Archives
October 31, 2008
Issue #91
BE Newsletter
Technical Issue
Read the latest issue of BE Magazine
The Launch Event
Nov. 6, 1:30 p.m. EST, The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia
This is your chance to witness firsthand the all-new software portfolio from Bentley – the most comprehensive software portfolio ever assembled for infrastructure professionals in one release.
Can’t make it to Philadelphia? Bentley is hosting a 90-minute live broadcast of the event for the entire world to see. The broadcast starts at 1:30 p.m. EST, 10:30 a.m. PST, and 6:30 p.m. GMT.
Also, watch the Bentley web site for more information about the launch following the event.
>> more (register for Philadelphia event)
>> more (register for web broadcast)
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Highlights in BE Communities website: Forums
The BE Communities Forums are a great place to share new tips and tricks with Bentley products and to hear the frank views of other users, exchange ideas, and discuss a wide range of technical subjects. Although still in beta, many people are communicating in the forums.
If you have a question, it might have already been a discussion topic. To search for issues in the BE Communities Forums, use the search box at the top of the forums home page.
You can also find the topics you have not read,
>> more
and subscribe to topics of interest.
>> more
You can customize your view of the forums and choose the topics you’re most interested in.
>> more
Discussion group threads
The Forums are separate from the traditional discussion groups, although they will eventually be merged. To search the discussion groups for answers to your particular questions, use our customized search.
>> more
Here are some interesting conversations about GenerativeComponents going on now in the BE Communities Forums:
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BE Conference 2008 sessions online
You can now attend BE Conference 2008 directly from your desktop as anytime, anyplace learning. Bentley SELECT subscribers have exclusive OnDemand access to all conference sessions via the Bentley LEARN Server.
SELECT subscribers can earn learning units today by viewing featured OnDemand eLearning courses or BE Conference 2008 sessions. All Bentley learning units are automatically added to online transcripts.
>> more (transcripts)
If you are a SELECT subscriber, view quick start instructions for launching OnDemand eLearning content.
>> more
View the list of OnDemand BE Conference sessions.
>> more
If you have questions about Bentley OnDemand eLearning, contact us.
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BE Conference 2009
BE Conference is coming to Charlotte, N. C., the week of May 11, 2009. Watch Bentley.com for more information.
If you’re interested in receiving news and updates for BE Conference 2009 by email, click more below.
>> more
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Bentley educational sessions in Washington, D.C., in December
Don’t miss these three-hour workshops and one-hour seminars presented by Bentley at the Ecobuild® & AEC-ST® Fall Conference, Dec. 8-11, in Washington, D.C.
- W112: Benefiting from BIM in the Real World
- W212: Exploring Design Options with GenerativeComponents
- S112: BIM Benefits Integrated Practice
- S212: BIM in Sustainable Design: Not Just a Checklist
- S312: Project Integration: Getting the Team Connected
- S412: Construction Simulation
- S512: Feedback: Using IT to "What-If" Your Designs
Bentley is a Gold Corporate Sponsor of the event, which explores the breadth of green building, sustainable design, renewable energy, high-performance building, and information collaboration strategies, including Building Information Modeling (BIM) for construction. Exhibit highlights include BIM Storm – LIVE!, the buildingSMART™ alliance pavilion/theater, and many others.
>> more
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2008 Bentley Roads and Bridges Conferences – East and West
Bentley Civil gives you two great opportunities to sign up for civil software training at its best. First comes Roads and Bridges User Conference – West, a landmark event scheduled for Nov. 3-5 in Scottsdale, Ariz. Then comes Roads and Bridges User Conference – East, planned for Dec. 15-17 in Hollywood, Fla. These conferences are set up with your busy schedule and convenience in mind, offering similar technical presentations and hands-on workshops featuring InRoads, GEOPAK, LEAP Bridge, RM Bridge, Haestad Methods water solutions, and more. For more information, visit Bentley’s corporate events calendar.
>> more (register for Roads and Bridges User Conference West)
>> more (register for Roads and Bridges User Conference East)
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Sponsors
HP delivers workstation technologies that help you work efficiently and reduce costs.
The HP workstation line includes mobile, desktop, and blade workstations. HP offers a choice of processors including Intel dual-core processors or quad-core processors or AMD processors. In addition, HP offers highly secure Blade Workstations, which provide the capability of remote engineering from centralized server-based workstations with powerful 3D performance.
