sheet file issues

Hi

we seems to have adopted a workflow  where we create individual files and then create a composition file of all the different references specific for the relevant floor plate, elevation/section etc....

users then reference in the composition file to a live nest of 1 into the model of the sheet file and maybe an individual file to make up the file output drawing. The user will then reference in the model file live nest of two, scale down the model and move, clip accordingly.

some the issues the users have been experiencing is levels are constantly switching themselves on in the model in the sheet, which then has a knock effect with the sheet output. this means the users are constantly checking, changing to get the drawing to its intended state and plotting individually rather using print organiser, which seriously counter productive!!.

One top of that, one or two switch levels on/off in the sheet instead of the model, meaning it will cause problems when converting, as the conversion seems to look at the model first, and uses the level state that is setup on

The other issue we seem to be experiencing is when levels are switched on/off in the model and the user then switches to the sheet, the sheet has not mimicked the level state, until the file is reopened...?

workflow attached

 Would be eternally grateful if anybody could advise on a workflow that answers all the problem note above so the end users are pulling their hair out!

thanks in advance

Parents Reply Children
  • Perhaps this setting may be of use.

    communities.bentley.com/.../79961.aspx

    There are also some key-in for syncing views for symbology settings that may also apply to levels on/off.  I have been searching for them on a related issue but cant find them.

  • generally when creating your sheet files, you are going to turn on and off levels that you need to get the display for final issue. When you make these changes, these should be stamped into the sheet and should not change (no matter what is happening in the references). Don't set up the levels in the reference master or its files, then attach it to the sheet, rather, attach it to the sheet, then in the sheet make your changes to the levels you need. Now in the future when you work on the references, because this is where the data actually exists, you should be able to turn on and off levels and not have it change what is showing in the sheet.

    With this said there are a few things that effect all of this. One is syncronizing the levels - which was mentioned above. Another is what MicroStation does with any new level introduced into a file. If you create a new level in any of the files being referenced, by default, when encountered in the sheet file, it will be turned off for display. If  this is not how you want it to function, then you need to set the MS_REF_NEWLEVELDISPLAY = 1 , which when set will turn on any new level encountered in the references.Lastly, you will also need to determine whether it is global display, global freeze or view display on/off that is being changed as these are different settings (and this may be where you are encountering issues). An example of this would be you are in the master model where all the references are attached and this is what in turn is attached to the sheet (which is in the same file, master model and sheet). When in the master model you "globally" turn off a level - what you essentially just did, is turn that level off for alllll models/sheets in that file (*.dgn/dwg). So if you go into the sheet, that level is now off as well (not a good workflow). What you should be working with is "view display". If you turn off the view display of a level in the master model, this will not effect the level in the sheet (it would still be on).

    Timothy Hickman

    CADD Manager | CADD Department

    timothy.hickman@colliersengineering.com

    Main: 877 627 3772| 

    1000 Waterview Drive Suite 201 | Hamilton, New Jersey 08691

  • Tim,

    While what you describe is a traditional MicroStation type workflow it is not the only method or necessarily the most efficient.  I would suspect this user is used to more of an AutoCAD type configuration per his diagram of  Design -> Drawing Model-> Sheet.  In that work flow using the Drawing Model to control levels has many benefits.  

    You work in the Design and you flip things on and off as desired, the Drawing Model is more of a container of references (and level settings) attach to a sheet.   It is generally impossible to know at the time of sheet creation specifically what levels you will have and what needs to be on.  If I have a floor plan that needs to split into 8 sheets (zones) you can control levels in all sheets via the drawing model as opposed to having to go into each sheet separately.

  • then possibly putting the drawing model and the sheet model in the same file and turn on/off the levels globally (as this will effect both models)

    Timothy Hickman

    CADD Manager | CADD Department

    timothy.hickman@colliersengineering.com

    Main: 877 627 3772| 

    1000 Waterview Drive Suite 201 | Hamilton, New Jersey 08691