Getting StartedGetting StartedGetting Started

Getting Started

About OpenBridge Modeler

Quick Overview

Important MicroStation Concepts

Important Civil Tools Concepts

ProjectWise Integration

Program Limitations

Parent topic: OpenBridge Modeler V8i (SELECTseries 3) Help

About OpenBridge Modeler - Unlicensed

About OpenBridge Modeler

OpenBridge Modeler is a comprehensive bridge information modeling application built on

OpenRoads technology addressing the geometric layout, connection to analysis and design,
visualization and documentation for any type and scale of bridge project. Built using
MicroStation PowerPlatform and the Civil Framework technology, it allows you to
collaborate more efficiently across disciplines, facilitating data re-use across the bridge life
cycle from concept to design and analysis to construction, and all the way to maintenance
 and operations. OpenBridge Modeler features several custom modeling tools geared to
rapidly build accurate physical bridge models, tied together parametrically, allowing for
instant updates to the bridge based on potential changes to roadway geometry. OpenBridge
Modeler leapfrogs the need for proficiency in 3D drafting, by allowing you to parametrically
define, re-use and assemble components making the tool easy to use for structural engineers
as well as roadway engineers. Preliminary cost estimates provide quick insights into structure
costs, and you can quickly leverage the tools in the product to rapidly develop realistic
renderings for project pursuits or public presentations.

Program Capabilities

1. 3D Bridge Modeling
a. Custom Tools for Modeling
i. Superstructure
ii. Substructure
iii. Barriers & Appurtenances
iv. Crossframes & stiffeners
b. b. Supported Bridge Types
i. Prestressed (Pretensioned) girders and slab bridges
ii. Steel girders and slab bridges (Rolled Shapes or Built-up)
iii. Slab bridges
iv. CIP box girder bridges
v. Segmental bridges (Span-by-Span and Balanced Cantilever)
2. Integration with Civil
a. Referencing
b. Importing
c. Terrain
d. Superelevation
3. Analytics Connection
a. Send to and read from LEAP Bridge Concrete
b. Send to and read from LEAP Bridge Steel
c. Send to RM Bridge, read tensions back
4. Reports
a. Input Echo
b. Deck Elevations
c. Bearing Seat Elevations and Heights
d. Quantities and Estimates of Cost
5. i-model generation with EC properties
6. CONNECT
7. ProjectWise Integration

Parent topic: Getting Started

Quick Overview
 Quick Overview

The following gives you a brief overview of the application layout. This documentation will
commonly refer to these areas of the application.

Parent topic: Getting Started

Important MicroStation Concepts

Important MicroStation Concepts

OpenBridge Modeler is built on top of the MicroStation platform. The following are some
key concepts to help you better use MicroStation tools.

If you have some experience using MicroStation, then OpenBridge Modeler will feel very
familiar to you.

Tip: It is recommended that you enable the autosave feature in MicroStation. To do so, select
Workspace > Preferences. Select the Operations category of the Preferences dialog and check the
Automatically Save Design Changes option and the click OK.

Data Points, Resetting, and Data Entry

Clicking the left mouse button in a view window is referred to as " data point ".

Right-clicking the mouse in a view window is referred to as " reset ".

Drawing

Most of the drawing done in OpenBridge Modeler is limited to template creation and editing.
You will use the MicroStation drawing tools to do this. The AccuDraw and AccuSnap
features are especially helpful when drawing as they allow you to accurately select a point in
your 2D template as well as snap to logical points on your template.

Cells

Cells are complex elements which can be re-used regularly in your design. A cell library is a
DGN file which contains one or more models with the Can be placed as a cell option
enabled. Cells are used in OpenBridge Modeler for custom abutments, auxiliary objects, etc.

3D Modeling

Most of your modeling work in OpenBridge Modeler is done in 3D, so understanding 3D modeling is
MicroStation is important. In particular, you should be familiar with:

 basic 3D concepts
 the view control toolbox
 view rotation tools

Tools Grouped by Task

In the MicroStation platform, many tools are grouped by task and workflow. The Tasks
dialog (docked to the left-hand side of the application window by default) contains these,
included specialized bridge and civil workflows specific to OpenBridge Modeler. Selecting a
task either expands the task group or displays an entire new workflow. To show all the
 workflows and top-level task groups again, simply click the Tasks tab at the top of the
dialog.

Tip: Unless otherwise stated, the task groups references in this documentation refer to the Bridge
Tools workflow.

Seed Files and Working Units

The units in your OpenBridge Modeler are typically set by selecting the appropriate seed file
when creating a new project. The MicroStation working units are set using the Design File
Settings dialog Working Units category.

The seed files installed with the product in C:\ProgramData\Bentley\OpenBridgeModeler

V8i 08.11.12.nnn\WorkSpace\System\seed\ are recommended to be used. If you want to
create custom seed files for your organization, these may be used as a basis.

Key-ins

Key-ins are typed instructions entered into the Key-in window to control OpenBridge
Modeler. The effect of nearly all key-ins can be obtained using the graphical user interface.
However, a key-in can be quicker at times, especially since OpenBridge Modeler recognizes
abbreviations.

You will find key-ins are referenced throughout this help file for each tool. Additionally, an
index of key-ins available in OpenBridge Modeler is available in this help. You can open the
Key-in Window and enter a key-in easily.

Parent topic: Getting Started

Important Civil Tools Concepts - Unlicensed

Important Civil Tools Concepts

OpenBridge Modeler includes many tools for civil engineering from Bentley Civil Tools.
The following are some key concepts to help you better use these tools.

Terrain Models
 Terrain models are used in OpenBridge Modeler to automatically evaluate the placement of
substructure objects with relation to the ground. Terrain data can be imported or created from
within OpenBridge Modeler using the Terrain Model Tools.

Roadway Alignment

Roadway alignment is used as the basis for the bridge models. You must select the alignment
for any bridge model in OpenBridge Modeler. Civil geometry data can be imported or
created from with OpenBridge Modeler using the Civil Tools.

Model Interoperability

Data integrity can be ensured using Bentley's Integrated Civil i-Model (ICM) feature. The
Civil Design Synchronization Navigator program can then be used to control changes in
an ICM repository.

Feature Definitions

A feature is a physical object or grouping of physical objects in the civil model which share a
set of attributes. The feature definitions can be used to define the symbology and display of
the feature in all viewing possibilities, element naming, automatic selection of templates, and
attributes for quantity calculations.

Parent topic: Getting Started

Related concepts Related tasks Related reference

Civil Elements To import civil geometry Import Geometry tool

To import civil terrain Import Terrain tool

data
Import Terrain Model(s)
To create a civil dialog
consensus repository
Create Civil Consensus
Repository tool

ProjectWise Integration
 ProjectWise Integration

OpenBridge Modeler can check out and open files from and create new files in a ProjectWise
datasource.

When you are opening a model, if OpenBridge Modeler detects that ProjectWise Explorer is
installed on your computer, the ProjectWise Log in dialog opens. Here, you are prompted to
provide the location of a ProjectWise datasource and your credentials. Once you have
entered these, click Log in.

Note: If you do not want to open a file from a ProjectWise datasource, simply click Cancel and then
navigate your Windows folders and drives normally.

Parent topic: Getting Started

Program Limitations
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