OSEA Focus Issue ISSUE 74 August 2009 A Letter from the Coordinator Inside This Issue: A Letter from the Coordinator ................................ 1 Letter from the RUG Coordinator - August 2009.....2 AutoCAD User Group (AUG) Summer 2009 Newsletter ........................................4 Congratulations New CADD Associates!................6 David A. Abraham Jr. – An Autobiography ..............8 2009 CADD Pan Membership Drive........................10 VBA for AutoCAD....................................................11 Working Smarter - InRoads Project Setup..............13 Working Smarter in InRoads - 3D Tendons in Bridge Girders................................................................14 And what of Bentley Rail Track (BRT) against Mxrail (cont’d)...................................................16 Bright Ideas....................................................................23 AU 2009 Advert..............................................................24 BE Conference Advert....................................................25 Bentley Roads & Bridges Conference Information........26 Issue 73 Global PAN 07 Contributors.............................27 Pan 07 Intranet Resources..............................................27 Rebecca Arsham, San Francisco, California (US), +1 (415) 243-4767, [email protected]Rebecca Arsham – Califormia, US continued on next page In last month’s correspondence I made a reference to the nearly 5000 PB employees who utilize Autodesk and Bentley software. These PB employees need to diligently stay current on the software applications that are used daily. This means update training, seeking out opportunities to learn about the new and improved functional- ity of the tools they use. In this age of Blogs, RSS Feeds, eLearning, Virtual Classrooms, and Software User Conferences it is easier and easier to tap into information. All of the online application resources now available are ideal for a global company like PB. I en- courage you to check out the CADD Applications Hub site for Industry Links and soon to come a page dedicated to Industry RSS Feeds. August also marks the opening of the 17th annual Autodesk University (AU) early bird registration pe- riod. (Save US $500 if you register by October 9, 2009) AU will again be in Las Vegas NV on Decem- ber 1-3, 2009. With more than 640 multi-level classes and hands-on labs organized in 18 discipline- specific tracks, there are plenty of opportunities to expand your knowledge, enhance your career, and keep you at the top of your game. View the AU2009 class catalog. New this year and ideal for a global company like PB is the Autodesk University Virtual. Nothing can compete with attending Autodesk University (AU) in person. But not everyone can travel to Las Vegas, and in an era of tight budgets, rapidly changing technology and globalization, Autodesk University Virtual can help you stay on top of the game – wherever you may reside. AU Virtual is a three-day web-based event that coincides with the physical AU 2009 conference in Las Vegas. With AU Virtual, you will gain practical knowledge—without leaving the office. AU Virtual attendees experience the immediacy of AU via the Internet and have access to the following: • Tune in to 60 live-streamed classes with real-time interaction with presenters
Transcript
OSEA Focus IssueISSUE74
August 2009
A Letter from the Coordinator
Inside This Issue:A Letter from the Coordinator ................................1
Letter from the RUG Coordinator - August 2009.....2
Issue 73 Global PAN 07 Contributors.............................27
Pan 07 Intranet Resources..............................................27
Rebecca Arsham, San Francisco, California (US), +1 (415) 243-4767, [email protected]
Rebecca Arsham – Califormia, US
continued on next page
In last month’s correspondence I made a reference to the nearly
5000 PB employees who utilize Autodesk and Bentley software.
These PB employees need to diligently stay current on the software
applications that are used daily. This means update training, seeking
out opportunities to learn about the new and improved functional-
ity of the tools they use. In this age of Blogs, RSS Feeds, eLearning,
Virtual Classrooms, and Software User Conferences it is easier and
easier to tap into information.
All of the online application resources now available are ideal for a global company like PB. I en-courage you to check out the CADD Applications Hub site for Industry Links and soon to come a page dedicated to Industry RSS Feeds.
August also marks the opening of the 17th annual Autodesk University (AU) early bird registration pe-riod. (Save US $500 if you register by October 9, 2009) AU will again be in Las Vegas NV on Decem-ber 1-3, 2009. With more than 640 multi-level classes and hands-on labs organized in 18 discipline-specifi c tracks, there are plenty of opportunities to expand your knowledge, enhance your career, and keep you at the top of your game. View the AU2009 class catalog.
New this year and ideal for a global company like PB is the Autodesk University Virtual.
Nothing can compete with attending Autodesk University (AU) in person. But not everyone can travel to Las Vegas, and in an era of tight budgets, rapidly changing technology and globalization, Autodesk University Virtual can help you stay on top of the game – wherever you may reside. AU Virtual is a three-day web-based event that coincides with the physical AU 2009 conference in Las Vegas.
With AU Virtual, you will gain practical knowledge—without leaving the offi ce. AU Virtual attendees experience the immediacy of AU via the Internet and have access to the following:
• Tune in to 60 live-streamed classes with real-time interaction with presenters
A Letter from the Coordinator - cont. • Access up to 350 on-demand classes
• Connect to virtual networking with peers and experts
• Review new products and services in the Virtual Exhibit Hall/Technology Showcase
In the coming months we will have more information on the learning opportunities available to you.
As always I encourage you to contact me with any questions or comments.
-Rebecca
Richard Tabe – Melbourne, AU
Greg Smith – Wellington, NZ
Letter from the RUG Coordinator - August 2009Richard Tabe, Melbourne, Australia, +61 (3) 9861-1180, [email protected] Smith, Wellington, New Zealand, +64 (4) 916-6539, [email protected]
How is the global recession affecting our
workloads, business development and growth in
OSEA?
Reading the news lately reveals banking or-
ganisations withholding their lending which
fl ows through to our organisations with caution
prevailing, holding back on projects or feasi-
bility studies because they cannot raise the
capital or clawing back some of their revenues
into reserves rather than increase their Capital
Expenditure.
We can appreciate this in New Zealand because
much of our work occurs alongside the banks/
lenders and upfront with pre feasibility and
feasibility studies.
Also, more often than not, our clients are asking
us to restrict travel and recruit more local staff
for site visits and investigations or quality in-
spections. In Australasia-Pacifi c overall, clients
are demanding more “bang for their buck” and
this is resulting in more pressure on companies
like PB to fi nd new methods and techniques
that can maximize the budgets set by clients.
This mindset is greatly assisted by the relation-
ships we have with our vendors. If we have a
close, open and bilateral relationship with the
software vendors they continue to be a valued
resource when we need assistance in pushing
the limit of our knowledge using their software.
At times this collaboration helps to drive future
functionality in their products.
Our vendors such as Bentley have been for-
ward thinking in relation to the recession and
this year’s BeConnected Conference has been
changed to an online series of presentations
by Webinar. The powerful message this sends is
“keep working business as usual, but look for
new ways of getting the same message across
cheaper for all your stakeholders”. These stake-
holders may be clients, peers or suppliers.
This attitude must be applauded and the small
regret at loss of a travel opportunity is repaid
by access to a rich and diverse series of targeted
David A. Abraham Jr. – An Autobiography - cont.electrical layouts, kitchen & bathrooms, draw-
ing elevations, sections & perspective of high
rise building & residential, plotting architectural
drawings using CANON bubble jet & MUTOH
plotter and scanning drawn architectural plans &
pictures using Microtek Color Scanner & editting
using Adobe Photoshop software.
In 1996, I began using my course in Civil En-
gineering when I joined Parsons International
Limited in Makati, Phils., at Civil/Structural
Department. I worked as CADD Designer and
have projects in telecommunications, power
plants and residential. In 1997, I transferred
to Kvaerner Philippine Corporation. I have
done civil, structural and mechanical drawings
using Microstation ’95 and Autocad Rel. 14. I
also worked as Scanning Coordinator in using
Softelec VP Studio HybridCAD software for raster
& vector drawings. I have also done part-time
works in C & E Corporation and Alan-Dick Corpo-
ration.
In 2000, I was hired by Fluor-Daniel Inc. in Ala-
bang as Structural CADD Designer in Civil/Struc-
tural/Architectural Department. During this time
I was trained in Intergraph PDS (Plant Design
System) Frameworks Plus & Structural Design.
My experience includes modeling, designing &
producing drawings of structural steels such as
platforms, stairs, ladders, piperacks, miscella-
neous pipe, electrical & structural supports and
concrete foundations of pumps, vertical & hori-
zontal vessels, exchangers, of petrochemical &
industrial plants using PDS and Microstation J.
