Archive for January, 2006

New GEOPAK Beginning Road training library released!

Saturday, 7 January 2006

CLEARWATER, FLORIDA, USA — Axiom announces the release of the first ever GEOPAK library of computer-based courses, GEOPAK Beginning Road. The GEOPAK Beginning Road library consists of a series of five courses: Introduction to Digital Terrain Modeling, Advanced Digital Terrain Modeling, Project Manager for Road, Existing Ground Cross Section and Introduction to Coordinate Geometry.

The GEOPAK Beginning Road library is the first of nine libraries Axiom has in development. Authored by experts in the field and put through Axiom’s rigorous quality assurance process, the GEOPAK Beginning Road will allow GEOPAK users to train on GEOPAK concepts at their own pace and on their own schedule

Available both on a standalone CD-ROM or as a course for LearningBay (Axiom’s training management system), the GEOPAK Beginning Road library is designed to help new users get a fast start on GEOPAK and to polish up the skills of veteran users.Below is a short description of each of the courses in the GEOPAK Beginning Road library:

  • Introduction to Digital Terrain Modeling is a basic introduction to the DTM for those new to GEOPAK.
  • Advanced Digital Terrain Modeling provides extensive examples for creating and manipulating models, volumes and features.
  • Project Manager for Road discusses how to set up a project, define preferences, working alignments and various procedures included in the Project Manager.
  • Existing Ground Cross Section details how to draw cross sections, generate ground lines, draw right-of-ways and create sheets.
  • Introduction to Coordinate Geometry covers the creation of the GEOPAK coordinate geometry (COGO) database (*.GPK file, made up of stored geometric elements such as points, lines, curves, etc…) and includes details on using the COGO Navigator (used to view, edit and display coordinate geometry elements).

Axiom’s GEOPAK courses provide “hands on” drills that enable students to try out material learned without needing a copy of GEOPAK.

Axiom’s Senior Product Manager, Mike Arroyo, answered a few questions about the significance of this release.

MicroStation Today: Why is this release significant?
Arroyo: We have sent a message to the MicroStation community that Axiom is focused on improving their productivity at every level, from solving common problems to how they get their general training. This release is significant because this library is our “maiden voyage” into developing training material for vertical Bentley products.

MST: How does Axiom plan to handle upgrades to GEOPAK? How long will it take to deliver course content with the new changes?
Arroyo: All our courses use a series of templates designed to increase the speed for creating and updating materials. With simple editors such as Notepad and Paintbrush, we are able to quickly insert, edit and update contents.

With LearningBay, administrators can easily offer the new GEOPAK Beginning Road training library to students.

MST: With Notepad and Paintbrush…?
Arroyo: Yes! In fact, companies that purchase the optional authoring package may edit our courses to reflect their own workflow or custom programs.

MST: How does Bentley feel about the release of the GEOPAK library?
Arroyo: We are providing a unique service. We are helping companies migrate to Bentley products from other CAD platforms by providing this very convenient and easy training. It is a win-win situation for all parties involved.

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Introduction to models for the new V8 user

Saturday, 7 January 2006

With V8, Bentley introduced MicroStation users to the concept of models. Whereas a V7 design file used to be one single design space, a V8 design file is a container of models, each of which behaves much like a separate design file. You can create an unlimited number of models in a DGN file.

There are two types of models: design or sheet. Design models can be either 2D or 3D. A design model can also be used as a reference or placed as a cell. Sheet models, which are flat and used for drawing composition, are ordinarily 2D (see description of “drawing composition” below). Sheet models let you attach references to create a set of working drawings for the design. By default, the view windows of design models have black backgrounds and those of sheet models have white backgrounds.

MicroStation users familiar with AutoCAD will notice that the model concept is not new to CAD. A design model is similar to the “DWG model space” and a sheet model is similar to the “DWG paper space”.

Drawing Composition
As the name suggests, design models are meant to serve as design environments, where designers can draw components or sections of an overall design and then use sheet models to bring together parts and compose finished, annotated drawings. This is a concept known as “Drawing Composition”. In other words, you can reference in models from the same file into another model in the same file (or another design file if you want). For example, you can design the drawers for a desk in one design model, the table top in another and bring them all together as a complete desk in the sheet model.

