CE 201CE 201MicroStationEssentials

Bentley Platform Training
MicroStation Essentials
V8 XM Edition
Bentley Institute Course Guide www.bentley.com/training
Learner Name: ___________________________ Date: __________________________________ Instructor Name and Contact Information: ______________________________________
TRN008840-1/0001
Copyright Information
Trademarks
AccuDraw, Bentley, the B Bentley logo, MDL, MicroStation and SmartLine are registered trademarks; PopSet and Raster Manager are trademarks; Bentley SELECT is a service mark of Bentley Systems, Incorporated or Bentley Software, Inc. Java and all Java-based trademarks and logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. Adobe, the Adobe logo, Acrobat, the Acrobat logo, Distiller, Exchange, and PostScript are trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated. Windows, Microsoft and Visual Basic are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. AutoCAD is a registered trademark of Autodesk, Inc. Other brands and product names are the trademarks of their respective owners.
Patents
United States Patent Nos. 5,8.15,415 and 5,784,068 and 6,199,125.
Copyrights
2000-2007 Bentley Systems, Incorporated. MicroStation 1998 Bentley Systems, Incorporated. IGDS file formats 1981-1988 Intergraph Corporation. Intergraph Raster File Formats 1993 Intergraph Corporation. Portions 1992 1994 Summit Software Company. Portions 1992 1997 Spotlight Graphics, Inc. Portions 1993 1995 Criterion Software Ltd. and its licensors. Portions 1992 1998 Sun MicroSystems, Inc. Portions Unigraphics Solutions, Inc. Icc 1991 1995 by AT&T, Christopher W. Fraser, and David R. Hanson. All rights reserved. Portions 1997 1999 HMR, Inc. All rights reserved. Portions 1992 1997 STEP Tools, Inc. Sentry Spelling-Checker Engine 1993 Wintertree Software Inc. Unpublished rights reserved under the copyright laws of the United States and other countries. All rights reserved. 1/2008
MicroStation Essentials
Copyright 2007 Bentley Systems Incorporated
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Table of Contents
Course Overview ____________________________________1
Course Description ____________________________________ Target Audience ______________________________________ Prerequisites _________________________________________ Course Objectives _____________________________________ Modules Included _____________________________________ Introductory Knowledge ________________________________ Questions ________________________________________ Answers _________________________________________ 1 1 1 1 2 3 3 4
Welcome to MicroStation ____________________________5

Module Overview _____________________________________ Module Prerequisites___________________________________ Module Objectives ____________________________________ Introductory Knowledge ________________________________ Questions ________________________________________ Answers _________________________________________ MicroStation Features __________________________________ Most used tools ___________________________________ File format _______________________________________ DWG support ____________________________________ Models __________________________________________ Design history ____________________________________ File protection ____________________________________ Design libraries____________________________________ Task based interface ________________________________ Launching MicroStation ________________________________ MicroStation Manager __________________________________ Workspaces ______________________________________ Multi-core/Multi-processor Support _______________________ Interface Overview ____________________________________ MicroStations menus _______________________________ Task Navigation ___________________________________ View control tool box_______________________________ Keyboard mapping _________________________________ Dialogs and Alerts _________________________________ 5 5 5 6 6 7 8 8 9 9 9 10 10 10 10 10 11 12 13 14 14 15 16 16 19
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Copyright 2007 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Task Navigation tool box ____________________________ The Key-in browser ________________________________ The Status Bar ____________________________________ View windows ____________________________________ Mouse Functions in MicroStation _________________________ The data point button_______________________________ The Reset button __________________________________ Snapping_________________________________________ Closing files ______________________________________ MicroStations Design Files______________________________ Saving files _______________________________________ Creating a MicroStation design file _____________________ Seed files ________________________________________ Ending a MicroStation Session ___________________________ Save Settings______________________________________ Module Review _______________________________________ Questions ________________________________________ Answers _________________________________________ Module Summary _____________________________________
19 23 24 25 27 28 33 38 40 41 41 41 42 43 43 44 44 45 46
Working with Views _________________________________47

Module Overview _____________________________________ Module Prerequisites___________________________________ Module Objectives ____________________________________ Introductory Knowledge ________________________________ Questions ________________________________________ Answers _________________________________________ View Controls ________________________________________ Working with Multiple Views ____________________________ Window menu commands ___________________________ Using view controls across view windows________________ View groups ______________________________________ Drawing navigation ________________________________ Changing the orientation of a view _____________________ Moving without changing magnification _________________ Stepping through view operations______________________ Scroll bars________________________________________ View controls and the design process ___________________ View Attributes _______________________________________ Saved Views _________________________________________ Module Review _______________________________________ Questions ________________________________________ Answers _________________________________________ Module Summary _____________________________________ 47 47 47 48 48 49 50 51 51 51 54 55 57 58 59 59 60 60 61 64 64 65 66
Designing with MicroStation _________________________67
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Module Overview _____________________________________ Module Prerequisites___________________________________ Module Objectives ____________________________________ Introductory Knowledge ________________________________ Questions ________________________________________ Answers _________________________________________ Placing Elements______________________________________ Place SmartLine ___________________________________ Element Attributes ____________________________________ Active level _______________________________________ Active color ______________________________________ Active line style____________________________________ Active weight _____________________________________ Active transparency ________________________________ Active display priority _______________________________ Undo/Redo, Compress and Delete Element _________________ Working Units________________________________________ AccuSnap and Snap Modes ______________________________ AccuSnap settings__________________________________ Active snap mode __________________________________ Multi-snap _______________________________________ Module Review _______________________________________ Questions ________________________________________ Answers _________________________________________ Module Summary _____________________________________
67 67 67 69 69 70 71 71 80 80 82 84 84 84 85 85 86 88 88 89 95 97 97 98 99
AccuDraw, AccuDraw, AccuDraw ____________________101

Module Overview _____________________________________ Module Prerequisites___________________________________ Module Objectives ____________________________________ Introductory Knowledge ________________________________ Questions ________________________________________ Answers _________________________________________ AccuDraw Basics _____________________________________ The AccuDraw workflow ____________________________ The input focus ___________________________________ AccuDraw indexing ________________________________ Drawing with AccuDraw________________________________ Locking coordinate values ___________________________ AccuDraw Shortcuts ___________________________________ AccuDraw Settings ____________________________________ Operation tab _____________________________________ Display tab _______________________________________ Coordinates tab ___________________________________ Pop-up Calculator _____________________________________ Invoking and using the pop-up calculator ________________ 101 101 101 102 102 103 104 105 106 106 110 113 113 126 127 128 129 130 131
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Table of Contents
Module Review _______________________________________ Questions ________________________________________ Answers _________________________________________ Module Summary _____________________________________
136 136 137 138
Element Creation Tools ______________________________139

Module Overview _____________________________________ Module Prerequisites___________________________________ Module Objectives ____________________________________ Introductory Knowledge ________________________________ Questions ________________________________________ Answers _________________________________________ Circles Tasks _________________________________________ Place Arc ________________________________________ Place Circle __________________________________________ Polygons Tasks _______________________________________ Place Regular Polygon ______________________________ Complex Chains, Complex Shapes and Regions ______________ Complex Chain____________________________________ Create Complex Shape ______________________________ Create Region _____________________________________ Module Review _______________________________________ Questions ________________________________________ Answers _________________________________________ Module Review _______________________________________ 139 139 139 140 140 141 142 142 145 149 154 156 156 159 161 164 164 165 166
Additional Element Attributes ________________________167

Module Overview _____________________________________ Module Prerequisites___________________________________ Module Objectives ____________________________________ Introductory Knowledge ________________________________ Questions ________________________________________ Answers _________________________________________ Element Attribute Basics________________________________ Element Templates ____________________________________ Using and locking Element Templates __________________ Structured Workflow: Tools and Standards in one Icon ________ The Chess Structured Workflow_______________________ Filled Elements _______________________________________ Module Review _______________________________________ Questions ________________________________________ Answers _________________________________________ Module Summary _____________________________________ 167 167 167 168 168 169 170 170 171 171 172 175 178 178 179 180
The Level System ___________________________________181
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Module Overview _____________________________________ Module Prerequisites___________________________________ Module Objectives ____________________________________ Introductory Knowledge ________________________________ Questions ________________________________________ Answers _________________________________________ Level Basics__________________________________________ Working with Multiple Levels ____________________________ The active level____________________________________ Moving Elements Between Levels_________________________ Changing levels by matching attributes __________________ Level Definitions______________________________________ Level attributes ____________________________________ ByLevel attributes __________________________________ Symbology options _________________________________ Transparency and priority ____________________________ Module Review _______________________________________ Questions ________________________________________ Answers _________________________________________ Module Summary _____________________________________
181 181 181 182 182 183 184 184 185 186 187 188 189 189 190 191 193 193 194 195
Working with Existing Elements ______________________197

Module Overview _____________________________________ Module Prerequisites___________________________________ Module Objectives ____________________________________ Introductory Knowledge ________________________________ Questions ________________________________________ Answers _________________________________________ Manipulation and Modification ___________________________ Basic Manipulation Tools _______________________________ Changing element position ___________________________ Move Element ____________________________________ Align Edges ______________________________________ Move to Contact___________________________________ Rotate___________________________________________ Mirror___________________________________________ Changing Element Size _________________________________ Scale ____________________________________________ Making Copies of Elements _____________________________ Copy____________________________________________ Move/Copy Parallel ________________________________ Array ___________________________________________ Working with Groups of Elements ________________________ The Fence________________________________________ Named Fences ____________________________________ The Element Selection tool and selection sets_____________ 197 197 197 198 198 199 200 200 200 200 200 202 204 204 205 205 206 206 210 212 215 215 217 219
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Graphic groups____________________________________ Named Groups____________________________________ Making Measurements__________________________________ Measuring distance _________________________________ Measuring length __________________________________ Measuring a radius or an angle ________________________ Measuring area ____________________________________ Using Patterns to Add Definition _________________________ Hatch Area _______________________________________ Crosshatch Area ___________________________________ Delete Pattern_____________________________________ Associative patterning _______________________________ Module Review _______________________________________ Questions ________________________________________ Answers _________________________________________ Module Summary _____________________________________
222 223 226 226 228 228 229 230 230 232 233 235 237 237 238 239
Modifying Existing Elements _________________________241

Module Overview _____________________________________ Module Prerequisites ___________________________________ Module Objectives ____________________________________ Introductory Knowledge ________________________________ Questions ________________________________________ Answers _________________________________________ Basic Modification tools ________________________________ Modify Element ___________________________________ Partial Delete _____________________________________ Break Element ____________________________________ Extend Line ______________________________________ Extend Elements to Intersection ______________________ Extend Element to Intersection _______________________ Trim Element _____________________________________ IntelliTrim _______________________________________ Changing Element Attributes ____________________________ Using Element Selection _____________________________ Element Information _______________________________ Change Attributes tools _____________________________ Returning Elements to a Simpler State _____________________ Module Review _______________________________________ Questions ________________________________________ Answers _________________________________________ Module Summary _____________________________________ 241 241 241 242 242 243 244 244 246 246 246 246 246 249 249 251 251 253 254 254 256 256 257 258
Annotating Designs _________________________________259

Module Overview _____________________________________ 259 Module Prerequisites ___________________________________ 259
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Module Objectives ____________________________________ Introductory Knowledge ________________________________ Questions ________________________________________ Answers _________________________________________ Using Text to Annotate Designs __________________________ Text attributes_____________________________________ Placing text _______________________________________ Changing existing text_______________________________ Text fields________________________________________ Other useful text tools ______________________________ The Spell Checker _____________________________________ Revision Clouds ______________________________________ Detailing Symbols _____________________________________ Place Section Marker _______________________________ Symbol settings____________________________________ Dimensions __________________________________________ Element Dimensioning ______________________________ Alignment________________________________________ Association _______________________________________ Linear dimensioning ________________________________ Angular dimensioning _______________________________ Ordinate dimensioning ______________________________ Modifying existing dimensions ________________________ Comparing dimension styles __________________________ Dimension Audit __________________________________ Module Review _______________________________________ Questions ________________________________________ Answers _________________________________________ Module Summary _____________________________________
259 260 260 261 261 261 262 267 268 271 272 272 273 273 276 276 277 278 279 280 284 285 285 288 288 290 290 291 292
Organizing Design Data _____________________________293

Module Overview _____________________________________ Module Prerequisites ___________________________________ Module Objectives ____________________________________ Introductory Knowledge ________________________________ Questions ________________________________________ Answers _________________________________________ References___________________________________________ Attaching references ________________________________ Attachment settings ________________________________ Updating reference elements__________________________ Manipulating references _____________________________ Reference levels ___________________________________ Transparency and priority ____________________________ Detaching references _______________________________ Resolving different working units ______________________ 293 293 293 294 294 295 295 295 296 297 298 298 298 299 299
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Reference nesting __________________________________ Models _____________________________________________ Types of models ___________________________________ Drawing composition using models ____________________ Clipping referenced models __________________________ Adding annotations_________________________________ Raster References _____________________________________ Manipulating raster references ________________________ Attaching PDF Documents______________________________ Module Review _______________________________________ Questions ________________________________________ Answers _________________________________________ Module Summary _____________________________________
299 301 302 302 305 306 306 310 310 313 313 314 315
Organizing Project Data _____________________________317

Module Overview _____________________________________ Module Prerequisites ___________________________________ Module Objectives ____________________________________ Introductory Knowledge ________________________________ Questions ________________________________________ Answers _________________________________________ Project Data _________________________________________ Cells _______________________________________________ Placing cells in designs ______________________________ Placing cells that already exist in a design ________________ True Scale ________________________________________ Creating cells _____________________________________ Replacing cells ____________________________________ Line terminators ___________________________________ Shared cells _______________________________________ Breaking up cells___________________________________ Project Explorer ______________________________________ Linking elements to project files _______________________ Document links ___________________________________ Linking project files to elements _______________________ Link properties ____________________________________ Validating links ____________________________________ Module Review _______________________________________ Questions ________________________________________ Answers _________________________________________ Module Summary _____________________________________ 317 317 317 318 318 319 320 320 320 322 323 323 325 325 325 326 327 329 331 331 331 331 333 333 334 335
Creating Printed Output _____________________________337

Module Overview _____________________________________ 337 Module Prerequisites ___________________________________ 337 Module Objectives ____________________________________ 337
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Introductory Knowledge ________________________________ Questions ________________________________________ Answers _________________________________________ Printing Basics________________________________________ Selecting the print area ______________________________ Setting the output color mode_________________________ Selecting a printer __________________________________ Setting the printing parameters ________________________ Attaching pen tables ________________________________ Previewing the printed output_________________________ Creating the print __________________________________ Creating Complete Scaled Drawings _______________________ Working with borders _______________________________ Using a 1:1 scale border _____________________________ Scaling a border to fit design elements __________________ Module Review _______________________________________ Questions ________________________________________ Answers _________________________________________ Module Summary _____________________________________
338 338 339 340 340 341 341 342 346 346 346 348 348 348 349 350 350 351 352
Course Summary ___________________________________353

Course Summary ______________________________________ Course Review _______________________________________ Questions ________________________________________ Answers _________________________________________ 353 354 354 355
Design Problem 1 ___________________________________357

Module Overview _____________________________________ The Problem _________________________________________ Design parameters _________________________________ Design procedure __________________________________ Additional Problem ____________________________________ Design procedure __________________________________ 357 357 358 359 360 360
Appendix - AccuDraw Shortcuts _______________________361 Glossary ___________________________________________363

A ______________________________________________ B_______________________________________________ C_______________________________________________ D ______________________________________________ E_______________________________________________ F _______________________________________________ G ______________________________________________ H ______________________________________________ 363 367 368 373 378 379 381 383
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I _______________________________________________ J _______________________________________________ K ______________________________________________ L_______________________________________________ M ______________________________________________ N ______________________________________________ O ______________________________________________ P _______________________________________________ R_______________________________________________ S _______________________________________________ T_______________________________________________ U ______________________________________________ V ______________________________________________ W ______________________________________________ Z_______________________________________________
384 385 385 386 388 390 391 392 396 398 404 406 407 408 410
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Course Overview
Course Description
This course is designed to teach a 2D production draftsperson how to use MicroStation software to create quality designs. You will learn how to use MicroStations tools and features to create designs, manipulate and modify elements, assemble project data, and print.
Target Audience
This course is recommended for the following audiences: Individuals who are learning how to use MicroStation for the first time Those who are moving to MicroStation from another CAD application
Prerequisites
Fundamental knowledge of the Microsoft Windows operating system
Course Objectives
After completing this course, you will be able to: Use MicroStation software and its Example files, along with the MicroStation Essentials course guide to apply concepts to produce quality designs. This course is taught using MicroStation V8 XM Edition and uses MicroStation Examples data. Create designs that contain lines, circles and arcs. Manipulate elements (copy, move, rotate). Modify elements (trim, extend). Assemble project data. Print.
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Course Overview
Modules Included
Modules Included
The following modules are included in this course: Welcome to MicroStation Working with Views Designing with MicroStation AccuDraw, AccuDraw, AccuDraw Element Creation Tools Additional Element Attributes The Level System Working with Existing Elements Modifying Existing Elements Annotating Designs Organizing Design Data Organizing Project Data Creating Printed Output Course Summary Design Problem 1 Appendix - Accudraw Shortcuts
Course Overview
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Introductory Knowledge
Before you begin this course, let's define what you already know.
Questions
1 2 3 4 Can you navigate to a file in a specific folder, on a specific drive using Windows Explorer? Can you create a new file in a Windows application? Can you locate a file in a specific folder, on a specific drive, from a Windows application? Provide a definition for the following terms: Manipulate Modify Print Copy Match
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Course Overview
Answers
1 2 3 4 You can do this by right clicking on the Windows Start menu and selecting Explore. Then click the + preceding folders and sub-folders to expand them. Generally, you select New from the applications File menu, supply a name and select the type of file you want to create. Generally, you select Open from the applications File menu, and then navigate to the desired location using the same techniques as used with Explorer. Manipulate: To copy, move, rotate, scale, mirror, or delete an element, or group of elements. Modify: To make fundamental changes. Print: Create hard copy output. Copy: Reproduction of an original Match: Something that is equal to another.
Course Overview
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Welcome to MicroStation
Module Overview
The goal of this module is to enable a new MicroStation user to become familiar with the tools and features found in the MicroStation drawing environment. This offering is taught using MicroStation V8 XM Edition and uses MicroStation Examples data.
Module Prerequisites
Module Objectives
After completing this module, you will be able to: Identify elements in MicroStations interface Understand basic file principles Use basic view controls Use basic mouse functions
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Before you begin this module, lets define what you already know:
Questions
1 2 3 Give a definition of Computer Aided Design. Name three simple graphical elements. Describe the basic parts of an engineering design.
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Answers
1 Give a definition of Computer Aided Design. The term CAD defines a system that a designer/drafter/engineer can use for both designing a product and for specifying the construction processes. 2 Name three simple graphical elements. Lines, Circles and Arcs. 3 Describe the basic parts of an engineering design. Border and graphics.
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MicroStation Features
Most used tools
The following list separates commonly used MicroStation tools into four basic categories used for 2D production drafting. Creation tools Place SmartLine Place Circle Place Arc Place Block (rectangle) Place Text Place Dimension Hatch/Pattern Area Place Cell Create Complex Chain/Shape/Region
Manipulation tools Copy/Move Scale Rotate Mirror Array Align Copy Parallel (offset) Stretch Move to Contact
Modification tools Modify Extend Element(s) to Intersection Trim Element Add/Delete Vertex
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Miscellaneous tools Element Selection/Fence Drop Element Match/Change Element Attributes Measure Delete Reference Print
File format
MicroStations native format is DGN. The default extension for a MicroStation design file is .dgn. A MicroStation V8 design file is defined using double precision coordinates. This provides a high level of coordinate accuracy for all your drafting and design needs. There are two versions of the DGN format; pre-V8 and V8. The V8 DGN format is expected to last until 2015.
Format and version are the jobs of computer scientists not users!
DWG support
Native DWG support provides a hybrid environment that offers seamless and loss-less data sharing.
Models
A model is an independent container that stores graphical information and specific settings. MicroStation design files can contain multiple models that facilitate the design process and aid in the management and distribution of CAD standards.
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Launching MicroStation
Models are equivalent to Sheets in Excel. Sheets are independent numerical spaces and Models are independent graphical spaces.
Design history
Design history records changes that are made to a design. It allows you to restore earlier revisions to the design.
File protection
File protection lets you control and protect your intellectual property.
Design libraries
A DGN library, or DGNLIB, is the method for storing commonly used definitions for text, dimensions, and other data types as well as custom user interface components. A DGNLIB acts as a definition lookup service, enabling MicroStation to use corporate CAD standards that are stored in a common location.
Task based interface