>> Learn more about HP and great deals on HP workstations
>> Learn more about HP and Bentley
Building Design+Construction’s 2008 Moisture Control Webcast
Nov. 13, 2 p.m. EST
Join BD+C’s experts for a free information-filled webcast, "Moisture Protection and the Building Envelope." This AIA/CES-approved education program will address mold problems, water intrusion, and building envelope energy leakage in your projects. Register today at www.LogInAndLearn.com or directly at the following link!
>> more
FIATECH's 2009 Technology Conference & Showcase, Where the Best Get Better, is open to the public and will be held April 6-8, 2009, at the Green Valley Ranch near Las Vegas, Nev. The conference will be chaired by Jerry Gipson, director, Engineering Solutions Technology Center, The Dow Chemical Company. Attendees will explore which technologies they should and shouldn’t be gambling on.
>> more
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Bentley tips
Combining cells from different cell libraries
Cells from one cell library can easily be combined with cells from another cell library by using the Import Models tool.
Submitted by: Dan Eng, platform support analyst
Generating lines with start and stop points different than an alignment
You can generate a line that follows an alignment, but has different start and stop offsets.
To do this, use the View 3D Alignment command. Go to GEOMETRY > VIEW GEOMETRY > 3D ALIGNMENT. You can generate the line with different horizontal and/or vertical offsets.
Choose the horizontal and vertical alignment from which the line will be generated, set the interval for which the line will be picked up from the alignments, and set the horizontal and/or vertical start and stop offsets.
Click Help in the dialog box to get a description of each option for this command.
Submitted by: Chris Key, engineer in training, Bentley Civil Engineering
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MicroStation tips from BE Conference 2007
Move to Contact
The new move to contact tool allows you to move objects in a direction until they come into
contact with another object.
>> more
These tips were presented at BE Conference 2007 by Stephen Holmes, head of Consultancy Services at Cadventure.
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BE User Group events
Bentleyuser.dk
Nov. 10-12, Munkebjerg Hotel, Vejle, Denmark
>> more
Bentley Community UKI
Nov. 27-28, RIBA, London
>> more
Bentley User Group Sweden
Nov. 13, Stockholm
Watch for more upcoming BE User Group events.
>> more
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Bentley Institute local training
Nov. 12-13, Columbus, Ohio
Live classroom courses include the following:
Bentley BIM Fundamentals and Bentley Architecture V8 XM Edition
>> more
Bentley BIM Fundamentals and Bentley Structural V8 XM Edition
>> more
Bentley BIM Fundamentals and Bentley Building Mechanical Systems V8 XM Edition
>> more
Bentley BIM Fundamentals and Bentley Building Electrical Systems V8 XM Edition
>> more
Concrete Building Design in RAM Structural System with links to RAM Concept and RAM Advanse
>> more
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More learning paths
Several new learning paths are now available from the Bentley Institute. Learning paths for Haestad Methods water and sewer products, GEOPAK, InRoads, and MicroStation provide online training roadmaps to transform organizations into productive learning organizations.
With learning paths, an organization can increase its revenue and profitability by developing a well-trained, highly effective workforce that can offer more services and deliver more projects on time and within budget.
Learning paths enable your team to:
- Find the best training for different applications, schedules, job roles, and experience levels,
- Plan for optimal professional development to fit any budget or business goal,
- Measure and communicate skill development and talent portfolios through learning units and online transcripts.
To view the learning paths:
http://www.bentley.com/en-US/Training/Learning+Paths/
Learning paths for additional Bentley applications will be available soon.
>>more
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Bentley LEARN: anytime, anyplace learning
A subscription to Bentley LEARN delivers unlimited access to OnDemand eLearning to everyone in your organization. Bentley’s new multimedia presentation demonstrates how you can use Bentley LEARN to develop a well-trained, highly effective workforce that will:
- Improve team productivity and advance careers,
- Eliminate travel costs and reduce your carbon footprint,
- Increase profitability by delivering more projects on time and within budget,
- Showcase skill development and talent portfolios with Learning Units and online transcripts,
- Maximize return on training investment through anytime, anyplace learning.
To see how other organizations are gaining competitive advantage with Bentley LEARN, including an overview of its features, view short videos describing user experiences, and link to OnDemand eLearning resources, visit www.bentley.com/LEARN.
