Multiple References Automatically Attached to Current

I am working with a large corridor file with many references attached as default and default-3D models. Any action in the file takes a very long time with the program freezing up and the message center listing most of the reference files. Ex: "3D Model [*reference file name] AutomaticallyAttachedToCurrent". It seems like the program reloads each reference file with any action taken, even just to switch views or opening the project explorer. I have deactivated corridor processing and it still does this. I have also noticed that these listed reference files duplicate in the 3D references manager every time, creating hundreds of the same default-3D file thus slowing down the corridor file. Is there a way to disable the 'automatic attach to current' setting? Or did I do something wrong attaching the references? Note that not all reference files have this issue. Or is there a problem with the reference file itself?

Thanks, Ryan

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  • Hi Ryan,

    This is an issue we've experienced since the SS4 OpenRoads versions and OpenRoads Designer when you directly attach the "managed" 3D model of a 2D/3D dgn directly as a reference to your current "managed" 3D model for terrains and set your terrain as active.

    It seems to get into a reference attach loop, that activates when you don't notice, hence we've had users with 1000s of references auto-attached.

    A way around this is to make sure you only attach these files in 2D (And 3D will automatically get referenced in) or as we do, use a 3D only seed for terrains and attach in 2D (although 3D would be fine now).

    To "fix" what you have, you can bulk detach all the duplicates by using the key In "REFERENCE DETACH <logical name>". Since they all have the same logical name you can do it with one command.

    I've been trying to get this logged as a defect, but the opinion is that we should be sticking to the invisible rules if the software.

    Regards,

    Mark


    OpenRoads Designer 2023  |  Microstation 2023.2  |  ProjectWise 2023

  • A way around this is to make sure you only attach these files in 2D (And 3D will automatically get referenced in) or as we do, use a 3D only seed for terrains and attach in 2D (although 3D would be fine now).

    This is not a sure fire way around the problem. I recently had a re-install of SS4 08.11.09.878 where this issue re-occurs. Prior to the re-install i had not experienced the problem in years and am aware to never attach 3d models into the 2d default model

  • It's true that doing that will also cause re-occurring reference attachments. In my particular case i'm referencing the default model and it will continuously attach the default3d model. 

    It's worthwhile to note that it's not the files in my case because I am referencing the same files both before and after my re-install. Before the re-install I had no issues, and now for some reason I have issues with the same file

  • So I did some testing and discovered that the issue is related to information stored inside the active UPF file. I don't know what specific information is creating this attach loop. I added the test2.dgn file as a reference to the active file. When both the active file and referenced file have 3D "managed" models you get the attach loop issue. If you open the message center you can see this in action. Any civil command creates a repeat attachment of the 3D "managed" model. This accumulates very rapidly to hundreds of attachments. 

    I replaced the active UPF (250 KB) with the stock untitled.upf (3 KB) and the issue has stopped. It's not entirely clear what gets written into the UPF. It may become bloated or corrupt over time especially when running concurrent instances of Microstation that access the same UPF.

    I think it would be good practice to occasionally replace the UPF with a fresh copy. This can be done automatically by placing a clean UPF on disk and pointing the config variable MS_USERPREFSEED to this file. You then delete your working UPF and Microstation will automatically create a new one using the UPF seed. 

  • Thank you so much! your solution completely fixed the issue. 10/10 would buy you beer in exchange for the advice

    I replaced the active UPF (250 KB) with the stock untitled.upf (3 KB) and the issue has stopped. It's not entirely clear what gets written into the UPF. It may become bloated or corrupt over time especially when running concurrent instances of Microstation that access the same UPF
  • I went ahead and adjusted some workspace preferences while using the stock untitled.upf. The attach loop issue started happening again. When I open Workspace => Preferences and restore Defaults the attach loop issue disappears. So it seems like one of the settings in Preferences is causing this issue.

    To check if you have the attach loop issue create two 2D design files. In each file place a linear element using the Horizontal Geometry tools. Then create a profile for this element using the Vertical Geometry tools. Make the profile active. You should now have a newly created "managed" 3D model in each file. Now add one of these files as a reference to the other. The reference "managed" 3D model will be automatically attached to your active "managed" 3D model. Open message center. In the active file try adding a new linear element using the Horizontal Geometry tools.  In message center check if you are getting redundant attachment messages.

  • Found the culprit. It is a setting in Workspace => Preferences. Under Reference switch off  "Save Settings to Save Changes". The attach loop issue will stop. This is most likely a software bug. This setting does not exist in the CONNECT edition.

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