A task based interface provides a convenient method of grouping commonly used tools to streamline your workflows. The sets of tools can be MicroStation tools, custom tools or a combination of both.
Launching MicroStation
You can launch MicroStation using one of the following methods: Select the Bentley program group from the Windows Start menu, then select the MicroStation item. Double-click the MicroStation icon on the desktop. Double-click the icon of a .dgn file in Windows Explorer.
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MicroStation Manager
When you launch MicroStation, the MicroStation Manager dialog appears. The gateway to MicroStation, the MicroStation Manager serves several important functions. Its primary function is navigating to and opening design files.
To select a specific file type to display in the files list, click on the arrow next to the List Files of Type field. A list of all available file types will be displayed. When you select a specific file type, the files listed above will only contain those that have the selected extension(s). The functionality you associate with native Windows file selection dialogs is available. For example, you can right click on listed files to rename and delete them, create sub-folders, display file sizes, types, and modification dates, and change the file list sorting order The preview window, on the right side of the MicroStation Manager, displays a thumbnail image of the selected file if one is available. Information about the selected file appears above the preview window. The preview window information indicates whether a .dgn file is 2D or 3D, and also indicates the MicroStation version the file is compatible with. The file format version displays for AutoCAD files. If the file is from an earlier MicroStation version, a thumbnail is not displayed.
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Thumbnail images are generally available for MicroStation V8 files and for later versions of the .dwg file format.
Thumbnail Image File Association
V8 DGN files and later revisions of .dwg files, when a thumbnail is available
V8 DGN files and later revisions of .dwg files, when a thumbnail is not available, as after a batch conversion
MicroStation/J and older versions of MicroStation
Older DWG versions
There is also a check box that you can enable so that files will open in a Read-only mode for viewing and printing. The read only mode protects you from accidentally modifying a file.
Workspaces
A workspace is a custom MicroStation configuration that is set up by an administrator. By selecting a workspace, you customize MicroStation for a specific discipline, project, or task. For example, MicroStation is delivered with a sample workspace containing example files and showing many MicroStation conventions. When a workspace is active, the files and tools you need to perform specific design and drafting work are available by default. Tools that are not necessary are removed from the interface. Exercise: Explore to Examples Workspace 1 2 Launch MicroStation. At the lower right of the MicroStation Manager, change the User from untitled to examples.
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Multi-core/Multi-processor Support
The Project changes to General. 3 4 Select _whats new_.dgn. Double click on the file name or click Open. You see the MicroStation application window, containing the contents of the design file. This is one of the example files delivered with MicroStation. It contains examples of the basic types of geometry you use when creating designs. There are other design files in the General project that can help familiarize you with basic MicroStation elements and concepts.
Multi-core/Multi-processor Support
MicroStation V8 XM Edition can take advantage of the hyper-threading capability of multicore or multi-processor systems by performing graphics processing in a separate thread. However, because MicroStation may perform better with hyperthreading disabled, you will be notified upon startup if hyperthreading is enabled on your system.
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Interface Overview
Interface Overview
Lets take a closer look at the environment in which you will be working. This illustration identifies the most prominent MicroStation features. Menu bar Attributes tool bar Primary tool bar
Task Navigation
View Window (1 to 8) View Controls
Tool settings window
Main tool box
Standard tool bar
AccuDraw window (docked)
Prompt Area
Status bar
MicroStations menus
The main menu bar is located along the top of the MicroStation application window. It one of the main sources of commands for controlling MicroStations operation. As you select each menu, a list of menu items appears. Each menu item initiates an operation directly, or opens a dialog where you can further define the desired operation. The MicroStation menu bar is well organized and the commands are logically grouped.
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Interface Overview
If you are looking for a specific tool to use, select Tools from the main menu bar. The resulting menu shows most tools available in MicroStation. If you need to adjust design file settings, select Settings from the main menu bar and then look in the list for Design File. In this course this is described as selecting Settings > Design File.
Task Navigation
A task is simply a logical grouping of tools. Tasks organize MicroStations extensive collection of tools by use. Tasks can contain overlapping sets of tools. For example, a Drawing task and Drawing Composition task can both contain the same text placement tools. Click the Task List icon at the top of the Task Navigation tool box on the right side of the application window to open the task list. Default task lists are provided for Drawing tasks and Drawing Composition tasks. Use the arrow keys to step through the listed tasks. Expand the entries to see sub-tasks, which correlate to tool boxes.
The Main tool box

Central to the organization of MicroStations tools is the Main tool box. Identify the Main tool box by its title bar when it is undocked.
When you press and hold the mouses left button, the data button, on a tool in the Main tool box, you see a menu that gives you access to all the tools in that tool box. You can open an individual tool box by clicking on a tool and selecting Open as ToolBox from the pop-up menu. You can then place, or dock, the tool box in a convenient location anywhere on the screen. You can customize MicroStation tool boxes. Right click on a tool in the box to display a list of the tools available in the tool box. If you enable one that has been disabled, it will appear in the tool box.
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Interface Overview
There are two tools that do not have an associated tool box, Element Selection and Delete Element.All the other tools in the Main tool box have a small black triangle at the lower right corner, indicating that the associated tool box includes other tools.
The Copy tool has a small black triangle indicating that more tools can be accessed
View control tool box
By default, this tool box appears at the upper left of each view window. The viewing action will be applied to the view window from which you select the tool.
Keyboard mapping
MicroStation uses managed focus to follow your actions. In this system, the top level is called Home. Look for the home icon in the right side of the status bar. If it is not there, another icon indicates that a particular window currently has focus. To specifically move the focus home, press the Esc key on the keyboard.
Tasks can be accessed using the mouse and clicking or by using keyboard navigation because the task bars are mapped to keyboard. From home, press the keyboard key that corresponds to the tool you want to use. Hint: Remember to ESC to Home.
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Interface Overview
When accessing tools in the Main tool box you use a combination of keys. Pressing 3 will open a pop-up menu listing the Manipulate tasks. Press 3 again to activate the tool that is in the third position, Scale, or press 9 to Move Parallel.
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Interface Overview
Press 7 for the Modify tools, then 3 to Break or 7 to Trim. The format used for selecting tools in this course will be Select Place SmartLine (Q + 1).
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Interface Overview
Exercise: Access a tool using keyboard navigation 1 2 3 Continuing in _whats new_.dgn, look on the right side of the status bar for the Home icon. If it is not active, press Esc. Press 3. This is the key that is mapped to the Manipulate tools. 4 Take note of the menu that pops up. It contains all of the manipulation tools. 5 6 Press 3 again. Note the tool settings window. It has changed and now shows all the settings available for using the Scale tool. Note: Check the tool settings and the status bar to see which tool is active.
Dialogs and Alerts

Dialogs appear whenever you select a menu item that is followed by an ellipsis (), items such as Open Simply enter the requested information in the dialog and then select an action such as OK, Done or Apply. Alert boxes appear whenever you are about to do something in the design file that may be hard to reverse. Take note and select OK or Cancel carefully.
Task Navigation tool box

Rather than having a number of tool boxes open, tasks occupy one location, the Task Navigation tool box. It is docked at the right side of the MicroStation application window. By default, Drawing tasks occupy it. The Task List icon is always first. The tools in the tool box change when you select a different task from the task list. In the Task Navigation tool box, tools are mapped to letters. Pressing W will open a pop-up menu listing the Polygons. Then press 2 for the Place Shape tool. When specific tools that belong to a task occupy the Task Navigation tool box, only a single key press is needed. Just press the letter that corresponds to the tool you want to use Exercise: Navigating tasks 1 2 Continuing in _whats new_.dgn, with focus at home, click the Task List icon to open the task list. Select the Drawing Composition task.
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Interface Overview
The tools that populate the Task Navigation tool box change. 3 4 5 6 Press A then 3 to invoke the Edit Text tool. Click the Task List icon to open the task list. Expand the Drawing Composition tasks by clicking the + sign. Select Text. The tools in the Task Navigation tool box change. Now you only need to press a single key to invoke a text tool. 7 Press T to invoke the Display Text Attributes tool. Before continuing, return to the default Drawing tasks. 8 Click the Task List icon and select the Drawing task so those tools occupy the Task Navigation tool box.
Tool tips
MicroStation has tool tips to help you identify a tool without having to activate it. As you move the pointer over a tool, pause. A small tag appears showing the tools name. As you experiment with this feature, notice that the tool tip also works for the tools in the Primary tool bar, the status bar at the bottom of the application window and even in some dialogs. Hold the pointer over the Active Locks icon in the status bar, and you will see a tool tip that reads Active Locks. Mouse over some of the tools in the Main tool box. Take a moment to look at what happens in the status bar at the bottom of the MicroStation application window. The prompts on the left side change in conjunction with the tool tip. The status bar will display a description of what the tool does and prompt you for the next step.
Starting and stopping commands

When working with MicroStations tools a left mouse button, or data button, click is referred to as entering a data point. Consider this to be the Yes button. Yes, I want to select this tool or option or Yes, I want enter a point here.
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Interface Overview
When working with MicroStations tools a right click is called a reset. You use a reset to back up a step during a command or to end an operation. You can consider this to be the No button. The first time you reset, a dialog appears. It prompts you to select the functionality you want to associate with the right mouse button. The default is the default MicroStation behavior.
If you select this option, a right click is a reset. You can reset and continue to press (a right press) the right mouse button to open a menu called the Reset pop-up menu. You also have the option to switch to default Windows behavior. If you select this option a right click opens the Reset pop-up menu immediately.
This menu provides convenient access to tools for manipulating elements. For example, Copy, Move, Scale, and Delete. There are also Cut/Copy/Paste options. Options change depending upon the element the pointer is over when the menu opens. Note: MicroStation commands are persistent in behavior. In MicroStation, once a command has been selected it is active until another command is selected.
The tool settings window

Most tools have options to control their operation. These appear in the tool settings window. You enter the information required for a tools individual parameters in its tool settings. The tool settings window floats in the MicroStation application window, but you can dock it.
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Interface Overview
This window is open by default upon start-up. If you close the tool settings window, new tool settings will automatically appear when you select the next tool.
The Place Circle tool has different tool settings for its operation than Place SmartLine
Pop Set and tool settings

PopSet lets the tool settings window hide automatically when the pointer is near (within 15 pixels) the tool settings window. Toggle PopSet by clicking on the icon in the Primary Tools tool bar. When the icon is green, with no strike through it, it is enabled. When it is red with a strike though it, it is disabled.
Expandable tool settings Many tools tool settings have a downward arrow at the lower right of the window. Click on the arrow to expand the tool settings and access additional options. Click again to collapse. Exercise: Exploring the tool settings window 1 Continuing in _whats new_.dgn, click on the Scale tool in the Main tool box using the left mouse button.
Select Copy from the menu.
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Interface Overview
The Copy Element tool settings display. The content of the tool settings changes to show the parameters for this command.
Copy Element tool settings, shown with the Copy tool in the Main tool box
Remember that when you select a new tool, the name of the tool appears in the tool settings windows title bar and also in the status bar.
The Key-in browser

Key-in refers to the act of typing a value or command from the keyboard. There is a key-in interface available in MicroStation since some commands, like the one for backing up a file, need to be entered from the keyboard. There is also a set of utilities that can be activated only by key-in. MicroStations Key-in browser is not displayed by default, but can be opened from the Utilities menu on the main menu bar by selecting Utilities > Key-in or Help > Key-in Browser. The browser can be docked at the top or bottom of the screen. With the focus in the Key-in browser, typing PLACE CIRCLE then pressing <Enter> will invoke the Place Circle by Center command.
Key-ins can be detailed enough to invoke a tool and set further tool settings. Typing in PLACE CIRCLE EDGE CONSTRAINED invokes the Place Circle tool, setting the placement method to Edge automatically.
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Interface Overview
MicroStations key-in language incorporates many of the same keywords as you would use to enter commands in AutoCAD. Many of these key-ins have DWG as their first keyword. For instance, to place a circle in MicroStation you can enter the MicroStation key-in PLACE CIRCLE, or either of the AutoCAD key-ins: DWG CIRCLE \CIRCLE You can use AutoCAD PGP file shortcuts, but you must begin them with a \. Note: With focus on Home, you can press <Enter> with the pointer anywhere, to open the Keyin browser at the pointer location.
The Status Bar

The status bar is an important part of the MicroStation user interface since it provides a view into MicroStations operation. The status bar contains all the information that is often associated with a command line, without having an actual command line. MicroStation continually displays information about its operation in the status bar. Messages include the following: The current tool in use Prompts for additional steps or information The status of key parameters
Click on several different tools and watch as the status bar messages change. The name of the tool is displayed followed by a prompt that instructs you how to start using the tool. Notice that when you hold the pointer over a tool as if waiting for a tool tip, a different message appears than when you actually choose the tool. The message is descriptive of what the tool does.
The message center

Moving to the right in the status bar you will find the Message Center. Information from MicroStation is often displayed here.
Click in blank icon area to open the Message Center dialog. It lets you review informational and other types of messages. In certain cases, an icon indicating the message type displays.
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Interface Overview
View windows
MicroStations design windows are called views. You can open more than one view to aid in the design process. MicroStation can open as many as eight views at any time. They are all active, ready for input, yet graphically independent of one another. Named View 1 through View 8, they provide direct access to your graphic data. The reason for eight view windows is simple; you may want to view more than one portion of a design, in varying degrees of detail, at one time. Exercise: Open a view window from the Window menu 1 2 From the File menu on the main menu bar, select Close. In the MicroStation Manager, set the following: Project: Civil 3 4 5 6 Open BSI400-P01-Plan_Profile.dgn. Select Window from the main menu bar. Hold the pointer over the Views item. Move the pointer to the right and select 2 from the sub-menu (Window > Views > 2). This opens a new view window named View 2. In this view you can see the title block. View windows are re-sizable, moveable, and collapsible. Closing all the view windows in a DGN file is not the same as closing the file. You have closed all of the design windows, but the file is still open. The title bar at the top of the MicroStation application window displays the name of the open file.
View control tool boxes for each view

To control the content of a view window, each one has its own set of view controls. View controls let you change the contents of one view without affecting the contents of any other view. The view control tool box is located at the top left of each open view window. You can
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Interface Overview
change the location of the view controls using options in the Preferences dialog. Select Workspace > Preferences to open the dialog, then select the View Options category.
Zoom In and Out tools Zoom In and Zoom Out are the third and fourth view controls in the tool box.
The configuration of the Zoom In area is proportional to the original view. When you Zoom Out, the point where you enter a data point in a view becomes the views center. MicroStation remembers the zoom factor. Once you change the zoom factor, MicroStation will maintain that factor until you reset it again in the tool settings.
View Previous tool If a Zoom operation has zoomed a bit too far, or panning has taken you past the point where you wished to stop, the View Previous tool will restore previous views. View Previous can undo the last several view manipulations. Each view has its own View Previous buffer.
The View Groups dialog

View windows can also be controlled using the view toggles in the View Groups dialog at the bottom left of the MicroStation application window. This dialog is open and docked by default when you launch MicroStation.
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Mouse Functions in MicroStation
Exercise: Open and close views using the view toggles 1 Continuing in BSI400-P01-Plan_Profile.dgn, click View 2s toggle button in the View Groups dialog to close View 2.
Click View 8s toggle button to open View 8. This view shows the horizontal and vertical scale.
Exercise: Use view controls 1 Continuing in BSI400-P01-Plan_Profile.dgn, select the fifth tool, Fit View, from View 8s view control tool box. All of the elements that exist in this view fit into the view window. The command works like the Zoom Extents command in other applications. 2 3 4 Reset to end the Fit View command. In the First Reset dialog, click OK to accept the default MicroStation behavior for a reset. In View 8, select View Previous. The view returns to the previous display. 5 Close View 8.
Note: You can also fit all elements in a view by double clicking the center mouse button or wheel.
Before starting the next section, find out what kind of mouse the students are using in the class. Ask what they use at work. Discuss the left and right button functions.

The mouse is the primary input device for MicroStations graphic user interface. On a wheeled mouse the left button is the data button. Click it to enter a data point and place coordinate points, such as a lines start and end points. You also use it to select commands and menu options from the user interface. Think of it as the Yes button.
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The right button is the reset button. Reset performs several different functions, depending upon the current process taking place. Think of it as the No button.
Reset Button
Data point Button
A three button mouse is often used with MicroStation. If you use a three button mouse, there is one button for each of the most common types of input in MicroStation. Mouse view controls Several view operations can be performed using the keyboard and mouse. <Shift> and drag while pressing the left mouse button to activate dynamic panning.
Press or single click the wheel of a wheeled mouse and drag for controlled panning. Press the <Shift> key then press the wheel of a wheeled mouse and drag for dynamic rotation. Roll the wheel of a wheeled mouse to zoom in and out dynamically. Press the <Shift> key and roll the wheel of a wheeled mouse to zoom in and recenter. Double click the wheel to fit view.
The data point button

A data point is used to select menu items and to confirm input. It is also used to select tools and to place or manipulate elements in the design file.
The Element Selection tool

Element Selection is a tool for selecting objects from a design file. MicroStation defaults to the Element Selection tool whenever no other tool has been chosen. When you opened this
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design, you may have noticed that Element Selection was selected and active at the top of the Main tool box. Element Selection is a very versatile tool. Not only can you use it to select elements, you can also use the tool to modify or move elements, to edit text and to group elements together.
The Element Selection tool in the Main tool box
Basic tool operation in MicroStation is as follows: 1. Select a tool. 2. Adjust the tool settings. 3. Follow the status bar prompts. Exercise: Using the data point and the Element Selection tool 1 2 Continuing in the file BSI400-P01-Plan_Profile.dgn, select the Element Selection tool (1). Move the pointer until it touches the text string I-9 Northbound. The pop-up information that displays will help you to identify the text element.
The text changes color as you move over it. The highlighting turns off as you move the pointer away.
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Note: You can select the color used for highlighting in the DGN File Settings dialog, in the Color category. Select Settings > Design File to open it. Each design file can have its own highlight color.
Mention the pop-up info that displays. It is a feature of AccuSnap. When it is on and the pointer is near an element, AccuSnap displays type and level information about the element.
While the text is highlighted, press the data button to enter a data point on the text string. MicroStation responds by displaying the text highlighted, even when you move the pointer away. Small handles will also appear at the vertices of the selected element.
Hold the data button down on the text and move the mouse to drag it upward.
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Release the data button. In the Element Selection tool settings, click Clear to release the text element.
Next you will rotate the text string. To do this, you must select an element manipulation tool. Exercise: Using the data point to confirm input 1 Continuing in BSI400-P01-Plan_Profile.dgn, select the Copy tool in the Main tool box, hold the data button down and select Open as ToolBox from the menu.
This will open the Manipulate tool box. Frequently used tool boxes can be isolated in this manner and then docked around the view window for easy access.
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Enter a data point on the title bar of the Manipulate tool box and drag it over to the left side of the MicroStation application window under the Main tool box, until it is a vertical rectangle. Release the data button. The tool box is docked at the left side of the MicroStation application window. The tool box is out of the way and all of the manipulation tools are visible.
Select the Rotate tool. This tool rotates objects in a design. This tool operates in several different ways though, so you must set its tool settings.
Click on the Method option menu in the tool settings. A menu appears, displaying a number of Method options. This type of menu is called an option menu.
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Select the 2 Points method. Verify that the Copies check box is disabled (unchecked).
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Returning to the design, enter a data point on the text you moved to identify it as the element to rotate. Enter another data point at the middle of the text to identify the pivot point, as directed in the status bar.
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Now is a good time to stress the importance of the status bar. It is the area at the bottom of the MicroStation application window that displays user prompts and informational messages. It tells you what you need to do next. If you get stuck, check the message displayed here.
MicroStation responds by putting the text into a dynamic rotation mode. As you move the pointer, the text spins to follow it.
10 Spin the text around until it is horizontal. Enter a data point to lock the rotated text into the horizontal position.
Note: When the element you were working with was in place, the data point confirmed the position in which you wanted it. Tool boxes can also be opened and closed from the Tools menu on the main menu bar. You will close the Manipulate tool box this way.
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11 Select Tools > Tool Boxes, and scroll to Manipulate in the list. Uncheck the check box.
The check mark is removed from beside the entry and the tool box closes. 12 Click OK.
To undock a tool box, select it by the horizontal line at the top and tear it away from the border of the application window, into the drawing area.
To undock the tool box click on the horizontal line indicated by the arrow
The Reset button