I was also assigned in Control Systems depart-
ment using Wiring and Intools 5.1 (E & CS),
In 2003, I worked with Crumbs and Imaginit
(subcon of JGC Philippines) also in Alabang
as CADD Designer in Civil, Process and Piping
Department. I also done jobs I have done with
Fluor like PDS and MicroStation. I was trained in
Tekla Xsteel 8.2 where my experience includes
modelling 3d drawings based on structural
layouts by engineers for steel structures and
prepares drawings such as plans, elevations,
details, views and autoconnections for embed-
ded plates using Xsteel , exports in AutoCAD for
review and issued for construction.
In September 2006, I was hired by Parsons
Brinckerhoff Philippines, Inc., in San Miguel
Ave., Pasig City. I am currently working as
Senior CAD Drafter in Engineering Department. I
became a regular / permanent in this company
in which I am very happy with it. I was assigned
to be a Mentor in MicroStation and trained
newly hired staffs. It was my fi rst time to attend
a “Team Building” and “Becoming a Quality
Employee” seminars in PB and learned many
things like team development, being effective
team leaders, winning organization, self discov-
ery, needs of people, personal and professional
success among others. I was also able to attend
Project Management Training where I could use
in the future when I will be assign as Project
Manager. I also worked as CAD Supervisor in
Sydney Water Corporation and was assigned in
Manila-Australia Network Alliance. Right now, I
am currently assigned in Novare Bridges where I
can make use of my skills in civil and structural
drawings. I am proud to be working in PB and
plan to work here for 15 years or more like my
other colleagues in PB worldwide.
In1996
In2000
10
2009 CADD PAN MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
As a member of the CADD PAN, you already know the many benefi ts of being a part of a Community of Practice. Now is the best time for you to share this information with other PB colleagues by signing them up as a member of the CADD PAN and showing them how to plug in to this unique PB Community.
Announcing the 2009 CADD PAN Membership Drive and your opportunity to be entered to win one of two exciting prizes.
Increase YOUR chances to win an iPod Classic or a Nintendo Wii when you show a PB co-worker how they can become members of the CADD PAN too.
Employees can sign up for the CADD PAN themselves using the survey listed below or you can complete the survey for them.
Here is all you need to do:Direct a PB co-worker to the provided link below:
Click Here to Jump to the Hub
Any PB staff can sign up to join the CADD PAN as a Primary or a Secondary PAN member.When they fi ll out the simple form, make sure they include your name at the ‘Referred by’ line.
Just by fi lling out the form, the person signing up, AND the person who referred, will be entered into a drawing.
Refer one co-worker, and your name will be placed in the drawing once…Refer twenty co-workers, and your name will be placed in the drawing 20 times.
First Prize – your choice of one of the following:Nintendo Wii or iPod Classic
Second Prize – your choice of one of the following:Nintendo DSi or iPod Nano
The contest ends November 2The winners will be chosen at random from the valid entries and will be announced in the November edi-
tion of the CADD PAN Newsletter.
A prize will also be awarded to the person who makes the most references!
(Only one prize will be awarded to a winner. In other words, the First prize, Second prize, and Most References Prize will not be
awarded to the same person.)
The more members in the CADD PAN, the better we will
AutoCAD customisation takes on many forms. Users can change workspaces, profi les, create palettes, modify the Customization User Interface and streamline their acad.pgp fi le, among others. Further to this, scripting functionality is also available, allowing high-throughput of commands at the touch of a button. Following from this, there are also two powerful programming languages available for more complicated automation tasks - Lisp and Visual Basic for Applications (VBA). Depending on the task at hand, one or more of these automation tools can make quick work of highly complicated and/or repetitive tasks, leaving users to concentrate on the detail of their work and not be hampered by repetitive or frustrating tasks.
My particular area of interest is VBA. This language was developed by Microsoft to give developers a high-level language to get programs to talk to each other and is a component of all Offi ce products as well as many non-Microsoft products. Luckily for developers like myself, this language is also included in AutoCAD. In this article I’ll briefl y cover the usage of VBA within AutoCAD and show how you can get scripting and VBA to call on each other, depending on your need.