Models dialog box
MicroStation V8 offers a simple dialog box to manage models. The Models dialog box can be accessed through File | Models or by clicking on the Models icon.

The Models dialog box is explained in the graphic below:

The Models dialog box (File | Models) is used to create and manage models in an open DGN file.

Useful model key-ins
If you are like most of us at Axiom (read: a geek), then the following key-ins will help you move faster. You can either memorize them or assign them to a function key. Enjoy!

  • Create a new design model: MODEL CREATE DESIGN
  • Create a new sheet model: MODEL CREATE SHEET
  • Import all models from another design file: MODEL IMPORT ALL

These key-in commands will prompt for any additional information they need.

Drag and drop models
You can also drag and drop DGN or DWG files from Windows Explorer into the Models dialog box to import the models from the selected files. Similarly you can use drag and drop to drag models from the Models dialog in another open session of MicroStation to the Models list box and drop them in to import the models. Neat!

Models! Models! Models!
Models have changed the way MicroStation designers work, by providing multiple design environments within one file. This translates to fewer numbers of files per project and easier management of design information. Yet another clever way Bentley has given us to more efficiently communicate design intent.

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FileFixer busts design file corruption myths!

Saturday, 7 January 2006

“Unable to open design file” is the least of your problems.

CLEARWATER, FLORIDA, USA — “Unable to open design file” is a classic error message that is known by virtually every MicroStation user. This message is often considered (incorrectly) as synonymous with design file corruption. It may surprise you to learn that this is not the case. In actual fact, the inability to open a design file is only a symptom of corruption and, ironically, it’s not even the most dangerous symptom. Wondering how that could be? … Read on.

While this error message might be the most famous evidence of file corruption, the message is obvious — it doesn’t take a genius to recognize. Most MicroStation users don’t try to continue past this error message and, therefore, don’t get themselves into further trouble. So, although this message indicates fatal file corruption, almost everyone recognizes this and FileFixer repairs the problem instantly. No big deal.

It is a big deal when a MicroStation user believes the message “Unable to open design file” represents the most common form of file corruption. By believing this, many MicroStation users are unwittingly turning a blind eye to the long list of additional forms of design file corruption that cause needless project delays and added costs.

During the past 20 years Axiom has actively enhanced the V7 version of FileFixer to recognize more than 200 categories of design file corruption. Since MicroStation V8 has not yet become as widely-used as previous versions, FileFixer for V8 is still in its infancy. Even though FileFixer for V8 recognizes more than 70 categories of file corruption, the relative “new-ness” of V8 still leaves lots of room for FileFixer to grow. Granted, 70 categories does seem like FileFixer for V8 is well into its adolescence, but there is much more ground to cover in V8 than in V7 (larger files, complex file structures, etc.). We like to think that FileFixer for V8 is still young! The V8 corruption category count is increasing rapidly, as corruption can only be fixed after it is discovered. Any one of these categories of corruption could interrupt productivity, adding time and costs to your projects.

If you are only familiar with one category of design file corruption, such as “Unable to open design file,” all of the remaining file corruption categories could be impacting your projects without your knowledge. You owe it to yourself to find out about the remaining 199 categories of design file corruption.

The following list provides just a few manifestations of design file corruption. How often do you run into these phenomena?

  • A V8 model is not selectable or won’t open.
  • Elements are unselectable, cannot be moved or deleted.
  • You find elements on undefined levels.
  • Your drawing contains lines that shoot off the edge of the design plane and cannot be selected or manipulated.
  • There is no indication of any error when you import your V7 files into V8, but you discover elements are missing in the V8 version.
  • Elements disappear when you zoom in on them.
  • The FIT command fails to include certain elements.

The preceding are all manifestations of design file corruption. Don’t fall for the belief that “MicroStation just works that way” and don’t allow your project staff to accumulate overtime hours “working around” these manifestations. Multiply the wasted hours throughout the year on all projects and you can see why “Unable to open design file” is not the most expensive form of file corruption.

Now that you know that there are many different ways a design file’s data can be damaged and there are many different manifestations of design file corruption, let’s take a closer look at the “classic” error message. By default, MicroStation/J displays the following:

The Classic MicroStation/J Error Dialog

Bentley acknowledged design file corruption in MicroStation/J as evidenced by the configuration variable MS_NOEOF_MESSSAGE. Documentation for this configuration variable states:

“If set, display the contents of this file when a “no end-of-file” error is encountered. Setting this variable also prevents the file from being opened.”

