Not sure where to start - Editing Access database linked to model

Need some direction here...

I inherited a Microstation 2D model at work. It is littered with pipelines (in the form of lines), all on the appropriate levels (gas, oil, sewer, drain, etc).

There is some intelligence to the lines, with the use of an .mdb Access database.

Once I connect to the .mdb, (and using Review Database Attributes) I click on the line and it tells me what project the pipeline is associated with.

However, most of the lines have no such intelligence. That's fine.

The issue is no one (and I mean NO ONE) here knows how to add intelligence to those lines by editing the database.

I can draw the line on the correct level, but I don't know how to associate the line to the database, to add the project #, line service, line size, etc.

I honestly don't even know where the database is or how to find it.

Can anyone help me get started? How do I locate the database? How do I associate new lines I draw to the database?

Thanks.

Edit: I'm using Microstation Connect Update 14, Ver. 10.314.02.01

  • It sounds like from this description that this design file may have been produced in Piping or Plant software. As you have stated in contains a connection to a database, this information and connection / configuration may have been performed with this other Bentley software, rather than plain MicroStation. Maybe you should find out which software was used to originally produce this file.

    Regards
    Andrew Bell
    Technical Support
    Bentley Systems

  • I agree with Andrew, there should be some vertical application or a custom solution built to add the database intelligence to the piping elements.

    Reach out to the person/team who gave you the DGN and MDB files to inquire about their source.

    The issue is no one (and I mean NO ONE) here knows how to add intelligence to those lines by editing the database.

    Check this wiki Connecting to MS Access Database from MicroStation Connect

    I honestly don't even know where the database is or how to find it.

    You stated there is an MDB file, which is an Access Database.

  • Thank you for the advice. The person who created the file has long left the company. All that are left are end users who did not create or manage the database. Our department is in charge of it, but it has not been updated in many years. 

  • Thank you for the reply. I have seen that wiki before. I will have to trial and error it when I have time.

    I do have access to the database. I'm rusty with Access, and there seem to be a lot of tables linked to one another that I'm not familiar with yet.

    I thought this was a common command to link a database with Microstation, as there are database tools in Microstation. I guess this will take more time than I anticipated.

  • if  most have no intel or  meta data then it would probably  be a lot easier to create and use item types and  forget data bases all together ... this would mean having to add intel to the lines  manually thro items but it depends  how many  lines , are they continuous or segmented  and  how to copy the already used  data base info and add it to the items  before you remove the data base.. Items will let you do reports and  basic sql .. this data base approach was old school  method before we  had real GIS programs... some places have persisted with the database method in order to import it all in gis programs and  do away with the data base.. once in gis its easy to keep updating  and even import lines from cad and add the intel in gis later....

    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.
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