VBA is saved as projects with the .dvb fi le extension and can be loaded and unloaded at will. This happens in the VBA Manager (VBAMAN command). If you have projects loaded, they will appear in the Manager list, or if not, you can use the Load button to bring them in. AutoCAD being AutoCAD, you can also drag .dvb fi les from Windows Explorer into the drawing space to load them more easily. Usage-wise, projects can be loaded using VBALOAD, unloaded using VBAUNLOAD and individual mac-ros run using VBARUN, more on this below. Developers can then delve further into the development environment, but its use goes far beyond the scope of this article.
Running VBA macros from scripts:
Scripting is a hugely popular way to automate tasks, for obvious reasons. Any AutoCAD user familiar with entering command line instructions will already have an intuitive understanding of scripting. AutoCAD commands have already been developed by Autodesk programmers so generally there’s no need to re-invent the wheel - this varied and powerful list of commands are easily accessed through scripting.
Scripting also has the benefi t from the range of readily available scripting programs such as Hurricane and ScriptPro which allow users to list numerous drawings for scripts to be run on. Simply list your drawings, select your script and (depending on whether your computer and network are behaving!) you can walk away while multiple commands are executed over multitudes of drawings.
But what if there isn’t a command available, you have a VBA function at hand and wish to run a VBA macro via scripting? Using the commands listed above, this is a straightforward operation. You simply
load the project, run specifi c macros and unload the project, as shown below.
Working Smarter in InRoads - 3D Tendons inBridge Girders - cont.All well planned projects require good tools and good workfl ows. An alternative way is required to
design the geometry rather than manually to accurately maintain the geometrical relationships due
to the combined effects of simultaneous horizontal and vertical direction changes in the ducts. The
tools that provide the best result for the exercise are InRoads as the design tool on a MicroStation
CAD platform. The strength of these tools lies with their integration with CAD in a 3D environment.
The work is undertaken typically by a structural drafter who has undertaken some InRoads training.
The workfl ow is as follows-:
1) Setout the tendons in plan in CAD
2) Import or create the geometry in InRoads using the
preferred method of Horizontal Element
3) Create Profi le in InRoads showing the soffi t of the
beam and then establish the control points where
the tendon is required to pass (this will assist in
determining clearance requirements).
4) Create a vertical alignment in the profi le through the
critical points by using Vertical Element method with
fi xed/free/fl oating combinations of placing elements
5) Annotate the profi le at 1m intervals
6) Display the alignment of the tendon with Geometry View
3D Alignment with the spacing set to 100mm as shown
in the adjacent illustration
7) In MicroStation, extrude the diameter of the duct along the centreline of the tendon.
8) Model additional parts of the beam in MicroStation
9) Review and the fi nished product by extraction of sections and visualisation.
The following benefi ts are provided in this dynamic environment.
• Firstly, clearance checks are made that have
certainty and the model can be sectioned at
any defi ned point with corresponding
relationships that are measureable and
annotatable.
• Secondly, the 3D model can be sectioned and
annotated using InRoads with clearances from
the ductwork to the soffi t at a defi ned interval,
normally 1metre.
• Thirdly, as the design is proved in 3D prior to going to construction, clashes are eliminated and
the amount of fi eld rework is reduced producing time and cost savings
continued on next page
16
Working Smarter in InRoads - 3D Tendons inBridge Girders - cont.• Fourthly, visualisation of the beam is possible from any view point to display the design intent
to all collaborators. Opportunities are provided to refi ne the design.
• Lastly, as the design information is provided in 3D, the opportunity to construct the data
accurately from the digital fi le is provided. This lessens transference of data errors and makes
available to the contractors the most highly detailed and accurate level of information possible.
The design being undertaken in 3D provides the best solution for construction and plan production
with reduction of risk and drafting costs. What simplifi ed the process? The exercise is greatly simpli-
fi ed with the choice of software and environment.
We have two ways of doing this task- the traditional way or the smarter way. Logic says that we can
get a better result if we do it the smarter way by using an integrated CADD solution.
And what of Bentley Rail Track (BRT) against Mxrail (cont’d)Roy Tingley, Godalming, Surrey (UK), +44(0) 1483-528953, [email protected]
Roy Tingley – Surrey, UK
This article is continued from the July issue of the CADD PAN 7 Newsletter!
