3D PDF error - Engineering contents of active model could not be loaded.

Would it be possible for you to post the file for others to review?

There is some information on printing with limited resources which can be found in the following article along with other 3D plotting information, for elements such as Engineering links which may also be related.

communities.bentley.com/.../plotting-3d-models-faq

Carl, where do I upload a file so you could look at it?
Kevin

Carl, here is the CAD file with the geometry.

thanks,

KevinSingle-Tub.dgn

Hi Kevin,

I was able to print your model into 3D PDF without any problem, no error message displayed and PDF is displayed correctly in Acrobat DC.

Used configuration: MicroStation V8i (SELECTseries 3) Update 2, build 08.11.09.449, Windows 10, 6 GB RAM.

I see no engineering content (items) in the design file, so I am not sure why the error is displayed. Can you try to open and print the file using untitled / untitled workspace, so no other settings, libraries etc. will be used during the printing? Also can you try to export the file into i-model and to print i-model, not original DGN?

With regards,

Jan

Jan, I tried what you suggested (both options, untitled and I-model) but Microstation still crashed each time while generating the plot. Could it be the PDF plot config file? I tried to use just the generic PDF.pltcfg file (dated from 2011), but got same result. My computer only has 4GB of ram, could that be an issue? Just trying to sort out what the cause is, so I can move forward.
Thanks,
Kevin

pdf.pltcfgLike Jan, I too was unable to reproduce using both MicroStation 08.11.09.357 and 08.11.09.459

I attach the pdfplt.cfg file delivered with my *.357 build which I had running on win 7 PLATFORM for you to test / compare against.

Hi Kevin,

Unknown said:

but Microstation still crashed each time while generating the plot.

It's weird. I am surprised because of the error message you mentioned (Engineering contents of active model could not be loaded.), there are only normal graphic elements in the design file, so I am not sure where the message comes from. I think the reasons can be:

• PDF printer driver. Can you try the pdf.pltcfg provided by Carl?
• There is some application active that tries to add a content to printed PDF. Is your MicroStation installation a standard or some tool or some addon/extension was installed.
• There is a problem in MicroStation installation. Repair or reinstallation should help. But if the problem is specific only for this file only, it's probably no reason to reinstall the whole MicroStation.

Unknown said:

My computer only has 4GB of ram, could that be an issue?

In my opinion not. Mine has 6 GB and it's not so big difference. Moreover MicroStation is 32bit application, so it doesn't utilize all memory anyway.

With regards,

  Jan

Hi Kevin,

Unknown said:

but Microstation still crashed each time while generating the plot.

It's weird. I am surprised because of the error message you mentioned (Engineering contents of active model could not be loaded.), there are only normal graphic elements in the design file, so I am not sure where the message comes from. I think the reasons can be:

• PDF printer driver. Can you try the pdf.pltcfg provided by Carl?
• There is some application active that tries to add a content to printed PDF. Is your MicroStation installation a standard or some tool or some addon/extension was installed.
• There is a problem in MicroStation installation. Repair or reinstallation should help. But if the problem is specific only for this file only, it's probably no reason to reinstall the whole MicroStation.

Unknown said:

My computer only has 4GB of ram, could that be an issue?

In my opinion not. Mine has 6 GB and it's not so big difference. Moreover MicroStation is 32bit application, so it doesn't utilize all memory anyway.

With regards,

  Jan

Jan/Carl, I tried the attached PDF plt.cfg but it still crashes, but I no longer get the engineering contents error. Instead I get this error, Exception encountered inside [callPlotHookMethod [OnNewModelRef]]. Our Microstation is a custom install with a lot of the components residing on the server. My guess is that this is where the issue is, especially if you guys can plot it without issue. Thanks for all the assistance.
Kevin

Hi Kevin,

Unknown said:

Our Microstation is a custom install with a lot of the components residing on the server.

This is very important information, not discussed yet during this lengthy discussion. And it was reason why I recommend to test to create PDF in untitled / untitled workspace to minimize threat the prinitng process is influenced by any not MicroStation code. By default in untitled / untitled workspace nothing is loaded, but if it's the custom installation, anything can be installed at site or higher level.

Unknown said:

My guess is that this is where the issue is, especially if you guys can plot it without issue.

Yes, you are probably right. If there is any custom code adding data on the fly or hooking plotting process, it's hard to investigate where the problem can be :-(

With regards,

  Jan

Hi, Kevin ,have you solve this problem? what's your method ? I meet the same thing when print to 3d pdf,Exception encountered inside [callPlotHookMethod [OnNewModelRef]].
This really bother me ,can't move forward.
Hope for your reply,thanks!

Try the following for me in the print dialog box: Go to Settings -> 3d Plotting -> General -> Minimum Element Size (Meters):
adjust the value of this setting.
When on, and set to a non-zero value, specifies a size threshold in master units where any element below the threshold is not exported to the output file. This enables you to filter out small details in a design without compromising the features of the model.
This setting is useful in very busy models.

Hi ED:
Your method is really helpfull ! I set the General -> Minimum Element Size (Meters): 0.01. and got right result.
Let me discribe the error more clearly. My main model is attached 50 reference now. It's ok if i attach 2 or 3 but crash when there are so many.
After a long time processing,it come out a blank pdf with nothing in it !Or it says the problem above.[OnNewModelRef]]
Interesting
Now i can continue
Thank you ED !


Regards,
Kevin