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

  • I stand corrected. This seems to be a new feature in 2023 because I usually check each version to see if it has been included. I failed to do that on this one and only reason I can think of is I always got disappointed. I will do some testing with it and see if it does what little i need it to. This will allow me to have one less application installed if it works out. Thanks.

    Previous versions only had the tool to review the data attached to the element, but it would not allow any edits within the dialog as this one does - 

    BUT, checking to see if the tool to redisplay the lines of text within the file is available, i do not find it like VSQL Review was not available before - Text Manager Update - 

    This is also how i add new records to my database and at the same time establish the link to the design text element.

    So I will be keeping both applications after all.

  • I use OpenCities Map Advanced for my connection to an access database with elements within a dgn linked to a record. Previous versions were named Bentley Map.

    This has a tool that allows me to edit the record from the database as i am in the dgn with a tool called VSQL Review. This tool is not available anywhere else that i know of.

    The setup is a learning curve but once it is, it is set. My dgn and database have been thru several version upgrades - Office and Map - and it still works as i need it too.

  • 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.
    click link to PM me 

  • 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.