The MS_NOEOF_MESSSAGE configuration variable allows a system administrator to define a site-specific message to display when this form of design file corruption is encountered. Axiom automatically defines MS_NOEOF_MESSSAGE for owners of FileFixer for V7:

Enhanced MicroStation/J Error Dialog for FileFixer Owners

V7 Trivia Sidebar: “End of design not found” is not the only form of corruption which causes MicroStation/J to display this “classic” error dialog. See descriptions of error numbers 101 and 997 in the FileFixer User Guide.

Some MicroStation users have the misconception that the classic error message does not occur in V8. Well, here is an actual screen image to bust this myth:

The V8 Version of the Classic MicroStation Error Dialog

In fact, this and all of the manifestations of corruption listed earlier in this article apply to V8 files. Further, Axiom clients routinely report new categories of problems unique to V8 (not previously encountered with V7 files) — the list of new V8 search and repair options in FileFixer for V8 is steadily growing.

V8 Trivia: MicroStation V8 still offers the MS_NOEOF_MESSAGE configuration variable — if anyone can explain what it does, contact Axiom Support for a reward.

Don’t buy the myth that V8 files are immune to damage.

Don’t be satisfied that you’ve side-stepped the obvious “Unable to open design file” error while the majority of design file corruption categories drain project profits day after day. It’s the cumulative aggravations and delays from those “non-obvious” corruptions that are the most expensive. Be productive and profitable — get FileFixer, the only comprehensive, automated solution for design file corruption that most frequently plagues MicroStation projects.

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ARCADIS CAD technician shares his love of Microsoft Office Importer and Godzilla.

Saturday, 7 January 2006

AUSTIN, TEXAS, USA — What better way to get the inside scoop on Axiom utilities than to ask the people that use them? This month, the MicroStation Today spotlight shines on Jeff Freitas of Austin, Texas. If you travel on State Highway 130 in central Texas or Price Freeway in Arizona, this is the man to thank. Jeff Freitas, Lead CAD Technician for the Austin division of the international engineering firm ARCADIS, took some time from his day to speak with MicroStation Today about his background in CAD, his fortune with Axiom tools, his family and Godzilla.

Jeff Freitas, ARCADIS, Austin, TX

MicroStation Today: Please, tell us about your background and career in the CAD industry
Jeff: I’ve been a MicroStation CAD Technician for almost ten years working mainly in transportation. I’ve been with ARCADIS for one year in January. I am the Lead CAD Technician. Before that I was working on the State Highway 130 project in Texas for two years.

MST: What have been some highlights?
Jeff: I have worked on many projects between Arizona and Texas, mainly large freeway road jobs. I’m very proud of the many projects I’ve worked on and it’s due to the teams I’ve worked with, so I don’t like to personally credit myself. Bruce Hagen took me in at Aztec Engineering over nine years ago and taught me to do CAD. Without him, I wouldn’t be in this field today. (He has since passed away.) From a work standpoint, the two projects that most profoundly affected my career were the Price Freeway job working at BRW in Arizona and the State Highway 130 job at Lonestar Infrastructure as an employee of DMJM Harris in Texas. However, I have learned more at Austin ARCADIS Office in basic design and engineering than anywhere.

MST: Tell us about your usual day
Jeff: I get up at 5:30 a.m. to get ready for work. I arrive to work at 6:30 a.m., eat my breakfast (usually instant oatmeal) and get started on my tasks for the day. Depending on the workload at the time, I may be doing just CAD work or may do some simple GEOPAK [civil design software by Bentley] functions or work with Descartes. With Descartes [Descartes offers services and software solutions for industries such as transportation with inventory, logistics assets and mobile workforce], I’m cutting photos for figures or drainage area maps. I work four nine-hour days (plus an hour lunch) and a four-hour day on Friday

MST: Which Axiom products do you use?
Jeff: I use Microsoft Office Importer. Microsoft Office Importer has saved us numerous hours in creating summary sheets (a “summary sheet” is an inventory table of the construction items to be used in a design). We create a template in Excel. Once we get it filled out to our liking, we use Microsoft Office Importer to import the Excel file into MicroStation. Once it’s in the MicroStation sheet file, we make any necessary adjustments such as row and column sizes. [Editor's Note: a sheet file is a design file (or model) which will be plotted. For example, a sheet file could contain a border, a title block and selected views for a particular design.]

