How to retrieve imported shapefile attribute values that are shown as Item Type properties but no item type library is created by the import?

Question

HI - I have imported a shapefile into Microstation and I can see its attribute values under an Item Type whose name is the same as the imported shapefile. However, this Item Type is not shown under any Item Type library in the Item Types dialog. How do I read an element's imported attribute values in this scenario using the C# API? 
 
 Thanks, 
 Martin

Jan Šlegr · Answer

Hi Martin, 
 at first, please follow the best practices and specify exactly a product and its version exactly. Quite often answer is different when V8i or CE product is discussed. 
 Martin Tyberg said: However, this Item Type is not shown under any Item Type library in the Item Types dialog 
 I think used terminology must be corrected at first, because Item and Item Type represent different things: 
 
 As Items are in Explorer dialog (and also in Properties , with no explicit "Item" naming) displayed any EC data, attached to an element. 
 Item Types are Items, that can be defined / created / attached by a user. Technically Item Types are a subset (or can be said "specially created") of EC data. 
 
 So, when talking about data, created from SHP files, they are EC data, not Item Types defined by user, so they are displayed as Items, but no Item Type library is displayed. 
 Martin Tyberg said: How do I read an element's imported attribute values in this scenario using the C# API? 
 Because you want to access EC data, I recommend to start with blog " EC CRUD Operations With Native And Managed DgnEC APIs ". 
 With regards, 
 Jan

How to retrieve imported shapefile attribute values that are shown as Item Type properties but no item type library is created by the import?

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