Notice: This user guide is based on the legacy connector.
We recommend using our new connectors instead, as they are easier to use and actively maintained. This legacy documentation may not be up to date.

The Legacy Speckle connectors for Bentley software currently support:

  • MicroStation CONNECT
  • OpenRoads Designer CE
  • OpenRail Designer CE
  • OpenBuildings Designer CE

The Speckle connectors for Bentley software were developed by Arup. Huge thanks to them for their contribution!

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Getting started

To install this connector and add your Speckle account, follow the instructions in the Speckle Manager section.

Once installed, you can find the connector in the Speckle 2 ribbon. Click on the connector button, and this will open a new pop-up window with the standard Desktop UI.

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User interface

Once the Speckle panel is open, go ahead and create a new project (or add an existing one) to the current file. Once the Microstation, OpenRoads, OpenRail, or OpenBuildings file is saved, the projects associated with that file will be saved too.

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Sending

To send objects to Speckle, you’ll first need to specify which objects are to be sent. This can be done in two ways:

  • The simpler way involves manually selecting elements in Microstation, OpenRoads, OpenRail, or OpenBuildings.
  • The more powerful way is to use filtering logic to select elements.

For the simpler selection method, follow the steps below:

  1. First, ensure the project you want to send data to is in Sender mode.
  2. Select the objects you want to send, and left-click the button that says 0 objects in the Speckle Panel. A drop-down will appear; choose Set Selection.
  3. The same button should now display the total count of objects that were selected.
  4. You’re ready to send! Press the Send button. You should see a progress bar and, once completed, a success message.

The following filters are also available depending on the Bentley application:

  • All (all connectors): sends everything in the model that is supported
  • Level (all connectors): sends everything on the selected levels
  • Element Type (all connectors): sends all elements of the selected types
  • Civil Element Type (OpenRoads, OpenRail): sends all elements of the selected civil types

All geometric elements are organized by Level when they are sent to Speckle: elements that do not have a level will be located in Unknown. For Civil elements from OpenRoads and OpenRail are organized by their element type, and in OpenBuildings, if you sent gridlines, they will be located in the Grid Systems container.

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Receiving

In order to receive data from a Speckle, you’ll first need to create a project to your Speckle projects panel. If the project already exists on the server it will automatically be added in Receiver mode.

Once the project has been added, go ahead and hit the Receive button. This will display a progress bar (just like the sending operation) and, if successful, will add the received objects to the current document.