The reset button is used to perform the following functions: It ends the currently active tools operation. It resumes the last drawing or editing operation after using a view manipulation tool.
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It rejects the currently selected element and cycles between eligible elements within the location tolerance of the pointer. Exercise: The reset buttons first function 1 Continuing in BSI400-P01-Plan_Profile.dgn, Zoom In on the intersection of Township Road and I-9.
You will place a line below the Township Road text string. The Place SmartLine tool is used to place a chain of connected line or arc segments as individual elements, or as one single line string or complex shape. 2 Select Place SmartLine (Q + 1) from the Task Navigation tool box.
Set the following tool settings: Segment Type: Lines Vertex Type: Sharp Join Elements: Enabled (checked) Move the pointer to a location below the Township Road text string.
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A shaded square appears at the point. This is the AccuDraw compass, which helps you draw precisely.
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Press the data point button, entering a data point to start the line. Move the pointer downward and enter another data point to place the line. Reset to stop the placement of line segments.
MicroStation frees the pointer, but keeps the Place SmartLine command active. Stopping a command is the reset buttons first function. Note: Reset does not cancel a tool, it resets it to the previous operational step. Exercise: The reset buttons second function 1 2 Continuing in BSI400-P01-Plan_Profile.dgn, open View 8. Maximize the view by clicking Maximize in the upper right corner of the view window.
Select Copy (3 + 3).
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Select the text string KRL11172.
You are going to copy the text, but first you need to change the zoom level so you can see where to place the copied text. Since the location is not visible in the view you will need to manipulate the views contents by using a view control tool. 5 Select Zoom Out from View 8. More of the title block is now visible. 6 Press reset. You return to the Copy Element command. 7 Zoom In on the left side of the title block.
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Reset. Place the copied text in the Drawn/Checked area.
10 Reset to end the Copy Element command. One of MicroStations strengths is that it lets you perform view controls during all drawing and editing commands without interfering with the commands operation. You do not have to worry about cancelling a tool, or your status in the tools operation.
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When you select and use a view control tool, just remember to click the reset button after you finish adjusting the view. You will return to the action of the tool you were using after the reset operation. Returning to the original command after using a view control is the second reset function. Exercise: The reset buttons third function 1 2 Continuing in BSI400-P01-Plan_Profile.dgn, close View 8. Continue with the Copy Element command. Note the small circle on the pointer. This is known as the locate tolerance circle, and is much like the select or pick box found in other applications. It will appear anytime the system prompts you to select or identify an element. 3 Place the pointer on the intersection of Township Road and I-9.
An element changes color. 4 5 Enter a data point. Move the pointer. You can see that the element is attached. 6 Press reset. The first element is released and the next element changes color and is attached to the pointer. MicroStation cycles through the elements inside of the locate tolerance. The locate tolerance is how close the pointer must be to an element in order to recognize it. No matter how many elements are within the locate tolerance, MicroStation will cycle through them all until you select one or until you stop the command. Instead of having to enter a data point and reset, enter a data point and reset, and so on, to get to the element you need you can just data point once and then click the reset button until the desired element is chosen. 7 8 Reset again. Continue to reset until you release all elements.
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Cycling through eligible elements is the third reset function. When MicroStation prompts you to select or identify an element, the selected element displays highlighted. If MicroStation highlights the wrong element, reset to release it and select the next element inside of the locate tolerance.
Snapping
The tentative snap All engineering drawing applications include tools to help a user select precise coordinate locations in a design, such as the end point of a line or the center of a circle. This operation is called snapping. You have already used the AccuSnap method of snapping. A tentative point is the manual method for identifying a location. You use the left/right mouse button combination to issue a manual tentative snap. You know you have a successful manual tentative snap, or have placed an accurate tentative point, if the element you are snapping to is highlighted and you see a cross hair.
The Tentative Point snap cross hair
AccuSnap With AccuSnap all you need to do is get the pointer close enough to the point to which you wish to snap and AccuSnap moves to the snap point and stays there until you move the mouse away. A successful snap using AccuSnap displays a bold, yellow X on the snap point.
There are many snap modes available and they are available in a tool bar called the Snap Mode button bar. You open it by selecting Settings > Snaps > Button Bar.
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One of the most popular snap modes is the Keypoint snap. This snap mode will find end points of elements and other points in between, depending on the Keypoint Snap Divisor that is set by selecting Settings > Locks > Full. Exercise: Using AccuSnap 1 2 Continuing in BSI400-P01-Plan_Profile.dgn, select File > Close. Set the following in the MicroStation Manager: Project: General 3 4 Open Base Geometry.dgn. Zoom In on Linear Elements - SmartLine at the upper left of the design.
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Select Place SmartLine (Q + 1). Move the pointer to one end of the line string below the heading Segment Type Lines and observe AccuSnap.
The line string is highlighted and the AccuSnap point, the bold yellow X, rests at the end of the line. 7 Move the pointer to the mid-point of a segment of the line string and observe AccuSnap.
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MicroStation knows you want the midpoint of this line and you snap to it.
With the keypoint snap, all you have to do is move the pointer near the location you need to select and AccuSnap will do the rest. MicroStation finds the closest snapping point, a key point, on the element. Accept the point with a data point if it is correct. Snap again if it is not correct. Key points on a line are both end points and other points. Similarly, key points of an arc are both end points and the center of its radius. The center of a circle and the vertices of a shape are also key points. Explore the Keypoint snap further by snapping on the other elements. No additional menu selections are required, just use the mouse.
Closing files
You have finished with the file you are in and want to close it. There is still more work to do in MicroStation though, so you dont want to quit the application. You just want to close the current design file. Selecting File > Open lets you select the next file you wish to open. The file you are currently using will close and the new file will open. Selecting File > Close will close the current file, returning you to the MicroStation Manager. Exercise: Closing the active design file 1 Continuing in Base Geometry.dgn, select File > Close. The design file closes and you are returned to the MicroStation Manager. You can only open one design file at a time in a MicroStation session. If you find that you need to have two design files open at the same time, you must start a second MicroStation session to open the second design file. It is a good practice to select a different User in the MicroStation Manager when opening the second session. Note that only one license is used for both sessions.
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MicroStations Design Files

Design file (DGN) is the name of MicroStations primary data storage file. Design is often used interchangeably with the term drawing.
Saving files
The method MicroStation uses to save information is slightly different than the methods other applications use. When you open a drawing for modification in MicroStation, the program reads the designs data from the design file stored on the systems hard disk or network device into the computers local memory (RAM). During the design process, MicroStation periodically writes the changes back (saves) to the open file on the hard drive. This contrasts with other software applications that require you to perform a Save operation to permanently save your changes.
Creating a MicroStation design file

To work in MicroStation you must either open an existing design file or create a new one. In the next exercise you will create a MicroStation design file and give it a name before opening it. You will use the MicroStation Manager to create the new file, but you can create a new file from inside MicroStation by selecting File > New.
Exercise: Creating a new file 1 2 Click the New icon at the top of the MicroStation Manager dialog. Enter myfile in the File name field of the New Design File dialog. Do not press <Enter> yet. Doing so is the same as pressing OK or Save, which will finish the creation process and close the dialog you are using. Observe the Seed field near the bottom of this dialog. It lists the file ExampleSeed.dgn.
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In most cases MicroStation responds to <Enter> by executing the button which is currently highlighted on screen. In the example, OK is highlighted. Also, note that it is not necessary to enter the .dgn extension with the file name. MicroStation automatically adds the extension that is indicated under File Type when it creates a file.
3 Click Save. The new file name, myfile.dgn, appears in the MicroStation Manager. You can open existing MicroStation files and create new files from your own workstation or any accessible device on your network that has access to a MicroStation license. Your system administrator, CAD manager or project leader will probably set the location of your projects design files. Now that you have created a new design file, open it and see what is inside. Exercise: Opening the new file 1 Select myfile.dgn in the MicroStation Manager and click Open to open the file. You have a design with a frame and a title. 2 Select File > Close.
Seed files
As part of creating a new design file a seed file is used. A seed file is like a template for the new design file. It contains preset values such as initial element parameters, the type of design to be created (2D or 3D), the working units used and perhaps some initial design elements. An example of the latter would be a seed file containing your companys sheet border and title block. Exercise: Selecting a seed file 1 2 3 4 Click the New icon at the top of the MicroStation Manager. Click the Browse button next to the Seed field at the bottom of the New design file dialog. In the Select Seed File dialog, select 2denglishgeneral.dgn. Click Open. This selects the seed file from which you will create this design. The Select Seed File dialog closes. 5 Enter myfile in the File name field of the New file dialog. This is the same name you used before, so you will overwrite the first file you created. 6 Click Save.
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Ending a MicroStation Session
An alert window appears, warning you the file myfile.dgn already exists. In this case you really do want to overwrite the file you previously created. When such a window appears, play close attention and make sure you really want to overwrite the file. 7 8 Click Yes. Open myfile.dgn. You can see that the seed file 2denglishgeneral.dgn contains no elements. Seed files can contain geometry or they can be pre-configured with many of the standards common to a particular project. Administrators can make it easy for designer to adhere to required project parameters using such a seed file. 9 Select File > Close.
The MicroStation installation contains many useful seed files. These delivered seed files encompass most engineering disciplines. They can be used as examples for creating your own seed files.
Ending a MicroStation Session

In the process of creating a design, MicroStation does not immediately write settings changes to disk.
Save Settings
When you make changes to the fundamental operational parameters of the design file that you want to permanently store, you must save them to disk. To do this, select Save Settings from the File menu on the main menu bar. A shortcut exists for this command as noted in the File menu, <Ctrl> + <F>. Save Settings saves the settings in the active design file. Most importantly, it saves the settings that you set in the Settings > Design File dialog. Settings that are controlled through setting boxes and the view configuration will also be preserved. In addition, the view windows will look exactly the same in size, position and content when you reopen them if you Save Settings before you close the file. There is a user preference that saves settings automatically, so that settings will always be saved when closing a file or exiting MicroStation. Select Workspace > Preferences, then the Operation category to set it.
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Module Review
Module Review
Now that you have completed this module, lets measure what you have learned.
Questions
1 2 3 4 5 6 How do you open files using a Workspace? Identify four elements of the MicroStations interface. To use task navigation and keyboard mapping, the focus must be where? True or False: View controls can only be applied to the view from which that control was chosen. The double click wheel mouse function, performs what view control action? You create new design files from _____ files.
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Module Review
Answers
1 How do you open files using a Workspace? Select a User, then a Project, then select a file. 2 Identify four elements of the MicroStations interface. Status bar, tool settings, tool boxes, Main menu bar, message center, AccuDraw window. 3 To use task navigation and keyboard mapping, the focus must be where? Home. 4 True or False: View controls can only be applied to the view from which that control was chosen. False. You can use a view control tool in any view. 5 The double click wheel mouse function, performs what view control action? Fit View. 6 You create new design files from _____ files. Seed.
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Module Summary
Module Summary
You are now able to: Identify elements in MicroStations interface Understand basic file principles Use basic view controls Use basic mouse functions
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Working with Views

Module Overview
MicroStations view windows look much like those in other applications. However, from an operational stand point, MicroStations views cannot really be compared to view ports in other applications. They are fundamentally different in their approach to displaying graphics. One difference is that you can have as many as eight view windows open at one time, in one file. Although these views are independent of one another, they allow you to work seamlessly between them. This chapter presents tools and techniques for working with multiple views.
In other applications the paper is moved under the view, but in MicroStation the views move over the paper. It also might be a good time to mention the dual screen support in MicroStation. Dual screen use allows graphics on two monitors not just one for graphics and one for a command interface.
Module Objectives
After completing this module, you will be able to: Open and close view windows Control the content of a view window Work with multiple views Create and manage Saved Views Control View Attributes
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Working with Views
Before you begin this module, let's define what you already know.
Questions
1 2 3 How do find a list of all tool boxes in the interface? True or False: MicroStation commands are locked to the current tool until a new tool is chosen. True or False: MicroStation automatically saves changes to elements, by default.
Working with Views
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Answers
1 How do find a list of all tool boxes in the interface? By selecting Tools > Tool Boxes. 2 True or False: MicroStation commands are locked to the current tool until a new tool is selected. True. Change this by selecting Workspace > Preferences, Look and Feel category, Single Click. 3 True or False: MicroStation automatically saves changes to elements, by default. True. Change this by selecting Workspace > Preferences, Operation category, Automatically Save Design Changes.
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Working with Views
View Controls
View Controls
The view controls are located at the upper left corner of every view window. You can change the location of the view control tool box by selecting Workspace > Preferences to open the Preferences dialog. Then select the View Options category and change the Show View ToolBox option. Hint: To master view controls, spend five minutes at the beginning of the day using just view control commands without drawing anything.
Select this from the view control tool box for the desired view:
View Attributes
To do this:
Open the View Attributes dialog
Refresh or redraw the view
Update View
Increase the magnification of a view
Zoom In
Decrease the magnification of a view
Zoom Out
Zoom in to a defined area
Window Area
Show all displayable graphics in the active design and attached references in the view Rotate the view
Fit View
Rotate View
View a different part of the design without changing the view magnification Undo the last viewing operation
Pan View
View Previous
Redo the last viewing operation
View Next
Copy the display of one view into another view
Copy View
Working with Views
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Working with Multiple Views
To do this:
Select this from the view control tool box for the desired view:
Change View Perspective
Changes the perspective from parallel to 3 point perspective (3D only) Changes the rendering mode of a 3D view
Change View Display Mode
Clips a view so no elements outside a defined boundary are visible Clips a view so no elements inside a defined boundary are visible
Clip Volume
Clip Mask

MicroStations Window menu includes additional tools for manipulating multiple windows.
Window menu commands

Tile changes the open view windows so that each one occupies an equal amount of space on the screen. Cascade stacks view windows in numerical order with the lowest numbered window entirely visible and the title bar of each remaining window visible. Arrange resizes all view windows so that they fit tightly within the available space without overlapping. Unlike the Tile menu option, Arrange attempts to preserve the view windows' original size and positional relationships as much as possible.
Using view controls across view windows

Remember the basic steps for tool operation in MicroStation. It is the same for view controls as it is for drawing tools. 1. Select a tool. 2. Adjust the tool settings. 3. Follow the status bar prompts.
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Working with Views
Exercise: Use Update View 1 Set the following in the MicroStation Manager: Project: Building 2 Open BSI300AE101-Plan.dgn. The design is a layout of a building floor plan. View 1 shows the ground floor plan. 3 4 5 Click the 2 view toggle in the View Groups dialog to open View 2. Select Window > Tile. Select Fit View from one views view control tool box and then enter a data point in the other view. All file contents are displayed in each view. 6 Select Update View from either view control tool box. There is an Update All Views button in the tool settings. When you have multiple views open, click this to update them all at once.
Note: Due to the processing speed of a system, the action of updating the view may not be visible. Exercise: The Zoom In and Zoom Out tools 1 Continuing in BSI300AE101-Plan.dgn, select Zoom In from View 2s view control tool box. The Zoom Ratio in the tool settings is set to a value of 2.00. The shaded area shows the extent of the zoom. It is a visual indicator of the limits of the new view boundary. Anything inside this rectangle will be displayed in the view. Note: The shape, or aspect ratio, of the zoom rectangle is proportional to the view window from which the zoom command has been selected.
Working with Views
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The status bar prompts you to enter a zoom center point. 2 Move the pointer into View 1 and enter a data point.
Select Zoom In from View 2 and enter a data point in View 1
View controls can be selected from one view and executed in another. 3 4 Reset to complete the command. Select Zoom Out from View 1 and the view zooms out about its center.
Select Zoom Out from View 1
After performing the initial zoom, enter additional data points to zoom out further. In this case the view will zoom out about the location of the data point, to the value of the zoom ratio. You can change the zoom level in other open views by entering a data point within the view. 5 With Zoom Out still active, enter a data point in View 2.
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Working with Views
The selected point becomes the center of the view. Imagine that you design windmill generators. It would be helpful to have one tall narrow view in which to see the entire windmill and several views next to that from which to work more closely. Even if you have a small monitor, such an option would leave you plenty of room to view and work on the windmill. Exercise: Working with multiple views 1 Continuing in BSI300AE101-Plan.dgn, move the pointer to the lower left corner of View 1 until it becomes a diagonal double arrow.
You want to see some of the details in this design without losing this overall view. To do this you will make View 1 a little smaller and then open another view window. 2 With the pointer appearing as an arrow, press the data button, drag the corner of the view window toward the center of the screen and release. This action shrinks View 1, leaving room for more view windows. 3 Click the 3 toggle in the View Groups dialog to open View 3.
Next youll arrange these view windows to better use the screen area. Then you will create a view group to preserve the view arrangement so you can recall it in the future.
View groups
First you create and name a view group, and then you arrange the views. Exercise: Create a view group 1 Continuing in BSI300AE101-Plan.dgn, select the Manage View Groups tool in the center of the View Groups dialog.
The View Groups dialog and the Manage View Groups tool
Click the Create View Group tool in the Manage View Groups dialog. Enter the following in the Create View Group dialog: Name: 3 Views Description: Views 1 - 3 Click OK.
Working with Views
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This creates the view group. Now you will arrange the view windows that will comprise the group. Exercise: Arrange the view windows 1 Continuing in BSI300AE101-Plan.dgn, select Window > Arrange from the main menu bar. Arrange optimizes the view windows so each is completely visible without overlapping any others. 2 3 4 Select Fit View from View 1 and then enter data points in View 2 and 3. With the new view group highlighted in the Manage View Groups dialog, select File > Save Settings to save this arrangement. Double click on the Composite Cut Ground Floor Plan Views view group in the Manage View Groups dialog. The view changes. 5 Double click on the 3 Views view group.
Drawing navigation
When you use any of MicroStations tools, pay close attention to the prompts in the status bar. Just as you watch road signs while driving, MicroStation provides you with prompts and dynamic feedback to keep you informed. The Window Area view control is used to define a specific area to display in the selected view window. Exercise: Window Area 1 Continuing in BSI300AE101-Plan.dgn, select Window Area from the View 1 view control tool box. You are prompted to define the first corner point. 2 3 Move the pointer into View 1. Enter a data point anywhere in View 1. You are prompted to define the opposite corner point. 4 Move the pointer around.
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Working with Views
A shaded area moves along dynamically. This visual guide shows the extents of the displayable area.
5 6
Using the shaded area as a guide, move the pointer and define the area to display in View 1. Enter a data point. In the tool settings, the Apply to Window option is set to 1. Move the pointer into View 2. The Apply to Window option automatically changes to 2. Lock the Apply to Window option by checking the check box.
Move the pointer into View 1 and enter two data points to define an area to view in View 2. After you enter the second data point, View 2 updates to reflect the new window area definition.
10 Reset. Exercise: Return Ground Floor Plan Views to its original state 1 Continuing in BSI300AE101-Plan.dgn, in the View Groups dialog, select Ground Floor Plan Views. View display returns to the state it was in before you created the view group. 2 3 Close Views 2 and 3. Maximize View 1.
4 5
Select Fit View for View 1. Select File > Save Settings.
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Select File > Close.
Changing the orientation of a view

The Rotate View tool is used to change the designs orientation in the view window. This tool does not rotate the elements in the design file, but rather changes the orientation of the selected view. For example, you can align a view to a specific design feature such as a roadway that lies at an odd angle. This allows you to work on that area of the file orthographically, or parallel to the screen, rather than at an angle. You can use the mouse to execute view rotation. Just press the <Shift> key and press the middle mouse button. Exercise: Rotating a view 1 Set the following in the MicroStation Manager: Project: Geospatial 2 3 Open BSI200-R03-Public Works.dgn. Select Rotate View from View 1 with the following tool setting: Method: 2 Points The status bar prompts you to define the first point. 4 AccuSnap to one end of any grey road and then enter a data point.
Rotate the view so that the road appears straight
You are prompted to define the X axis of the view 5 AccuSnap to the other end of the same road.
Note the dynamic line that indicates the new view x-axis.
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Enter a data point.
Although it may appear that the contents of the design are rotating to align with the view, it is actually the view that is aligning to the x-axis defined by the data points. Note that all other views are unaffected by this operation, remaining in their orthogonal orientation Note: You can also rotate a view entering the key-in RV=<angle> in the Key-in browser, for example, RV=90. Now the view is rotated to an arbitrary angle. You can rotate it back to normal display with Rotate View. Exercise: Un-rotating the view 1 Continuing in BSI200-R03-Public Works.dgn, select Rotate View with the following tool setting: Method: Unrotated 2 Enter a data point in the view. The view returns to its unrotated state. If more than one view is open you will be prompted to select a view. You can then enter a data point in each view you want to un-rotate.
Moving without changing magnification

