Update Feature Definition From Library

If I hase used a feature definition defined from a library a copy of this feature definition is placed in the design file.  If the feature definition is then updated in the dgnlib how can this same feature be updated in the dgn file?

  • All,

    I will check see if this is in the pipeline. I'm not aware of anything in the latest update, but will see what I can find and report back.

    Simon Pegg

    Bentley Civil Support



  • We have been requesting this functionality from the first versions of OpenRoads Technology in V8i:

    As CADD managers and Users we need methods to be able synchronize/update from library(dgnlib) any standards, either on an individual basis or in bulk. Additionally we need standard "glyphs" and/or color coding to depict when standards used or differ from libraries. It also needs the granularity to show which item in a group differs when multiple options are available.  A good example that Bentley uses and already exists can be seen in Text Styles. 

    This should be carried through all aspects of the product whether viewing the standard through Explorer, the Feature Definition Toggle Bar or Manager dialogs (like filters). 

  • This has become even more important now that we have symbologies and annotation groups. It is very tedious to manage each DGN individually if something changes in the DGNLIBs at the workspace level. Many of us are in the transition to ORD and do not have flawless workspaces at this time. This functionality would be very beneficial to adapt to the changes needed to make ORD work effectively. 


    OpenRoads Designer 2023 | MicroStation 2023 | ProjectWise 2023

  • As someone trying to fine tune Annotation right now, this has become a very tedious process. I also submitted an Enhancement Request to add a "Compress Design" for Civil Data in a design file, which would be a reasonable middle step. I'd have to go back through my comments to find which thread we got an Enhancement Request number for the Sync Feature Definitions tool, but the Enhancement Request number for the latter that I described was 988933. I'd settle for a macro/extension that sets every object in the design file to "No Feature Definition" and deletes all unused Feature Definitions, Feature Symbologies, Annotation Groups and Annotation Definitions in a given design file.

  • There is an enhancement request in the backlog:
    Enhancement 979916:[CIF] Need dgnlib update feature definitions to update existing DGNs with changes to feature definitions in dgnlib

    It has been approved by the Product Manager but we don't have yet a timeline.