DataTools Connection to Published NWD file with Embedded Database Properties

[Anonymous]

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone can answer some of my questions:

1. I have been trying to link an external SQL database to a published NWD file (may be re-saved) with embedded database properties without any luck. Has anyone done this before or is it possible without a 3rd party tool like iConstruct? I can make a datatools link using the native dwg files and external SQL databases before publishing, but not after publishing in the new file. I can append dwgs and resave the file after publishing, but it seems the datatools have been locked after the publishing has been used and opening the new file because it does not even acknowledge any link at all.
2. Can you query a new datalink from another new datalink? Example: A standard new Bentley AutoPLANT piping datatools link called "PDW" that lists "Line Number" in SQL is created. Another new database link called "CASS" with SQL String "SELECT * FROM SYSTEM_NO WHERE "TAG_NO" = %prop("PDW","Line Number");" to link the two tables together is created. When I select a component in Navisworks the "PDW" datalink tab is empty and all the Bentley AutoPLANT data is pushed to the "CASS" datalink tab. When I turn off the "CASS" datatools link the "PDW" datatools link works as expected.

Any ideas?

Dan

[Patrick_Aps_9121]

Although I have no hands-on experience myself in this matter, I think that the answer to question 1 answers question 2 also:
Make an NWF with only the AutoPlant (piping) models. Create and activate the database link. If that works, Publish (not save as) with Embed the properties. Check if your NWD has the properties embedded.
Make another NWF with the models that have the other database link. Also publish with embedded properties
Make a 3rd NWF and append both NWD's. Then you should be able to have both properties toghether in one NWF and NWD.

[Anonymous]

I have done it several times and it works. The steps indicated by Patrick_Aps_9121 are the same as I do.

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately I don't have the native models, only the NWD with the embedded data.  That is the problem.

[Anonymous]

Is your NWD capable to be resaved?

Try to append your NWD in a new NWF, connect it to your externad database and then republish in another NWD with embedded properties.

[Anonymous]

Yes it can be resaved.  The problem is the connection to the external database after it has been published.  More graphics can be appended, but the database portion of the published NWD locks like a pdf and no more connections are allowed.  I have tried all the possibilities on my end.  Try it yourself with a simple published NWD file with data.

Dan

[Anonymous]

Hi guys, here is the response from the developer:

Sounds like they published an existing NWD with an existing DataTools connection embedded in it. This disables DataTools, because it’s supposed to be a snapshot of database entries retrieved at that time.

..so unfortunately we cannot currently support the workflow that the customer is requesting (adding additional Datatools connections to an NWD with published datatools content).

Best regards

Richard Parker

Dan