The Pan View tool is used to move to a different part of a design without changing the view magnification. You can also Pan by pressing the middle mouse button once to pan and once to release the pan command. Or, pan with the mouse by pressing the middle mouse button as you drag to a new location in the file. To stop the panning, release the mouse button Exercise: Pan View 1 Continuing in BSI200-R03-Public Works.dgn, select Pan View from View 1. You are prompted to select a view.
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Enter a data point near the left center of View 1. You are prompted to define the amount of panning. Move the pointer around the view while pressing the left mouse button. Release the button when you have defined the desired amount of panning.
3 4
The hand shows that you are panning
Stepping through view operations

The View Previous view control steps you backwards though your view operations, while View Next steps you forward. This is similar to using undo to undo a command, but there are separate undo buffers for views and commands. Exercise: View Previous and View Next 1 2 Continuing in BSI200-R03-Public Works.dgn, Zoom Out twice. Select View Previous once. The last Zoom Out operation reverses. 3 Select View Previous twice. The results of the first Zoom Out operation are displayed, then the results of the last Pan operation. 4 Now select the View Next view control. You return to the results of the first Zoom Out.
Scroll bars
You can add horizontal and vertical scroll bars to the right side and the bottom of view windows. These scroll bars let you move horizontally or vertically in a design. They work similar to the pan functions. To add them, select Window > Scroll Bars.
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View Attributes
View controls and the design process

Drawing tools can be interrupted in order to change the magnification or contents in a view. To return to the drawing tool after adjusting the view, press reset. However, a reset is not required if View Previous or View Next is used while using a drawing tool.
View Attributes
Use View Attributes to change the way you view a design by selecting the types of elements that are displayed or how some elements appear. You can open the View Attributes dialog several ways. You can select Settings > View Attributes, click the first tool in the view control tool box, click the MicroStation logo on each view and select View Attributes or you can press <Ctrl> + . The dialog will open set to the active view so that changes automatically occur there. Hint: Remember, press <Ctrl> + for better viewing. Exercise: Changing the view attributes 1 Open BSI200-M01-City.dgn. This map contains numerous features such as color filled rivers and parks, annotations for roads, buildings and landmarks and thickened line work for borders and electoral boundaries. It contains so much information that showing all of it at once can make the design hard to read.
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Saved Views
Open the View Attributes dialog. The View Attributes dialog contains settings that affect how, and if, certain types and classes of elements display. The view indicated by the View Number option is immediately changed. Check the Apply to All check box before making changes if you want the changes to take effect in all views. You will be changing the view attributes of View 1 by turning off display of text and line weights.
Remove the check from the check boxes next to Text and Line Weights. You can now see the design more clearly.
Note: The View Attributes changes are changes that you can undo with View Previous or redo with View Next.
Saved Views
A Saved View is another way to store view attributes, window size and position, the displayed area of a design and other settings. Saved Views can be recalled at anytime and are often used to set up standardized views for plotting. Exercise: Saving a view of the overall plan 1 2 3 Open BSI200-M02-City Small.dgn. Select Utilities > Saved Views to open the Saved Views dialog. Click on one of the saved views listed in the dialog to select it. The check boxes next to some of the Apply Options are enabled. All parameters are saved, but the checked options are applied when the view is recalled. 4 Click Save View in the Saved View dialog and enter the following in the Save View dialog: View: 1 Name: Overall Map Description: Complete view Note: If multiple views are open, select the view you want to save from the View option menu. 5 Click OK. Overall Map is added to the list of saved views in the Saved View dialog.
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Saved Views
Exercise: Attaching the saved views 1 2 Continuing in BSI200-M02-City Small.dgn, open View 2 and select Window > Tile from the main menu bar. In the Saved Views dialog, select the Beavermead saved view, set the View option to 1 and click Apply. View 1 changes to reflect the settings stored with the saved view. Note the name in the view windows title bar. 3 Select the Brookdale Plaza save view and apply it to View 2. The view of the shopping district called Brookdale Plaza is attached to View 2. 4 5 6 Select File > Save Settings from MicroStations main menu bar. Select File > Close. Open BS2300-M02-Small City.dgn. The views are just as they were when you closed the file. Saved Views can also be applied to a view by double-clicking their name in the Saved View dialog. Hint: Predefining a series of saved views in a seed file is a good way to standardize common views. For instance, set up a standard view for plotting that defines the appropriate displayable elements and view attributes. The ability to control the elements on the screen is important. A clip volume is used to limit the displayable area of a design using the boundaries of a closed shape. When clip volume is applied to a selected view, only the content within the boundary element is displayed. Each of MicroStations eight views can have a different clip volume. Exercise: Using Clip Volume 1 2 3 4 Continuing in BSI200-M02-City Small.dgn, close View 2. Maximize View 1. Fit View 1. Select the Clip Volume view control with the following tool setting: Apply Clip Volume by 2 Points: Enabled
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Saved Views
Enter two diagonal data points and note the results.
The clip volume element that bounds the area can be moved with the Move tool or re-sized with the Modify tool. 6 Expand the Clip Volume tool settings by clicking on the downward arrow in the lower right. This area allows you to save a clip volume for future recall. 7 8 9 Click Create Named Fence from Clip Volume in the tool settings. Replace Untitled with a name of your choice. Double click on the named fence named Border (Border Boundary). The view changes to show the border boundary view. 10 Double click on the new named fence. 11 In the tool settings, click Clear Clip Volume. 12 Enter a data point in the view. 13 Select File > Save Settings from MicroStations main menu bar so the view layout will be the same the next time you enter the file. 14 Select File > Close.
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Module Review
Module Review
Questions
1 2 3 4 5 6 Name two ways to open and close view windows. Which tool do you use to control the re-drawing of a view window? True or False: Window Area works with multiple views. Name three things saved with a Saved View. Name three ways to open the View Attributes dialog. True or False: You can save a clip volume.
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Module Review
Answers
1 Name two ways to open and close view windows. By selecting Window > Views > # or using the view toggles in View Groups dialog. 2 Which tool do you use to control the re-drawing of a view window? Update View. 3 True or False: Window Area works with multiple views. True. 4 Name three things saved with a Saved View. Window size, position, aspect ratio, reference settings, levels, camera position, view attributes, clip volume. 5 Name three ways to open the View Attributes dialog. By selecting Settings > View Attributes, Selecting View Attributes from the Window control menu, or pressing <Ctrl + B>. 6 True or False: You can save a clip volume. True.
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Module Summary
Module Summary
You are now able to: Open and close view windows Control the content of a view window Work with multiple views Create and manage Saved Views Control View Attributes
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Designing with MicroStation

Module Overview
2D production drafting often focuses on updating or fixing existing files. The notes indicating how to fix these designs are referred to as redlines, since red pens or pencils are used to make markings that indicate changes. This module presents tools and methods you can use to update files.
Fundamental knowledge of the Microsoft Windows operating system Knowledge of MicroStations interface Knowledge about views
Module Objectives
After completing this module, you will be able to: Use MicroStations tools to complete redline modifications such as updating elements and adding elements to designs. This includes: Placing elements Setting element attributes Using Undo, Redo and compress Setting working units Using AccuSnap
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Module Objectives
An example of a redlined design
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Questions
1 2 3 Name two ways to Zoom In to any location in a design. Name two ways to fit a view when needed. What tool lets you control all windows and views on the screen?
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Answers
1 Name two ways to Zoom In to any location in the design. Rotate the mouse wheel, or use the Window Area tool. 2 Name two ways to fit a view when needed. Double click mouse wheel, or use the Fit View tool. 3 What tool lets you control all windows and views on the screen? Manage View Groups from View Groups dialog.
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Placing Elements
Placing Elements
Most of the tools in the Task Navigation tool box add new elements to the design file. Although elements may vary, the placement tools generally use the same series of steps. 1. Set the correct level and any other element attributes that are necessary. 2. Select the appropriate tool. 3. Make any necessary adjustments to the tool settings. 4. Note the prompt on the left side of the status bar and follow the instructions provided. 5. Specify the location of the new element.
Place SmartLine
The Place SmartLine tool lets you create up to six different element types, as shown in the following table.
Element Type
Line
Line String
Shape
Arc
Complex Chain
Complex Shape
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The tool settings have options for controlling the appearance and placement of the SmartLine.
Lines Places a linear element by defining start and end points. Places an arc element by defining a start vertex, a center point, and a sweep angle. Each vertex point is placed without further modification. Each vertex point is placed as a fillet based on the value of Rounding Radius. Each vertex points is placed as a symmetric chamfer based on the value of Chamfer Offset.
Segment Type
Arcs Sharp
Vertex Type
Rounded Chamfered
Rounding Radius Chamfer Offset Join Elements
Used when the Vertex Type set to Rounded If on, sets the arc radius for a rounded vertex. Used when the Vertex Type set to Chamfered.Sets the distance required to define a symmetric chamfer. If off, places segments as individual elements. Rotate AccuDraw to segments If on, AccuDraw's compass rotates to align with the orientation of the previous segment. If off, the rotation of AccuDraw's compass is disabled only for this tool. If on, the segment type defaults to Lines, regardless of the last segment type used. If off, AccuDraw uses the last segment type that used.
SmartLine Placement Settings
Always start in line mode
Exercise: Use SmartLines to create trails 1 Set the following in the MicroStation Manager: Project: Geospatial 2 Open BSI200-M04-Trails.dgn. A proposal has been submitted to extend a hiking trail and this change needs to be reflected in the design file.
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Placing Elements
Zoom In on the upper right of the map.
Set the following in the Attributes tool bar: Level: Undeveloped Trails Color: 176 (dark blue) Line Style: 3 Line Weight: 4 New elements are assigned specific attributes that control their appearance and display properties. These attributes should be set prior to placing the element.
Click the Task List icon and make the default Drawing tasks active in the Task Navigation tool box.
Select Place SmartLine (Q + 1).
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Following the status bar prompt, AccuSnap to snap to the end of the existing trail to start the new one and enter a data point to enter the first vertex.
Start trail here End trail here
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Enter the next vertex at the trails end, as indicated in the image. Reset to complete the line and stop the command. The resulting element is a line. The next step is to draw a series of connected lines which is called a line string. This line string will represent a new hiking trail that follows the contour of the lake. In MicroStation, the last drawing tool you used remains active until another tool is selected. Knowing this fact eliminates selecting tools unnecessarily. The status bar prompts you to enter a first vertex.
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10 Snap to the end of the existing trail, as shown in the following image, and enter a data point.
11 Enter data points, following the contour of the river, until you reach the trails end.
12 Following the status bar prompt, reset to complete the line string and end the command. Note: If you enter an incorrect vertex, press <Ctrl> + <Z> or select Edit > Undo.
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Next you will use another Place SmartLine option to add a new road, represented by an arc, and you will place a shape around the edited area. Exercise: Use SmartLines to further edit the design 1 Continuing in BSI200-M04-Trails.dgn, set the following in the Attributes tool bar: Level: Paved Trail Color: 6 Line Style: 0 Line Weight: 4 2 Set the following in the Place SmartLine tool settings: Segment Type: Arcs Vertex Type: Rounded Rounding Radius: 10 The status bar prompts you to enter the first vertex. 3 AccuSnap to, and enter a data point at, the end of the existing paved trail, as shown in the following image.
You are prompted for the arc center. You can see possible arcs forming dynamically. There is a dashed guide line that extends from the origin to the arc center, which is where the pointer is located.
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Placing Elements
Move the pointer until the upper arc intersects Pioneer Rd.
Enter a data point to establish the arc center. The dashed guide line moves. Move the pointer until the arc end intersects Pioneer Rd. and enter a data point at this location.
In the tool settings dialog, switch: Segment Type: Line Vertex Type: Rounded Rounding Radius: 100
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Placing Elements
Following the status bar prompt, draw a line along Pioneer Rd. back toward the river as shown:
Set the following tool settings: Vertex Type: Chamfered Chamfer Offset: 100
10 Draw a line along the river as shown:
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Placing Elements
11 Snap to the starting point and accept with a data point.
12 Reset to complete. The last step is to draw a shape around the completed edits. 13 Set the following in the Attributes tool bar: Level: additional maintenance Color: 0 Line Style: 0 Line Weight: 6 14 Select Place Block (W + 1) with the following tool settings: Method: Orthogonal Fill Type: None
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Element Attributes
15 Following the status bar prompt, enter diagonal data points to define a boundary around the edited area.
Element Attributes
When placing new elements in a design file, they are assigned specific attributes that control their appearance and display properties. These attributes are typically set prior to placing the element in the design. Common element attributes are Level, Color, Line Style, Weight, Transparency and Display Priority. All of these items are set in the Attributes tool bar.
Active level
You need to place the correct types of elements on the correct level, as determined by an organizations CAD standards. The active level determines the level on which you are drawing. For example, in a mapping environment the levels would be named to describe common features such as city boundaries, lot lines, cemeteries, or block lines. Elements that represent these features would then be placed on their respective level.
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Element Attributes
Grouping elements together on properly named levels, ensures proper element organization within the file and eliminates unnecessary management tasks in the future. Levels are the basis of file management and are the starting point for all CAD standards. You can change the active level in the Attributes tool bar and also in dialogs for working with levels.
Exercise: Set the active level 1 Continuing in BSI200-M04-Trails.dgn, click the Level Display tool in the Primary Tools tool bar.
The active, or current, level is highlighted. Any new element you place will be placed on the active level. In this case, it is additional maintenance.
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Element Attributes
2 3
Change the Active Level by double clicking on another level. Close the Level Display dialog. You can also set the active level, and manage level attributes, in the Level Manager dialog.
Click the Level Manager tool in the Primary Tools tool bar.
5 6
Change the Active Level by double clicking on another level in the Level Manager dialog. Close the Level Manager.
Active color
MicroStation offers many color choices. The active color sets the color of a new element that you will place in the design. When you select the color picker in the Attributes tool bar you see a dialog that has three tabs; Indexed, True Color and Color Book.
Index
RGB
Color Book
The first tab is the Indexed Color tab. It lets you select a color from a table of 256 colors. Each color in the table can be modified, or you can change the available colors by attaching a different color table to the design file. These colors are not named. They are identified by number. The second tab lets you select a color based upon true color values, or by different color models. These models include the following. RGB (0-255) - Red, Green and Blue with valid ranges of 0-255 HSV - Hue, Saturation and Value RGB (0-1) - Red, Green, and Blue with valid rangers of 0-1
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Element Attributes
CMY - Cyan, Magenta, Yellow

Click and drag the eye dropper icon to select and match any color visible on the screen, even from areas outside the MicroStation application window.
The third tab is the Color Book tab. When a color from a color book is assigned to an element, the book name and color name are stored in the element.
There are four types of color books; Standard, PANTONE, RAL and User Defined. Both Pantone and RAL are proprietary color systems that allow design professionals to communicate color. The colors found within both systems can not be edited with MicroStation.
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Element Attributes
A fourth tab becomes available when using a tool that creates a closed element. This tab becomes usable when the Fill Color option is set in the tool settings.
Active line style

MicroStation has two classifications of line styles. There are eight standard line styles that are numbered from 0-7 and there are custom, user defined, line styles. The standard line styles range from solid to dot-dash combinations. These line styles are cosmetic, and are defined in screen units. They do not change size when you Zoom In or Zoom Out, so no scale is associated with them. Custom line styles, a line style that contains repeated text, for example, are defined in design units. These line styles are physical and are scalable line styles. They get larger or smaller when you Zoom In or Zoom Out. In addition, there is support for DWG based line styles.
Active weight
The active weight is a value between 0 - 31 that is assigned to an element to define its thickness. MicroStations line weights are defined in screen units and therefore remain static as the view zoom factor changes.
Active transparency
Transparency is also an element attribute that can be set for elements in the Attributes tool bar, just like level, weight or color. Set transparency for elements from 0, fully visible, to 100, not visible. The display of transparency in a view is controlled in the View Attributes dialog.
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Undo/Redo, Compress and Delete Element
Active display priority

Another element attribute that can be set in the Attributes tool bar is display priority. Display priority is a pre-set value, between -500 and 500, that determines how an element is displayed relative to other elements. The elements with the highest values are placed in front while those with lower priorities are placed in the back. Element priority is only available in 2D models. Priority is a 2D concept, since the priority value corresponds to the Z value in a 3D model.
Undo/Redo, Compress and Delete Element

You can eliminate a design error by returning to the state in which the design existed before you made it. The Undo command lets you reverse the last design or modification action. MicroStation provides a sequential unlimited undo buffer that lets you recover from a graphical mistake such as drawing a line in the wrong location. There is no limit to the number of undo operations you can perform within a design session. However, if the file closed or compressed the undo buffer is cleared you can no longer undo. To undo the last design operation, press <Ctrl> + <Z>, select Undo from the Edit menu, or open the Standard tool bar and click the Undo tool.
The Standard tool bar has Undo and Redo tools
One way to address a mistake is to reverse it, another is to delete it. The Delete tool lets you remove an element from the file. Exercise: Undo, Redo and Delete 1 2 Continuing in BSI200-M04-Trails.dgn, select Tools > Standard. In the Standard tool bar, Click Undo. The last graphical change to the file was placing the shape around the edits. This step has now been undone. 3 From the Edit menu, select Undo. The second to last graphical change was placing the curved road. This step has now been undone. 4 5 Select Redo from either the Standard tool bar or the Edit menu. Select Redo again. You can Redo commands until you have redone them all.
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Working Units
Select Delete Element (8). Note that there are no tool settings to adjust. Following the status bar prompt, enter a data point on the shape to identify and delete it.
Compress
Compressing a design file reduces its size by purging empty and unused data resources that you identify in the Compress Options dialog (File > Compress > Options). In addition, it clears the undo buffer.
Note: There is a user preference that you can set in the Workspace > Preferences dialog, Operation category, to compress a design file on exit.
Working Units
MicroStation uses true working units that are based on the meter. All measurement information is stored in the metric system and converted to other systems when requested. The conversion is completed with 14 places of accuracy to the right of the decimal point. You use units of measure for the design models, selecting the preferred units from a collection of imperial and metric units, or you can create your own custom units. Changing units in a design model does not change the physical size of the design geometry. It simply changes the display of measured distances to the units of the choice. There are Master Units (MU) and Sub Units (SU). For example, meters and centimeters. Sub units must always be equal to, or smaller than, the master unit.
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Working Units
Working Units and how they are read are set in the DGN File Settings dialog. Select Settings > Design File, then the Working Units Category.
The Master Unit and Sub Unit options are set by the system and can be edited by an administrator. Although the Label field appears limited in size, it can accept up to 32 characters. The Format and Accuracy settings are used when displaying coordinates, distances, and angles in the status bar and dialogs. Setting these does not affect the accuracy of calculations, only the precision at which the results are displayed. The Format options establish which units are displayed. MU displays only the master units. MU:SU displays both master and sub units.
Working Units
Feet / Inches Miles / Yards Meters / Millimeters Millimeters / Micrometers
MU:SU and Distance

120:10 is 120 feet, 10 inches 26:385 is 26 miles, 385 yards 5:25 is 5 meters, 25 millimeters 0:500, or:500 is one half millimeter
For example, one and a half feet is 1.5 feet, or two meters and 750 millimeters is 2.75 meters. Accuracy sets the decimal or fractional accuracy readout.
The Angles section contains controls that set the format, direction and accuracy of angle readout. Format sets the readout. DD.DDDD - decimal degrees, for example 65.4290 DD MM SS - degrees, minutes, seconds, for example 27 47 32 Gradians - 100 gradians = 90 degrees
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AccuSnap and Snap Modes
Radians - 2*pi radians = 360 degrees Mode sets the way angles are measured. Conventional measures angles counterclockwise from the positive X axis.
Azimuth measures angles clockwise from the positive Y axis.
Bearing reads out distance axis, angle and direction.
Accuracy sets the angle readout accuracy up to 8 decimal places.
You can also change working units quickly in the Drawing Scale dialog. Select Settings > Drawing Scale to open it.
Note: Any changes made in the DGN File Settings dialog must be saved by selecting File > Save Settings.

