Generative Components Newbie

Question

I am trying to pick up GC as I need a certain task done on the project I am working on. 
 I am using MicroStation and ProConcrete to model a concrete structure and reinforcement bars. Since ProConcrete requires "guidelines" as source of reinforcement geometry, it means that the more complex the concrete geometry is, the more complex the guidelines are and therefore I am looking at using GC to drive the creation of the guidelines that would need to be based on pre-modeled solid geometry in ProConcrete. I hope I am describing this enough. 
 I have GC installed on my laptop now and I went through the quick start guide to know the basics. I will look for more learning information on the internet. 
 There are a ew questions I have: 
 1. How does my Proconcrete model link to GC? Do I have to reference my solid model from ProConcrete to GC and then make GC pickup the solid geometry? 
 2. How can I link the generated guidelines in GC back to ProConcrete? 
 3. If the ProConcrete solid geometry changes, how can I translate that change to GC and make it generate a new set of guideleines? 
 Thanks in advance. 
 Ken Roxas

Mueller · Accepted Answer

Hi Ken, 
There is a list of all node types and their techniques accessible through the Expression Builder dialog's Node Types tab. The Expression Builder can be accessed through the green fx icon in the Script Editor. 
Regards, 
 Volker

Steve Cocchi · Answer

If you hover over a specific technique there is a flyover popup that includes a brief description + the input/output options available for that technique. 
 
I've never seen an all-inclusive list though... I'd imagine that would be a long, long list based on the number of nodes + techniques! Plus, things are always changing so maintenance could be a bear.

Mueller · Answer

Hi Margarita, 
 Given the long time passed since then, I don't know what the concrete response was (pun intended). In general terms, GenerativeComponents can relate to other Bentley applications through the common DGN format. If a Bentley application generates DGN files, GenerativeComponents can acquire elements from those file by using ReferenceAttachment nodes, Range nodes, and for node types corresponding to the reference geometry the FromElementsInRange technique to incorporate these geometric entities in a GenerativeComponents script. For architectural and structural elements from OpenBuildings applications, GenerativeComponents also accesses the DataGroup information. 
 On the reverse, geometry generated with GenerativeComponents can be exported to a "clean" DGN file (without GenerativeComponents' own markings and element ownership) for inclusion in a project's DGN data. For OpenBuildings architectural and structural elements, GenerativeComponents can generate properly attributed geometry for inclusion in a BIM project. 
 Some demonstration of those capabilities can be found and explored through the training material available for GenerativeComponents. 
 https://communities.bentley.com/products/products_generativecomponents/w/generative_components_community_wiki/41876/suggested-training-sequence 
 Best regards, 
 Volker