There are obvious advantages and disadvantages with both software packages. Unlike Road design,
the Rail industry has not had any choice but to shift its design capabilities to BRT. Having used Mx
over many years, the change over has been relatively painless. However at the moment the current
workload has only given the opportunity to use horizontal and vertical design commands, turnout
and crossover design and dabbling with the regression tools, but of those few commands there are
some very good tools which I have been very impressed with.
Rather than looking at the general nuts and bolts of BRT and Mxrail, like placing geometry elements,
turnouts etc which both design packages handle in almost the same way. This article concentrates on
tools, which dare I say, BRT has the upper hand over Mxrail. \
Using the software
Unlike Mx, with Inrail you do not need to work continually in the design environment. You can very easily unload and reload the design data, For example by setting the F7 key with the following shortcut mdl load “c:\program fi les\bentley\inroads group v8.9\bin\civustXM.ma” XM version. (….\civustAT.ma”) V8i. The user can start Microstation and when Inrail is required use F7 to start-up the software.
Most of us who did the Inrail course, and who have the benefi t of two monitors back at our own
workstations would agree that two is best!! The benefi ts soon become apparent when only using one
monitor. We all have our preferred toolbars displayed when using Microstation. Whether these are
docked to the edges or fl oating on screen. Add into the pot other software packages we have open at
the same time (the beauty of windows). Start-up Inrail and this opens the BRT explorer, fairly
And what of Bentley Rail Track (BRT) against Mxrail -cont.innocuous you may think. But using tools from the pull-down menu bar opens even more sub-menus,
icons etc. As and it’s not long before you cannot see the “wood for the trees” without having to move
or minimise the array of data on the screen
The explorer is divided into four major parts
• Menu bar, these contain the tools available for the active Bentley Rail track modules
• Left box is the workspace bar, control centre for all Project data
• Right box displays details of about the data in the Project.
• And fi nally the status bar along the bottom.
During the course you are led through it using the pull-down menus to access the tools. I hear you
say “that’s logical”, but after a while and as with all CADD environments the instructor introduces you
to the customisation tab, well there’s always two ways to skin a cat (apologies to those cat lovers).
Now that’s more like it, those tools used time and time again are there, easily accessible without
having to hunt through the pull-downs to fi nd the tool, as can be seen below:
However the obvious disadvantage to customising the Inrail explorer is that it takes up more and
more of the screen, so the benefi t of having two monitors is without doubt a requirement.
Bentley Rail Track design fundamentals
Although the basic principles of Mxrail and Inrail are very similar, creating surfaces, geometry i.e.
fl oating and fi xing straights and radii, linking them with transitions to generate desired alignments,
crossovers and turnout geometry, earthworks etc. How these are applied is altogether very different.
Unlike Mx where you did not need much CAD knowledge, CAD functionality is an integral part of the
design. No longer is there a reliance on input fi les to assist in the manipulation of data as we had
BRTDes ignBasics
18
continued on next page
And what of Bentley Rail Track (BRT) against Mxrail -cont.with Mxrail which had to be edited for each project. This is now down to setting custom preference
fi les. Admittedly once standard fi les have been created these can be used time after time, and only
when the client requested specifi c information to be displayed would they need to be changed.
First up must be Check Integrity, This is great, sorry I am easily pleased. For those of you familiar
with Mx, can’t it be a real pain. You think that you have a completed string 5km long, you end the
horizontal command and you get a warning of discontinuities. The same thing could and would hap-
pen with vertical profi les, it comes to the end of the day you have to be home pronto and you get the
following message:
…..cannot create tangent point string from discontinuous alignment
3 discontinuities found in vertical alignment
First discontinuity at 940.600
Between elements B005 and B002
So what do you do, there are a lot of elements over 5km, time is running out. Rather than trying to
put in a compliant element, you would probably fi x in any elemnt just to get rid of the discontinuity.
But in the example there are three, so you have to exit the command to fi nd the next instance and so
on. When you get back to it, where is that piece of paper that you wrote all the location of diconti-
nities down on! However with Inrail as you place an element you can see it a) on the design b) in
tabulated form. Until connected they are highlighted RED, once connected the elements are shown
black. And in the unconnected state you can exit the software, and come back to it at later.