Snaps let you select specific points, such as an end point, mid point, center point or intersection point with precision. AccuSnap works with the active snap mode.
AccuSnap settings
There are several ways to open the AccuSnap settings dialog. Select Settings > Snap > AccuSnap. Right click on the AccuSnap icon in the Snap Mode button bar and select Properties.
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Right click on the snap icon in the Status bar and select AccuSnap.
The AccuSnap Settings dialog has three tabs that contain options to control the behavior of AccuSnap. Display Snap Icons controls the display of the current snap modes icon at the snap point. Hilite Active Element highlights the active element as soon as the pointer is within the range of the snap tolerance. This setting is off by default, so AccuSnap highlights the active element only when a tentative snap point is displayed. Pop-up Info produces a pop-up field displaying element type and level information. When this is enabled and set to Automatic you will see the pop-up whenever you pause or hover the pointer over an element.
Active snap mode

Snap modes can be accessed best from the Snap Mode button bar, which can be opened by selecting Settings > Snaps > Button Bar or by clicking the snap icon in the status bar and selecting Button Bar from the menu.
To set the default snap mode, double click on any available button. To set a snap mode override, single click any available button. The override snap mode allows you to override the default snap mode for one snap operation only. When complete, MicroStation returns to the default snap mode.
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You can set the default or override snap modes by clicking status bar snap icon and clicking the desired mode in the menu.
A solid dot indicates the current snap mode, while an open dot indicates the default snap mode has been overridden by this mode. The default snap mode can be changed by holding down the <Shift> key while selecting a new snap mode from the pop-up menu. As with many MicroStation tool boxes, the Snap Mode button bar does not show all available options. To display hidden options, right click on any icon to open a pop-up menu containing them. Click next to a tool or option to toggle the display.
The Keypoint snap mode can locate points using mathematically derived keypoints. MicroStation uses a keypoint divisor to divide an element into equal parts. For example, a divisor of 2 means that an element is divided into two equal parts, creating three keypoints; the two end points and the mid point.
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Exercise: Use the Keypoint snap 1 2 Select File > Close. Set the following in the MicroStation Manager: Project: General 3 4 5 Open Base Geometry.dgn. Select Settings > Snaps > Button Bar and dock the Snap Mode button bar. Select Place SmartLine (Q + 1). The keypoint snap is the default snap. 6 7 Select Settings > Locks > Full. In the Snap section of the dialog change Divisor to two.
The Mode is set to Keypoint so this sets the divisor to determine keypoints to 2. Different snaps can have different divisors. 8 9 Window Area around the Linear Elements - SmartLine frame. Select Place Circle (E + 1) with the following tool settings: Method: Center Area: Solid Fill Type: Outlined Fill Color: 1 Diameter: Enabled and set to 10.0 You will be placing circles by their center point with a fixed diameter.
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10 Place a circle at an end point of the line string.
11 Place another one at the mid point of a line segment.
12 Pan to the adjacent Arcs frame and place circles on the keypoints of the arcs.
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13 Pan to the Ellipses frame and place circles on the keypoints of an existing circle.
Notice how each 90 degrees of the circle is treated as a separate element for snapping.
14 Continue to explore with the keypoints of other element types. Exercise: Using the Center snap mode 1 Continuing in Base Geometry.dgn, double click on the Center snap icon in the Snap Mode button bar.
2 3
Select Place Circle (E + 1). Place a circle on the line string in the Linear Elements SmartLine frame.
You must touch the edge of an object in order to find its center
Touch the edge of an arc segment that makes up the Segment Type: Arcs element to the right of the line string.
Move the pointer to the center of any arc segment.
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AccuSnap locates the center of the grouping.
MicroStation finds many different centers
Explore the centers of other element types.
Exercise: Use the Intersection snap mode 1 2 3 4 Continuing in Base Geometry.dgn, Pan to the Points frame. Double click on the Intersection snap in the Snap Mode button bar to set it as the default snap mode. Select Place Circle (E + 1). AccuSnap to, and place a circle at, the intersection of two intersecting lines.
AccuSnap finds the true intersection.
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Tentative snap (left/right button chord) to the upper horizontal line.
Tentative snap after left/right chord
Move the pointer to the curve.
AccuSnap can also find projected intersections with a tentative snap
Multi-snap
There are three multiple snap modes, or multi-snaps, provided for use with AccuSnap and tentative point snapping. Each multi-snap is a grouping of selected snap modes that are processed in a specific order.
There are three ways to open the Multi-snaps settings: Select Settings > Snaps > Multi-snaps. Right click on the Multi-snap icon and choose Properties.
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Click the snap icon in the status bar and select Multi-snap.
You see a list of available snaps. To change the order in which the snaps are processed, drag and drop the entries into the desired order. When a multi-snap is set to Midpoint, Keypoint, and Intersection it will cycle between them and offer the following possibilities:
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Module Review
Module Review
Questions
1 2 3 4 5 Name three element types that can be drawn with a SmartLine. Name the three ways to set the active color. True or False: Using Undo All, you can undo all changes made to a design during that session. True or False: MicroStation uses a true unit system. Name three snap modes.
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Module Review
Answers
1 Name three element types that can be drawn with a SmartLine. Line, arc, complex chain, complex shape, shape, line string. 2 Name the three ways to set the active color. Indexed, RGB and color books. 3 True or False: Using Undo All, you can undo all changes made to a design during that session. True. 4 True or False: MicroStation uses a true unit system. True. 5 Name three snap modes. Nearest, Keypoint, Midpoint, Origin, Center, Bisector, Intersection, Tangent (Point), Perpendicular (Point), Parallel, Point On, Thru Point.
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Module Summary
Module Summary
You are now able to: Use MicroStations tools to complete redline modifications such as updating elements and adding elements to designs. This includes: Placing elements Setting element attributes Using Undo, Redo and compress Setting working units Using AccuSnap
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Module Summary
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AccuDraw, AccuDraw, AccuDraw

Module Overview
AccuDraw is more than a quick way to input data. It allows you to produce complex geometry quickly in 2D and 3D.
Fundamental knowledge of the Microsoft Windows operating system Knowledge of MicroStations interface Knowledge about basic MicroStation elements
Module Objectives
After completing this module, you will be able to: Draft with more accuracy and speed Use AccuDraw shortcuts and interface tools Solve problems with the existing graphics Use the calculator to increase design accuracy
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Questions
1 2 3 4 List the steps in using a MicroStation tool. Name three element creation tools. Describe how to use the tool settings window. Name the two basic AccuDraw interface components.
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Answers
1 List the steps in using a MicroStation tool. 1. Set the correct level and any other element attributes that are necessary. 2. Select the appropriate tool. 3. Make any necessary adjustments to the tool settings. 4. Note the prompt on the left side of the status bar and follow the instructions provided. 5. Specify the location of the new element. 2 Name three element creation tools. Place SmartLine, Place Circle, Place Block, Place Arc. 3 Describe when to use the tool settings window. When you need to change the current tools operational behavior. 4 Name the two basic AccuDraw interface components. AccuDraw compass and AccuDraw window.
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AccuDraw Basics
AccuDraw Basics
AccuDraw is one of MicroStations most versatile and indispensable tools. It is a good idea to explain what AccuDraw is and what it is not. In the simplest terms, AccuDraw is a MicroStation Development Language (MDL) application. It does not create or manipulate elements or objects. It assists in their creation and manipulation. AccuDraw is to MicroStation what the T-square and triangle were to manual drafting. It improves quality and speed by reducing keystrokes and mouse clicks. AccuDraw is more than a quick way to input data. It allows you to produce complex geometry; geometry that was either impossible or difficult to produce quickly in the past. It replaces the grid, the axis lock, construction elements and more.
You have a graphical problem and a graphical application but you are traditionally taught numerical solutions. AccuDraw is the graphical solution to graphical problems.
Because AccuDraw was created using MDL, its interface is completely integrated with MicroStation. The powerful, yet hidden, portion of AccuDraw is its intelligence. This intelligence is shown many ways. It has been designed to infer as much information as possible from your actions. If the Place Shape tool is selected, AccuDraw switches to a Rectangular coordinate system. If place circle is selected, it switches to a Polar coordinate system. Start and stop AccuDraw using the AccuDraw icon in the Primary Tools tool bar.
When enabled, AccuDraw has two components, the AccuDraw window and the AccuDraw compass. These two interface elements work with each other.
AccuDraw window and the AccuDraw compass
The AccuDraw window has two modes that can be toggled using the space bar when AccuDraw is active and has the focus. The Rectangular mode allows for the entry of X and Y distances from AccuDraws origin. The Polar mode allows for the entry of a distance and angle from the origin. The compass is made up of three components that are visible in either the Rectangular or Polar mode.
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AccuDraw Basics
The origin is the center of the compass and is always location 0,0 regardless of where the compass is on the design (a relative origin). The dashed rectangle or circle is referred to as the drawing plane indicator and shows you the drawing plane that AccuDraw is on; Rectangular or Polar. The green and red ticks are AccuDraws axis markers and are completely independent of both the drawing axis and the view axis.
The AccuDraw workflow

If you plan to use AccuDraw you may need to change your workflow because, when enabled, AccuDraw considers three things and changes its behavior accordingly. First, it considers at the current tool. For example, if the active tool is Place Block it will remain in a Rectangular mode which is expressed as X and Y distances from its origin. If the selected tool is Place Arc, AccuDraw will automatically switch to Polar mode which is expressed as distance and angle. Second, AccuDraw considers the location of the pointer with respect to its origin. As you move the pointer around the compass, AccuDraw automatically updates the X and Y values in the AccuDraw windows key-in fields to reflect the distance the pointer is from its origin. Finally, AccuDraw considers and interprets keyboard shortcuts. These are single or dual character key-ins to drive its behavior. An example is using the space bar to toggle between the Rectangular and Polar modes. The mouse is one of the ways that AccuDraw infers information. When the mouse moves, AccuDraw tracks the pointer's location in relationship to the AccuDraw compass. The operational rules of AccuDraw are as follows. 1. Enter a data point either using precision input, or a data point, to fix the location of the compass. 2. Move the pointer in the direction in which you wish to draw. 3. Without using the pointer to put focus into the AccuDraw window key-in fields, enter the desired distance value. 4. <Optional> move in another direction. 5. <Optional> enter another distance value. 6. Enter a data point to accept. 7. Repeat from step 2 to continue drawing. The important thing to remember is that you move in the direction you wish to draw. You do not need to consider whether you are moving in the X dimension or Y dimension.
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AccuDraw Basics
You know the direction in which you need to draw by looking at your notes and plans. Focus on the direction, not the X or Y dimension. The X and Y dimensions are useful, but when drawing they are not to be the focus.
The input focus

As you move the pointer around the screen, AccuDraw continually updates the field that is currently active in the AccuDraw window. It is indicated by the highlighted field title. AccuDraws input focus lets you enter values wherever the insertion bar is highlighted. If the pointers movement away from the previous data point includes a higher X value than the Y value, the input focus appears in the X field. If the pointers movement away from the previous data point includes a higher Y value than the X value, then the input focus appears in the Y field.
Move in the X direction and focus is in the X- field
Move in Y direction and focus is in the Y- field
Once a field has input focus, the input field becomes auto-overwrite and auto-enter. You do not have to highlight or click in the fields, or press the <Enter> key.
AccuDraw indexing
AccuDraw can index to axes, the origin and the previous distance. The indexing feature works like AccuSnap. If you get close to an indexing state, the pointer temporarily locks onto that state.
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AccuDraw Basics
For example, when the pointer nears a 90 degree angle to the origin of the compass it will index to that angle. In this way it can replace the axis (Ortho) lock in all but a few situations. Exercise: Learning about AccuDraw Indexing 1 Set the following in the MicroStation Manager: Project: General 2 3 4 5 6 Open Base Geometry.dgn. Ensure that AccuDraw is active. Ensure that the Drawing tasks are the available tasks. Pan to an open area of the design. Set the following in the Attributes tool bar: Level: Object Color: 5 Style: 0 Weight: 2 7 Select Place SmartLine (Q + 1) with the following tool settings: Segment Type: Lines Vertex Type: Sharp 8 Note the status bar prompt and enter a data point to start the first vertex.
Not indexed to the axis
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AccuDraw Basics
Indexed to the X-axis Note Y=0
Move the pointer slowly toward the X-axis. Once you are within 10 pixels, the line will move to, and stay on, the X-axis.
10 Move the pointer toward the Y-axis. 11 Move the pointer near the AccuDraw origin.
Not indexed to the AccuDraw Origin
Indexed to the AccuDraw Origin. Note X & Y=0
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AccuDraw Basics
12 Enter a data point and move perpendicular until you are close to the distance of the first segment.
First segment drawn
Second segment shows previous distance with a short T-line. Note distances are equal for both segments
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Drawing with AccuDraw

Your next task is to draw the following object using AccuDraw and SmartLines.
You can calculate the missing dimensions from the information given
You will start at the lower left and move in a counter-clockwise direction. Exercise: Basic drawing with AccuDraw 1 2 3 Continuing in Base Geometry.dgn, Pan to an open area of the design. Select Place SmartLine (Q + 1). Note the status bar prompt and enter a data point anywhere to start. This is the first vertex of the element and the AccuDraw compass appears at the data point location. 4 Move the pointer to the right, lining up with the X-axis.
This is called indexing.
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5 6
Without moving the pointer into the AccuDraw window, enter 2000. Enter a data point to accept the value. Note that the compass moves to the last data point.
Move the pointer upward and line up with, or index to, the Y-axis.
Enter 1500 and accept with a data point.
Move the pointer to the left and index to the X-axis.
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10 Enter 1000 and accept with a data point.
11 Move the pointer downward and index to the Y-axis. 12 Enter 750 and enter a data point to accept.
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AccuDraw Shortcuts
13 Move the pointer to the left, index to the X-axis, enter 1000, and accept with a data point.
14 Move the pointer downward, index to the Y-axis and enter 750 to close the shape. Hint: Keep the mouse steady. If you move the mouse around too much, indexing will be lost.
Locking coordinate values

When you enter a value from the keyboard AccuDraw locks the current input field and immediately affects the pointers motion because it knows you are entering coordinate data.
After entering the X value and then moving in Y, you will lock the X value. Note the letter X is depressed Note the additional index line indicating the Y is not yet locked. Note the letter Y is raised
After entering a value in the first field, move the pointer until the input focus changes to the other field and you can enter the other value. The coordinates you have entered establish a point for the placement of the element.
AccuDraw Shortcuts
AccuDraws behavior is influenced by the current tool, the location of the pointer and keyboard shortcuts. AccuDraw anticipates your next move. Sometimes, however, you will
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AccuDraw Shortcuts
want to direct AccuDraw, so there are a variety of single and double character command directives known as the shortcut key-ins. By pressing the appropriate key while focus is in the AccuDraw window you can direct AccuDraw to perform a specific task. These shortcuts only work when the AccuDraw window has the focus (is the active window). When you select a tool, the focus does not go to the AccuDraw window. Hint: When you enter a data point to start using the tool, then the focus will shift to the AccuDraw window. Note: Press ESC then the space bar to move the focus to the AccuDraw window. To open a window showing a list of all AccuDraw shortcuts, press the ? key. This is the only shortcut you need to memorize, since it will show you all the rest. Exercise: Focus and the ? shortcut 1 Continuing in Base Geometry.dgn, select Place SmartLine (Q + 1). Note that focus remains at home. 2 3 Press F11 to shift the focus to AccuDraw. Press the <?> key and expand the AccuDraw Shortcuts window.
4 5
Return focus to the AccuDraw window by pressing F11. Press G then T, <GT>, to move focus to the tool settings window.
Pop-up confirmation for two letter shortcuts allows selection of other shortcuts
Note: The focus can also be moved to the tool settings window by pressing F10.
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AccuDraw Shortcuts
Important basic shortcuts

Space Bar = Change display mode The space bar toggles between Rectangular and Polar mode.
X = toggle X lock, Y = toggle Y lock The <X> or <Y> keys can be selected at any time to lock or unlock the present X or Y values when in Rectangular mode. A field is locked when the character icon is depressed. D = toggle Distance lock, A = toggle Angle lock <D> or <A> can be selected to lock the Distance or Angle in the Polar coordinate system. Enter = Smart Lock Smart Lock will index to the closest axis and lock the opposite field value. For example, if the X value is indexed, the Y value will be locked at 0. This allows you to draw in one direction but snap to objects in the other direction. In Polar mode, if Distance is active, the Angle will be locked. Q = Quit Press <Q> to quit AccuDraw. V = View rotation Press <V> to rotate the compass to align with the view axis. This is especially useful when working with rotated views. O = Set Origin Pressing <O> moves the compass to the current pointer position or a tentative point. This is very helpful when combined with AccuSnap. RQ = Rotate Quick <R><Q> temporarily changes the rotation of the compass to a user defined angle. Once a data point has been entered, the compass resumes its normal orientation.
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AccuDraw Shortcuts
~ = Bump Tool Setting The tilde <~> character (no <Shift> key required) is used to bump the value of the first adjustable setting in the tool settings window to the next valid value. For example, when using the Place SmartLine tool, Bump Tool Setting will change the Segment Type from Line to Arcs. K = Keypoint Snap Divisor Opens the Keypoint Snap Divisor dialog, which is used to set the Snap Divisor for keypoint snapping. I = Intersect Snap Activates Intersect snap mode. C = Center Snap Activates Center snap mode. Note: Note that shortcuts can be customized.
One important concept is that AccuDraw has answers. These are not answers about how to do something, but the answers to a problem you are trying to solve. Many times you need to copy a measurement or do a calculation. AccuDraw does that for you. An important feature is that you can place an AccuDraw origin at a tentative point. By snapping to a point and then pressing the <O>, the Origin shortcut, you can place the AccuDraw origin at that point. Do not accept the tentative point, just tentative snap and press <O>.
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AccuDraw Shortcuts
Remind the students about the importance of not accepting the tentative snap. Most users accept a tentative snap without thinking. Remind them to make a disconnect.
In the following exercise you will place a rotated block at the same angle as an existing line. Without AccuDraw, this might take several minutes and require many steps. AccuDraw simplifies the process.
You will draw the rotated block based on the line
Without using AccuDraw, complete this exercise as a demonstration of the long way to do this. Measure the angle, create a construction line for the offset distance, & place the block. Afterward, complete the exercise with the students following along. Spend a few minutes reviewing the purpose behind each step of this exercise. Make sure the students understand the power behind the <O> and <R><Q> shortcuts, as these are some of the most frequently used features and can be great time-savers.
Exercise: Using a series of AccuDraw commands 1 2 Continuing in the Base Geometry.dgn, Pan to an open area of the design. Set the following in the Attributes tool bar: Level: Object Color: 0 Style: 0 Weight: 1 3 Select Place SmartLine (Q + 1).
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AccuDraw Shortcuts
Place a line at any angle. The length of the line is not important.
Select Place Block (W + 1) with the following tool settings: Method: Orthogonal Area: Solid Fill Type: None Snap to the upper right end of the skewed line and press <O> for Origin. DO NOT enter a data point to accept the snap point.
AccuDraw Origin placed at snap point
Press <RQ> to Rotate Quick.
RQ allows the compass to be spun around and re-oriented
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AccuDraw Shortcuts
Rotate AccuDraw Axes command and tool setting from RQ
Note the prompt in the status bar. The Rotate Quick command requires you to define the X-axis. Move the pointer towards the other end of the line and AccuSnap to the end. Enter a data point at this location.
The compass has rotated to the angle of the line.
10 Note that you have returned to the Place Block command. 11 Move the pointer along the X-axis and towards the right and index to the negative Xaxis, while keeping the Y value zero. Enter a value of 1000 units.
12 Accept with a data point. Note that the direction, up and to the right, not the dimension, -X, is the important thing to think about in the previous step.
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AccuDraw Shortcuts
You have now placed the first corner point of the block. It is rotated even though the Method was set to Orthogonal.
13 Move in the X direction and enter a value of 750.
14 Move in the Y direction and enter a value of 1000.
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AccuDraw Shortcuts
15 Enter a data point to accept the 750mm by 1000mm block.
Stress Direction, then Distance. Repeat this concept.
In the next exercise you will draw an oval shaped element around an inner rectangle. The only information you will have is the minimum clearance distance from the rectangle.
Exercise: Use more AccuDraw shortcuts 1 2 Continuing in Base Geometry.dgn, Pan to an open area of the design. Select Place Block (W + 1) with the following tool settings: Method: Orthogonal Area: Solid Fill Type: None
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AccuDraw Shortcuts
3 4 5
Following the status bar prompt, place a vertical block of any size. Select Place SmartLine (Q + 1). Read the status bar prompt and note that MicroStation requires a data point to define the first vertex. The first vertex will be offset from the top right corner of the block. Move the pointer to the top right corner until you see the AccuSnap X. Press <O> to move the AccuDraw compass to this location.
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Index along the X-axis and enter a distance that is appropriate for the current zoom level.
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AccuDraw Shortcuts
Note the status bar prompt and enter a data point for the first vertex of the SmartLine.
10 Move the pointer downward and press <Enter> to lock the axis.
SmartLock indexed to the nearest axis and locked X at 0
11 Snap to the lower right corner of the block and enter a data point. This establishes the length of the line segment.
Dashed line indicates that X is locked at 0
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AccuDraw Shortcuts
Notice how you graphically found the length of the rectangle.
12 With focus in the AccuDraw window, press the <~> key to change the Segment Type from Lines to Arcs.
The status bar indicates that you need to define the location of the arc center. 13 Move the pointer to the midpoint of the blocks lower edge and enter a data point when you see the AccuSnap X. This becomes the center of the arc.
Place arc center point
Next you need to define the sweep angle of the arc.
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AccuDraw Shortcuts
14 Move the pointer clockwise and sweep through 180 degrees. Enter a data point to accept the sweep.
AccuDraw indexing makes 90 degree increments easy to draw
15 Press the <~> key to change the Segment Type to Lines.
16 Move the pointer up to the top of the view and press <Enter> to SmartLock. 17 Snap to the upper left corner of the rectangle and enter a data point to fix the length of the line segment.
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AccuDraw Settings
18 With focus on the AccuDraw window, press <~>to change the Segment Type to Arc. 19 Following the status bar prompt, snap to the mid-point of the top of the rectangle. 20 Enter a data point to accept this as the location for the center of the arc.
21 Move the pointer clockwise to draw the 180 degree arc and complete the oval.
AccuDraw Settings
Many aspects of AccuDraws behavior can be set using custom settings. Set them in the AccuDraw's Settings dialog. Use one of the following methods to access it. Select Settings > AccuDraw.
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AccuDraw Settings
Press <GS> while the input focus is on the AccuDraw window. Right click on the AccuDraw icon in the Primary Tools tool box and select Properties.
Operation tab
Auto load
The Auto Load setting forces AccuDraw to open at the beginning of each session. Turn this off if you would rather use the Toggle AccuDraw tool to start AccuDraw manually.
Floating origin
The floating origin is turned on by default. It instructs AccuDraw to move the compass to the last data point. The AccuDraw compass remains in a fixed position until you enter another data point or re-issue the origin with the <O> shortcut. Floating origin must be on for all context sensitivity features to perform properly.
Point out the usefulness of turning off this feature when a drawing task includes creating multiple elements which are referenced from the same location.
Context sensitivity
When this setting is on, context sensitivity enables tools to provide hints to AccuDraw to override its default behavior for smoother operation. This can include setting custom context rotations, setting the origin, locking values, or setting the coordinate system type.
AccuDraws compass rotates to the last element placed with Context Sensitivity turned on.
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AccuDraw Settings
AccuDraws compass does not rotate to align with the last placed element if Context Sensitivity is turned off
Auto focus fields

