Between two offices we have OpenRoads Designer (at mine) and OpenSite (at the other). So far I'm the only one using the software. The other office wants to check my work. I was able to cobble an SS2 version, but I guess the time has come to ask: If i make a file in OpenRoads, can someone with OpenSite open and/or view it?
I had zero exposure to what OpenRoads Designer was, and less of OpenSite. Does OpenSite have a similar configuration setup as OpenRoads? If so, can I drop in PennDOT's WorkSpace in the same way as OpenRoads? I'm guessing if so, then it should be no problem to easily open an ORD file (he said with a touch of trepidation).
Mark,
There is a lot of nuance in your question here. Both applications use the V8 DGN file format which will permit the opening of files between the two applications. Unfortunately, the manner in which Bentley has programed the applications to store the "intelligent" data generated in the OpenX civil products has left true interoperability unavailable. The storage mechanism is referred to as the Civil schema. This has changed from version to version of the software so you will need to be in compatible versions to open and work on the files within the same product. In addition to the schema, there is a "hierarchy" between the Civil OpenX products, from "high" to "low" that is OpenRail > OpenRoads > OpenSite. So files created in, or that contain, OpenRoads content will open read only in OpenSite. Files from OpenSite would open and be "upgraded" or branded when opened in OpenRoads, and would open in OpenSite afterwards as read only.
Since we are able to open the files in all three applications, including an "inferior" one, someone could conceivably use OpenSite to review your OpenRoads work. I do have, however, some experience that not all the information that may be needed would be available. In broad terms, I would get to see the content that is part of what I call the "digital physical model", that which is actually rendered in to MicroStation elements in the 2D and 3D views. Availability of the data associated with those elements has been a little hit or miss.
For the question on the configurations, they are very similar in nature, and can be configured to share resources. There is, however, some of the same limitations that arise with design files here. Previous or "lower" versions will not always read in the configuration resources created in newer / higher versions.
Sorry the answer isn't more clear cut, but the once nearly universal DGN file format is a thing of the past.
Hope that helps.
Steve
www.envisioncad.com
ORD - 10.12.02.04 / 10.10.21.04 / 10.10.01.03 / 10.08.01.33Power GEOPAK / Power InRoads - 08.11.09.918Civil 3D - 2021 / 2022 / 2024
Hi Steven,
Has the interoperability between OSD and ORD changed since your post on 12/17/2021? Our company uses ORD but not every user needs all the functions in ORD (for example, cooridors/templates). It was suggested that one could save costs on Bentley software by purchasing OSD for the users that do the lower level functions such as Drawing Production, and Annotating. But if you are always having to use the Civil File Manger tool for downgrading, upgrading or aligning dgn files for the same project so both ORD and OSD users can modify the files, it doesn't make sense. Am I missing anything? Thanks,
Good morning Sandra,
I have not spent any time recently on the OSD side of things recently, but am not aware of anything having changed from a couple years ago. I do know that a couple of my clients who were looking at saving costs as indicated here with mixes of ORD, OSD and MicroStation have given up on the approach and simply implemented ORD for all users.
Hope that helps!Steve