MST: What was it like before you used Microsoft Office Importer? How has your productivity changed since that time
Jeff: Based on my experience with Microsoft Office Importer, Axiom tools increase productivity and consistency. Before Microsoft Office Importer, I had to manually create summary sheets and all types of quantity summaries. Summary sheets were created in MicroStation with text and lines but any type of change to the summary sheet was difficult because it was all done manually. Now with the Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office Importer combination, I can adjust rows and columns to give me more room on a sheet to add more information. A complicated summary sheet could take anywhere upwards of an hour and 15 minutes. Now with Microsoft Office Importer, when we have the base sheet set up in Excel, it takes 35 minutes and that includes revisions.

MST: Tell us a bit about your self
Jeff: I enjoy watching football, baseball, basketball and hockey. I am a fan of the Patriots, Red Sox, Celtics and Boston Bruins. The last time I played any sports was in high school; I played soccer for two years. During the summer, I watch Godzilla or anime [Editor's Note: anime is a style of animation developed in Japan, characterized by stylized colorful art, futuristic settings and action], or play video games on my Xbox. Of course, I spend time with my wife and play with my kids.

MST: So do you like anything Godzilla – or do you prefer the TV series or any movies in particular
Jeff: I collect the Godzilla movies, but don’t like the American version that was released in the theatres. Other than that, I like them all. I was collecting the comics, but can’t find them anymore.

MST: Thank you, Jeff.
Jeff: Thank you.

About ARCADIS
ARCADIS has 9,000 employees, which generate $900 million in annual gross revenue. ARCADIS is an international company that provides consulting, engineering and project management services for infrastructure, environment and facilities.

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We are always listening to you.

Saturday, 7 January 2006

SpecChecker product manager, Eiren Smith, talks about its customer-driven enhancements

We have a very close relationship with our customers. Though we produce general-purpose tools for MicroStation, we enhance our tools to handle specific situations that you communicate to us. Our relationship with our customers is very important. To maintain it, we have to listen to you and give you what you need.

When the MicroStation Today guys asked me to write an article about our recent SpecChecker work, I told them, “It’s not a headliner.” Translation: The work we’ve been doing this year has not been to sell more copies of SpecChecker in the short term – it has been to deliver even more value to the customers we already have, benefiting everyone in the long term. The editors of MicroStation Today said that was just fine.

When we get a request for a new feature, we always ask, “How many users will this help?” Giving the most help to the greatest number of users is always at the top of the equation when we are considering potential new features.

SpecChecker now supports keywords for checking working unit settings.

Enhancements
Starting with one of the bigger enhancements in SpecChecker, the tool that is used to create the list of design files to process, AxiFLP, has undergone a dramatic improvement. Over the last few MicroStation Today issues, we have talked about AxiFLP often. AxiFLP is easier to use than ever and it now supports drag and drop of files from Windows Explorer. It is also faster at searching for files to process. AxiFLP is making its way into products across Axiom’s product line. It has already been integrated into FileFixer, Title Block Manager and now SpecChecker and RuleManager.

We also added new keywords for checking and reporting on working unit settings, from positional units per sub-unit to the master unit label for each file.

Also, we moved some of SpecChecker’s functionality into a DLL (Dynamic Link Library) in order to gain the benefits of professional Windows debugging tools that are better than what MicroStation alone provides. This allows us to find and fix bugs and add new features faster, which is good for everyone. A side effect of this is that SpecChecker is now considerably faster in some circumstances.

We have made tons of carefully considered, subtle improvements in the user interface to make the out-of-box experience as smooth as possible for both new and experienced users. If you are already a regular SpecChecker user, you will feel the difference in time saved, even if you can’t quite put your finger on the exact changes.

Features and fixes
For more details on the changes we have made, please read the “New Features and Fixes” section of your SpecChecker Help file, available via Help | Contents from within SpecChecker.

Conclusion
If you are an experienced SpecChecker user, please enjoy the changes we’ve made for you. If you are a new SpecChecker user, please know that all the changes we’ve made for our existing users are for you too. Because, in the long run, helping our existing users helps everyone. Your road to CAD standards compliance will be easier to travel than ever.

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