in the time it would take to generate a named group.

    I am with Gerd on this - I'm sure I lack imagination because I don't grasp the use for named groups. But my drawings aren't all that complicated and they don't have thousands of elements to relate and keep track of. Perhaps if I could see how they would actually provide benefit I would be interested in digging deeper.

    But lack of imagination has always been a weakness of mine. I tried taking some art classes in college and one of the teachers actually told me "It's a good thing you're going to be an engineer"

    MaryB

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