Product(s):	InRoads, MX, GEOPAK
Version(s):	08.11.09+
Area:	Corridor Modeling
Original Author:	Chris Key, Bentley Technical Support Group

 

Question:

I have been attempting to apply a point control in my corridor using the Feature Definition control type. In my plan view I have elements with feature definitions. I apply a basic template to the corridor and attempt to force a point to follow the plan view linework based on the feature definitions applied. However, when I fill out all of the information for the point control, nothing happens. I was able to apply the point control based on the linear geometry control type but, I would like to know how to properly use the Feature Definition control type.

Answer:

For certain types of information to be used as corridor point controls including Feature Definitions, we have to add them into the corridor as an External Reference. This external reference is a new concept in the OpenRoads corridor modeling.  In the Roadway Designer in SS2 you could have a point control target a general Style over a specified range, but with SS3 and the added abilities of graphical targeting we needed to have a concept to add elements for the program to use as possible references. Otherwise, due to complexities of designs and the amount of data in the DGN it could cause too any targets based on the assigned Feature Definition.

You still have it set to target an object with a specific feature definition in the point controls, but those elements must be added into the External References. You can add multiple elements at one time into the corridor External References in a single process. Isolate graphical elements by selection set, filters, levels, etc. which may be added as a corridor reference.

 

Adding External References:

To add the External References into the corridor, add all desired elements to a selection set in MicroStation. Select the ‘Add External Reference’ task, identify the corridor and data point to accept the selection of elements to add as External References.

 

These elements are added to the external references for that corridor.

Using Feature Definitions as Point Controls:

You can set up the Feature Definition as the control type and it will scan all External References for the elements with that specific assigned Feature Definition and apply it as the point control. 

To set up the Point Control for the Feature Definition select the options for the point control, making sure the Control Type is set to 'Feature Definition' and the correct Feature Definition is selected in the list.  Once added it will scan the External References for objects with that particular Feature Definition over the specified point control Range to find the control element and move the corridor point.  It will target the closest external reference therefore the order of the external references in the list does not matter.