Folks:
I would like to know how the members are assigning multiple Item Types to a singular conduit feature definition in OpenRoads Drainage and Utilities.
Some background: We have- for instance- a single feature definition- "RCP" (Reinforced Concrete Pipe) which is tied to the Hydraulic Prototype (RCP) which is accessing the Conduit Catalog for various sizes related to this feature definition (18", 24", 30", etc.). Because we have different Pay Items that need to be assigned to different sizes of pipe- and as I have only the feature definition "RCP" which I can assign an Item Type to- how can I get the software to understand different Pay Items based upon the size of the conduit I need? I was hoping that there would be a place in the Conduit Catalog where such an Item Type could be assigned, but it does not seem to exist there. The absurd solution of creating feature definitions for each size and type of pipe comes to mind?
How are you folks handling this "issue"?
OpenRoads Designer CE - 2021 Release 2 - Version 10.10.21.04
Best Regards,
Mark
Mark,
Do you know if there are item type expressions to pull information from the catalogs or other data that you could then set up a LookUp file for your bid items? The strings that it looks up must be identical to these so if you have RCP 24" it must be RCP 24" in the LookUp table along with your bid items.
Thanks,
Erika
Erika:
I had done a bit of research into this method, and- apparently- I need to do more of it. Thanks so much for your reply!
I'm starting to dive into this myself for our own workspace. I know for cells you can pull the cell name, but pipes may be a bit more difficult. I wonder if there's a way to use a combination of "this.GetElement().Diameter" and "this.GetElement().AssignedMaterial" to do a lookup command in the mean time?
I believe that there is a list somewhere out here which has expressions for not only MicroStation but also OpenRoads (SUDA/ DA) expressions pertinent to our discussion. I will be doing much testing for sure, and I will be sure to share the information as it is developed!
Best Regards and Thanks!
I need to dig into the more SUDA/DA Item Type expressions. I think I'm on the right track if I had the right expressions!
Certainly, Erika. By the time we are done with these Pay Items/ Item Types we will have all of the expressions memorized!
Try a combination of this.GetElement().Physical_Material and this.GetElement().Physical_ConduitShapeLabel? With a lookup expression and table you could pull bid codes and such! This is more SUDA related than the MicroStation ones I had before.
This is what populates in our workspace. Hope this helps!!
Thank you so much, Erika. I will be testing out quite a few such expressions along with Lookup tables tomorrow. The combination of both is already powerful with what has already been developed here.
I certainly appreciate our correspondence!
I agree that it's no fun trying to work out the syntax that you need to retrieve information, especially from the drainage and utilities databases. This Wiki article - Video: Item Type Syntax for Nodes and Conduits - OpenRoads | OpenSite Wiki - OpenRoads | OpenSite - Bentley Communities provides the syntax for some data, and also describes how to find the syntax for anything in the drainage and utilities databases. Please note the suggestion that you keep your data as simple as possible when you do this.
We intend to have an Expression Builder in 2022 Release 1 to make this process easier.
You should be able to get the material and the size values, and do what you need from there. Depending on how your bill items work, you may also want to look at the amount of cover that a conduit has, as this is a factor in some countries.
This table is very useful. Thanks
Sorry for the late reply, Jonathan, and indeed this table is quite useful. I will be diving into the Expression Builder in 2022 R1 quite soon. The video presentation of this function is quite promising. Now, I need to make a note to set CIVILPROPERTYECEXPRESSION TO "1"; just another variable to remember!