>>more
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Attend a complimentary distance learning course and earn Learning Units
Now you can try distance learning’s personal interaction, hands-on instruction, and collaboration with your colleagues for free. Bentley is offering a complimentary MicroStation AccuDraw course that lets you experience how instructor-led distance learning helps you get training conveniently, easily, and with little disruption to your daily work routine.
>> more
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Recent Client Server articles
Creating PDF files containing Project Explorer links
29 September 2008
ProjectWise InterPlot Organizer is a Windows application for plotting engineering data such as MicroStation DGNs, AutoCAD DWGs, raster files, and Bentley Digital Print format (DPR).
>> more
Using the CADscript MapIndex Tool
29 September 2008
In CADscript, the MapIndex tool is used to produce grid index lists for locations on maps.
>> more
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Bentley live eSeminars
Bentley Haestad Methods Products
StormCAD XM - Model Building
Tuesday, Nov. 11, 11 a.m. EST
Use external data to build and populate StormCAD. See ground surface elevations assigned using TRex (Terrain Extraction) and data cleanup using Network Navigator.
>> more
WaterCAD/GEMS
Tuesday, Nov. 18, 11 a.m. EST
What can water modeling do for you? Learn how to simulate water contamination, fires flow scenarios, pipe breaks, and power outages and find the best operational strategies to address them. Determine whether your system can meet water demands and learn how to minimize energy costs. Find out why WaterCAD was voted North America’s favorite water modeling software.
>> more
InRoads
InRoads Suite XM – Roadway Designer
Wednesday, Nov. 12, 11 a.m. EST
InRoads Roadway designer is the most advanced tool available today for interactive 3D design of roadway corridors. Join us as we explore the strengths and secrets to creating a 3D roadway design.
>> more
GEOPAK
GEOPAK CES XM – Corridor Modeling
Wed., Nov. 19, 11 a.m. EST
Bentley’s powerful Roadway Designer has been added to GEOPAK. See how to use your existing data in Roadway Designer and create fast, complete 3D models.
>> more
MicroStation
Introducing Athens
Thurs., Nov. 13, 11 a.m. EST
Please join us to learn about Athens, including new features and enhancements.
>> more
MicroStation XM - Visualization for Civil Engineers
Thurs., Nov. 20, 11 a.m. EST
MicroStation V8 XM provides quick, easy-to-use tools for creating 3D visualizations from your civil designs. Come see just how easy it can be.
>> more
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Bentley eSeminars
Find the most recent and most popular MicroStation, ProjectWise, Building, Civil, Geospatial, and Plant eSeminars from Bentley, with links to Bentley resources in each vertical.
>> more
promis•e 2007, our new electrical design product
Whether you're creating schematic drawings, panel layouts, wire lists, bills of material, or terminal plans, you’ll find that the intelligent, automatic functions of the promis•e 2007 family of electrical CAD software make the design process fast, efficient, and accurate. This series of eSeminars, presented by Jim Baker, Bentley application engineer for electrical design products, walks you through how to get the most from these comprehensive tools.
- promis•e Overview – Learn how you can streamline your electrical design process and how to create a machine-design project starting from the bill of materials and the CAD design phase of a project.
>> more
- promis•e Project Modes – Learn how you can use promis?e to create electrical schematics and streamline the entire engineering process.
>> more
- promis•e Project Reporting – Learn how to create project bills of materials, job costing lists, purchase order lists, point-to-point wiring lists, pin charts, terminal block plans, shortest distance wiring lists, and more.
>> more
- promis•e Project Development – Learn how to create project bills of materials and job costing and connection reports.
>> more
- promis•e Project Navigation – Learn how to customize the software's dialog prompts and menus.
>> more
RAM Structural System: True interoperability with the Revit Structure Link
Bidirectional integration between the RAM Structural System (RSS) and Revit Structure enables you to analyze and design buildings within the RSS environment and subsequently use Revit Structure for multidisciplinary collaboration as well as documentation.
The integrated environment will:
- Improve internal processes by linking engineering and CAD departments to eliminate tedious and costly redlining and review processes,
- Enable effective communication with the rest of the design team, enhancing collaboration,
- Streamline processes for higher profit margins and fewer errors.
Benefits for structural engineers include:
- Start in RAM Structural System or Revit Structure,
- Import or Export from Revit Structure,
- Make changes in either application,
- Update and synchronize models.
