Getting Started with iModel.js QA (Jump Start)

[roopksaini]

RECORDINGS

Captured Q&A from the iModel.js Jump Start event on July 14th 2020, “Getting Started with iModel.js”.

In this session, Roop Saini spoke about how to quickly get started with iModel.js. Topics included how to start your own iModel.js project, how to get your design data on the iModelHub and how to create snapshot iModels.

Please don't reply to this discussion. If you have follow-up questions or comments please start a new discussion.

[roopksaini]

Q: Can NodeJS 14 also be used?
A: We officially only support LTS versions, including Node 10 and 12, however we will be looking to support Node 14 soon and don't anticipate any issues. If you do try it, and run into issues, please let us know via our Github issues, https://github.com/imodeljs/imodeljs/issues.

Q: Can we see 1d and 2d data for the same drawing?
A: Yes, you can see 2d and 1d (property data) at the same time in our Design Review application. Since all data is stored in the iModel it is easy to write an application that shows 1d, 2d and 3d all at once. In a session tomorrow we will show an example of showing all three together in one application.

Q: Are the dgn files usually provided by the client?
A: Users can synchronize their data into an iModel using the Desktop iTwin Synchronizer application (https://www.bentley.com/en/products/product-line/digital-twins/itwin-synchronizer), via ProjectWise integration and via a cloud service.

Q: APIs are available for uploading DGNs? You don't have to use the interface?
A: No, but we do offer users ProjectWise and Cloud Synchronization options for automating. We are interested in learning user workflows for desktop automation to guide future development.

Q: Can we sync files from ProjectWise into an iModel?
A: Yes, we have ProjectWise integration for synchronizing data from source files into an iModel.

Q: From which version of ProjectWise, is this integration supported?
A: We recommend the latest CONNECT Edition version of ProjectWise. However please reach out to us and we can work with you on options.

Q: Why does the user interface have such a strange font? It looks like the iModel desktop starter is littered with curious accented characters.
A: It’s called pseudo-localization and its purpose is to help debug localization issues. It allows you locally to find which strings have not been setup for localization. This will not show up in a production build.

Q: What is the purpose for the synchronization?
A: The synchronization takes data from the source file (dgn, dwg, ifc, etc) and puts it into the iModel. As you change the source file and synchronize again, we track changes to the source files in the iModel giving you a history of change over time.

Q: What is the Geo bridge?
A: Here is a link with details about Geo Bridges: https://communities.bentley.com/products/digital-twin-cloud-services/itwin-services/w/imodel-bridges-wiki/48731/geobridge

Here is a more generic description of how bridges play a role in the synchronization process: https://communities.bentley.com/products/digital-twin-cloud-services/itwin-services/w/imodel-bridges-wiki

Q: Are there any bridges for PCF (SmartPlant, CADWORX etc.)
A: We support bridges for SmartPlant, OpenPlant products and several others. The full list of currently supported formats is here: https://communities.bentley.com/products/digital-twin-cloud-services/itwin-services/w/imodel-bridges-wiki/47595/supported-file-formats.

Q: What does your platform provide that competitors does not?
A: We support very large data sets which include data from many different source file formats while tracking changes over time. We support these files on the desktop, the web and on mobile. In addition, our platform is open source (imodeljs.org) and you can easily save a snapshot of your data at any time or export it easily into another database.

Q: How is the user's data secured?
A: Here's how:

• All communication with iModelHub and other iTwin services is encrypted (SSL/TLS1.2 or in other words HTTPS)
• All data stored in iModelHub is encrypted at rest
• All data is isolated by tenant
• iTwin services provides advanced authentication and authorization features that allows users control access to their data and if necessary, share to other organizations
• All data is stored in reliable cloud storage that is replicated across multiple datacenters

Q: If we are in Bentley Connect using a particular project context and an iModel is already provisioned to it. Then how can we move this iModel into iModel viewer?
A: Select your project in connect, scroll down to 'iModel Manager' under iTwin Services, pick the iModel, then click view. We are working a portal page which gives you more direct access to your iModel.

Q: Is it possible to open and combine two (or more) iModels?
A: It is possible to open more than one iModel at a time via the iModel.js API. We also have a beta API call iModel Transformer that can help you move data between iModels (https://www.imodeljs.org/learning/backend/imodeltransformation/).

