V8'1 Level Libraries

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V8.1 Level Libraries

• John Gilmore
• Horner Shifrin, Inc.
• jgilmore_at_hornershifrin.com or jgilmore_at_stlouistmc.
  org

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Agenda

• User Side
• Definition of a Level Library
• Different file extensions of a Level Library
  (.dgn, .dgnlib, .lvl, .csv, and .dwg)
• Attach, Detach, Import and Export
• Administrator Side
• Controlling User Access and Abilities

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First Let Me Ask You A Few Questions

• With a Show of Hands
• 1. How many of you have heard of a Level
  Library?
• 2. How many of you know what a Level Library is?
• 3. How many of you know what a Level Library
  does?

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Bentleys Definition of a Level Library

• A Level Library or Libraries are design files
  that store information such as level manager
  settings to be used as a standard throughout
  design files!
• Does this make sense?

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John Gilmores Definition of a Level Library

• A Level Library or Libraries is a file or files
  that contains level information to be used as the
  standard for levels throughout your project or
  company!
• Does this make more sense?

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File Extensions

• Level Libraries can have five (5) Different File
  Extensions!
• Bentleys books and documents that I have seen
  only talk about four (4) types!
• However, when you
• go to the Level Manager
• Pull down Menu and
• Attach or Import, this
• is your selection choices!

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File Extensions

• .dgn (Microstation Design File)
• .dgnlib (Microstation Design Library File)
• .lvl (Microstation V7 Level File)
• .csv (Microsoft Excel File)
• The fifth extension that they do not mention is
• .dwg (AutoCad Drawing File)

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DGNLIB File

• .dgnlib file is what Bentley wanted to call a
  Level Library File so you decipher between a
  design file and a resource file.
• What is a Resource File?
• It is a file that contains information to be used
  as the standards for your project or company!

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DGNLIB File

• So you could say that a .dgnlib file is nothing
  more than a resource file!
• You could also say it is a design file with a
  different extension.
• Is this starting to make a little more sense?

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CSV File

• A .csv file is not a design file.
• A .csv file also known as a Comma Delimited
  Format File is a text file of data which is
  separated by a comma character.
• Microsoft Excel is a common database application
  that is able to read and write a .csv file.

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CSV File

• A major advantage is that once you have created a
  .csv file, to make a change you simply open your
  .csv file in Excel and make the changes using
  text.
• Another advantage is that any design file that
  has a .csv file attached, will automatically
  update to the new settings.

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Any Questions Up to This Point?
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User Side

• Four (4) Major Commands that can be found under
  the Levels pull down menu of the Level Manager
  Dialog Box.
• Library Attach
• Detach
• Import
• Export

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Attach

• Attaching is similar to a reference file
  attachment in that it is not a physical part of
  the design file, but simply available for use and
  control.
• Levels in the attached library will be saved to
  the active file only if they are used (i.e.
  elements are placed on them).
• You can attach all (5) extensions.

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Detach

• Detaching is nothing more than removing the level
  library file from your attached selection list.
• Lets take a closer look in V8!

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Import

• Import similar to attaching except, levels become
  physical part of design file.
• There is no detaching function.
• Only way to get rid of a level is by the delete
  level button.

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Export

• Export does nothing for your design files.
• Export is merely a a way to take your design file
  and make it a standard.
• You can export to (4) four out of the (5) five
  extensions. The only extension you cant export
  is the .lvl extension (Microstation V7 Level
  File).

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Lets Take a Closer Look!
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Administrator Side

• Job To make sure your users are following the
  proper procedures and standards to get the
  project done on time and correct for the client.
• What is the best way to do this for Level
  Libraries?
• Control User Access and Abilities, to Level
  Libraries and their functions!

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Administrator Side

• How do we control User Access?
• MS_LEVEL_LIB_DIR Your directory to export level
  library files to.
• Also helps with location of MS_DGNLIBLIST
  configuration variable.
• Attach Method Only!

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Administrator Side

• What are some other methods?
• Automatically loaded .dgnlib resource files!
• Use configuration variable
• MS_DGNLIBLIST (_USTN_DRIVE)wsmod/hs/seed/hs_arc
  hitectural.dgnlib
• MS_DGNLIBLIST gt (_USTN_DRIVE)wsmod/hs/seed/hs_civ
  il.dgnlib
• Ability to create levels!
• Use configuration variable
• _USTN_CAPABILITY lt -CAPABILITY_LEVELS_CREATE
• lock _USTN_CAPABILITY

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Lets Take a Closer Look!
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How Did We Do?

• Scale 1 ..10!
• How many will walk out of here with something new
  that they didnt know?
• Any other questions, comments or something you
  would like me to try?

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Thank You!

• You can reach me for any questions, comments or
  anything that I can help with at
  jgilmore_at_hornershifrin.com or jgilmore_at_stlouistmc.
  org
• Enjoy the rest of the day!