[OR] CR - Tool to import Civil Objects from Another File

When Design information was saved in External files, it was a normal workflow to have a working file where we manipulate DTM's, ALG's, ITL's and IRD's as we refine our project. Once a workable design is created, we would open actual project Files and display the design data. The working files were not part of any deliverable.

With Open Roads Designer phasing out the Native Applications, we will need some way to export portions of our designs, in the same manner as these prior workflows.

LandXML so far only offers some limited capabilities - AFAIK, there is no easy way to export all civil geometry and all terrain elements automatically. I also don't know if Corridors and Templates have a LandXML format.

One way to remedy this, would be an Import Civil Object tool, that works similar to how you can import a model, saved view and more.

It would need intelligence, for example: To import a corridor, it should be able to import any active file elements that the corridor is dependent on. And if the dependency is in a reference file, offer to bring the reference attachment along or to import the dependent object from the reference file. It should also be able to detect if the necessary reference file is already attached, it offers to use the current attachment.

  • I've been working on an xsl report to report an OR corridor to ird as a backup that can be imported back in when required - worth the effort?

    I suppose a vba could also scan for corridor dependencies as a crude tool that does what your looking for? I think it may be a while till we get a polished built in one.

    Regards,

    Mark


    OpenRoads Designer 2023  |  Microstation 2023.1  |  ProjectWise 2023

  • It is not exactly the same workflow you are describing. Importing civil information means that you give the design. In SS2 you were giving the graphics only (as described in your post). In SS4 did you try to export to a file from fence content?



  • As an example, try to export a full design from ConceptStation. What it gives you is the alg, itl and ird. I'm traditionally an MX user so these formats are new to me, however, this process imports more than graphics only. Ie. ruled geometry, corridor with template drops linked to an itl that can be synced.

    What im trying to say is that between imodels, icms and the legacy type import data I doubt they would be building a new engine to get this functionality. It's hard enough waiting for deliverable input/output formats like GENIO, IFC etc.

    Regards,

    Mark


    OpenRoads Designer 2023  |  Microstation 2023.1  |  ProjectWise 2023

  • I thought the Corridor Report raw XML was already very close to an IRD. I found only a few edits to an old IRD XML Report would report on a Ss4 Corridor almost identically to how it used to report on an IRD.
    However, certain elements only get reported on with a GUID as its identification. I have a post on the newsgroup about it. From memory, it might be a "stand-alone" Secondary Alignment - that is, one not acting as one in combination with being a point control.
    By making the same alignment a point control, even if it is not enabled, you will have some part of the XML that contains the GUID and Feature Name.
    But I like your thoughts. I had even considered experimenting with that approach. The problem for me, right now, is that I am working at an office with only Ss4. Such experimentation was going to have too wait.

    Charles (Chuck) Rheault
    CADD Manager

    MDOT State Highway Administration

    • MicroStation user since IGDS, InRoads user since TDP.
    • AutoCAD, Land Desktop and Civil 3D, off and on since 1996
  • Hi Mark,

    Did you finished the corridor report to an ird, so we can use it as a backup / input file?

    I'm very interested about that! :-)

    Thanks