If on, the <A> and <D> AccuDraw shortcuts set focus to the selected field and lock the current value. If off, the <A> and <D> AccuDraw shortcuts lock the current value without affecting the focus. This setting is for Polar coordinates only.
Display tab
This tab contains settings that change the various display features. This includes items such as the colors of the axis ticks, the highlight when indexing, the frame and the fill. In addition, there are three key-in commands that are entered from the keyboard that can affect AccuDraws display. AccuDraw Settings Size xx Where xx is a value between 6 and 399. This sets the size of the AccuDraw compass which has a default size of 40. AccuDraw Settings Northeast Will change the display of AccuDraws key-in window from X and Y to N (Northing) and E (Easting). AccuDraw Settings XY Will change the display of AccuDraws key-in window to X and Y.
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AccuDraw Settings
Coordinates tab
This tab is used to define the Coordinate System, Unit Roundoff, and Indexing settings.
Coordinate System
Contains controls that are used to rotate AccuDraw's drawing plane and to set AccuDraw's Coordinate System. Rotation Sets the rotation of the drawing plane axes. While the AccuDraw window has the focus, pressing the key combination has the same effect as choosing the specified rotation. Type Sets the method used in the AccuDraw window to specify distances and angles relative to the drawing plane origin.
Unit Round Off

Contains controls that are used to set the incremental round off value for distances and angles relative to the drawing plane origin in the Polar Coordinate system only. Distance Sets the roundoff value for distances relative to the drawing plane origin. When this is on, the roundoff value is effective, except if overridden by keyed in values or snapped tentative points. Angle Sets the roundoff value, in degrees, for angles relative to the drawing plane origin when in Polar mode. While the check box is on, the roundoff value is effective except if overridden by keyed in values or snapped tentative points. Note: These settings do not affect keyed in values and snapped tentative points.
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Pop-up Calculator
Indexing
Controls the settings for AccuDraws indexing to axes, the origin and the previous distance entered. Axis If on, indexing is activated for AccuDraw's drawing plane X and Y axes. The distance required to move the pointer from the indexed axis is controlled by the Tolerance setting. Distance If on, sets the minimum distance that the pointer must move from the AccuDraw origin in order to place a new data point. The minimum distance is controlled by the Tolerance setting. Location Tolerance Sets the minimum distance, in screen pixels, used by the Axis and Distance settings. Allowable values are 1 to 99.
Pop-up Calculator
The pop-up calculator allows you to perform mathematical operations on the fly. It is activated by pressing +, -, *, /, = in any text field that supports it. This includes AccuDraw's key-in fields and many other fields, such as Active Angle or Active Scale.
The pop-up calculator can also perform advanced mathematical functions including the use of trigonometric and logarithmic functions, multiple operators, parentheses, and C expressions.
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Pop-up Calculator
Invoking and using the pop-up calculator

You can invoke the pop-up calculator in two different modes. The first method applies the mathematical expression to the existing value displayed in the field with focus. To activate this mode, press either <+>,< ->, <*>, or </>.
The second mode is activated by the <=> key and replaces the existing value with the results of a keyed in expression or calculation. In this mode, the result dynamically updates in the original field, rather than having a field of its own in the pop-up. This feature is usually used for more complex expressions.
Lets see how you might use MicroStations pop-up calculator in everyday drawing tasks. Exercise: Using the pop-up calculator 1 2 Continuing in Base Geometry.dgn, Pan to an open area of the design. Select Place SmartLine (Q + 1) with the following tool setting: Segment Type: Lines 3 4 Following the status bar prompt, place the first vertex anywhere in the view. Index to the X-axis and press <Enter> to SmartLock.
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Pop-up Calculator
Enter 1500.
Press the </> key to open the pop-up calculator in the division function.
Enter 7 into the calculator field.
The result is shown numerically and graphically
8 9
Enter a data point to accept the second vertex. Index to the Y-axis.
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Pop-up Calculator
10 Enter 750.
11 Press the <*> key to open the pop-up calculator in the multiplication function.
12 Enter 1.375 into the calculator field and accept the resulting value with a data point.
There are other uses for the pop-up calculator, such as finding a distance halfway between two objects.
Exercise: Use the pop-up calculator to find a distance 1 2 3 4 Continuing in Base Geometry.dgn, Pan to an open area of the design. Select Place SmartLine (Q + 1). Enter the first vertex anywhere. Index to the X-axis and enter a second data point anywhere along the X-axis.
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Pop-up Calculator
Draw another line below the first one.
Select Place Circle (E + 1) with the following tool settings: Method: Center Area: Solid Fill Type: None You are prompted to enter the center point of the circle. AccuSnap to the right end of the upper line.
8 9
With focus in the AccuDraw window, press <O> to set the origin at the snap point. Snap to the left end of the lower line. The Distance field displays the linear distance from the origin to the current location of the pointer.
10 Press the space bar to switch to Polar mode.
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Pop-up Calculator
11 Press </> and enter 2 in the calculator field.
This divides the distance by two. 12 Accept the circle center point with a data point. 13 Following the status bar prompt, enter a radius of 100 and accept with a data point.
The pop-up calculator can also do trigonometric, logarithmic, exponential and other mathematical functions. For a complete list of available mathematical functions please refer to the on-line Help; Working with Completed Designs > Visualization > Animation > Parametric Motion Control > Scripting Parametric Motion > to script parametric motion.
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Module Review
Module Review
Questions
1 2 3 4 What are the operational steps when using AccuDraw? How do you place the AccuDraw compass at a snap point? Name three AccuDraw shortcuts. What are the shortcuts for the Pop-up calculator?
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Module Review
Answers
1 What are the operational steps when using AccuDraw? 1. Enter a data point using either precision input, or a data point, to fix the location of the compass. 2. Move the pointer in the direction in which you wish to draw. 3. Without using the pointer to put focus into the AccuDraw windows key-in fields, enter the desired distance value. How do you place the AccuDraw compass at a snap point? Use AccuSnap or issue a manual tentative snap and use the AccuDraw shortcut O. 3 Name three AccuDraw shortcuts. V, RQ, Enter, Space, O, I, N, C, etc. 4 What are the shortcuts for the Pop-up calculator? +,-,*,/,=
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Module Summary
Module Summary
You are now able to: Draft with more accuracy and speed. Use AccuDraw Shortcuts and Interface tools. Solve problems with the existing graphics. Use the calculator to increase design accuracy.
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Element Creation Tools

Module Overview
This module presents frequently used element creation tools and provides instruction about how to use them to add elements to your designs.
Knowledge of MicroStations interface How to use a basic tool Knowledge about views Knowledge of AccuDraw
Module Objectives
After completing this module, you will be able to: Add elements to designs Determine which tool is best for a particular task Apply knowledge about familiar tools to new tools Use the Drawing tasks
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Before you begin this module, let's define what you already know:
Questions
1 2 Give a definition of snapping. Describe the general process when using a MicroStation tool.
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Answers
1 Give a definition of snapping. Snaps let you select specific points, such as an end point, mid point, center point or intersection point with precision. 2 Describe the general process when using a MicroStation tool. 1. Set the correct level and any other element attributes that are necessary. 2. Select the appropriate tool. 3. Make any necessary adjustments to the tool settings. 4. Note the prompt on the left side of the status bar and follow the instructions provided. 5. Specify the location of the new element.
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Circles Tasks
Circles Tasks
Use these tools to place ellipses, including circles and arcs.
Place Arc
The Place Arc tool is used to place a circular arc in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. Draw arcs using one of four different methods.
Arc Method
Start, Center Center, Start Start, Mid, End Start, End, Mid
Effect
Arc is constructed by placing its start point, center point, then sweep angle and direction. Arc is constructed by placing its center point, start point, then sweep angle and direction. Arc is constructed by placing three points defining its start point, a second point on the arc, and its end point Arc is constructed by placing three points defining its start point, end point, and a third point on the arc
If an arc is constrained by a snap, such as Tangent or Perpendicular, and more than one result is possible, MicroStation displays icons representing each possible result. In these cases you can use the pointer to select the required solution, or you can use the Solution options in the tool settings to choose the desired result. Exercise: Placing arcs 1 Continuing in the General Project, in Base Geometry.dgn, Pan to the Arcs frame.
Set the following in the Attributes tool bar: Level: Object
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Circles Tasks
Color: 5 Style: 0 Weight: 2 3 Select Place Arc (E + 3) with the following tool settings: Method: Start, Center 4 Identify the start of the arc near the existing Start, Center Arc.
Dashed circle shows the dynamic radius Note the radius and start angle values in the tool settings
Following the status bar prompt, identify the arc center with a data point.
You can sweep clockwise or counter-clockwise to identify the sweep angle. Note the Length and Sweep Angle values in the tool settings. End the arc by entering a data point.
8 9
Undo the arc. Change the Method to Center, Start in the Place Arc tool settings.
10 Following the status bar prompt, identify the center point with a data point.
Note the tool settings
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Circles Tasks
11 With AccuDraw active, identify the start by indexing to the +Y and, in the Distance field of the AccuDraw window, enter 50.
You can also enter the start angle and radius in the tool settings
12 Enter a data point to accept. 13 Enter -90 in the AccuDraw windows Angle field. 14 Enter a data point to accept.
You can also enter a sweep angle in the tool settings
15 Undo placement of the arc. Exercise: Other placement methods 1 Continuing in Base Geometry.dgn, adjust the view so that you can see the other arc types.
Change the Method to Start, Mid, End in the Place Arc tool settings.
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Place Circle
3 4
Note the status bar prompt, and enter a data point to identify the start of the arc. Note the status bar prompt, and identify a point along the arc with a data point.
Identify the arc end point with a data point.
Experiment with the last method, Start, End, Mid.
Place Circle
Circles can be placed using different methods. Since a circle is a closed object, it can be filled with a solid color or a gradient of colors.
Exercise: Placing circles 1 2 Continuing in Base Geometry.dgn, Pan to the Ellipses frame. Set the following in the Attributes tool bar: Level: Object
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Place Circle
Color: 0 Style: 0 Weight: 2 3 Select Place Circle (E + 1) with the following tool settings: Method: Center Area: Solid Fill Type: None 4 Identify a circles center with a data point. You are prompted for the location of the radius. This will be determined using AccuDraw. 5 Index to the Y-axis, enter 50 and accept this location with a data point.
6 7 8
Change the Method to Edge in the Place Circle tool settings. Identify the first point on the circle with a data point. Following the status bar prompt, move the pointer and enter a second data point on the circle.
Identify a third point to complete the circle.
10 Select File > Close.
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Place Circle
In the next exercise the redline modifications show a sunken floor added behind the reception desk.
Draw a 2m diameter circular area to show sunken floor Make area co-centric with the reception desk
Exercise: Add a sunken floor 1 Set the following in the MicroStation Manager: Project: Building 2 3 4 Open BSI300AE101-Plan.dgn. Zoom In on the Reception area on the right side of the design. Set the following in the Attributes tool bar: Level: A-Z001-G-Iden Color: 3 Style: 2 Weight: 1 5 6 Click the Task List icon and select the Drawing task so those tools occupy the Task Navigation tool box. Select Place Circle (E + 1) with the following tool settings: Method: Center Area: Solid Fill Type: None 7 Move the pointer towards the center of the arcs representing the reception desk.
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Place Circle
AccuSnap to, and enter a data point at, this location.
This defines the center of the circle. 9 Index along any axis, enter 1000 in the AccuDraw window and accept with a data point.
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Polygons Tasks
Polygons Tasks
The Polygons tools let you create a variety of planar shapes.
Polygons tool
Place Block Place Shape Place Orthogonal Shape Place Regular Polygon Place a rectangular shape. Place a polygonal shape. Place a shape with each segment either perpendicular or parallel to all other segments in the shape. Place a polygon with all sides the same length and angles the same value.
The Place Block and Place Regular Polygon are the most useful of these commands as Place SmartLine can produce the same geometry as Place Shape and Place Orthogonal Shape.
Exercise: Reviewing polygons 1 Set the following in the MicroStation Manager: Project: General 2 3 4 Open Base Geometry.dgn. Window Area around the Polygons frame. Review the different types of polygons.
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Polygons Tasks
In the next exercise the redline modifications require you to modify a golf club on an existing map. Add a 300m x 200m area, using the same attributes as the golf club area. Start at the north east corner. Align 200m edge to the eastern edge of the Karwatha golf club.
Add 300m x 200m rectangular area, aligned and adjacent to current area
Exercise: Open the file and rotate the view 1 Set the following in the MicroStation Manager: Project: Geospatial 2 Open BSI200-M05-Zoning.dgn.
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Polygons Tasks
Zoom In to the Karwatha golf club area at the lower left of the design.
Select Rotate View with the following tool setting: Method: 2 Points Snap to the upper right corner of the golf club area and enter a data point.
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Polygons Tasks
Snap to the lower right corner and enter a data point.
The view rotates.
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Polygons Tasks
Exercise: Use Place Block to enlarge the golf club 1 2 Continuing in BSI200-M05-Zoning.dgn, place the pointer over the green golf club area. Press <Alt> and right click to open the Quick Info dialog.
Here you can see the elements attributes. 3 4 Move the pointer to close the dialog. With the pointer over the golf club area, press <Alt> and left click to set the active attributes to those of the element. Note the change in the Attributes tool bar. 5 6 Select the task list icon and select the default Drawing tasks so they occupy the Task Navigation tool box. Select Place Block (W + 1) with the following tool setting: Method: Orthogonal You see that the attributes are set correctly from the match operation. 7 Following the status bar prompt, AccuSnap to the top left corner of the area shape and enter a data point.
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Polygons Tasks
Move the pointer along the Y-axis and enter 300 in the AccuDraw window.
Move the pointer along the X-axis and enter 200.
10 Accept with a data point.
11 Select Rotate View with the following tool setting: Method: Unrotated Note: View Previous can also be used to return to the view to its original orientation.
Place Regular Polygon

This tool is used to place a regular polygon, a shape with equal length sides and equal angles at each vertex. For example, a square is a four-sided regular polygon.
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Polygons Tasks
In the next exercise the redline modifications require you to add a school building. Add proposed school
Exercise: Placing a regular polygon to represent the school 1 Continuing in BSI200-M05-Zoning.dgn, select Place Regular Polygon (W + 4) with the following tool settings: Method: Inscribed Edges: 6 Radius: 0 Area: Solid Fill Type: Opaque Fill Color: 127 2 Set the following in the Attributes tool bar: Level: Sch bldg-Sep Color: ByLevel Style: ByLevel Weight: ByLevel
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Complex Chains, Complex Shapes and Regions
Following the status bar prompt, enter a data point to place the center point of the regular polygon, as indicated.
As you move the pointer, the polygon spins. 4 Rotate the polygon so that an edge is parallel with the street and size it, as indicated.
Enter a data point.

