Separate MDL created Elements from User's Elements

Is there a way to have a MDL create elements within the current DGN without including these elements in the Design History.? This MDL upon opening a design file it populates the file with elements (draws text, lines arcs, cells - simple geometry) defined in an externeal database. Periodically the MDL & external EXE will recompute, delete current elements & repopulate the design with the recomputed elements. The MDL also removes all elements upon closing the design and, in case of crash, upon opening design.

This process requires the user to compress the design file periodically (set to compress on exit) to keep the file size small and fast. Compressing the design file, while in session, prevents the user from performing Undo Function. I would like all elements created by the MDL to be excluded from the Undo Function, Design History, and be able to compress only the space left when MDL removes elements.

One thing I thought was mabye change the Design History Author for these elements. Would this allow these elements to be flushed from Design History seperate from user's history? Is there a way to maintain a separate space within the design which can be treated seperate from the user's work?  If so, could it provide faster file scanning, targeted compression & exclusion from Design History? This MDL needs to remain somewhat compatable with J & SE which currently excludes utilizing a separate model; unless this is the only way. I know design history was first implemented in V8; the MDL already supports some minor version differences by if V8 then ...

Thanks

Roy

  • A Cell is a Model; a Model is a Cell

    Roy:
    Cells and models are essentially the same.

    A DGN model and a DGN cell are literally essentially the same: they are made of the same essense. All that distinguishes them, AFAIK, is the flag in the model that says 'use me as a cell'. I believe that the sole function of that flag is so that, when you attach a cell library, only those models marked as cells appear in the list.

    So yes: your cell proposal is identical to my suggestion.

    Regards, Jon Summers
    LA Solutions

     
    Regards, Jon Summers
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  • If the data to be deleted is fully contained within a cell(s) does this thelp? Is it possible to create the cell(s) then later delete and purge only those specific cells without recording the actions in design history or  the undo buffer? I would think it could being that cells and models are essentially the same.

    TIA - Roy

  • Roy:
    Is there a way to have a MDL create elements within the current DGN without including these elements in the Design History?

    One approach, which is similar to the way that Plot Composer works, is to create a new model within the current DGN. Make this temporary model the active model, then reference your original active model, so everything appears as before. You can create as many elements as you like, then throw the temp. model away when you're done.

    Regards, Jon Summers
    LA Solutions

     
    Regards, Jon Summers
    LA Solutions