Kevin Billings, CAD production manager with Hart Gaugler & Associates, had this to say regarding the link, “I like that the software provides back and forth updates. This saves us a tremendous amount of time. The two-way communication is key for us to efficiently implement architectural changes quickly. We can update the RAM and Revit portion at the same time; it works very well for us.”
To find out more and to download the RAM Structural System-Revit link, visit http://www.bentley.com/en-US/Promo/Structural+Team/RSS+Revit.htm. You can view a recording of Bentley’s live eSeminar as well as see answers to frequently asked questions regarding the RAM Structural System-Revit Link.
To learn more about Bentley’s comprehensive structural products, visit www.Bentley.com/Structural
PlantSpace P&ID
Learn more about PlantSpace P&ID, including how to synchronize data from the project database into the PlantSpace P&ID environment; how to create P&IDs in the PlantSpace environment, tagging elements in P&ID; and how to process and synchronize data from the P&ID into the project database.
>> more
PlantSpace Equipment
Learn what PlantSpace Equipment can do for you, including how to model parametric equipment, how to place and orient nozzles, how to create custom equipment, and more.
>> more
PlantSpace Piping
Learn more about PlantSpace Piping, including how to route and place piping components in a 3D environment, how to automatically generate bills of materials, and more.
>> more
Connected by ProjectWise
You can improve project team collaboration without changing the way your team works. See how ProjectWise Explorer is as easy and intuitive as Windows Explorer, only better. Effectively manage reference files, find files quickly, and collaborate with others across all projects when your project team is connected by ProjectWise.
>> more
Video spotlights Barge Waggoner’s ProjectWise success
See how Barge Waggoner Sumner & Cannon is using ProjectWise to connect people and information across project teams – no matter where they are located – to improve quality, reduce rework, and meet deadlines. The firm has created a solution that integrates ProjectWise with Microsoft SharePoint to enable work sharing among 12 offices across three states.
“People not being utilized 100 percent of the time is a cost and inefficiency for us,” said David Davidson, president and COO of Barge Waggoner Sumner & Cannon. “Through organization-wide adoption of ProjectWise and SharePoint, we have been able to increase utilization and raise the revenue per head by approximately 25 percent.”
Independent ROI reports verify that all engineers in an organization can save up to 15 percent of their annual cost when sharing work with ProjectWise.
“The quality of our projects has really been enhanced through the ProjectWise and SharePoint portals because we can disseminate information so quickly, and because we can tie everyone together through one standard,” Davidson said.
Watch the video now
Bentley Map XM Edition – the new desktop GIS for mapping and engineering the world’s infrastructure
This one-hour eSeminar demonstrates how Bentley Map, a full desktop GIS, addresses the specific needs of organizations that map, plan, design, build, and operate the world’s infrastructure. The core desktop product in the Bentley geospatial architecture, Bentley Map integrates seamlessly with the Bentley Geospatial Server and Bentley’s mobile, web-publishing and industry-specific applications. It is also the preferred platform for customized geospatial workflows delivered by third parties. Bentley Map is one of the ways in which Bentley is advancing GIS for infrastructure.
>> more
eSeminars available from Integrated Structural Solutions Seminar
Bentley’s Structural Engineering Group held a seminar in Houston on integrated structural solutions for plant applications. One of the attendees, James Yong, PE, SE with Technip USA, said, “I was very impressed with the seminar. In fact, after viewing the capabilities of the programs, I am requesting that my company purchase RAM Connection and STAAD.foundation licenses.”
The seminar highlighted the new version of STAAD.Pro, as well as the integration with RAM Connection and STAAD.foundation. It demonstrated an integrated workflow for industrial structures utilizing STAAD.Pro 2007, STAAD.foundation and RAM Connection.
View the seminar:
Integrated Structural Design for Industrial Structures (STAAD.Pro - Part 1)
Integrated Structural Design for Industrial Structures (STAAD.Pro - Part 2)
Integrated Structural Design for Industrial Structures (RAM Connection)
Integrated Structural Design for Industrial Structures (STAAD.foundation)
ProjectWise Navigator
Learn more about ProjectWise Navigator and find out what this visual collaboration tool can do for you. You’ll learn how to assemble 2D/3D content, how to check-in/check-out transactions, how to review project designs, and more.