Q: What is the difference between a saved version and a snapshot?
A: A saved version (named version) is a pointer to a change in the iModels history (like a tag in git). A snapshot is the iModel exported without history at a point in time (like downloading a zip file of a git repo without change history).

Q: Can we make a 3D view out of 2D design files?
A: iModels and iModel.js support showing both 2D and 3D data. iModel.js does not have any support for automatically converting 2D to 3D.

Q: Can we extract parameters and quantities to our own database?
A: Yes, you can execute 'ECSql' to get data from an iModel and build a report or export to another database. https://www.imodeljs.org/learning/ecsql/ One of sessions tomorrow will cover this.

Q: How can an iModel relate to 4D, 5D, and so on?
A: Bentley’s SYNCHRO products are building their 4D solutions on top of iModels and iModel.js.

Q: Is it possible to have a drawing/iModel containing data from 2 different apps allowing multiple bridges (e.g. a DWG with Revit and OBD content)
A: Yes, this is a very common use case and one of the strengths of an iModel.

Q: Can we aggregate the data imported and viewed in an iModel? It would be helpful to demo import and aggregation.
A: Yes, once data is imported into an iModel it can be queried and aggregated using ECSql to provide a combined view of the data from many source files.

Q: Is it possible to run an iModelHub totally inside an intranet, so the data will be secure during their lifetime?
A: The data within iModelHub is secure in the public cloud. Bentley does offer iTwin Stack for private cloud with limited features. Please contact Bentley if you are interested.

Q: Aside from Infrastructure, what other industries could iModel support?
A: iModels can store all kinds of data. Here are the current file formats we support: https://communities.bentley.com/products/digital-twin-cloud-services/itwin-services/w/imodel-bridges-wiki/47595/supported-file-formats. The data it stores is extensible by creating and importing schemas based on our internal object model called BIS (https://www.imodeljs.org/bis/intro/modeling-with-bis/?term=bis). Please reach out to us for more information.

Q: Can iTwin Synchronizer run in scheduled mode to pull changes in set intervals? Or is this always a conscious decision to sync?
A: iTwin Synchronizer includes very rudimentary scripting capabilities, and it's pretty much on demand through interaction. However, we are setup to upgrade the synchronizer continuously, and are open to additional requirements. Also note that we can synchronize via ProjectWise integration or via a cloud bridge.

Q: Is there any limit of number of files that can be synchronized?
A: There is no practical limit to the number of files.

Q: Does synch handle conflict resolution?
A: The synchronizer uses locks to ensure there are no hard conflicts and the fact that history is preserved means no data will ever be truly lost.

Q: Is it possible to control what gets merged? e.g. Approve workflow (similar to Pull Requests).
A: That is something we have investigated as part of the ISO 15926 workflows... nothing supported yet.

Q: What is the pricing structure? Do we pay for file storage, pull requests, specific functionality?
A: You don't need to buy anything to use iModel.js. However, Bentley’s iModelHub service is priced per project (small, medium, large).

Q: What is the iTwin Partner Program?
A: Information about the iTwin Partner Program is available at https://www.bentley.com/en/products/product-line/digital-twins/itwin-partner-program.

Q: What about the ISO 15926 with iModel.js? Does iModel.js conform to the iso standard?
A: We have done some investigations into ISO 15926 workflow support and would like to discuss this in more detail with you.

Q: What is the difference between iModel.js and Cesium.js?
A: iModel.js provides a solution optimized for infrastructure instead of just general geospatial rendering.

It comes with unique rendering features - e.g., edge display (that Cesium does not support), custom line styles from MicroStation, hyper-modeling, sections, etc.

The overall goal is to support an infrastructure digital twin - synchronization provides for a way to preserve the timeline of changes. It comes with an ecosystem of bridges that allow aligning the data in the iModel.

Q: For working with iTwin / iModel services, is it mandatory to synchronize files on iModelHub? Or can you build an equivalent environment independently? As I understand it, iModelHub is a cloud service controlled by Bentley. Is this current?
A: For using iTwin services, yes you will have to put data on iModelHub. However, there is the option to use a snapshot iModel which exports your data into a flat file you can use directly. This will give you the benefit of alignment (porting design files from multiple data sources) into a common iModel (.bim) file, and use it to create your custom iModel.js app. This can enable you to integrate iModel.js into your company's ecosystem.