02 - workspaces and worksets - bentley userbentleyuser.se/2015_busdagar/presentationer/02 -...

Practice Workbook

This workbook is designed for use in Live instructor-led training and for OnDemand selfstudy. The explanations and demonstrations are provided by the instructor in the classroom, or in the OnDemand eLectures of this course available on the Bentley LEARN Server (learn.bentley.com).

This practice workbook is formatted for on-screen viewing using a PDF reader. It is also available as a PDF document in the dataset for this course.

DO NOT DISTRIBUTE - Printing for student use is permitted

WorkSpaces and WorkSets

This workbook contains a set of exercises that are used to become familiar with the WorkSpaces and WorkSets found in the MicroStation CONNECT Edition.

Note: The exercises are meant to be worked on either in the order of the exercises in the Practice Workbook. While you can work them as individual standalone exercises, later exercises are meant to build upon the history created in earlier exercises.

TRNC01889-1/0001

Copyright © 2015 Bentley Systems, Incorporated 2DO NOT DISTRIBUTE - Printing for student use is permitted

Description and Objectives

Course Description

This workbook contains a set of exercises to master the use of WorkSpaces and WorkSets in the MicroStation CONNECT Edition. We will work with the delivered Examples WorkSpace and its associated WorkSets as well as create a new WorkSpace and WorkSet. During this course we will look at configuration file(s) and edit a configuration variable, however, the focus of this workbook is not and in-depth discussion of configurations but rather the use of WorkSpaces and WorkSets from the User’s point of view within MicroStation CONNECT.

Skills Taught

Working with a WorkSpace/WorkSet

Modifying the WorkSpaceSetup.cfg

Creating a WorkSpace/WorkSet

Custom WorkSet properties

A Word About the WorkSpace...

The BentleyCONNECTTraining WorkSpace and associated WorkSets will be used and a new WorkSpace/WorkSet will also be created. As a part of creating the WorkSpace/WorkSet, we will redirect MicroStation CONNECT to look for WorkSpaces in a custom location.

Using WorkSpaces and WorkSets in the MicroStation CONNECT Edition

MicroStation has had the concept of WorkSpaces since their introduction in MicroStation Version 5. A WorkSpace was the term applied to the overall usage of configuration files and configuration variables. In the MicroStation CONNECT Edition the term WorkSpace has changed dramatically with this overall usage now referred to as the Configuration in MicroStation.

The configuration used across the entire organization previously referred to as Site we now refer to as the Organization level of configuration.

Projects have been re-branded as WorkSets, with a WorkSpace becoming the organizational grouping for WorkSets.

The User (.ucf) becomes personal in CONNECT, this now being a part of user preferences, and the selection for User removed from the user interface. User Preferences are stored individually per-user with the preference files and settings associated with the users’ Windows login.

In this lesson we will:

Set thumbnail display

Work with WorkSpaces and WorkSets

Modifying WorkSpaceSetup.cfg

1. Start the MicroStation CONNECT Edition.

You are taken to the Work Page.


Here you have access to WorkSpaces, WorkSets, WorkSet Properties, the list of Recent WorkSets, file operations, Help, and the ability to open files without assigning a WorkSpace/WorkSet:

2. Set the following:

WorkSpace: BentleyCONNECTTraining

WorkSet: Example ‐ Civil

If there are files that have been accessed from this WorkSet, you will be able to see them in the Recent File list.


3. Set the Recent Files display to thumbnails:

Note: This may make it easier to view the content of the file, access models, etc.

4. From Open, pick the Change the current WorkSpace. When the window opens to select a WorkSpace, observe the labels:

Remember, a WorkSpace acts as a container for grouping WorkSets. WorkSpaces may be used to represent a Client, Facility, Department, Owner, etc. based upon the needs of your organization.


The MicroStation CONNECT Edition provides the ability, though a configuration variable, to set the label used for WorkSpaces. This label can be anything. Rather than WorkSpace, we wish to set this such that the WorkSpace represents our firms clients, with the WorkSets then being the individual projects for that client.

5. Exit the MicroStation CONNECT Edition.

6. Using Windows Explorer, navigate to folder containing WorkSpaceSetup.cfg, for example:

C:\ProgramData\Bentley\CONNECT Edition\Configuration\WorkSpaceSetup.cfg

Note: The location of this file may vary. It may be easiest to search for the file using the Search in Windows Explorer.

7. Create a copy of this file named WorkSpaceSetup.cfg.original.

This will be used as a backup of the original file.

8. Using Notepad, open WorkSpaceSetup.cfg.

Add the following configuration variable as shown:

_USTN_WorkSpaceLABEL = Client

Note: Press the Enter key after typing in the configuration variable. A good convention to follow is ending a configuration file with blank line.