Second up Multiple element regression analysis can be very useful indeed as it solves two kinds of
problems: Multiple Element Connection (MEC) problems and Multiple Element Regression (MER)
problems.
19
continued on next page
And what of Bentley Rail Track (BRT) against Mxrail -cont.
MEC problems are the less complicated of the two. In a typical MEC problem, the goal is to defi ne
connecting geometry to close a disconnection in the active horizontal alignment. In an MER problem,
there are two goals: 1) to fi t the alignment to a set of regression data (points) and 2) to defi ne con-
necting geometry to close a disconnection in the active horizontal alignment.
Well I hope you understood all that. In layman’s terms it means that the designer can pick two
elements on an alignment no matter how far apart. Inrail will select all the connecting elements
between them (see screenshot above). The designed elements can then be amended, for example say
the last transition length (55m) is too short. By highlighting the row and using the edit box to the
right this can then be amended to say 65m. By changing this, other elements would have to change
and the designer needs to check the box of three adjacent elements to allow BRT to alter them and
hence accommodate the extra 10m in transition length. In this case it could be that the preceding
circular curve, radii and the fi nal straight could be changed. Once satisfi ed that the elements selected
will have the desired effect, the apply tab is selected. The change would result in a shorter length
of radii and change in radius, it would also reduce the length of the fi nal straight but the bearing is
unaffected, if acceptable then it can be saved. This command is particularly useful if you have a start
and end element but nothing linking them. By using this command you can easily build-up an align-
ment. Not so with Mx you had to edit each element one at a time. (Bentley Rail Track wins).
Connection editor, for the example shown on the right we created parametric turnouts 7349 and
7350 on parallel straight track, from the Turnout Library command. Connecting these turnouts with a
crossover uses the same principle as the regression tool. First we identify the beginning element in
this case turnout 7349, and then the ending element 7350. In this example we want to leave 7350
positioned where originally placed. So by checking the box next to 7349 means this element will
move to suit the length of crossover. Next we add a length of straight into the connecting element
20
And what of Bentley Rail Track (BRT) against Mxrail -cont.box. Note: this does not need to be the exact length as Bentley Rail Track will compute the actual
length.
However say the example involved placing the turnouts on parallel curved track, then in the con-
necting element box would need to show two elements i.e. the heel length radii from both turnouts,
indicated in the boxes to the right of the turnout data. The free box for both elements plus the fl oat-
ing turnout needs to be checked. Bentley Rail Track will compute the actual geometry through the
crossover.
Now let’s look at the fi nal two options on the connection editor tab. The Element tab, this allows
the designer to make a connection between to alignments. For example say new sidings have been
designed and they need to be connected into the main lines. The designer knows roughly where to
place the turnout. In the same way as Multiple Horizontal Element Regression works, the designer can
very easily design the fi nal arrangement for the connection.
continued on next page
21
And what of Bentley Rail Track (BRT) against Mxrail -cont.
And fi nally we have the free exit tab this does exactly what it says on the tin, it allows the designer
to create a series of elements off the back of a turnout, very useful in Buffer Stop design.
View Horizontal Annotation. As I mentioned at the beginning of this article re: input fi les, even
though Mx allowed the designer to save some of the setup data for use time after time, these were
sometimes limited in what you could do with them. The other way was to create input fi les to gener-
ate consistent looking outputs. However the designer had to have some knowledge of Mx Command
Language (LINEMODE). Inrail uses one preference fi le (*.xin) to accomplish the same results. PB UK
Rail has started to customise their own to give a consistent look to all drawings across the Busi-
ness Unit. Most of our horizontal geometry is created at the following scales 1:100 (Manufacturing)
1:200 (Detailed Design) and 1:500 (Outline Design) and each preference setting displays similar data
though makes allowance for scales.
a) Sets centreline to correct colour /
line-style / weight
b) Scales text to correct size and
places it on the correct level.
c) Sets size of dumbell to suit out
put scale, and places it on the
correct level.
d) Rails are set to the correct level
and weight
e) Stationing is set to suit scale,
correct colour / line-style /
weight
f) Stationing can be set either to
the left or right of the alignment
Annotate profi le. Similarly we have created a series of preference settings for displaying the data
boxes along the bottom of the profi les. Again this gives us a consistent looking output. For example
this will set:
continued on next page
22
And what of Bentley Rail Track (BRT) against Mxrail -cont. a) Sets boxes to correct colour / line-style / weight
b) Sets grid information to correct colour / line-style / weight
c) Scales text to correct size and places it on the correct level
d) Sets which geometry data is required for type of drawing i.e. for a feasibility design there
would be no need in showing Cant, Speed boxes, whereas these would be required on Form B
drawings.
