In addition to our regular Footsteps, I thought everyone might find this one helpful as you look toward the future.
Mark,
As an InRoads user, what two things should I do to prepare for OpenRoads?
Thanks,
DOT Guy
Here is the Zen Dude's response:
DOT Guy, that's a really good question!
My initial reaction to this question is twofold - strengthen your skills in something that's already available in InRoads SS2, and secondly, start learning something new that didn't relate as much to SS2 as it will in the future when working with OpenRoads Designer.
Lucky for InRoads users, even though OpenRoads Designer is a real quantum-leap into a new world, there are some things that will translate over from SS2, namely the Template Library and related corridor modeling functionality.
So, for my first preparatory item - I suggest that you dig deep into the subject of Templates and learn them well. Try to push yourself into typical section construction and functionality that you might be weak on, or have not touched, like having a strong consistent point naming convention, advanced Constraints, Parametric Constraints, using complex End Conditions and Display Rules. These are all useful areas where your investment in learning as much as you can, will pay off in OpenRoads Designer.
The pic below is from OpenRoads Designer. You can see that not a whole lot has changed here.
As an extension to this item, most of the SS2 Roadway Designer corridor modeling functionality will be found in OpenRoads Designer (somewhere). It's not through the traditional SS2 3-panel interface, but it's there non-the-less. So, like I mentioned above with the typical section construction, make sure you are using more and more of the Roadway Designer tools (Point Controls, Key Stations, EC Exceptions, . . . ) since this functionality is carried forward in OpenRoads Designer.
The roadway modeling Corridor Objects pic below is from OpenRoads Designer.
My next suggestion is that you get more savvy with 3D view manipulation and utilizing the various View Windows in MicroStation.
It's not that OpenRoads Designer (ORD) is more 3D intensive, it's not. It's just that in my observations InRoads SS2 users simply didn't interact with the MicroStation 3D views as much as they could have. And you will find that ORD is going to 'encourage' you to utilize the various MicroStation views and view manipulations more than InRoads SS2 did. So, you may as well start getting more accustomed to tools like Rotate View, Display Styles, Adjusting View Brightness, and working with multiple View windows.
In ORD, you'll have to simulate the 3 panel Roadway Designer interface of SS2 using MicroStation Views.
And the integrity and accuracy of your model will sometimes be checked using various rendering modes (Display Styles) and view rotations.
Beyond these two areas there will be brand new things to learn that you will have to dig into when the time comes like the new Terrain (replacing the DTM), new Geometry layout tools (similar but different), and brand-new functionality like Civil Cells. There's not much an InRoads SS2 user can do about these things right now except for possibly watching some YouTube videos or attending some of the online Bentley webinars.
And of course, the level of configuration and set-up for ORD is an entirely new challenge that SS2 just can't prepare you for. But hopefully that will be someone else's job ; )
Here at Zen, ORD is becoming an increasingly important focus, which will include new training classes, new materials, and software support services. So, with that said, please use good judgement when considering your move from InRoads SS2 to ORD, and don't make it a painful transition. You have to consider ORD to be a disruptive technology*, and intelligently plan ways to mitigate the discomfort of moving to this new software. And I suggest that you opt 'not' to test it on your highest profile project with the tightest deadline and budget.
Be smart about this migration.
If you need help we're here for you!!
Civilly yours,
- zen
*Disruptive Technology - "New ways of doing things that disrupt or overturn the traditional business methods and practices."
Great Instructor. Thoroughly explained everything and so clearly. Used good examples when explaining concepts. Enjoyed it, learned a lot. 
