Bentley's Infrastructure Cloud currently has 2 ways of accessing project CAD files for use in creating iModels.
In both cases, the user starts with creating an iModel with the Create iModel button. There are 2 options for creating a standard “Connected” iModel (using connections) as well as a tech preview for “Composite” iModels (iModels from iModels)
After creating a Connected iModel (1st option) the user is asked to populate it by selecting design files, or (in the case of a ProjectWise Work Area Connection) Saved Searches stored in PW Design Integration server.
In the case of selecting design files, the user can use the delivered PW Web Document provided with the iTwin template, or select from a Work Area Connection as outlined above.
1 - Create iModel connections from PW Web Documents
The first method is to use the PW Documents folders that are created by default when creating a new project. These are essentially web folders that can be used as is, in a Dropbox type manner, or can optionally be synchronized with one or more desktops using PW Drive. This gives smaller teams the ability to manage and share files in a centralized fashion.
2 - Create iModel connections from a Work Area Connection
The second method is to create a Work Area Connection from a hosted ProjectWise Design Integration (PWDI) instance. This approach creates a direct link to the source files, as well as configuration files and other features contained in a PWDI project.
PWDI Work Area Connections support DGN Workspaces, Saved Searches, Reference scanning, and document metadata (from PWDI environment attributes).
· Workspaces are resolved via the WSG Plugin to access the managed workspace associated with a given file. This is also used to resolve the associated application (in PW Explorer) in order to perform a "best guess" for an associated Connector.
At this time, the WSG version is important, as version 23.06.03 or higher is needed for maximum compatibility. Previous versions may not provide expected results.
· Metadata is pulled from the Work Area Connection's environment attributes for each file processed.
· Saved Searches are read from the Work Area Connection's Global Saved Search List. Personal Saved Searches are not supported.
Additional Information:
With respect to creating iModel connections, the PW Documents (web) folders have limited functionality in comparison to PWDI Work Area Connections.
Resolving reference files in the PW Document folders will generally work for relative paths, or if the reference files are in the same current folder as the parent file.
PW Web Document folders do not currently support Workspaces or Saved Searches.
Further information can be found on Bentley's YouTube channel here: