FAQ
DoorKeeper™ is the answer to common questions posed by MicroStation CONNECT users …
Q
- How can I obtain reports about door cell instances?
- How can I create a tables of door cell instances?
- How can I annotate and report on multiple objects?
- How can I search for a door that has a certain property value?
- What happens to my annotation when I modify a door's data?
- How do I obtain DoorKeeper?
DoorKeeper™ works with technology introduced with MicroStation CONNECT to annotate and update cells that represent doors.
What is a Moniker?
A Moniker is a name or handle of an object. You can write an expression that composes a moniker from the door ID and other data.
What is a Door?
A Door is a DGN cell instance that you have tagged with DoorKeeper data using DoorKeeper's tools. You can manipulate and query a Door using MicroStation and DoorKeeper tools. You can create a worksheet using FlexiTable™ or write a Report using MicroStation tools.
All Cells are Doors!
DoorKeeper can't differentiate between different cells. That is, it can't tell that a cell named Window is not intended to represent a door. Be careful what you annotate!
Search Tool
DoorKeeper has a search tool …
See the Search page for more information.
DoorKeeper Data
The DoorKeeper application uses a MicroStation Item Type schema definition named DoorKeeper. Some properties are free form and you can supply whatever data you want. Some properties are constrained to a set of values specified in a Pick List.
Door ID
DoorKeeper helps you to annotate door IDs.
If you are annotating doors
you may want a consistently-numbered door ID. For example, door numbering in your current model may start
with door 100 and continue in increments of five.
What's more, you can add explanatory text around the ID,
so your sequence would look something like
Door 100, Door 105, …, Door 125, Door 130.
The ID is invaluable when creating a report or table. The ID provides a visual reference to the tagged object.
Auto Increment
DoorKeeper will auto-increment the door ID as you annotate each door cell. In the Settings dialog, you control (a) whether you want to enable auto-increment and (b) the amount by which the ID is incremented (the delta value).
Door Type
You can designate an door to represent one of several types. The types are chosen from a Pick List.
For example, an office have an Internal Door door type. A meeting door might have an Internal Fire Door door type.
Rotate Annotation
As you know, a cell may contain geometric elements, text and SmartText. When you rotate a cell, all its contents rotate as well. When you want to annotate a drawing, rotated text is visually inconvenient.
DoorKeeper offers a way to obtain unrotated text inside a door cell.
You can include a nested cell that contains annotation and SmartText.
DoorKeeper's DOOR TAG ROTATE command lets you rotate
that inner annotation independently of the rest of the door cell.
The result is annotation that is easy to read.
Read more about nested annotation cells.
Door Type
Door Type lets provides one level of door categorisation.
Door Type Picklist
When you install DoorKeeper it automatically creates a Pick List named Door Type that is associated with property Door Type. You can modify that Pick List using MicroStation's Pick List Manager.
Purpose
DoorKeeper helps you to explain the purpose of an object. It provides another level of door categorisation. DoorKeeper's Purpose tag lets you assign a purpose to an object.
The Purpose is invaluable when creating a report or table. The Purpose property provides a way to classify similar types of object, and filter and sort reports.
The screenshot above shows DoorKeeper's Tool Settings for Labelling. The text fields show the values assigned to the target door. The toggle buttons let you choose to include or omit data from the labels you create. For example, you might choose to show just the ID, or perhaps the ID and the Purpose.
Purpose Picklist
When you install DoorKeeper it automatically creates a Pick List named Purpose that is associated with property Purpose. You can modify that Pick List using MicroStation's tools.
How do I delete DoorKeeper data?
If you want to remove the data that underpins a DoorKeeper label, then use the DOOR TAG REMOVE command.
Automatic Update
The information you create with DoorKeeper updates itself when you modify door data. That is, when you use one of MicroStation's built-in tools to edit or modify a labelled door, you see the new value displayed automatically.
DoorKeeper Reports & Tables
DoorKeeper delegates reports & table creating to FlexiTable™.
You can also use MicroStation's built-in tools to create reports and tables. From a Report, you can create a table for placement as a DGN graphic element. To create a table from a Report, use the tools that MicroStation provides.
Annotating Multiple Objects
DoorKeeper™ CONNECT Edition includes a tool to tag multiple objects with DoorKeeper data. The bulk tagging tool searches a DGN model for named door cells. When it tags a cell, DoorKeeper creates a label to provide a visual clue that the element is annotated.
The DoorKeeper ID, which is visible in the label, is auto-incremented for each shape. For example, if your ID takes the form door 101, then subsequent labels will be door 102, door 103, door 104 …etc.
DoorKeeper Settings
DoorKeeper settings are described here.
Download DoorKeeper
Visit the download page to register your interest in DoorKeeper CONNECT Edition and download the installer.
About MicroStation
MicroStation®, created by Bentley Systems, helps you to design, analyse, and present 3D models and 2D designs. MicroStation stores your models and designs in a DGN file.
