Hello MicroStation,
I am having trouble with files that are referenced into a drawing not showing due to links being broken. This means I have to individually re-link each file every time I open a drawing. I have not changed any of the names or destinations of the reference files. Has anybody else come across this issue / found the solution?
Many thanks,
Lewis
You can have MicroStation hold reference file paths in 2 main ways. You can pick the option to 'Save Full Path' or set the config variable MS_RFDIR with the path where the file resides. Have you tried to do either?
Hi Bear,
Other than the hidden full path, where is the option to "Save Full Path"? I really need that feature. I can only find "Save Relative Path".
--Thanks,--Robert
It's more config related Robert:
MS_DISALLOWFULLREFPATH
"Disallow Full Ref Path"
If set, the product does not save the full path to references. By default, the product stores both an abbreviated (portable) path and the full path to references.
Thanks. That is correct. The "Save Full Path" option was available in Microstation 7, but not in Microstation 8 or CE. The configuration variable becomes the "last chance" to finding the file, if it has not already been found in a number of other locations. I really don't like this setup because of: 1) If I have it turned on, I have references that should be reported as "missing" showing up, and causing issues. 2) If I have it turned off, I can never retain the reference to any file that does not have a "relative path".
I guess one of my issues also is the way that Bentley uses the term, "relative path." For me that means the shortest route to that file from this file. (IE up one folder and then...) If the file/folder is on a different drive, then the relative path would be the same as the full path, because the shortest route would be "go to the root folder and to the new drive letter then..."
I do agree with you (to get back to the real subject of this thread), that the configuration variable must be set to allow the hidden full path to be saved, to allow Lewis to find his files.
It's been a LONG time since I've used anything other than config variables for reference file paths so forgive me if this isn't perfect, but the way I remember it, if you won't set MS_DISALLOWFULLREFPATH to 1 then it should store the location of the reference file and still be able to find it unless the path has changed. The only sure way around all of this is to set MS_RFDIR with a list of reference file paths so that a file can't be lost. I do agree on the alert, something that pops up on file open.
Hi Robert,
Would these links be of help to you:
https://communities.bentley.com/products/microstation/w/microstation__wiki/15392/how-to-add-relative-path-to-a-reference-attachment (ticking/unticking the option Save Full Path, may do what you want)
https://communities.bentley.com/products/microstation/w/microstation__wiki/8919/understanding-file-locations-and-reference-attachments-in-microstation
https://communities.bentley.com/other/old_site_member_blogs/peer_blogs/b/marc_thomass_blog/posts/connect-edition---configuration-tips-reference-file-variables
Note that in the Preferences, you can also set whether the Relative Path is to be saved or not when attaching a reference.
HTH
Henk
Hi Henk,
Henk Ligtvoet said:https://communities.bentley.com/products/microstation/w/microstation__wiki/15392/how-to-add-relative-path-to-a-reference-attachment
I use relative paths every day, so I know all about them..
Henk Ligtvoet said: (ticking/unticking the option Save Full Path, may do what you want)
Where is the option to Save Full Path? If you are talking about MS_DISALLOWFULLREFPATH, that does not work for file specific requirements--it's a global setting, meant to be used as a global setting.
Henk Ligtvoet said:communities.bentley.com/.../quote] I understand the search methods. This is exactly where I have problems... When I specify a Relative Path, I want the relative path. If the file is not found in the relative path, I want to see it missing. When I want to specify a Full Path, I want the file at the full path. So if I attach the "C:\File.dgn" in my "D:\MasterFile.dgn", I don't ever want to see "D:\File.dgn" to show up, which is exactly what Microstation does. Henk Ligtvoet said:Note that in the Preferences, you can also set whether the Relative Path is to be saved or not when attaching a reference. Henk, I don't mean to be rude, but I have to ask, "Have you read what I wrote prior to responding with an inadequate and generic response?" In my first post to this thread I said, "Where is the option to Save Full Path? I really need that feature." In my second post I said, "I really don't like this [MS_DISALLOWFULLREFPATH] setup because of: 1) If I have it turned on, [then I have problems]. 2) If I have it turned off, [then I have problems]." And then after that I discuss the details of the definition of "relative path"--a much more in-depth subject than "turning it on or off". Sorry for the snapping at you, but I've been dealing with full path and psuedo-relative-paths since Microstation 4 on the MacIntosh. Then when we transitioned to Windows, we had a vba to create puedo-relative-paths. And as you can see from my previous post, I am very familiar with the referencing transition from Mstn V7 to V8. It gets frustrating when I have been trying to get Bentley to fix how Microstation references files properly for years, and I get an inadequate and generic response fit for a first-time user. If you want to respond, please tell me how to attach a reference with a relative path (and no saved full path) and attach a reference with a full path (without checking the active folder first) in the same drawing. I can tell you how to do it in Microstation V8i (SS3)! Officially it's a bug. Can you tell me how to do it in Microstation CE? --Thanks,--Robert[/quote]
I understand the search methods. This is exactly where I have problems... When I specify a Relative Path, I want the relative path. If the file is not found in the relative path, I want to see it missing. When I want to specify a Full Path, I want the file at the full path. So if I attach the "C:\File.dgn" in my "D:\MasterFile.dgn", I don't ever want to see "D:\File.dgn" to show up, which is exactly what Microstation does.
Henk Ligtvoet said:Note that in the Preferences, you can also set whether the Relative Path is to be saved or not when attaching a reference.
Henk, I don't mean to be rude, but I have to ask, "Have you read what I wrote prior to responding with an inadequate and generic response?" In my first post to this thread I said, "Where is the option to Save Full Path? I really need that feature." In my second post I said, "I really don't like this [MS_DISALLOWFULLREFPATH] setup because of: 1) If I have it turned on, [then I have problems]. 2) If I have it turned off, [then I have problems]." And then after that I discuss the details of the definition of "relative path"--a much more in-depth subject than "turning it on or off".
Sorry for the snapping at you, but I've been dealing with full path and psuedo-relative-paths since Microstation 4 on the MacIntosh. Then when we transitioned to Windows, we had a vba to create puedo-relative-paths. And as you can see from my previous post, I am very familiar with the referencing transition from Mstn V7 to V8. It gets frustrating when I have been trying to get Bentley to fix how Microstation references files properly for years, and I get an inadequate and generic response fit for a first-time user.
If you want to respond, please tell me how to attach a reference with a relative path (and no saved full path) and attach a reference with a full path (without checking the active folder first) in the same drawing. I can tell you how to do it in Microstation V8i (SS3)! Officially it's a bug. Can you tell me how to do it in Microstation CE?