Some groupings in MicroStation, such as a set of selected elements, are temporary. Other groupings are more permanent. The Groups tool box contains tools that are used to create and manipulate more permanent groupings of elements.
Complex Chain
Use the Create Complex Chain tool to combine existing elements into a continuous open ended element. The Manual method requires each element you want to add to be identified with a data point. The Automatic method uses the first element selected as a starting point and then searches for subsequent elements, converting them into a complex chain. The Max Gap field defines the maximum distance that can exist between elements so they are found when the method is set to Automatic.
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If enabled, Simply Geometry creates a primitive line string rather than a complex chain.
In the next exercise the redline modifications require you to convert existing individual lines into a complex chain to represent a new trail.
Add the new trail on level Rotary_Exist
Exercise: Create a complex chain 1 2 3 4 Open BSI200-M04-Trails.dgn. Zoom In on the upper right of the design. Click the Level Display tool in the Primary Tools tool bar. Click once on the level named Limestone Trail.
This turns the display of the level off. 5 Close the Level Display dialog.
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Place the pointer over the end of the trail, press <Alt> and left click to match the attributes.
Level Rotary_Exist, Color 135, Style 0, Weight 10
Select Create Complex Chain (6 + 2) with the following tool setting: Method: Manual Click on the line at the end of the trail to identify it as the first element in the chain.
Click on the next segment and continue to click on adjacent segments.
The segments highlight and will all be chained together. 10 Finish by clicking the last segment. 11 Reset to complete the chain.
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Create Complex Shape

The Create Complex Shape command is similar to Create Complex Chain, except that the resulting element is closed rather than open. The same tool options are available for both tools, and Create Complex Shape also has options for controlling the fill attributes of the closed shape. In the next exercise the redline modifications show the conversion of an area of the city to a Commercial Fill zone by using the boundaries of the existing area to create a complex shape. Show enclosed area Comm. Fill area
Exercise: Create a complex shape 1 2 Open BSI200-M05-Zoning.dgn. Zoom In to the area indicated.
Select Create Complex Shape (6 + 3) with the following tool settings: Method: Automatic
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Max Gap: 0.00 Area: Solid Fill Type: Opaque Fill Color: 78 4 Set the following in the Attributes tool bar: Level: Com_ city - fill Color: 78 Style: 0 Weight: 1 5 Following the status bar prompt, select the line that extends downward from Sherbrooke St., as indicated.
6 7
Accept with a data point. Continue entering data points to add the next elements.
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When a fork is encountered, press reset to cycle through the alternatives paths. Enter a data point to accept when the desired path is highlighted.
Enter a data point to complete the complex shape.
Fit View.
10 Reset.
Create Region
Create Region creates a complex shape from two or more existing elements. It generates a shape by comparing the relationship between the elements. When Keep Original is enabled in the tool settings you create a new shape and leave the original elements in place. When disabled, the elements used as components in creating the new shape are deleted.
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In the next exercise the redline modifications require you to create a new park.
Add new City Park
Exercise: Create a region to represent a park 1 Continuing in BSI200-M05-Zoning.dgn, Zoom In to the area indicated.
Place the pointer over Harper city park, press <Alt> and left click to match the attributes.
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Select Create Complex Region (6 + 4) with the following tool settings: Method: Flood Fill Type: Opaque Fill Color: 142 Ignore Interior Shapes: Enabled
Max Gap: 0.00 Text Margin: 0.0000 4 Enter a data point within the new park area, below Stenson park, as indicated.
The shape boundary highlights. 5 Enter another data point to accept the shape.
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Module Review
Module Review
Questions
1 2 3 True or False: An active creation tool can only be used to draw one object. To draw two objects you must select the tool again. Name three methods you can use to create a region. What is a filled shape?
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Module Review
Answers
1 True or False: An active creation tool can only be used to draw one object. To draw two objects you must select the tool again. False. 2 Name three methods you can use to create a region. Union, Difference, Intersection, and Flood. 3 What is a filled shape? A filled shape is filled with a color or gradient of colors, rather than being just an outline.
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Module Review
Module Review
In completing this module you have learned how to: Add elements to designs Determine which tool is best for a particular task Apply knowledge about familiar tools to new tools Use the Drawing tasks
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Additional Element Attributes

Module Overview
Controlling element attributes is important for many reasons, the most important of which is CAD Standards. There are several other attributes that can be controlled besides level, color, style and weight. To ensure that a design complies with established standards, you will use element templates and structured workflows.
Knowledge of MicroStations interface Knowledge of basic MicroStation tools
Module Objectives
After completing this module, you will be able to: Apply element templates Create filled, outlined and gradient filled elements
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Questions
1 2 3 4 Describe two methods of placing an arc. True or False: When the Diameter option in the tool settings is checked, Place Circle will place fixed diameter circles by the center point. True or False: Create Region by Flood cannot jump gaps. When using the Zoom In tool, the shaded zoom windows size and shape is controlled by what two features?
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Answers
1 Describe two methods of placing an Arc. Start, Center; Center, Start; Start, Mid, End; Start, End, Mid. 2 True or False: When the Diameter option in the tool settings is checked, Place Circle will place fixed diameter circles by the center point. True. 3 True or False: Create Region by Flood cannot jump gaps. False, Flood has a Maximum Gap option. 4 When using the Zoom In tool, the shaded zoom windows size and shape is controlled by what two features? Window aspect ratio and zoom ratio.
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Element Attribute Basics
Element Attribute Basics

The first tool in the Attributes tool bar is the Active Element Template tool. Element templates are named sets of element parameters that can be used to set the active attributes. Selecting an element template will activate the settings stored in the template. The tool tip will show you the template that is active.
Element Templates
Administrators can create tools that are linked to element templates so that the appropriate settings are used every time the tool is used. When attributes are set this way you have the ability to link the attributes to the elements that are placed using them. The elements attributes will update if the template definition is updated. Exercise: Change the active settings using an element template 1 In the MicroStation Manager set the following: Project: Building 2 3 4 Open BSI300AE101-Plan.dgn. Take note of the attributes that are currently active in the Attributes tool bar. In the Attributes tool bar, click the arrow next to the Active Element Template tool. The available element templates are listed in a hierarchy tree.
In the Architectural template group, expand Interiors and select the Furniture template from the Furnishings template group.
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Structured Workflow: Tools and Standards in one Icon
The template is set and the active attributes change. All the settings necessary for placing furniture are set by selecting the template.
In the Callouts template group select the Label template. The attributes change once again. Review some other templates. Select File > Close.
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Using and locking Element Templates

There is an important difference between using and locking the active element template. In both cases elements will have properties that are defined in the template, but they will eventually behave differently. When you use the template by selecting one from the hierarchy tree, the active attribute settings change to the properties defined in the template. When you place an element, the element will have the templates attributes, but it is not locked, or linked, to the template. If the template properties are changed, these elements will not change. When a template is locked, the active attribute settings change to the properties defined in the template and elements will have the templates attributes. Elements are also associated with, or locked to, the template. If the template is stored in the active DGN file, these associated elements will update automatically when properties in their template are modified. If the template is from a library file, known as a DGNLIB, you can use the key-in DGNLIB UPDATE TEMPLATE to synchronize properties. To lock a template, set the template by selecting one from the hierarchy tree then click the Active Element Template tool so that it is depressed.

A structured workflow is a set of tools with built-in standards organized into a series of tasks By combining Element Templates with custom tools, administrators can create a structured workflow. To create structured workflow an administrator will construct a data model using element templates and design the tools.
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The Chess Structured Workflow

The Chess workflow allows you to create and populate a chess board and also show the last moves. An annotation tool is given to take notes. Exercise: Create a chess board 1 In the MicroStation Manager set the following: Project: General 2 3 Create a new file named chess.dgn and open it. Notice that the default Attributes are: Level: Frame Color: 0 Style: 0 Weight: 2 4 5 Click the Task List icon and select the Construct Chess Board task. Select the Place Black Square (Q) tool. Note the change in active attributes when you selected the tool. These are defined for the tool. 6 Following the status bar prompt, place a black square in the lower left of the frame.
Select the Place White Square (E) tool.
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Snap to the lower right of the black square and place a white square.
Place alternating squares until you have a 4 by 4 grid.
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Exercise: Place pieces and annotate 1 2 Continuing in chess.dgn, click the Task List icon and select the Place Chess Pieces task. Select the piece of your choice and place it in the lower left square.
Place a another piece in another location.
4 5
Click the Task List icon and select the Annotate Chess Diagram task. Select CDArrow (E). Note the change in the active attributes.
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Filled Elements
Place an arrow from the center of the first piece to the center of the second.
Filled Elements
The Fill attribute applies only to closed elements such as circles, ellipses, and shapes (polygons). By default, a closed element has lines that define the area occupied by the element and the area of the element inside the outline is transparent.
Unfilled and Filled elements
The black and white squares we just placed were filled elements. A closed element is filled when the area within the outline is a solid area of color. The elements fill color is determined by the Active Fill Color set in the tool settings at time of an elements placement. When an elements Fill Type is Opaque, you see a solid shape. In this case, the lines defining the element are not discernible since the fill has the same color. When an elements Fill Type is Outlined you can select a fill color that is different than the outline color.
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Filled Elements
The fill color is by one of four types; Indexed color, RGB color, Color Books, and Gradient colors.
When selecting a fill color, the Gradient Fill tab is available when the fill type is opaque or outlined. A gradient fill takes multiple colors and interpolates them across the element surface. You can select colors by clicking the tiles below the display bar. Settings provide options to control the gradient. Set the type of gradient to Linear, Curved, Cylindrical, Spherical, or Hemispherical. Color Mode sets the number of points where you can change the color. These are called Keys. You can add keys by setting this to Multiple and clicking anywhere in the bar. To delete an additional key, select the box on the upper part of the key. It will turn blue. Then press the Delete key on the keyboard. Exercise: Reviewing Gradients 1 2 Open Element Properties.dgn. Window Area around the Gradients frame.
Review the gradient types.
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Filled Elements
When you have reviewed them, select File > Close.
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Module Review
Module Review
Questions
1 2 3 Name three element attributes. What type of elements can have fill? What is the difference between a locked and unlocked element template?
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Module Review
Answers
1 Name three element attributes. Level, color, style, weight, class, priority, transparency, template. 2 What type of elements can have a fill? Closed elements. 3 What is the difference between a locked and unlocked element template? A locked template is linked to the source definition of the template and changes with the source. An unlocked template is not linked to the source, but uses the source definition once at element creation time.
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Module Summary
Module Summary
You are now able to: Apply element templates Create filled, outlined and gradient filled elements
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The Level System

Module Overview
MicroStations level system, called layers in other applications, allows you to classify elements. By classifying the elements by level you can control the levels for drafting and display. Use MicroStations level system and associated DGNLIBs to control standards and produce quality designs the first time.
Fundamental knowledge of the Microsoft Windows operating system Knowledge of MicroStations interface Knowledge about MicroStation viewing Knowledge of basic element attributes
Module Objectives
After completing this module, you will be able to: Draft on any available level Create new levels Check a design for level accuracy Control display of data through levels
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The Level System
Questions
1 2 3 4 True or False: Level is an element attribute. Why are levels important in the production of quality designs? List three element attributes that can be controlled by level. How can you determine the level on which an element exists?
The Level System
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Answers
1 True or False: Level is an element attribute. True. Just like color or weight, the level on which an element is placed is one of its attributes. 2 Why are levels important in the production of quality designs? They are the key parameter in CAD standards. 3 List three element attributes that can be controlled by level. Color, line style, weight. 4 How can you determine the level on which an element exists? Use Element Info, Quick Info or place the pointer over an element and check the AccuSnap pop-up information.
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The Level System
Level Basics
Level Basics
Levels, or layers in other applications, are used to logically organize the features in a design. A well designed level schema will enable you to selectively turn on or off particular features, or themes, in a design.
Working with Multiple Levels

Each level has a name and is stored in the DGN file. The display of elements residing on particular levels can be turned on and off so you can see only the information you want to see. Turning the levels on or off changes the display status of the elements that reside on the selected levels. Exercise: Level display 1 In the MicroStation Manager set the following: Project: Civil 2 Open BSI400-P01-Plan_Profile.dgn. It is difficult to tell which levels are being used without a guide. 3 Click the Level Display tool in the Primary Tools tool bar. Levels that show a bullet in the Used column contain elements in the active model. Those without bullets are empty, or unused, levels. 4 In the Level Display dialog, click on the level name Plan Text Titles. The elements in the title block are turned off which indicates they were placed on the Plan Text Titles level. Levels are turned on in the same way. 5 Click on the level name Plan Text Titles. The title block text is now displayed. Exercise: Viewing multiple levels 1 2 3 Continuing in BSI400-P01-Plan_Profile.dgn, open View 2. Select Window > Tile. Fit View in both view windows. The Level Display dialog contains controls that affects the display of levels in different view windows. 4 In the Level Display dialog, click on the View 1 view toggle. Changes to the display status of levels is now disabled for View 1. 5 Click on the level Plan Text Notes.
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Working with Multiple Levels
The display of the selected level is turned off in View 2 while View 1 remains unaffected. 6 In the Level Display dialog, click on the minus sign preceding the file name BSI400P01-Plan_Profile.dgn to collapse the tree.
The Level Display dialog now shows all levels including those in the attached references. 7 Right click on the list of levels in the Level Display dialog and select All On from the pop-up menu.
Elements on all levels are now displayed in View 2. As with many MicroStation dialogs, right clicking on a column title lets you add or remove additional columns from a pop-up menu. In addition, columns can be sorted ascending or descending by left clicking on the column titles.
The active level

The level on which new elements are placed is referred to as the active level and it has the following characteristics: Only one level can be the active level. The active level is the same in all views. The active level can not be turned off. The Level display dialog shows the active level with a green highlight.
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The Level System
Moving Elements Between Levels
The name of the active level is shown in the Attributes tool bar as well as in the status bar.
To set: Double click a selected level in the Level Display or Level Manager dialog. Select the level from the level option list in the Attributes tool bar.
Note: To retain the currently active level when re-opening the file, save the settings by selecting File > Save Settings.

You may find that you dont always create elements on the level where they belong, so you may spend time moving elements between levels. Just as you might change a lines color or weight, you can also change its assigned level. In the following exercise, the level that a string of text resides on will be changed. Exercise: Changing levels 1 Continuing in BSI400-P01-Plan_Profile.dgn, Window Area around the title block in the lower right corner of View 1.
2 3
Move the pointer over the text string STA. 10+00 to STA. 24+00 and note that it is on the level Plan Text Titles. Select Change Element Attributes (5 + 1) with the following tool settings: Method: Change Level: Enabled and set to Plan Prop Alignment Text Enter a data point on the text string STA. 10+00 to STA. 24+00. Enter a data point to accept. Move the pointer over the text string and note that the level has changed.
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Changing levels by matching attributes

The Change Element Attributes tool can be used to move elements to a different level. It can also be used to change other element attributes. In the following exercise, the redline modifications require you to change the symbology, including the level, for the curves that are indicated.
Change the following curves to the level Survey Exist Flowline
Exercise: Use Change Element Attributes to make changes 1 2 3 Open BSI400-W01-Survey.dgn. Fit View if necessary, to see the entire design. Place the pointer over the blue flow line element, press <Alt> and left click to set the active attributes.
The attributes changes to match the line. 4 Select Change Element Attributes (5 + 1) with the following tool settings: Method: Change
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The Level System
Level Definitions
Use Active Attributes: Enabled Level, Color, Style and Weight: Enabled All other options: Disabled 5 Click on each of the green curves that were indicated and enter a data point to change the level color, weight and style.
Move the pointer over the curves and note that, not only have the attributes changed, they are now on the Survey Exist Flowline level.
Hint: Remember that to set the active attributes to an existing element, place the pointer over the element whose attributes you want to match, press <Alt> and left click to set the active attributes.
Level Definitions
The Level Manager dialog is used to create, delete, modify and otherwise manage level definitions. Exercise: Create a new level 1 2 Continuing in BSI400-W01-Survey.dgn.dgn, click the Level Manager icon in the Primary Tools tool bar. Click New Level in the Level Manager. New Level (0) appears. 3 Change the name to Survey Exist Landscape.
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Level Definitions
Level attributes
A levels properties are set and modified by using the Level Manager dialog. This includes its name, color, weight, and style definitions. Additional properties can be viewed and changed by enabling the display of additional columns. Exercise: Settings attributes for the new level 1 2 3 4 5 6 Continuing in BSI400-W01-Survey.dgn, in the Level Manager, click in the color column for the new level. Select color 2. Click in the Style column. Click on style 4. Click in the Weight column. Click on weight 1. The color, weight and style attributes assigned to the level are referred to as ByLevel attributes.
ByLevel attributes
Rather than manually selecting a color, weight and style, design elements can be placed with symbology settings inherited from the level upon which they are placed. Referred to as ByLevel Symbology, these symbology settings are managed in the Level Manager dialog. AutoCAD users will recognize this as ByLayer attributes. Placing elements in the design file with ByLevel symbology requires the active color, weight and style to be set to ByLevel in the Attributes tool bar. When elements are placed with the ByLevel attributes, and the level symbology definitions are changed, the elements automatically reflect the changes. Exercise: Place an element with ByLevel symbology 1 Continuing in BSI400-W01-Survey.dgn.dgn, note the settings in the Attributes tool bar. The active color, weight and style are set to ByLevel as indicated by the icons. Elements placed with ByLevel attributes will inherit the symbology defined for the level. 2 Make Survey Exist Landscape the active level. The active symbology changes to reflect those defined when the level was created. 3 Select Place SmartLine (Q + 1).
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The Level System
Level Definitions
Place a SmartLines, as shown.

Add lines to show Landscape boundary
Reset.
To set the active color, weight or style to ByLevel, select the ByLevel option from the corresponding pop-up menu.
ByLevel option when the color attribute in the Attributes tool bar is clicked
Symbology options
Each level has two distinct sets of symbology attributes which are defined in the Level Manager. In each case, the Symbology option must be set accordingly prior to defining the attributes. The options are ByLevel, which are inherited by elements placed on the level and Overrides, which are only displayed when the Level Overrides view attribute is enabled.
Symbology option set to ByLevel and Overrides
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Level Definitions
Exercise: Display using user defined Override symbology 1 2 Continuing in BSI400-W01-Survey.dgn, in the Level Manager, change Symbology to Override. Set the following override symbology for the level Survey Exist Landscape: Color: 7 Style: 0 Weight: 2 3 4 5 Click the View Attributes tool in the view control tool box. Enable the Level Overrides check box. Note the change in the symbology in View 1.
All elements display the override symbology
Transparency and priority

In addition to color, weight and style, levels also have transparency and priority attributes. Both transparency and priority can be used to manage the display of overlapping elements in 2D design files. In 3D files, the z-depth of an element controls its visibility. Exercise: Enable transparency and add the level column 1 Set the following in the MicroStation Manager: Project: Geospatial
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The Level System
Level Definitions
Open BSI400-M06-Wards.dgn.
3 4
In the View Attributes dialog, ensure that the Transparency check box is enabled. In the Level Manager, right click on a column title and select Transparency to see the column.
Exercise: Assign transparency 1 2 3 Continuing in BSI400-M06-Wards.dgn, in the Level Manager, right click on Level Filters in the left pane and select New. Rename the filter Poll Nos. In the right pane of the dialog, in the Name column of the new row, enter: No_s
4 5 6
Press <Enter>. Select the resulting levels. Click in the Transparency column for one of the selected levels and select 50 from the pop-up dialog. The poll numbers recede in the view. This mutes the appearance of the boundaries, but they are still visible. Select File > Close.
If you assign priority to a level, the elements on that level either appear in front of those with lesser priority, or behind those with greater priority.
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Module Review
Module Review
Questions
1 2 3 How many levels can you have in one file? True or False: Level Display controls apply only to all views. Level definitions can be created and edited in which dialog?
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The Level System
Module Review
Answers
1 How many levels can you have in one file? 4.29 billion or 232 2 True or False: Level Display controls apply only to all views. False. Display can apply to all views, a single view or a group of views. 3 Level definitions can be created and edited in which dialog? The Level Manager.
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Module Summary
Module Summary
You are now able to: Draft on any available level Create new levels Check a design for level accuracy Control display of data through levels
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The Level System
Module Summary
The Level System
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Working with Existing Elements

Module Overview
Often existing elements need to be modified in some way. They may need to be moved or copied, or they may need to be extended or trimmed. MicroStation provides many tools to help you manipulate and modify existing elements. In addition, you will group multiple elements for manipulation and modification, and change elements accurately.
Fundamental knowledge of MicroStations interface Knowledge about MicroStation viewing Knowledge about MicroStation tool usage
Module Objectives
After completing this module, you will be able to: Use the manipulation and modification tools to modify a design Use Element Selection to work with multiple elements and obtain information about those elements Edit graphical elements quickly and easily Add patterns and hatches to highlight an area
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Questions
1 2 3 4 In which task are the Manipulate and Modify tools found? Name two ways to turn off the display of text in a view. In the Level Display dialog, what does the green highlight color mean? Name two ways to change the active level.
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Answers
1 In which task are the Manipulate and Modify tools found? The Main task. 2 Name two ways to turn off the display of text in a view. Turn off display of the level the text is on, or turn off the Text view attribute. 3 In the Level Display dialog, what does the green highlight color mean? It indicates the active level. 4 Name two ways to change the active level. In the Attributes tool box, double click on level name in the Level Manager or Level Display dialogs, key-in LV=<level name>.
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Manipulation and Modification
Manipulation and Modification

There is more to drafting than just placing elements in a design. You will often need to change elements after they have been created. The tools in the Manipulate tool box are used to copy, move, resize and otherwise manipulate entire elements. Tools in the Measure tool box allow you to determine distances between elements.
Basic Manipulation Tools

The Manipulate tool box can be accessed from the Main tool box or by pressing 3 when the focus is at Home.
In addition, several manipulation tools are available from the reset menu. The reset menu option is defined during the first MicroStation session when you press the right mouse button for the first time.
Changing element position Move Element

The Move Element tool is used to move entire elements from one location in the file to another. This tool requires two data points; one to select the element and a second to identify the new location.
Align Edges
This tool provides an easy way to align elements to a common edge on another element. A variety of tool settings are available to determine the manner by which to align the element
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and also whether the original elements should be copied. Status bar prompts provide detailed instructions about the selection order required to align the elements. Exercise: Align notes 1 In the MicroStation Manager, set the following: Project: General 2 3 Open Text.dgn. In the View Groups dialog at the bottom left of the application window, select TextStyles Views to open that model.
The notes in the frame as aligned about an imaginary center line. This will be changed so they are aligned with the left most edge of the top note. 4 Select Element Selection (1) with the following tool settings: Method: Block Mode: Add
Following the status bar prompt, place a block around the text strings below Title text style (from DGNLib).
Select Align Elements by Edge (3 + 7) with the following tool settings:
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Align: Left Make Copy: Disabled 7 Enter a data point on the string Title text style (from DGNLib).
This becomes the base element for the alignment. 8 Enter a data point to accept. The text strings align to the left. 9 In the Element Selection tool settings, click Clear to release the selection set.
Move to Contact
The Move to Contact tool is used to move one or more elements in a defined direction until they make contact with another element. Exercise: Use the Move to Contact tool 1 2 Open Base Geometry.dgn From the View Groups dialog, select LinearElements Views to open that model.
Select Move to Contact (3 + 0).
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Following the status bar prompt, select the upper left horizontal line.
Define the direction by moving the pointer to the left and entering a data point.
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Undo the move. Select the horizontal line again. Following the status bar prompt, move the pointer upward.
Enter a data point to move the element.
Notice that the element is now positioned to top of the frame border. 10 Undo the move.
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Rotate
The Rotate tool rotates one or more elements based upon options set in the tool settings. For example, elements can be rotated about an active angle, or dynamically by either two or three points. The elements can also be copied and rotated about their centers, simultaneously.
Mirror
The Mirror tool is used to mirror selected elements about a horizontal, vertical or userdefined line. The tool settings offer additional options such as making a copy of the original element and mirroring the elements about their own centers. Mirror About Horizontal mirrors the element with respect to the x-axis. The mirrored element changes vertically, top to bottom or bottom to top.
Mirror About Vertical mirrors the element with respect to the y-axis. The mirrored element changes horizontally, left to right or right to left.
Mirror About Line mirrors the element around a user-defined axis. The mirrored element changes around the defined axis line.
Mirror line
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Changing Element Size
The mirror tool also has an option to make copies.
Changing Element Size

Scale
This tool scales selected elements by either an active scale value, or interactively, when you enter data points. Options for this tool include making a copy of the original element during the scaling process, as well as the ability to scale elements about their own centers. There is a padlock icon to the right of the X Scale and Y Scale fields in the tool settings. If the padlock is unlocked, or open, you can adjust the X Scale and Y Scale factors independently of each other. When the padlock is locked, or closed, adjusting one scale value will automatically adjust the other when you press Tab. The padlock can be locked and unlocked by clicking on it. Many tools have this feature. Exercise: Scale and copy the footer 1 2 Continuing in Base Geometry.dgn, open the Polygons model. Select Scale (3 + 3) with the following tool settings: Method: Active Scale X & Y Scale: 0.5000 About Element Center: Enabled Copies: Enabled and set to 1 3 Following the status bar prompt, enter a data point on the first octagon in the second row of elements.
Enter a data point to create a scaled copy.
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Making Copies of Elements
The About Element Center option scales an element around its center point rather than the point at which you selected the element. 5 Select File > Close.