9. Save your changes and exit the file.


11. When the Work Page is visible, observe the WorkSpace label has been updated showing that now it represents Client:

12. Exit MicroStation.

Note: If you are NOT going to continue with additional exercises in this workbook, remove your changes from WorkSpaceSetup.cfg, setting it back to its original state.


Working with WorkSpaces and WorkSets

WorkSpaces and WorkSets are an integral part of the MicroStation CONNECT Edition, allowing you to separate your design projects into logical groupings. A WorkSpace is a container for grouping related WorkSets and may represent any desired grouping such as Facility or Customer. In the previous exercise we set the label for WorkSpaces to represent our clients by setting the configuration variable _USTN_WorkSpaceLABEL = Client.

In this exercise we will:

Set the location for storing WorkSpaces

View existing WorkSpaces and WorkSets

View a WorkSpace outside of MicroStation (Windows Explorer)

1. Using Windows Explorer, navigate to folder containing WorkSpaceSetup.cfg, for example:

C:\ProgramData\Bentley\CONNECT Edition\Configuration\WorkSpaceSetup.cfg

Note: The location of this file may vary. It may be easiest to search for the file using the Search in Windows Explorer.

2. Create a copy of the file named WorkSpaceSetup.original.

This will be used as a backup of the original file.

Note: This may have already been done if you completed the previous exercises.

3. Using Notepad, open WorkSpaceSetup.cfg.

Verify that the following configuration variable is present:

_USTN_WORKSPACELABEL = Client

Note: This configuration variable should exist if you completed the previous exercise. If it does not, add it to the file.

4. Add an additional configuration variable:

_USTN_WORKSPACESROOT = C:/BentleyCONNECTTraining/CustomUserExperienceWorkSpaces/WorkSpaces/

This variable sets the main folder where WorkSpaces (and WorkSets) are located.


Note: Press the Enter key after typing in the configuration variable. A good convention to follow is ending a configuration file with blank line.

5. Save your changes and exit the file.

WorkSpace will now be read from the new folder location.


7. From the Work Page, open the list of Clients by picking Change the current Client:

You can see the list of Clients (WorkSpaces) displayed:

Note: Remember, each Client represents an individual WorkSpace that Contains one or more WorkSets.

8. We wish to see the list of Cities that our firm does work for. In the Search field, type city.

The list is filtered to show you clients that city anywhere in the name. Note that City_Wide_Services appears in the list. They are not a city, but actually a private company.

Let’s refine the search a bit more.


9. In the Search field, add the ‐ character to city such that it reads city- and press the Enter key.

The search is update to show only Clients that have the exact characters city- in the name.

10. Clear the Search by clicking the X in the upper right corner of the Search field.

The full list of Clients is once again displayed.


11. Set the Search for DOT Clients. These are the public Transportation Departments that we have projects for. From the list, pick FDOT:

The WorkSets for the FDOT client are displayed. The WorkSets for this client are the Financial ID numbers (FID) for each of the projects that we are engaged in. Pick the FID 22807915201:

You can now browse the files associated with this project for the FDOT client.

12. Click Browse. When the File Open dialog appears, open Survey Topo 02.dgn.

You are presented with a No WorkSet Alert. This is because this file has not been branded to this WorkSet.


13. Pick Use active WorkSet 22807915201 and click Open.

The file is now associated with the FDOT WorkSpace and the 22807915201 Client.

14. Exit MicroStation.

15. Start Windows Explorer and navigate to the folder: C:\BentleyCONNECTTraining\CustomUserExperienceWorkSpaces\WorkSpaces\DOT-FDOT\WorkSets.

The WorkSets for the FDOT client are visible.


Each WorkSet is composed of three components.

These include:

WorkSet Folder: Based upon the WorkSet name, this folder contains the files associated with the WorkSpace, including and standards that are specific to this WorkSet.

WorkSet Configuration File: Configuration file containing WorkSet specific configuration variables.

DGNWS File: This is the WorkSet branding file.

You are encouraged to continue exploring the content of these sample WorkSpaces and WorkSets, observing their structure and content, both from within the MicroStation CONNECT Edition as well as from Windows Explorer.



Creating a WorkSpace and WorkSet

Our consulting firm recently picked up a new client, RTI Manufacturing, Inc. We just acquired our first project for this client and need to create a new WorkSpace (Client) and WorkSet for them.

In this exercise we will:

Create a WorkSpace

Create a WorkSet

Add a WorkSet to an existing WorkSpace


2. From the Work Page, pick Create Client.

Note: WorkSpace was relabeled as Client in a previous exercise by adding the configuration variable:

_USTN_WorkSpaceLABEL = Client

to the WorkSpaceSetup.cfg configuration file. In our example, creating a Client is synonymous with creating a WorkSpace.


This opens the 8 dialog.

3. In the Create Client dialog, fill in the following:

Name: RTI_Manufacturing

Description: Projects for RTI Manufacturing, Inc.

4. Leave Root Folder, WorkSets Folder, and Standards Folders at their default values.

5. Create the following Standards Subfolders (a semicolon is used as a delimiter, with the order of the subfolders being irrelevant - you may copy/paste the list):

Standards Subfolders: Cell;DGNLib;CADD_Standards;Specification;AsBuilts;Correspondence

Note: When creating a WorkSpace, the Root Folder, WorkSets Folder, Standards Folders, and Standards Subfolders will fill in automatically with their default paths and values as defined by the WorkSpace template. For detailed information on WorkSpaces, WorkSets, templates, etc., Bentley offers training specific to WorkSpace administration.

6. To finish creating the Client, pick OK.

The new Client does not have any WorkSets. MicroStation will notify you of this and prompt you to create one.


7. Pick Create WorkSet.

The Create WorkSet dialog opens:

8. In the Create WorkSet dialog, fill in the following:

Name: PackagingLayout

Description: Packaging and Shipping Equipment Layout

Leave the Folder Locations at their default paths.

9. Click OK.

The new WorkSet is created.


10. We also wish to add an additional WorkSet for a new project that we acquired for an existing client.

From the Work Page, set the active Client to DOT‐FDOT.

11. From WorkSets, pick Create WorkSet...

12. Set the following:

Name: 16498385112

Description: Everglades Pkwy. Resurfacing


13. Click OK.

The WorkSet is now created and has been added to the list of WorkSets for the DOT-FDOT client.



WorkSet Properties

Each WorkSet contains properties such as the WorkSet name and description, folder location, etc. and also has the ability to add custom properties that are unique to that specific WorkSet.

Custom Properties may then be used in a variety of ways, including the text commands and reporting features found in the MicroStation CONNECT Edition.

During this exercise you will:

Edit a WorkSet

Create a custom WorkSet property

View WorkSet properties within a DGN

1. Continuing in the MicroStation CONNECT Edition Work Page, set the Client (WorkSpace) to DOT‐FDOT, and pick WorkSet 22807915201.

We wish to add custom properties representing the Client (FDOT) and the Financial ID (FID) to this WorkSet for use in plan sheet production for this project.

2. From the right side of the Work Page, pick Properties > Advanced Properties.


The Edit WorkSet dialog is displayed:

Here you can see the information such as the WorkSet’s Name, Description and Folder locations. And while the only modification that can be made is to the Description, it is possible to add custom properties to the WorkSet.

3. Change the Description so it reads: University Boulevard Widening Project.

4. Click Add a Custom Property. Custom Properties consist of either a Text Property or a Date Property.


Add the following Text Property:

Type: Text

Property Label: Client (long)

Value: Florida DOT

5. Continue adding the following Custom Properties:

Type: Text

Property Label: FID

Value: 22‐80‐7915201

Type: Date

Property Label: Date

Value: February 1, 2015

Type: Text

Property Label: Engineer

Value: John Q. Smith, P.E.


Note: A custom WorkSet property could be any property, Text or Date, that you wish to associate with the WorkSet. Examples of Custom Properties may include: Address, Owner, Asset #, Head Engineer, Lead Architect, Project #, Submittal Date, Project Name, Floor, etc. These can be used in reports, note/labels, or text fields.

6. Click OK.


In the Work Page, observe the Properties for the WorkSet:

7. Open RD_Sheets.dgn.

If prompted, open the file with the Active WorkSet.


8. Click the File tab and pick Properties. Observe the WorkSet Properties are visible:

Close the Properties window.

9. Zoom in and locate the portion of the title block as illustrated:

We wish to insert the Client name and the project financial ID.

10. Using Element Selection, edit the text XXXXX (double-click on the piece of text) to open the Text Editor.


11. With the text highlighted in the Text Editor, pick Insert Field.

Set Field Type: File Properties

Click OK.

12. In WorkSet Properties pick Client (long):


Click OK.

The Text Editor updates to show Florida DOT.

To finish editing the text, click in the view window, and observe the client name listed in the title block:


13. Repeat this operation by creating a text field for the PROJECT FINANCIAL ID using the WorkSet Property FID:

14. Close the design file.

15. From the Work Page, pick Edit WorkSet. Change the property Client (long) to Florida Dept. of Transportation.

Click OK.


16. Close and re- MicroStation CONNECT.

17. Open RD_Sheets.dgn and observe the updates in the title block:

Note: After completing the exercises in this workbook you will wish remove your changes from WorkSpaceSetup.cfg. Exit the MicroStation CONNECT Edition. Using Windows Explorer locate WorkSpaceSetup.cfg, edit with Notepad, and remove any changes that have been made to this file while working through the exercises contained in this workbook.

02 - workspaces and worksets - bentley userbentleyuser.se/2015_busdagar/presentationer/02 -...

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