Processes all files and their selected settings. Graphical elements are placed in the active file and properties are stored in the file as XFM properties.

Right-click on the Imports folder to create or open an import.

• Import — right-click to add a file, directory, or connection to an oracle database, or remove this import. If source data has been added, it is also possible to import the selected source data into the database, preview the database table, select all or none of the source data items, and save the import settings. See Import Settings File for more information about saving.

  Import contains Spatial Criteria settings which allow specifying the spatial extent of the import.

• Source data (file, directory, oracle connection) — right-click to import the selected features into the database, preview the database table, select all or none of the features, remove the source data item, or set show/hide features settings. The General section displays the location of the source data.

• Feature — right-click to import the selected features into the project, preview the database table, or set show/hide feature properties settings. Features contain General and Symbology settings. The graphic included with the feature indicates the type of topological feature it is.

Exports features into the selected file format.

Right-click on the Exports folder to create or open an export. Export processes can be saved and it is those saved files that can be opened with the Open option.

Selecting “Search” opens the Bentley Map Search tool.

Selecting “New Export” adds a new Export node to the Interoperability interface.

Right-clicking on the new node shows a menu that can be used to select the file type to be exported.

Selecting the Directory format will prompt the user to select a folder in which multiple files of the selected type will be placed.

ESRI® Shapefile (SHP), MapInfo® MIF/MID and MapInfo® TAB as well as CSV can be exported to a folder. If this option is selected, then multiple features can be exported at once. If only a single file is selected, then only one feature can be selected for export.

Other menu items check All or None of the files that make up the selected Export process.

Selecting Save or Save as XML creates a saved export file that stores all of the setting in the export process. This can be opened and used again without having to set up the entire export process.

After selecting the appropriate file type, the available features in the session are displayed. If the selected type is a single file type, then only one feature can be selected for export. If the selected format is a folder or a format that supports multiple features, then many features can be selected.

The context menu for the exported file shows the following options:

• Export – starts the export process

• Preview – opens a window to show the attributes to be exported

• Search – opens the Bentley Map Search tool

• Remove – removes the specified export node from the interface

• Hide Features – hides all features in the list

• Show features – shows the features in a list sorted by a variety of grouping methods

The Overwrite option will overwrite the output file (if existing) if set to True or append if set to False.

Create 2.5D is an option for SHP files only. If True and the input features are 3D then the output file will be of type PolylineZ or PolygonZ.

Notes on export to 3D:

SHP files only support simple element types. Complex 3D models must be decomposed into shapes. There are a number of ways to do this. First, always make a copy of your model to retain the high level MicroStation element types.

The Select By tool can be used to easily select all elements of a certain type to be operated on at once.

Like Importing, a Where clause can be specified for each feature to filter the exported features.

After selecting the appropriate features and options, start the Export process by selecting Export from the appropriate node.

GML requires two files for export, the data file and the schema file.

Keyin a file name for the data file or browse to a folder location by selecting the browse icon.

If the ‘Specify Schema’ option is selected, browse to the location of the schema file.

If you have an active XFM project then a schema will be generated from the project and feature definitions. In this case, do not select the ‘Specify Schema’ option.

Since GML supports multiple features, select the features to be exported in the interface

Creates a new Oracle connection by opening the Oracle Connect dialog or opens an Oracle XML file.