INSTRUCTIONS FOR UPLOADING XML FILES INTO VIRTIS
PURPOSE
This document describes the typical contents of a structure rating folder and provides the steps to follow for importing
Virtis rating files into the selected database.
GENERAL
Each structure will have a folder which contains the rating file and other information pertaining to that structure. A typical
structure folder contains the information shown below, although additional information may also be present.
The .xml file is the Virtis structure file that will be imported.
The Assumptions pdf file lists the assumptions made by the rater for this particular structure.
The Rating Summary pdf contain a screenshot(s) of the final rating screen within Virtis.
The RATING-PE pdf file contains the Load Rating Summary form which is signed by a Virginia licensed Professional
Engineer.
The files shown as pdf above may also be included a WORD documents.
For Truss structures there may be an additional folder under the Gusset Plates folder. These folders CANNOT be
imported automatically. A structure must be created for them that references the data file location.
There are two different types of import available, single file and batch or multiple files. The steps are slightly different and
will be explained thoroughly in the remainder of this document.
SINGLE FILE IMPORT
1. Login to the database where the files are to be imported. Virtis61_SQLServer should be the local database you are
using.
2. Click on the File entry in the top menu and select Import…
3. An Import window will open to allow you to select the file to import.
4. Navigate to the folder that contains the file(s) that need to be imported and select the file (one only). NOTE: You will
have to open the structure folder in order to select the xml file. Not all entries will be labeled as shown in this example.
Most of the .xml files will consist of only the five digit federal structure number (00354.xml).
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INSTRUCTIONS FOR UPLOADING XML FILES INTO VIRTIS
5. Click on Open to start the import.
6. If the structure was analyzed using a version of Virtis other than 6.1, a warning dialog similar to that shown below will
appear. Simply click Yes to continue the import.
7. If the structure number or NBI ID is unique, the Bridge Workspace for the structure will appear. If there are problems
you will be prompted to correct them.
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INSTRUCTIONS FOR UPLOADING XML FILES INTO VIRTIS
8. If everything looks OK, click on File-Save or use the save icon
.
9. A Bridge Validation window will appear that shows the Information, Warning and Error messages associated with the
structure file. Informational and Warning messages may be ignored as they do not prevent the structure from being
rated. The Error Message count should be 0. If an error does appear, scroll down in the Bridge Validation window
until you see what the error entails. It may be very simple to correct or may be very difficult, depending on the error.
10. If there are no errors click on the Continue Saving button to finish the save to the database.
11. When the structure has been saved, the Bridge Workspace will still be on the screen.
12. Click on the Red X in the upper right corner of the Bridge Workspace window or File-Close to close the workspace.
13. Scroll down to the bottom of all entries in the database. The imported structure should be included as the last entry.
PROS
Easiest way to correct any issues that arise with the import
as the Bridge Workspace is available and can be reviewed
and modified in order to import successfully
Allow user full control over the import process
CONS
Very slow process as each individual file must be opened
and reviewed before import
CONGRADULATIONS, you have just imported a Virtis structure file to the local database.
MULTIPLE FILE (BATCH) IMPORT
NOTE: if this method is used, the .xml files for the structures MUST be separated from the structure folders and placed
into another directory so multiple .xml files can be chosen for import.
1. Login to the database where the files are to be imported. Virtis61_SQLServer should be the local database you are
using.
2. Click on the File entry in the top menu and select Batch Import…
3. An Import window will open to allow you to select the files to import.
4. Navigate to the folder that contains the file(s) that need to be imported and select the files. Files can be selected by
using the Shift and CTRL keys.
5. Click on Open.
6. The Batch Import window will open and will show the selected files on the left section of the window.
7. If additional files need to be imported, clicking on the Select Files to Import button will allow them to be found and
added.
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INSTRUCTIONS FOR UPLOADING XML FILES INTO VIRTIS
8. Click on the Import button to start the batch import.
9. The section on the right will show the status of the import.
10. If the structure was analyzed using a version of Virtis other than 6.1, a warning dialog similar to that shown below will
appear. Simply click Yes to All to continue the import.
11. The import will continue until all of the selected structure files have been tested for upload. A summary of the batch
import showing how many structures were successfully uploaded and how many failed to upload will be shown in the
right section of the window when complete. If a structure has an error or issue that prevents it from being imported,
then it will be shown with a
in the left window.
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INSTRUCTIONS FOR UPLOADING XML FILES INTO VIRTIS
12. Structures that do not import successfully should be reviewed to see what caused the import error. This can be
accomplished by scrolling up the right or Activity Log window to the specific structure.
13. The first structure did not import because the Bridge ID was not unique.
14. Review of the other three failures showed they also were not unique.
15. This error can be corrected by importing the structure as a single file and changing the Bridge ID and NBI ID. In this
particular case the structures which failed had already been imported.
There are many other errors that may occur, however most structures should not present problems. If during the batch
import you receive an error that is not easy to understand and correct, please send screenshot of the error(s) to Doug
Horton for review.
PROS
Fastest way to import structures into database
CONS
Files that do not import must be reviewed to determine
what caused the failure. This may offset the speed of import
User has NO control over the import process once started
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INSTRUCTIONS FOR UPLOADING XML FILES INTO VIRTIS
CONGRADULATIONS, you have just imported multiple Virtis structure files to the local database.
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