Migrating Add-Ins to MicroStation CONNECT

Mark Stefanchuk – CTO Phocaz, Inc.

• Deck Sections• Pile Bent• Concrete Bent• Title Block• Project Final (ProjectWise)• Deed Writer• Property Stats• Reference Manager• Bridge Notes• Bridge Group• Splash• DOTS• SDW• BRPE• SDJ-Electra• MH.LOS

• Existing Features• Signs C3D• Signs ORD• TRNSprt• Pavement Marking Tool• Place Cell Group• Place Block Group• Drainage Structures• Border Swap• Revision Shift• Project Close Out• Extract TB• Spot Elevation• ET Golf• PhotogeoDWG/DGN

1989

1993

1997

2004

2010

2014 - Present

Add-In

TriviaHow old is J?

Challenge #1: Upgrade Resistance

PLAN

ALIGN

ANALYZE

IMPLEMENT

MEASURE

Challenge #1: Upgrade Resistance

Suggestion: Continuous Tech Management

PLAN

ALIGN

ANALYZE

IMPLEMENT

MEASURE

Challenge #1: Upgrade Resistance

Suggestion: Continuous Tech ManagementIDEATION

SUNSET

Bonus TriviaWhat does the

J mean?

Challenge #2: Multiple Versions

Challenge #2: Multiple Versions

Suggestion: Multiple Configurations

Challenge #2: Multiple Versions

Suggestion: Code to the lowest common denominator

Challenge #3: Civilized Cells (ORD)

i.e. The API does not have any tools to create and/or modify them.

Challenge #3: Civilized Cells

Suggestion (from Bentley): Use Key-ins

Challenge #3: Civilized Cells

Suggestion (ours): Don’t

Challenge #3: Civilized Cells

Suggestion (ours): Don’t

Challenge #4: Cell Placement is Slow

Challenge #4: Cell Placement is Slow

Solution: Avoid large arrays of nested cells.

Challenge #4: Cell Placement is Slow

Solution: Avoid large arrays of nested cells.

Challenge #5: CreateCellElement1 is Broken in OpenRoads Designer

Challenge #5: CreateCellElement1 is Broken in OpenRoads DesignerSolution: Loop through element list and add separately.

TriviaWhat is the

config variable used to tell

MicroStation where to find cell libraries?

Challenge #6: Text Element Justification is Broken in MS CONNECT

Challenge #6: Text Element Justification is Broken in MS CONNECTSolution: Replace with text node element, CreateTextNodeElement1

Challenge #7: Tag Elements are Broken in MS CONNECTTag elements will not hide…

Challenge #7: Tag Elements are Broken in MS CONNECTSolution: Replace tags with element types.

Challenge #8: CreateTransientElement1 has changed – a little…You can’t pass null or an index to the first element of an array in CONNECT.

Challenge #8: CreateTransientElement1 has changed – a little…Solution: Pass complete element not just the index.

Challenge #9: ORD is a Moving Target

Challenge #9: ORD is a Moving Target

Solution: Test!

Challenge #10: Add-In Requirements

Challenge #10: Add-In Requirements

Solution: Compiler directives

Challenge #10: Add-In Requirements

Solution: Compiler directives

Challenge #11: Command Key-ins

csproj requires a manual change to the command table ItemGroup in order to support key-ins.

Challenge #11: Command Key-ins

csproj requires a manual change to the command table ItemGroup in order to support key-ins.

Add-Ins can have their own configs. What MS folder are

these found in?

Challenge #12: The GUI

How can I avoid copying my GUI code?

Challenge #11: The GUI

How can I avoid copying my GUI code?

Challenge #12: The GUI

Solution: Link from one project to the other.

Bonus Challenge: Support

Positive thoughts…

Bonus Challenge: Support

Solution: Submit a ticket.

Bonus Challenge: Support

Solution: Use the news groups.

TriviaHow do you pronounce Phocaz,

Inc.?

Thanks!

• Mark Stefanchuk – CTO at Phocaz, Inc.• Mark@phocaz.com• Melbourne, FL

mailto:Mark.Stefanchuk@phocaz.com

Migrating Add-Ins to MicroStation CONNECTSlide Number 2Slide Number 3Slide Number 4Slide Number 5Slide Number 6Slide Number 7Slide Number 8Challenge #1: Upgrade ResistanceSlide Number 10Slide Number 11Slide Number 12Challenge #2: Multiple VersionsChallenge #2: Multiple VersionsChallenge #2: Multiple VersionsChallenge #3: Civilized Cells (ORD)Challenge #3: Civilized CellsChallenge #3: Civilized CellsChallenge #3: Civilized CellsChallenge #4: Cell Placement is SlowChallenge #4: Cell Placement is SlowChallenge #4: Cell Placement is SlowChallenge #5: CreateCellElement1 is Broken in OpenRoads DesignerChallenge #5: CreateCellElement1 is Broken in OpenRoads DesignerSlide Number 25Challenge #6: Text Element Justification is Broken in MS CONNECTChallenge #6: Text Element Justification is Broken in MS CONNECTChallenge #7: Tag Elements are Broken in MS CONNECTChallenge #7: Tag Elements are Broken in MS CONNECTChallenge #8: CreateTransientElement1 has changed – a little…Challenge #8: CreateTransientElement1 has changed – a little…Challenge #9: ORD is a Moving TargetChallenge #9: ORD is a Moving TargetChallenge #10: Add-In RequirementsChallenge #10: Add-In RequirementsChallenge #10: Add-In RequirementsChallenge #11: Command Key-insChallenge #11: Command Key-insSlide Number 39Challenge #12: The GUIChallenge #11: The GUIChallenge #12: The GUIBonus Challenge: SupportBonus Challenge: SupportBonus Challenge: SupportSlide Number 46Thanks!