XFM Properties

Bentley Map stores business properties in two ways; XFM-DGN and XFM-RDBMS. An XFM feature instance can have both types of business properties simultaneously.

XFM-DGN

XFM-DGN properties are stored in the design file itself along with the graphic element that defines the feature. XFM-DGN properties are created by XFM feature commands that create features with properties defined to be XFM-DGN, based on their definition from the Bentley Geospatial Administrator. They are also created when GIS data is imported through the Interoperability tools and when working with any of the supported spatial databases. XFM feature instances can also be created and manipulated with custom applications written using the Bentley Map API.

XFM-RDBMS

XFM-RDBMS business properties are those that are stored in an external RDBMS database linked to the graphic element that defines the feature. These properties are stored as defined by MicroStation when linking to an external database. That is they have both an ENTITY and MSLINK number stored in a MicroStation attribute linkage on the element which correspond to the table and row in that table in the external database.

XFM-DGN in Bentley Map V8i (SELECTseries 3) and Later

XFM-DGN business properties have a new format starting in Bentley Map V8i (SELECTseries 3). The old format properties can still be reviewed, but cannot be edited, in Bentley Map V8i (SELECTseries 3) or later.

Some users also need to transform their XFM-DGN files into standard DGN file. To execute any of these transformations, select the MicroStation File > Save As command and select the proper option.

Setting	Description
Preserve Bentley Map Specific Data	Selecting this XFM option makes no changes to the file during processing.
Convert from 08.11.07.xx to 08.11.09.xx	Selecting this XFM option will convert an old XFM design file to the new format introduced with Bentley Map V8i (SELECTseries 3). If the file is already in the new format, this option will act as preserve. This is the default option.
Convert from 08.11.09.xx to 08.11.07.xx	Selecting this XFM option will convert a current XFM design file to the old format used before Bentley Map V8i (SELECTseries 3).
Remove Bentley Map Specific Data	Selecting this XFM option will remove all Map related data from the DGN: Remove any Map Definition from models Remove topology persistency Remove XFM properties from all elements Convert XFM Polygon Collection elements to a new element type MS Polygon Collection

Batch Convert Files to the New XFM Format

Bentley Map leverages the MicroStation Batch Convert utility to bulk convert files to the new XFM format. For full details on the Batch Convert utility, see the MicroStation help.

The default when saving as V8 files is to convert from 8.11.7.xx format to the new 8.11.9.xx format. To adjust this setting, select Edit > V8 Save Options in the Batch Convert dialog. Then set the correct option in the XFM tab of the Save As V8 Options dialog as shown above.