	Product(s):	MicroStation
	Version(s):	CONNECT
	Environment:	N\A
	Area:	Tables
	Subarea:	N\A

How to create Table seed that can be placed as a template into any design.

Background

Typically, when creating designs, Tables are added to convey further design intent and clarification for the recipient. In many cases these Tables appear the same except for the data within, so rather than recreating each time a template or Table Seed can be used to place the common parts.

The following will demonstrate how this can be achieved

Steps to Accomplish

Step 1

The first step is to create a DGNLIB a library file that will contain the Table Seeds. Note the DGNLIB should only contain Table elements.

Create a *.dgnlib file ( or open an existing one )
Create a Model, where the Model Name will be the name used for the Table seed.
Add a Table to the Model using the Place Table tool
Format the Table as required
Add any standard data to the Table required
Repeat steps 2 -5 where multiple Table seeds are required

Step 2

The next step is to share the Table seeds with those who can utilize them in their designs.

This step would typically be performed by your Site Administrator where they can modify the Configuration such that the Table seeds can be shared throughout the organization or for example for those working on a specific project (Workset).

The following will show you how you can make the Table Seeds available only to you in all your designs.

Open any file
Open the Configuration Dialog (Personal.ucf)
Add your *.dgnlib to the configuration variable MS_DGNLIBLIST
Save the changes to your personal.ucf

Step 3

Having create and configured your DGNLIB contain the Table Seeds, these can be placed and edited in any design when required. To do this:

Create or open and existing design
Select the Place Table tool
In the Tool Settings dialog choose the required Seed:
Place and Table Seed into the design and edit as required.

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Additional information

Rules for creating table seeds:

A table seed can be defined in a .dgnlib file that is located at a path defined in the MS_DGNLIBLIST configuration variable.
The name of the table seed is the name of the model in which it is created.
A table seed is valid if it contains only one element and that element is a table.
If you want to add text to any cells in the table, double-click the cell to open the Text Editor window and then enter the desired text. With this method, the text becomes part of the table element and is not treated as a separate element.
The first body cell in each column acts as a seed for the rest of the cells in the respective column.

Other Language sources

Original Author:

Carl Myhill