Distance along curve

Hi Experts,

I am trying to figure out if there is a way in MicroStation or OpenBuildings to measure distance along a curve using the Itemtype expression. As shown in the picture below, I have a B-spline curve and some Circles along the path but not on the curve, I am trying to project the centroid of the circle on a curve and then find the distance along the curve for the projected reference point. What would be the best way to achieve this task? I know with Generative components this can be done but for this exercise, I can not include GC in my workflow. Item type expression will be very helpful.

Thanks in Advance.

Jaimin Patel

Parents Reply
  • It's a separate product with its own installation.  It may be delivered with OBD.  It used to be delivered, in the early days, with MicroStation.  It was originally cost free, but I don't know the current licensing offer.

    Hi Jon. Its a technology included in the products OpenBuildings, OpenRoads, OpenRail, OpenBridge and OpenSite at no cost and is an optional install at installation time, or post installation if its been installed without it. There is no separate installation these days. 

    https://communities.bentley.com/products/products_generativecomponents/w/generative_components_community_wiki/56967/how-to-install-generative-components-as-companion-feature

    What makes GC work is .NET technology.  If you're unfamiliar with programming languages in general, or a dialect of C#, then it's probably not for you.  I'm sure that someone like could tell us more.

    The initial concept way back in the day was born out of the idea of giving those who don't code, the ability to customise or automate workflows that was only ever reserved for code. The circles script above uses no code via the front end, its purely using the node and wire arrangement (visual scripting as some call it) to:

    1. Identify the bspline and circles

    2 Project the centre points of the circles to the bspline

    3 Collect the points and re-arrange their order by distance along curve

    4. Replace the circles by the relationship between the reordered points.

    That said, while the most important concept is to give those the ability to customise or automate workflows without the need for code, there are some who can't wait to dive into the code side in GC, if they are that way inclined. Therefore a function node is available which uses a language called GCScript - very similar to C#. In addition, for those who are inclined, custom node creation is available via the usual channels - visual studio. But for most, they either can't or don't need to venture into the code side of things. 


    This is a test

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