V8i VBA - I Want My Very Own PropertyHandler!

It's possible IF you're will to use the MicroStation XML API. Not necessarily "quick and easy", but possible....

Bruce

Hi Christopher,

A "quick and easy" way is using key-ins. The steps are as below:

1. Save attached ECSchema file in the folder d:\ (I created this file for your with application Bentley Class Editor. This app is delivered in MicroStation SDK. I don't include all properties you want in this schema, just a demo).

2. Open your design file in MicroStation, keyin MDL LOAD Bentley.ECXAttributesAddin.dll to load ecxattribute application.

3. Keyin ECX Schema Import d:\TestSchema.01.00.ecschema.xml to import this external schema file into your active design file.

4. Select some elements you want assign properties to them. Keyin ECX Instance AttachWithStoredSchema TestSchema:Component to attach ECInstance to selected elements. Please see the captured pic which is just attached ECInstance to a shape element.

5. Use MVBA's PropertyHandler to assign values to these properties.

HTH, YongAn

YongAn, thank you for going the extra mile to outline the process and display the output!  I really appreciate your time and quick reply.

Unknown said:

A "quick and easy" way [to create EC Schema data] is using key-ins

Thanks for that succinct but informative tutorial!

Thanks Yongan,

could you just list the equivalents in the C++ API? I want to embed this behaviour into my own application.

Regards, Stefan.

Unknown said:

Could you just list the equivalents in the C++ API?

EC Schema

Look for XML Instance API in the MicroStationAPI help document.  When you install the SDK, look in the example projects to find XmlInstance.

Every thing is working great... (wait for it)       but, after I attach the schema to an element, I'm not able to access it using the SelectByAccessString method UNLESS I manually edit the value of it via the dialog.  After doing that even just once, I'm able to select it thereafter.  I'm even able to see my new attributes in the dialog box and using the GetAccessStrings to create an array of all of them - they're in the list - but I'm not able to select any until I manually do so via the dialog box.

I've tried reloading the object as it notes in the help.  I've also tried reloading the session to make sure the file and element is written.  No luck.  The only thing that has worked is the manual edit so far.

Any clues for me?  So close, yet...

Thank you!

-Christopher Johnson

Every thing is working great... (wait for it)       but, after I attach the schema to an element, I'm not able to access it using the SelectByAccessString method UNLESS I manually edit the value of it via the dialog.  After doing that even just once, I'm able to select it thereafter.  I'm even able to see my new attributes in the dialog box and using the GetAccessStrings to create an array of all of them - they're in the list - but I'm not able to select any until I manually do so via the dialog box.

I've tried reloading the object as it notes in the help.  I've also tried reloading the session to make sure the file and element is written.  No luck.  The only thing that has worked is the manual edit so far.

Any clues for me?  So close, yet...

Thank you!

-Christopher Johnson

Chris,

This is a known condition.  The property handler needs the value to be initialized.  I would look to the ECObjects api that we added for Select Series 3.  It is managed code so you will need to write an AddIn to work with the objects.  

HTH,

Try adding a default value to your property in the class editor.
To do this open the schema in the class editor and then in the properties tab select the custom attributes button.
Add 'Calculated ECProperty Specification' custom property to the property and then edit the following values.
EC Expression needs to have a value which can be a space.
Is Calculated as default value only - set this to True.

All of the properties will have values now so you can edit with the propertyhandler.

Kriller, you rock!  This is exactly the piece of the puzzle I was missing that got me the functionality I was looking for.  Thank you SO much for taking the time to share with me.

To pay it forward, here's a link to where I've posted my example schema and the associated key-ins to make this work.

http://chrisjohnson.ucoz.com/VBA/MicroStation/GeopakXsSchema.01.00.ecschema.xml

http://chrisjohnson.ucoz.com/VBA/MicroStation/GeopakXsSchemaKeyins.txt

Christopher Johnson
Technologist/Visualization Specialist

http://www.christopheredwinjohnson.com/

Hi Sergio,

Unknown said:

Can you let me know if there is a way to add a default value to an ECproperty which allows to be read/write, and therefore be modified directly in the ‘Element Information’ box?

It seems like a bug, because Is calculated as default value only is set True in Calculated ECProperty Specification, which by a documentation should ensure the propery is editable after the default value is calculated.

If no Calculated ECProperty Specification is used, the property can be edited without any problem ... but in such case I don't know how to set default value.

With regards,

  Jan

Thanks Jan,

I made sure Is calculated as default value only is set True but when I attach the EC Schema to my elements, the properties are shown as read-only. Is it possible that this is a known issue/bug?

Regards,

Sergio

Hi Sergio,

Unknown said:

Is it possible that this is a known issue/bug?

Create service ticket or post your question to MicroStation forum as a new topic, so it will become more visible than this quite old discussion.

Regards,

  Jan