Idea: Serializons - Save Model as BIM

[Rasenkantenstein]

I am always using the ALM Toolkit for deployments of meta data against PowerBI or Azure SSAS. To compare a model, the ALM Toolkit required a Model.bim file. I also think the feature of saving a model to a folder is absolutely neccessary. Thus I have to save the Model.bim manually, close the model and reopen the folder structure.

In TE2 there is this wonderful feature for serializons:

Supporting this feature in TE3 would help to improve the deployment process.

[helgews]

I used to do this also. The only reason to hassle with model.bim was ALM 😊

What I’m doing now, is comparing my workspace db with the test (or prod) instance of analysis services.

But I admit it may not work for everyone. So no objections to your suggestion!

Edit: There is also mention of an «ALM like» comparison and stepwise/selective deployment option on the Roadmap of TE3 I think. That would simplify things!

[Rasenkantenstein]

I used to have a powershell script because TE2 can create a model.bim via command line.
This script would also launch ALM Tollkit. But I have recently deleted it by accident.
however this also was just a workaround.

[otykier]

Thanks for reporting. We'll make sure this feature is added to TE3 as well.

[Rasenkantenstein]

@otykier : I'm not very sharp with C#-scripts in TE3, but since the serialization of a BIM file is possible with CLI... Could I write a custom script to execute CLI TE to generate a bim-file for me? And if I'm really lazy would even open ALM toolkit for me?

[otykier]

@Rasenkantenstein
Sure! .NET provides the Process.Start method that lets you run any Windows executable - including TE itself.

For example, the C# script below launches a Windows Explorer window:

System.Diagnostics.Process.Start("explorer.exe");

But you can use to launch ALM Toolkit, Tabular Editor, or anything else basically. Have fun :-)

[Rasenkantenstein]

@otykier Thanks for the input: I've tried this but not really successfull (at least ALM Toolkit opens)

System.Diagnostics.Process.Start("\"C:/Program Files (x86)/Tabular Editor/TabularEditor.exe\" -Wait -NoNewWindow -PassThru -ArgumentList \"C:/git/hfdm/MODELS/INBOUND/database.json -B Model.bim\"");
System.Diagnostics.Process.Start("C:/Program Files/Power BI ALM Toolkit/Power BI ALM Toolkit/AlmToolkit.exe");

But I do get an error message that a file couldn't be found. I have no idea of syntax or functions, but if anyone has, please feel free to share :-)

[otykier]

Use the following code to start TabularEditor.exe, passing the arguments C:/git/hfdm/MODELS/INBOUND/database.json -B Model.bim and waiting for it to complete:

var teProcess = System.Diagnostics.Process.Start("c:/Program Files (x86)/Tabular Editor/TabularEditor.exe", "C:/git/hfdm/MODELS/INBOUND/database.json -B Model.bim");
teProcess.WaitForExit();

[Rasenkantenstein]

@otykier : Thank you so much. Got it working thanks to you.

var teProcess = System.Diagnostics.Process.Start("C:/Program Files (x86)/Tabular Editor/TabularEditor.exe", "PATH/database.json -B PATH/Model.bim"); teProcess.WaitForExit(); System.Diagnostics.Process.Start("C:/Program Files/Power BI ALM Toolkit/Power BI ALM Toolkit/AlmToolkit.exe");

By right clicking on a model I can now build it as a Model.bim and automatically launch AlmToolkit: