Attaching a reference dgn in Microstation V8i

When attaching a reference dgn to Microstation V8i dgn files you must be sure that the spatial coordinate system is set in the header file of the reference dgn.  A number of dgns created in V8 do not contain this (even though the actual coordinates align exactly to local projections).  When the reference header does not contain this information, Microstation V8i will assume the coordinate system of the reference dgn is the same as the master dgn - which will cause incorrect placement of the reference dgn in the views.

Furthermore, dgns stored in the Bentley SELECT projectwise server will by default look for reference files on that server, the initial attach reference dialog that shows during this process will not allow you to select any locally stored dgns, or dgns stored in other network locations.

To set the coordinate system of the reference dgn:

1. Open the reference dgn in Microstation v8i

2. Go to the Tools drop down menu and select Geographic>Select Geographic Coordinate System.

3. The Geographic Coordinate System Displays, click the 'From Library' icon

4. You will be presented with the geographic coordinate system library, navigate through the treeview and select the correct geographic coordinate system for the dgn. (map grid zones 52 and 53 are in Library>Projected>Oceania>Australia, long/lats are in Library>Geographic>Oceania>Australia).

5. Click ok.

6. Because you have changed the geographic coordinate system of the dgn, Microstation will ask you if you need to change the storage units of the model.  It is highly likely that the units in the model are allready correct, but the coordinate system has not been declared - in this case, select the 'The graphic elements are correctly drawn in' option. Click ok.

To attach a reference dgn to a master dgn in Microstation V8i:

Attaching References in Microstation V8i is not affected by ProjectWise and the process is unchanged. To attach References ( In Microstation v8i) go to  Help> Contents > Index and type "Reference Toolbox". Click Search.

Any reference file will be saved as part of the master dgn, however elements or configuration from the reference file will not be "checked In" into the ProjectWise Document (in ProjectWise Explorer) or posted back to Oracle (ProjectWise) Server Environment. The reference file is however saved in the local copy of the dgn file.

As Oracle tables are defined in the Document dgn file ( master dgn), the reference dgn can only be posted back into ProjectWise if it is defined in the master dgn file.