Importing a geometry file through MicroStation is more restrictive within your GenerativeComponents (*.GCT) transaction file than attaching a file with the model attachment node; however, importing a file in this way allows you to import file types other than a MicroStation design file (*.DGN).

A new file can be imported into your transaction file at any time. Yet, because the file is being imported through MicroStation, a transaction step will not be created for the import. Moreover, the geometry imported into the design file will not be accessible to GenerativeComponents until it is promoted to a usable node. You can find more information about promoting MicroStation elements to GenerativeComponents nodes in the Promoting MicroStation Elements to Nodes section below. Also, be aware that when all transactions in a .gct file are turned off, any geometry within the imported file that was not promoted to a GenerativeComponents node is lost and must be re-imported.