It’s a hard one to call, to which software is better when it comes to displaying Horizontal and Vertical
annotation. However I may just be swayed towards BRT, for if nothing else the user friendliness of
preference fi le, well that is once you have worked out what, does what. However if you want to dis-
play something different then the software does not seem very fl exible, though in most cases there
are work-a-rounds. For example:
When generating Longitudinal Sections we would normally show horizontal geometry Radii, length
etc. and associated cardinal points in the same row, similarly vertical data would be shown in the
same format. BRT does the same, the only difference being it separates the cardinal points out into a
separate row, to the curvature detail and the vertical alignment. However there is a work-a-round to
fi x the problem. Which is create the curvature and cardinal rows one above the other, set the cardinal
row height to zero and offset the text such that it appears centrally to the curvature row.
View 3D elements unfortunately I am not at the moment impressed with viewing designs in 3D and
if anyone can suggest a better way please let me know. With Mx your design is always three dimen-
sional, rotate it round to an isometric or side view and you can clearly see the proposed design rising
and falling according to the profi le. Not so with Inrail, if you view the proposed design from any
angle, all radii appear to be disconnected from the adjacent elements. A quick check using Check in-
tegrity will show that the elements are very much OK. When you interrogate the geometry it seems to
place all the radii at the same elevation as the fi rst element. Bentley’s did suggest using Horizontal
Annotation, place a tick in Planarize. But all this did was connect all the elements at zero elevation.
However there is a command called 3D alignment and yes this does do what it says and does display
the alignment correctly.
Conclusion
What can I say in summing up is that both Mxrail and Inrail have their weaknesses. When PB UK rail
transferred to the windows environment, the majority of its designers used the Mx software in one or
other CAD environment (Microstation or AutoCAD). Though one or two did opt to use the standalone
version. However most of us were used to having the CAD functionality1 to hand. So changing to
Bentley Rail track has not caused any real problems with productivity.
Having the CAD functionality is a real plus, for example viewing reference data without having it as
an inherent model in the display. In-fact you have now got complete fl exibility in one place.
continued on next page
Conclusion
23
And what of Bentley Rail Track (BRT) against Mxrail -cont.Bentley Rail Track adapts to any infrastructure workfl ow, increasing effi ciency. It delivers a high de-gree of fl exibility, with added power of an integrated geometry model that brings into play all factors that infl uence the project.
The result is signifi cant productivity improvements and time savings, whilst giving users a greater op-portunity to optimise the geometry and reduce costs.
What of the course!! The general feeling was that it was very good. Very well presented from people that knew what they were talking about. The documentation was well set-out and easy to follow. Although those that attended the Godalming course felt that the section “surface modelling” was covered a bit too quickly, however the course was compressed into 3 days and all subjects were cov-ered. The Manchester course did last a full week, the fi rst two days dealing with Microstation followed by Bentley Rail track. The feeling was that they didn’t have enough time to complete everything in BRT but they felt they had covered enough to set them on their way.
Finally
There is a way to go until the PB UK design competency of Bentley Rail Track is on par with Mxrail, but it will come with every project undertaken using the software.
1Mark Hellier – Exeter UK had covered CAD functionality and Mx in his Newsletter articles starting January 2009. I know that Mark concentrated on Mx but the same fl exibility exists when designing with Bentley Rail Track.
Finally
Bright Ideas
The following Bright Ideas submitted by Frank Ryan, Princeton, New Jersey
Did you know…
In MicroStation V8i there is no longer a variable to suppress the registration screen from the end
user. After 3 times of being prompted to register, there is a Skip Registration Button that will appear
on the Registration Screen. Otherwise, the registration screen will appear 1 time per week for a total
of 10 times.
