ProjectWise Integration
MicroStation's integration with ProjectWise for document management, version control, and project collaboration.
Definition & Context
ProjectWise is Bentley's engineering content/document management system; MicroStation integrates with it for managed storage, version control, reference resolution, and multi-office collaboration on infrastructure projects. Files are checked out/in, references resolve through ProjectWise, and access is permission-controlled.
It handles the common-data-environment needs of large civil/infrastructure work — distributed teams, reference-heavy datasets, and audit trails — sitting alongside (not inside) MicroStation's DGN authoring.
Why It Matters
On large multi-office infrastructure projects, ProjectWise provides the controlled data environment — versioning, references, permissions, and audit — that plain file shares cannot, preventing lost or conflicting work.
Reliable reference resolution is what keeps reference-heavy DGN datasets intact across a distributed team.
Best Practices
- Check files in/out through ProjectWise rather than editing outside it
- Let ProjectWise resolve references so links stay valid across the team
- Set permissions and roles to match project responsibilities
- Use versioning and audit trails for controlled, traceable data
Common Pitfalls
- Editing/copying files outside ProjectWise, breaking version control and references
- Broken references when paths aren't managed through ProjectWise
- Loose permissions undermining controlled access
Standard Engineering Workflow for ProjectWise Integration
2. Geometric Alignment & Profile Design
Lay out horizontal tangents and spiral transitions following AASHTO / Eurocode minimum curve radii, coupled with vertical slope crest/sag parabolic curves.
Common Failure Scenarios & Troubleshooting
| Failure / Geometric Issue | Root Cause & Mitigation Strategy |
|---|---|
| Surface triangulation bridges across steep ravines incorrectly | Add linear Breaklines along tops/toes of slopes or specify 'Maximum Triangle Length' under Surface Build Properties. |
| Horizontal curve radius triggers AASHTO violation flags | Adjust minimum transition spiral length or increase curve radius to meet minimum design speed superelevation criteria. |
| Coordinates offset by several meters after CAD/GIS import | Verify projection datum and false easting/northing parameters in MAPCSASSIGN before importing geospatial shapefiles. |
Industry Standards & Compliance Codes
- Eurocode 7 (Geotechnical Design - EN 1997)
- ISO 19650 (BIM for Civil Infrastructure)
References & Further Reading
Related Concepts
Explore more MicroStation topics in our MicroStation knowledge base, or browse the full terminology index.
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