>> more
Bentley Data Manager/Bentley Datasheets eSeminar
Learn about Bentley Data Manager and Bentley Datasheets, including how to create views in the database, what datasheets are, datasheet synchronization, and more.
>> more
AutoPLANT P&ID
Learn more about AutoPLANT P&ID, including how to use the symbol manager, what P&ID is, how to use the assembly manager, and more.
>> more
AutoPLANT Equipment
Learn what AutoPLANT Equipment can do for you, including how to model parametric equipment, how to place and orient nozzles, how to create custom equipment, and more.
>> more
AutoPLANT Piping
Learn more about AutoPLANT Piping, including how to route and place piping components in a 3D environment, how to automatically generate bills of materials, and more.
>> more
Create PDF files with MicroStation V8 XM Edition
Watch this eSeminar to learn about the immutable PDF file-publishing capabilities of MicroStation. See how easy it is to add comments to PDF files using Adobe Acrobat. Learn how to attach PDF files as references in a DGN, and learn how to create interactive 3D PDF files that contain rendered models with switchable level or layer structures and predefined animations for playback and review.
>> more
ProjectWise Passport
Every MicroStation license covered by a current Bentley SELECT agreement is eligible for a ProjectWise Passport at no additional charge. And each ProjectWise Passport licenses its holder to use a number of Bentley products, including ProjectWise StartPoint, ProjectWise Navigator, and ProjectWise InterPlot Organizer.
>> more
Visual Collaboration with ProjectWise Navigator
Joe Croser, Bentley global marketing director, platform products and subscriptions, highlights the challenges associated with assembling a variety of project content in one place for design review and analysis. You can learn to:
- Assemble 2D/3D content from hundreds of applications and file stores,
- Review designs and models in an immersive and homogeneous environment,
- Enrich content by adding comments, project links, and materials for visualization,
- Analyze and simulate construction schedules and assess buildability,
- Produce portable and intelligent work packages for downstream activities.
>> more
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Bentley white papers
Sustaining Infrastructure
This paper by Buddy Cleveland, senior vice president of Bentley’s Applied Research Group, explains Bentley’s interpretation of sustainability. It lays out the company’s view of the role of infrastructure in creating a sustainable world; how Bentley users are meeting these challenges today; how they can better address the challenges in the future; and how Bentley’s solutions and products are positioned to support them.
>> more
ISO 15926 – Lifecycle Data for Process Plant
Ever since CAD and 3D modeling were first computerized, there has been a need to exchange 2D and 3D geometry information between different CAD systems. In order to provide a common file format for this geometry information exchange, the development of standards began, and ISO 15926 “lifecycle data for process plant” was proposed. The ISO 15926 initiative has been steadily increasing in maturity ever since, and with that increase in maturity the interest and the adoption of this important standard has gained acceptance throughout the plant domain. By going beyond data handover, ISO 15926 is fast becoming the standard for interoperability and collaboration between complex data models of all types, including both 2D and 3D data models.
>> more
Making PDS Interoperable
In a recent user survey taken by Bentley, 90 percent said the transition from PDS is important to them. However, only 28 percent said they had enough information to make a decision on which route to take.
This paper is intended to fill that information gap. It sets out options for PDS users to continue gaining value from their PDS systems, and to take an evolutionary approach toward a transition using the components of Bentley’s DigitalPlant solution. It also provides information about future developments that will help users work out the timing of investments.
>>more
Managing PDS Documents Effectively
Failing to manage and track all the work-in-progress design files for the complete project makes the synchronization between distributed design teams virtually impossible, and can have disastrous consequences for the project. This white paper investigates the processes involved in managing PDS projects and makes recommendations for process improvements.
>>more
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© 2008 Bentley Systems, Incorporated. 685 Stockton Drive, Exton, PA USA 19341.
Bentley, the “B” Bentley logo, BE, Bentley Institute, Bentley LEARN, Bentley LEARN Server, Bentley Map, Bentley SELECT, AccuDraw, AutoPLANT, CADscript, GenerativeComponents, GEOPAK, Haestad Methods, InRoads, InterPlot, LEAP, MicroStation, PlantSpace, ProjectWise, ProjectWise StartPoint, promis•e, RAM, SELECT, StormCAD, STAAD, STAAD.Pro, WaterGEMS, and WaterCAD are either registered or unregistered trademarks or service marks of Bentley Systems, Incorporated, or one of its direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiaries. Other brands and product names are trademarks of their respective owners.