If you choose, you may register the product yourself using the registration screen or your CADD Man-
agement may bulk register your users through Select Server.
For pre V8i applications the MicroStation registration screen can be disabled by using the following
variable.
MS_OTWREG_NOCHECK=1To submit your ‘Bright Idea’ please send them to
Be engaged, be informed and be empoweredThe Be Connected online seminar series offers a stream of educational and informative content about
real-world infrastructure projects and the best practices and software products used to design, build
and operate them.
Stay on top of the latest trends in practice andtechnology for infrastructureBentley developed the Be Connected online seminar series to bring information about current best
practices and technology improvements to infrastructure professionals everywhere. Using streaming
media via the web, it’s a sustainable way to learn from fellow architects, engineers, contractors and
owner/operators to help you and your organization work smarter.
Professional conference content without registration fees or travel expenseBe Connected is available at no charge to anyone who registers and delivers the kind of professional
level content usually found at trade and professional organization conferences without the expense
and hassle of travel.
Seminars for every interestThe Be Connected online seminar series offers a wide variety of content for infrastructure profes-
sionals across multiple disciplines and specifi c formats. “Solutions Best Practices” are presented by
leading infrastructure professionals and bring a “project perspective” on best practices for the design,
construction and operation of specifi c types of infrastructure projects, including:
• Bridges
• Cadastre and Land Development
• Communications
• Electric and Gas Utilities
• High Performance Buildings
• Mining and Metals
• Oil and Gas
• Rail and Transit
• Roads
• Water and Wastewater
“Product Update” seminars are presented by Bentley product management teams to demonstrate the
latest features and capabilities of Bentley’s V8i software products.
About Be Connected - cont.Career development from your desktopBy learning how other infrastructure professionals from around the world are using new workfl ows,
information technology and delivery methods to be successful in their practice, you will gain new
insight about how to leverage these tools and techniques to be more productive and to advance your
career. A transcript of the seminars you attended and the Bentley Institute Learning Units received
will be available to you via your personalized “My Seminars” page.
Watch Live or OnDemandWe understand that the demands of project deadlines and scheduling confl icts can make it diffi cult to
attend seminars at a specifi c time. That’s why every presentation in the Be Connected online seminar
series is also offered OnDemand within 24 hours of the scheduled live seminar presentation, so you
can view your chosen seminars at a time that works best for you. The fi rst live presentation of each
seminar will include a live Q&A teleconference, giving you the unique opportunity to interact with
leaders in your fi eld and gain in-depth answers to your questions.
Seminar Guides to help you get the most out of Be ConnectedDepending on your specifi c area of interest, Seminar Guides will recommend a series of relevant semi-
nars, helping to ensure you get the most out of the Be Connected online seminar series.
Group viewing of Be Connected seminarsDo you want to view either a Live or OnDemand Seminar with a group of your colleagues? You can
view seminars and still earn Bentley Learning Units for each seminar viewer.
Visit the PAN 07 Intranet Home Page and clicking on the Library links on the home page. If you experience technical diffi culties you can contact any of the following Steering Committee members for assistance.
Res ources
CADD PAN Coordinator
Rebecca Arsham San Francisco, (US) +1 (415) 243-4767 [email protected]
Global PAN Steering Committee
Rebecca Arsham San Francisco, (US) +1 (415) 243-4767 [email protected]
Newsletter Layout: Paula M. Borkowski Buffalo (US) -1 (716) 853-1220 [email protected]
This newsletter is intended to foster the free-fl ow of ideas and information among members of the CADD Applications Practice Area Network. The opinions expressed by the writers are their own and are not necessarily those of PB. This and past issues of the CADD PAN Newsletter are available on PBWorldnet in the Newsletter File Cabinet. Technical questions are encouraged to be submitted through the IT Support website.
Information contained in this document has been compiled utilizing various resources, including input from the end users of CADD within PB.
2009, Parsons Brinckerhoff Inc., One Penn Plaza, New York, NY 10119, 1.212.465.5000 All Rights Reserved. Sponsored by the Corporate
Knowledge Program. Articles may be reprinted with permission of the PAN Coordinator.
