Using Labels from Imported Survey Point Data in Text Favourite

Question

Greetings, 
 I'm learning ORD and have a question regarding Annotations of imported Survey data. I have an existing process from InRoads that I'm trying to replicated. I use the Import tool to create graphics of my survey point data in a Field Book. I can see a field from my import, "Point Label", which contains the text I'd like to add as graphic elements, not just Text Decorations, to use in plain Microstation. I am trying to create a Text Favourite using that field but I cannot see the field in my options. If i use Place Text, go to Fields, select the element, I can see the field and it places the text appropriately. 
 Question: Do I need to change my import process to insert that Point Label into an existing field already present in the OpenRoads Label functionality? Or is there a way to create the Text Favourite using that Point Label field? 
 Thank you.

caddcop · Accepted Answer

Have you looked at the SmartObject VBA project? See this link: Video: Example using VBA Macros to Draw Pipes as 3D when Importing Survey Data 
 The code include many other macro modules with comments explaining how to generate labels based upon survey data. These require you to use the Use VBA Macro property set to True in the General Survey Settings and then, in the VBA Feature Macros property, define the Object Type, Field Code and VBA Macro using the example coding from the macro. 
 There are also newer Survey Annotation tools that use text favorites and I believe there are videos showing how to set those up as well. 
 When we first looked at Open Roads Survey, it was in V8i Ss4/Ss10 which only supported the VBA Macro labeling capabilities. So as we began working on the CONNECT workspace, we retained their use and have not really spent time on the other labeling methods for Survey. 
 If you visit our CAD Standards web page, you can download our V8i workspace and see the customized version of that VBA Project which expanded a lot on the examples supplied by Bentley. We parse survey attributes for additional labels which may or may not be in the examples, but in our code, we evaluate the values and react to any issues that are found in their values. For example, if two ends of the same pipe are coded with two different attributes, we turn the labels red as a flag that there is an issue.

Cliff Mennenger · Answer

Chuck is correct about VBA macro labeling. That process works great but does have to follow a process to work correctly. When ORD landed in our laps I stopped using macros for anything but storm pipes. Macro labeling feels heavy handed and not flexible enough to provide a good presentation without more development from the user.....I'm not a programing or coding guy. 
 For topo features such as street signs, utility poles and other simple point features my workflow is as follows: 
 
 Create a 2d or 3d design model 
 ref in survey features isolated so you can select them. 
 Open Civil Labeler and annotate the selection. 
 Optionally I drop the labels to simple text. I have had instances where the labels were affected by subtle edits to the survey model and thus effort was lost. 
 
 The labels can then be consumed by downstream users and or edited easily as text. For survey chains I follow a similar workflow of isolating the features and apply Civil labeler annotation in separate model. 
 If your working in a State kit workspace you may not have access to the LIB files needed to customize the annotations to get what you need or want. I get the feeling survey annotation workflows might see a major overhaul in the near future. 
 Take care, 
 Cliff

Using Labels from Imported Survey Point Data in Text Favourite

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