Resymbolizing graphics to Conform to Standards

There are a number of ways to resymbolize graphics (the electronic deliverable) to a Client's Standards.

Why Resymbolize?

Why would we want to rely on resymbolizing to conform to standards?

• Some CAD standards are pretty stupid, globally or in particular areas
  • CADD limitations (old MicroStation 63 level max, naming limitations, etc.)
  • limited flexibility
  • poor design
• Some CAD Standards are often easier to manage at milestone events than as a daily procedure.
• InRoads is easily manageable if the "design" is broad, versus narrowly-confined.
• A standard designing environment (with a standard resymbolization process) is easier to learn and manage than multiple design environments.

How can we resymbolize?

In order for resymbolization to be effective the process has to be accurate and simple to do.

It is far easier to resymbolize from a large set to a small set.  Merging differences is dramatically easier than segregating similarities.  For example, it is a lot easier to put everything from an "ETW" level and a "Shoulder" level into a "22 Pave Edges" level than it is to differentiate engineeringly-different objects from identical graphics on the same level. 

Initial Over-segregation is easily rectified.  Under-segregation is difficult to remedy.

MicroStation Save As CSV's

MicroStation has a built-in macro capability which facilitates resymbolizing from any symbology to another. 

Here's a list of things I'll have to provide as a consequence of deviating from the limited CalTrans v7+ standards:

• A "KHA to CTv7+" mapping csv to translate our effectively broad implementation to CalTrans standards.
• A "KHA to CTv7" mapping csv to translate to CalTrans MicroStation/J standards.
• Instructions on how to Save files to CT standards.
• Instructions on how to batch covert files to CT standards.
• Sufficient training so that folks don't blow a deadline because they forgot to translate to appropriate standards.

Redefine the Symbology definitions

InRoads has an Application Add-In which allows Import/Export of the Named Symbology list to .csv (Excel).  This allows broad-scale management of the InRoads CAD output.  As the process is somewhat cumbersome this may best be reserved for modifying a XIN file from one region or primary client to another.  Existing Graphics are not resymbolized, the commands have to be re-run.