dbWindow 3.0 removes all the stumbling blocks to using a database with MicroStation
You may be wondering what is a Displayable Attribute (often referred to as DA or DAS)? For MicroStation, a displayable attribute is a text node element with a special database linkage. Graphically, the text node displays data from the linked database record according to a limited user defined format. DA text nodes can be very useful because when the data in the record changes, the graphics can be updated automatically using the MicroStation DA reload utility.
dbWindow has made working with DA text nodes just as easy as working with any other element type by managing all the necessary database administration (Mscatalog and DAS tables) automatically behind the scenes. The three ways to place displayable attribute text nodes with dbWindow are described below.
1.) The Place DA Text Node command lets you define a new column format to use when placing the DA text node. Simply select the table of interest and then move the desired columns from the Available list box to the Selected list box using the arrow push buttons. The associated SQL Select string is displayed so that you can see the format as it is stored in the database.
You would then choose whether to place a new text node or select an existing text node. If you place a new text node, you will see the populated text node in dynamics so you will know exactly what it will look like before it is placed. If you select an existing text node, the text node will be automatically loaded with the new data.
You would also choose whether the database record to use should come from a selected row in the grid on the main dialog or from a user selected element with a database linkage.
2.) The Place DA Text Node From Dastable command allows you to select an existing column format to use when placing the DA text node. All available Dastype numbers and their associated SQL Select statements are displayed for the user selected table. All other options and functionality is the same as the command described above.
3.) The Place DA Text Node Select command allows you to define the column format by selecting an existing DA text node element. After selecting that element, the dialog shown above will be opened and the column format belonging to the selected element will already be highlighted. At this point, the command works the same as described above.
The Reload Displayable Attributes command will take one or more existing DA text nodes and ensure that the data displayed graphically matches what is stored in the linked database record. dbWindow provides the flexibility to keep your design files current using five methods:
Single allows you to select individual elements if a selection set is not defined.
Selection Set processes all the elements in a selection set.
Fence processes all elements that meet the fence criteria.
Global processes all elements on all levels in the design file.
Multiple Files allows you to define a list of files / directories and processes all elements on all levels in each of the design files.
As you can see, there are several options in the Graphics pull-down menu. You need to download dbWindow 3.0 to try all the powerful features.
