Bentley Navigator and ProjectWise Explorer iPad Apps - Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What are optimized i-models for iPad?
Answer: i-models for iPad are subsets of 3D i-models designed to be relatively small in size and rich in information for use on the iPad.
i-models for iPad are sets of 3D views from which the user can look around, query properties of objects in the model, and create overlays for annotations.
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Question: How do I create optimized i-models for the iPad?
Answer: i-models for iPad can be created using authoring tools that are available as iWare on our website. This is an enhancement that users can add to MicroStation or i-model Composer SS3. (See Help for further info and instructions)
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Question: What types of files can I use to create i-models optimized for the iPad?
Answer: i-models for iPad are designed to be created from i-models (i.dgn). Bentley offers many ways of composing i-models, including composition from most Power-Products (MicroStation, Navigator, and ProjectWise as well as the stand-alone iModel Composer Application. We also offer the i-model plug-in for Revit, so users can create i-models from their Revit files.
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Question: What are packaging i-models?
Answer: Packaging i-models are a universal transport mechanism to share content across platforms. They are designed to be lightweight, secure, and read-only. Files stored in packaging i-models retain original properties and information to ensure that they are traceable and any changes associated with the file get back to the proper place in ProjectWise.
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Question: What types of files can I include in packaging i-models?
Answer: There are no restrictions on what may be included in a packaging i-model.
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Question: How do I create packaging i-models?
Answer: Packaging i-models can be created with the free packaging i-model enhancement for ProjectWise. This enhancement runs in ProjectWise Explorer on your PC. In ProjectWise, you can select a number of files. Then, right-click and select the context menu command "packaging i-model." Then select "Create." If you want files from different directories included, you may want to add the files to a flat set and then create a packaging i-model from the set. To create a flatset, you can right-click, go to "set" then "new." You can then drag files that you want added into the set.
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Question: How do I get files to the iPad?
Answer: Although it is in the works, a direct connection to ProjectWise from the iPad is not available as of right now. Currently, Bentley recommends traditional means of file transfer to the iPad, such as iTunes, email, or third-party cloud services (such as DropBox or Box.net).
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Question: When I annotate a PDF, the redlines do not appear when I send it back to ProjectWise Explorer for the iPad. Are they still there?
Answer: Yes, the annotations are still there, and they can be imported back into the ProjectWise server. ProjectWise Explorer for the iPad features the basic functionality needed to view a PDF. Because of this, anything that is appended to the PDF does not appear in the quick-look preview. To make annotations appear in the quick-look preview, they must be flattened to the file. Many PDF applications for the iPad, such as GoodReader and iAnnotate PDF, offer this functionality.
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Question: I can't delete files in my packaging i-model. Why?
Answer: Packaging i-models are read-only. You can delete entire packaging i-models within ProjectWise Explorer for the iPad, but you cannot add or remove files from within the i-model. You are able to add or remove individual files from the "new package content" directory on ProjectWise Explorer for the iPad.
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