# Interoperability ## Access the Steel I-Girder Training Example {% hint style="info" %} Follow the steps below to open the **Steel I-Girder Training Example**. {% endhint %} 1. Log in to your account and locate **Project** in the top-right corner. ![](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2231533569/image-20230703-094719.png?api=v2) 2. Click **Project**, then click **NEW** in the top-left corner. ![](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2231533569/image-20230703-094913.png?api=v2) 3. Under **Example Project**, click **New Project** within **Steel I-Girder Training Example**. ![](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2231533569/image-20230703-141313.png?api=v2) ![](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2231533569/image-20230711-113454.png?api=v2) 4. Provide a name for your project and open the example. ![](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2231533569/image-20230711-113559.png?api=v2) ![](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2231533569/image-20230705-110649.png?api=v2) ![](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2231533569/image-20230703-153825.png?api=v2) {% hint style="warning" %} The initial download of the library components **takes approximately 2 minutes 30 seconds**. Subsequent openings of the same project are noticeably faster because OpenBrIM library objects are cached in your browser; loading then **takes less than 2–3 seconds**. {% endhint %} ## Interoperability {% hint style="info" %} The OpenBrIM platform can export 3D models, 2D drawings, and FEA models to various file formats and re-sync the exports whenever a parameter changes. The steps below walk through the export workflow. {% endhint %} 1. Click **DATA** at the bottom-middle to slide up the spreadsheet. In the **Girder Bridge** section in the lower-left, open the **Export** tree-view item. ![](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2231533569/image-20230704-162042.png?api=v2) ![](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2231533569/image-20230704-162123.png?api=v2) 2. On the **Export File** tab, click the **Type** cell to choose the export type: i) Project Inputs, ii) 3D Model, iii) Finite Element Model, iv) 2D Drawings. ![](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2231533569/image-20230710-161240.png?api=v2) 3. Choose the file format. The available formats update automatically based on the export type. ![](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2231533569/image-20230711-075126.png?api=v2) 4. Set the destination folder for the export. 1. Click the three-dot menu in any cell and choose **Set Project Directory on Local Disk** to specify the main folder on your machine. 2. Click **Select Folder** and grant the permission requested by OpenBrIM. The path to the main folder varies per user, so it is saved in your browser cache rather than in the cloud. Pointing this at a ProjectWise folder lets exports re-sync automatically after each parameter change. ![](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2231533569/image-20230711-072738.png?api=v2) ![](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2231533569/image-20230710-163019.png?api=v2) ![](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2231533569/image-20230710-163104.png?api=v2) ![](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2231533569/image-20230710-163141.png?api=v2) 5. Name each export file. 1. In the **File Name** column, click the three-dot menu and choose **Set File Name on Local Disk**. 2. Type a name (and any sub-folder structure) and click **Save**. The relative path is saved in the cloud — sub-folders are typically the same for every user, even when the main directory differs. ![](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2231533569/image-20230711-075234.png?api=v2) ![](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2231533569/image-20230710-163543.png?api=v2) 6. The configured file name and partial path appear in the cells. The main directory is intentionally hidden so the same project can sync to different machines. ![](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2231533569/image-20230711-075526.png?api=v2) 7. The final cell action in the three-dot menu is **Sync to Local Disk** — it writes (or rewrites) the export to disk using current parameters. Select multiple cells to sync several files at once. ![](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2231533569/image-20230711-075859.png?api=v2) ![](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2231533569/image-20230710-164209.png?api=v2) 8. The exported files are now on your local disk. ![](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2231533569/image-20230712-122130.png?api=v2) ## More on the Interoperability Features {% hint style="info" %} The videos below illustrate how OpenBrIM's cloud-based parametric approach keeps exports and downstream tools in sync. {% endhint %} **Change alignment and sync DGN files** ![](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2231533569/MicroStationExport%20\(1\).mp4?api=v2) **Change alignment, sync DGN files, and re-sync reference files in MicroStation** ![](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2231533569/MicroStationReSync%20\(1\).mp4?api=v2) {% hint style="info" %} The remaining sub-sections cover the export options for the three engineering model types: i) 3D Model ii) Finite Element Model iii) 2D Drawings {% endhint %} ### Export 3D Model (.obj, .gltf, .ifc v4.3, .dxf, .dgn) 1. Open the spreadsheet with **DATA**. Set **Type** to **3D Model** and pick one of: .obj, .gltf, .ifc v4.3, .dxf, .dgn. ![](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2231533569/image-20230704-162042.png?api=v2) ![](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2231533569/image-20230704-162123.png?api=v2) ![](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2231533569/image-20231025-185933.png?api=v2) 2. For 3D DGN export, the DGN settings let you choose between mesh and smart-solid output. Then [configure the file name and path as in step 4 above](#interoperability). ![](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2231533569/image-20231025-185759.png?api=v2) ![](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2231533569/image-20231025-190034.png?api=v2) ### Export 2D Drawings (.dgn, .dxf) 1. Open the spreadsheet with **DATA**. Set **Type** to **2D Model** and pick one of: .dxf, .dgn. ![](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2231533569/image-20230704-162042.png?api=v2) ![](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2231533569/image-20230704-162123.png?api=v2) ![](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2231533569/image-20231025-190802.png?api=v2) 2. Projects often contain multiple 2D CAD drawings, so you must pick which to export. In the **Object** column, use the **Select Drawings** cell action. Then [configure the file name and path as in step 4 above](#interoperability). ![](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2231533569/image-20231025-190843.png?api=v2) ![](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2231533569/image-20231025-191145.png?api=v2) 3. The project must contain at least one CAD drawing. Add drawings via the library objects in the CAD section. ![](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2231533569/image-20231025-191305.png?api=v2) ### Export FEA Model (.lar, .s2k, .b2k, .xls, .tcl, .mct) 1. Open the spreadsheet with **DATA**. Set **Type** to **Finite Element Model** and pick one of: .lar, .s2k, .b2k, .xls, .tcl, .mct. ![](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2231533569/image-20230704-162042.png?api=v2) ![](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2231533569/image-20230704-162123.png?api=v2) 2. OpenBrIM exports the full finite element model — including loads, not just nodes and shells — for CSI Bridge, LARSA 4D, and Midas Civil. If exported data is missing, contact OpenBrIM support. Then [configure the file name and path as in step 4 above](#interoperability). ![](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2231533569/image-20231025-191639.png?api=v2) ![](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2231533569/image-20231025-191655.png?api=v2) ### Import FEA Model (LARSA 4D .lar, CSI Bridge .b2k, Midas Civil .mct) 1. Switch to the **FEA Workflow** to import finite element models from LARSA 4D, CSI Bridge, or Midas Civil. ![](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2231533569/image-20231025-192227.png?api=v2) 2. Click **Import** and select a .lar, .b2k, or .mct file. ![](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2231533569/image-20231025-192436.png?api=v2) --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.openbrim.org/quick-guides/interoperability.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.