Analyzing the MGE Database Linkage

on Microstation Graphic Elements

On occasion you may be unable to use Feature/Attribute Manager within MGMAP to determine the

feature and attribute tables for graphic elements. When this occurs, key in anal or select Element >

Information and then select the graphic element. Scroll the vertical bar until you see the database

linkages in the dialog box.

The linkages can be represented in a 4 word format (DMRS) or 8 word format (RIS, Informix,

Oracle, ...). The 4 word format contains the entity number in the 2nd word and the mslink in the 3rd

word and high order byte of the 4th word. See Figure 1. The 8 word format contains the entity number

in the 4th word and the mslink in the 5th and 6th words. See Figures 2 and 3.

The database linkages are represented as hexadecimal numbers and must be converted to decimal prior to

using the numbers to perform RIS sql queries on the database. This can be accomplished using a

scientific calculator. See Figure 4.

4 Word Format for Database Linkage

Figure 1

DMRS Linkage Example

pds db_linkage