Is there a way to REFERENCE the Title block into the drawing Sheet Definition?

RE: Is there a way to REFERENCE the Title block into the drawing Sheet Definition?

SonyaP — Thu, 21 May 2020 17:21:12 GMT

There is training available on Bentley Learn Server which I found really useful as I don't do these too often I usually miss a step and then the sheet seed does not work, so having the manual is very valuable to me:

Under the Hood: Setting up Sheets in OpenRoads Designer

There is a document with step by step instructions on setting up Sheets in ORD.

https://learn.bentley.com/app/Public/ViewLearningPathWithMasterCourseExpanded?lpId=111346&mcId=102596

RE: Is there a way to REFERENCE the Title block into the drawing Sheet Definition?

caddcop — Thu, 21 May 2020 14:55:36 GMT

In our workspace, all of our sheet seeds have our standard reference file border attached. We also use one border per project with models representing the different offices and departments that share a main model with most of the actual linework. In InRoads, we had to create a macro to modify any sheets it created to enable nesting and to identify the model of the attachment.

In ORD, that works automatically since it is set in the sheet seeds. Unfortunately, our workspace is still in development and not published on our CAD Standards pages.

There is training in the Learn Server on setting up workspaces and I believe it includes setting up sheet seeds.

RE: Is there a way to REFERENCE the Title block into the drawing Sheet Definition?

Mark Plum — Wed, 20 May 2020 06:17:04 GMT

Based upon the solution to your issue, it is indeed the case that I did not quite understand your initial inquiry, Marianne. The solution is a solid one. Thank you for sharing with the forum! Thanks as well, Marc, for this valuable information.

Mark

RE: Is there a way to REFERENCE the Title block into the drawing Sheet Definition?

Marianne Rask — Wed, 20 May 2020 05:07:35 GMT

Mark; that was not my issue this time, but auto-filling the text fields is definitely the next step.

RE: Is there a way to REFERENCE the Title block into the drawing Sheet Definition?

Marianne Rask — Wed, 20 May 2020 05:05:30 GMT

Wow! Thanks, Marc. This was a weird step, but it worked.

This is my workflow for others to follow:

Workflow:
1. Open the Sheet Definition.dgnlib
2. Create a new Model for the title block
(This title block may contain smart texts that update automatically, but that is another story.)
3. Open the one of the Sheet Models.
4. Attach the dgnlib itself as a reference, selecting the title block Model and scale 1:1.
5. Select the Section Marker, and delete it
6. Answer "No" to deleting the reference.
7. Do this for all Sheet Models in the dgnlib.

The title block will now appear on the drawings when creating them via Named Boundary.

To change something in all plan drawings, simply change it in the title block Model alone.

RE: Is there a way to REFERENCE the Title block into the drawing Sheet Definition?

MaryB — Mon, 18 May 2020 18:52:38 GMT

I can answer for my shop - we may have to update to the new workflow piecemeal. I've seen some of the training on properties and items, and it looks very good, but some aspect of the upgrade may have to be rolled out in stages. There is a lot that can be automated, but there is a lot of setup to get that automation correct, and a lot of education to get everyone in the office into the right workflow. In an ideal world, we just bite the bullet and do everything at once, but I suspect that we are going to have to prioritize what gets accomplished first, and I see automated title blocks getting pushed back a bit while we learn how to design a road.

RE: Is there a way to REFERENCE the Title block into the drawing Sheet Definition?

Mark Plum — Mon, 18 May 2020 18:44:23 GMT

Marianna:

Why not set up your sheets with fields and use properties within the dgnws file to assign differing information on a Workset (project) by Workset basis? Am I misunderstanding your issue?

Mark

RE: Is there a way to REFERENCE the Title block into the drawing Sheet Definition?

Marc Bachand — Mon, 18 May 2020 15:31:19 GMT

This is possible. There is a weird step you need to do though.

Once you have created your sheets in the DGNLIB simply attach the border file as a reference. But note, when you attach this border it gets attached with one of Microstation's section markers. You have to delete this section marker associated with the reference file. It will ask you if you want to detach the reference file, just select no.

Note, if you are using ProjectWise, a new user will need to copy out the title block first. The sheet creation process will not trigger PW to do this and the title block would not be found. You just need to manually copy it out first.

RE: Is there a way to REFERENCE the Title block into the drawing Sheet Definition?

MaryB — Mon, 18 May 2020 13:39:04 GMT

That would be nice to know! Referenced title blocks save us a lot of time - with some of our clients, it's (unfortunately) not unusual to have projects split apart, combined, or assigned different project numbers over the project lifecycle. Having as much of that information contained in ONE file is much more expedient than having to edit it in every sheet.