Copy
This tool requires one data point to select the element and a second one to define both the distance and direction to copy. The Copies option in the tool settings allows you to specify the desired number of copies. Using this method, one data point will result in multiple copies. The space between the copies is determined by the distance between the original element and second data point. Hint: For precise placement, snap to specific monument points, such as a center point, on the original element. AccuDraw can also be used to space the copies accurately. Exercise: Copy the symbols 1 In the MicroStation Manager, set the following: Project: Geospatial 2 3 Open BSI200-M02-City Small.dgn. Zoom In to the area indicated.
Click the Active Locks icon in the status bar and click Graphic Group to turn the lock off.
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Select Copy (3 + 1) with the following tool setting: Copies: 1 Following the status bar prompt, move the pointer over the symbol at the Lansdowne Place shopping center. When AccuSnap snaps to the center of the symbol, enter a data point.
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Enter a data point near the intersection of Clonsilla Ave. and Lansdowne St. W.
Place a copy of a shopping center below the golf club
Reset.
10 Press and hold the right mouse button and select Copy from the pop-up menu.
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11 Following the status bar prompt, snap to the center of an existing skate symbol, enter a data point to accept and place a copy across the street from the new shopping center.
12 Reset. Exercise: Copy using a fence 1 Continuing in BSI200-M02-City Small.dgn, use the view controls to adjust the view until you see the hospital, health and ambulance symbols that are north east of the golf club at Wallis and Weller.
Select Place Fence (2 + 1) with the following tool settings: Fence Type: Shape Fence Mode: Inside
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Following the status bar prompt, place a fence shape around the symbols.
Select Copy with the following tool settings: Copies: 1 Use Fence: Enabled and set to Inside Following the status bar prompt, enter a data point inside the fence. Enter a data point to place the copies above Chamberlain St.
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Reset. To dismiss the fence, enter a data point in the view.
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Move/Copy Parallel
Use this tool to relocate a selected element to a new position. It modifies individual vertices of the element, yet maintains a path that is parallel to the original path. A variety of tool settings let you specify how corners are handled, the distance to use, as well as whether to use the active attributes. When Use Active Attributes is enabled, the moved or copied element inherits the current color, weight and style attributes. There is also a copy option. Exercise: Copy parallel 1 In the MicroStation Manager, set the following: Project: General 2 3 4 Open Base Geometry.dgn. Open the ComplexChainsShapes model. Select Move Parallel (3 + 9), with the following tool settings. Mode: Miter Distance: 25.00 Make Copy: Enabled 5 Following the status bar prompt, select the blue complex chain on the right and move the pointer away from it.
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Enter a data point to accept.
Reset.
Exercise: Copy Parallel with the define distance option 1 Continuing in Base Geometry.dgn, open the LinearElements model.
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Zoom In on the Construct Minimum Distance Line geometry. Select Move/Copy Parallel (3 + 9). Click the Define Distance icon. Following the status bar prompt, snap to the top of the red line and enter a data point.
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Following the status bar prompt, snap to the bottom of the line and enter a data point.
The measured distance is entered in the tool settings distance field. 7 Click at the end of the distance field so the cursor appears there, enter /2, then press <Enter>. The pop-up calculator divides the displayed distance by a value of 2 and enters the result in the distance field. 8 Select the upper arc and move the pointer downward.
Enter a data point.
10 Reset.
Array
Construct Array creates multiple copies of elements and places them in rectangular, polar, or path based patterns at regularly spaced intervals. A rectangular array copies elements into a specified number of columns and rows. The spacing between elements can be different for each direction. The amount of spacing is the distance from the center of one element to the center of the next element.
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Exercise: Place columns using a rectangular array 1 2 Continuing in Base Geometry.dgn, open the Points model. Select Construct Array (3 + 6) with the following tool settings: Method: Rectangular Active Angle: 0 Rows: 2 Columns: 2 Row Spacing: -30.00 Column Spacing: 50.00 3 Following the status bar prompt, enter a data point on the arrow cell.
You see a preview of the center points of the arrayed elements.
A polar array copies elements around a point, circle, or arc and the circular spacing of elements is specified in degrees of rotation. Exercise: Create a polar array 1 Continuing in Base Geometry.dgn, Points model, select Construct Array with the following tool settings: Method: Polar Items: 12 Delta Angle: 30.00 Rotate Items: Disabled
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Following the status bar prompt, enter a data point on Character B.
Set the arrays center point by indexing to the X-axis and entering 75 into the AccuDraw window.
You see a preview of the center points of the arrayed elements.
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Undo the polar array. Change the following tool setting: Rotate Items: Enabled Select Character B, index to the X-axis and enter 75 into the AccuDraw window.
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Working with Groups of Elements
Enter a data point.
Reset.
Note: A pop-up calculator is built into the Delta Angle field. This would enable you to key in 360/12 to obtain the 30 degree delta angle.

Elements can be manipulated individually or in groups.
The Fence
One method of manipulating multiple elements is to gather them with a fence. This temporary outline around the elements allows you to manipulate them together. The Place Fence tool has a variety of options, including the type of fence to place, and controls that determines which elements will be manipulated. Once a fence has been defined, it can be used with many tools by simply enabling the Use Fence option in the tool settings. The Fence tool box also contains tools that use a fence once it is in the file. Exercise: Place a fence block 1 Continuing in Base Geometry.dgn, Points model, select Place Fence (2 + 1) with the following tool settings: Fence Type: Block Fence Mode: Inside This mode affects elements located within the fence boundary.
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Following the status bar prompt, enter two diagonal data points to completely surround the first row of graphics, as shown.
Fence modes The Fence Mode option determines whether elements or parts of elements are to be processed by a manipulation tool such as copy, move, rotate and mirror. Inside will process only those elements that are completely within the boundary of the fence. Overlap processes all elements that are either crossing (overlapping) the fence, or completely within the fence boundary. Clip will process those elements that are completely within the fence, as well as the inside portions of elements that cross or overlap the fence boundary. Void processes only those elements that are completely outside of the fence boundary. Void-Overlap will process those elements that are completely outside or overlapping the fence boundary. Void-Clip processes those elements that are completely outside the fence as well as the outside portions of elements that cross or overlap the fence boundary.
Manipulate Fence Contents

As its name implies, this tool has options that let you manipulate the elements gathered by a fence. The Fence Mode can be set in the tool settings. Remember though, you can simply enable the Use Fence option with most all manipulation tools.
Stretch Element
Find this tool in the Manipulate tool box. It moves only those endpoints and vertices that lie within a fence. This results in the element segments being extended to maintain geometric relationships. Ellipses, circles and cells remain unaffected unless they are completely inside
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the fence in which case they'll be moved. This tool allows you to define a fence, which eliminates the need to place one in advance.
Before and after stretching
Using this tool, you could place a fence to include a window or door and move the feature along a wall. You could also change the size of the feature by including only the start or end in the fence.
Named Fences
When you place a fence with the Place Fence tool, you have the option of saving it as a named fence. Named fences let you store and recall fences with names that you define. They are stored in the active DGN file and a separate list of named fences is stored for each model. To see a list of saved fences in the active model, expand the tool settings.
The fences are stored as regular elements that can be manipulated with any of the modification tools. When a named fence is selected, the fence element highlights.
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Creating named fences Create named fences by clicking the create icon in the tool settings. Exercise: Create a named fence 1 In the MicroStation Manager, set the following: Project: Plant 2 3 4 Open BSI700-D1102-001-HT Detail.dgn. Select Place Fence (2 + 1) and expand the tool settings. Place a Fence Block around the detail at the upper left.
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In the Place Fence tool settings, click Create Named Fence from Active Fence. Change the name from Untitled to Tank. The current fence boundary is now a saved Named Fence. Place a fence block around the detail at the lower left.
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Create a named fence named Tank Front. Click the Display check box for both named fences in the Place Fence tool settings. The boundaries of the named fences are displayed. Use them to locate named fences when there are many named fences in a model.
10 Select Tank Front and click Delete Named Fence. 11 Select File > Close.
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Deleting a named fence only deletes the entry in the named fence list. The graphics remain in the file. To delete the graphics, use the Delete Element tool. Hint: Enable the Settings > Snaps > AccuSnap setting Enable for Fence Create so you can use AccuSnap during fence placement.
The Element Selection tool and selection sets

The Element Selection tool is used to select multiple elements for processing. When more than one element is selected with this tool it is referred to as a selection set. Selection methods allow you to select individual elements or multiple elements by using a block, shape, circle or line. Clicking twice on the block, shape or circle method will activate the overlap mode. A variety of modes let you add or subtract elements to the current selection set, invert the selection set or clear the set.
When you select an element using Element Selection, MicroStation places edit handles at the elements vertices. Handles are not shown when you select by dragging a rectangle or use the Block, Shape, Circle, or Line selection methods. When Disable Edit Handles is enabled, edit handles are not shown for any selected elements. Reviewing and editing Extended settings in the tool settings dialog allow you to select elements by one or more attributes such as level, color, style, weight, type and class. For existing selection sets, the attributes of the selected elements appear in a highlighted group at the top of each tab.
Top row, left to right: Element Type, Element Class and Element Template tabs Bottom row, Level, Color, Style and Weight tabs
To add elements by attributes to an existing selection set, simply select an attribute that is not highlighted. If an element exists with that attribute, it will be added to the set. To remove elements with specific attributes from the current set, simply select the attribute from the highlighted list at the top of each tab.
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Exercise: Selection by Attributes 1 In the MicroStation Manager, set the following: Project: Civil 2 3 4 5 Open BSI400-W01-Survey.dgn. Select Element Selection (1) and expand the tool settings. Select the color tab. Click on color 2. All elements that are color 2 are selected. 6 Select the Level tab. All the selected elements are on the level Survey Exist Trees. 7 Click other tabs. You see the attributes of the selected elements grouped and highlighted at the top of each tab. 8 Click Clear in the tool settings to release the selection set.
Selecting edit handles Enable Select Handles to show edit handles on the selected elements. This switch can be activated after the elements have been added to a set. The Disable Handles icon must be inactive to use Select Handles. In the following exercise, redline modifications require you to enlarge a building.
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Exercise: Select handles to enlarge a building 1 Continuing in BSI400-W01-Survey.dgn, Zoom In on the lower building.
Select the Element Selection tool with the following tool settings: Method: Individual Mode: Add Select Handles: Enabled
Select the building.
Enable Select Handles.
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Press and hold the <Ctrl> key and click on each of the four handles on the left side of the building.
The handles change color. 6 Drag one of the handles to the left to modify the shape.
Only the elements that are part of the secondary selection set are extended. 7 Click Clear in the tool settings.
Hint: You can hold the <Shift> + <Ctrl> keys on the keyboard and then drag an overlap rectangle to select elements.
Graphic groups
Graphic groups are collections of elements that can be manipulated together when the Graphic Group lock is enabled. When the lock is disabled, all elements are treated individually.
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As with other locks, the graphic group lock can be accessed by selecting the lock icon on the right side of the status bar. The graphic group lock can also be set by selecting Settings > Locks > Full to open the Locks dialog or select Settings > Locks > Toggles. The tools used to create and drop graphic groups are found in the Groups tool box which is accessed from the Main tool box.
Group tools
Creating graphic groups Use the Add to Graphic Group tool to do the following. Create a graphic group. Add elements to an existing graphic group. Combine two or more existing graphic groups into a single graphic group.
Note: Selection sets can be used to create graphic groups and named groups.
Named Groups
Named groups are the most flexible method for grouping elements together. When an element is part of a named group it is referred to as a member. Named group options allow you to define how members will respond when manipulated or selected. Exercise: Create a named group and adding members 1 2 Continuing in BSI400-W01-Survey.dgn, Fit View. Select Add to Graphic Group (6 + 5) with the following tool settings: Named Group: Enabled 3 Click Create New Named Group in the tool settings.
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In the Create Named Group dialog, enter the name Building Info. The Description is optional. Leave the Select all members when any member selected check box disabled. If this check box is enabled, when one element in the named group is selected using the Element Selection tool, all members will be selected.
Click OK. The named group is listed in the tool settings. Set the following tool setting: Member Type: Active Select each building and accept with a data point.
Click the magnifying glass in the tool settings to open the Named Groups dialog.
The group has 2 members
Elements can be added to a group individually, or the Element Selection tool can be used to select multiple elements. 9 Select Element Selection, expand the tool settings and select the Level tab. The 8 driveway elements are selected. 11 In the Named groups dialog, highlight the Building Info group. 12 Click Add Elements. 13 In the tool settings, set the Member Type to Passive. 14 Following the status bar prompt, enter a data point to add the selected elements to the group. 10 Click on the level Survey Exist Driveway.
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15 Clear the selection set.
The Graphic Group lock is off in the first image and on in the second image
Member types The Member Type options let you define how other members of the group are affected when one member is selected or manipulated. When the graphic group lock is off, both active and passive members can be operated on individually. When it is on, active members are operated on as a group, but passive members are still operated on individually. Exercise: Active and passive members 1 2 Continuing in BSI400-W01-Survey.dgn, select Move (3 + 2). Enter a data point on one of the buildings and move it. The single building moves. 3 4 5 Reset. Turn the Graphic Group lock on. Enter a data point on one of the buildings and move it. All elements in the group move. 6 7 Reset. Enter a data point on one of the driveway elements and move it. This element moves independently, even though the Graphic Group lock is on, because it is a passive member of the group. 8 Reset.
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Making Measurements
Making Measurements
MicroStations measuring tools function like any other tools. You enter data points in response to the status bar prompts. For accurate measuring, ensure that you use AccuSnap to snap to elements. In a default configuration, access the Measure tools from the Drawing tasks in the Task Navigation tool box.
Measuring distance
The Measure Distance tool is a general purpose tool that provides methods of measuring the distance between points, the distance along an element, a perpendicular distance from a selected element, or the minimum distance between two existing elements. These and other options are available in the tool settings. Exercise: Measure the distance between two points 1 Continuing in BSI400-W01-Survey.dgn, select Measure Distance (D + 1) with the following tool settings: Distance: Between Points Mode: True
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Making Measurements
Following the status bar prompt, snap to the lower left corner of the lower building and accept with a data point.
Following the status bar prompt, snap to the right corner of the lower edge and accept with a data point.
The distance between points is reported in the status bar and also in the tool settings. 4 Reset.
Hint: In the tool settings, double click on the resulting distance. Once highlighted, right click to get access to open the pop-up menu. Selecting Copy will place the distance on the system clipboard. Alternatively, you can press <Ctrl> + <C> to copy the selected value to the clipboard. This functionality is available throughout MicroStation. To measure a distance along an element, select the Along Element option. MicroStation will then calculate the distance between start and end points that are on the same element. The resulting measurement can include curves, multiple angles and corners. Exercise: Measure the distance along an element 1 Continuing in BSI400-W01-Survey.dgn, select Measure Distance with the following tool settings: Distance: Along Element Mode: True
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Making Measurements
Following the status bar prompt, snap to one end of the flowline on the upper right side of the design.
Accept with a data point. Dynamic shading follows the element in the direction the pointer moved. Following the status bar prompt, AccuSnap to the other end of the flowline.
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Enter a data point. Read the measured distance in the status bar or the tool settings. This is the distance between the two points, as measured along the element. Reset.
Another Measure Distance option is Minimum Between. Using this option, MicroStation finds the shortest straight line distance between two selected elements. In addition it also displays where the shortest distance occurs between the selected elements.
Measuring length
The Measure Length tool determines the total length of a selected element. The tool settings will also show the angle and elevation of the selected element.
Measuring a radius or an angle

These two tools have no options. Instead, they make straightforward measurements when you select the elements to measure.
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Making Measurements
Depending upon the type of element selected, the Measure Radius tool reports a variety of radius and diameter measurements. For example, selecting an ellipse or elliptical arc, the tool settings will show the measurements for the primary and secondary axes. The Measure Angle Between Lines tool reports the resulting angle in both the status bar and tool settings.
Measuring area
The Measure Area tool includes options for several different calculations. Set the method to Element to measure the total area enclosed within the perimeter of a closed element. The Points method allows you to dynamically define a closed polygon. The area within the boundaries of the polygon will display in the status bar and tool settings. Exercise: Measuring the area of the building 1 Continuing in BSI400-W01-Survey.dgn, select Measure Area (D + 5) with the following tool settings: Method: Element Area Unit: square ft 2 Enter a data point on the upper building.
The area and perimeter are reported in the tool settings. 3 Select File > Close.
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Using Patterns to Add Definition

Designs sometimes must designate specific areas, identify components or denote elevations. You can use the patterning tools for this. In a default configuration, access them from the Drawing tasks in the Task navigation tool box.
Patterning adds material and texture to elements to help express a role or function. For example, architectural wall sections might show insulation or concrete, while area on maps may show marshes or woods. Patterning is a view attribute which can be toggled on and off in the View Attributes dialog.
Hatch Area
Hatching is the repetitive placement of lines at a specific angle and spacing. The tool provides a variety of settings to control the appearance as well as placement of the hatch lines.
Pattern by single element, flood (enclosed area), union, intersection or difference between elements, an area defined by entering points, or using a fence
The Snappable Pattern option The Snappable Pattern option in the Patterns tools tool settings lets you use MicroStations standard snap modes to snap to the resulting pattern elements. In the following exercise, redline modifications require you to use Pattern tools to highlight areas of interest in a map. Exercise: Creating an area hatch pattern 1 In the MicroStation Manager, set the following:
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Project: Geospatial 2 3 Open BSI200-M06-Wards.dgn. Zoom In to the area of the Northcrest Ward 5.
Select Hatch Area (R + 1) with the following tool settings: Mode: Element Spacing: 50 Angle: 30 Enter a data point on the shape representing ward 501 to identify it as the shape to be hatched.
The shape highlights. 6 Enter a data point to accept the hatch pattern.
Reset.
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Crosshatch Area
Use Crosshatch Area to place intersecting hatch lines. This tool offers the same tool settings as the Hatch Area tool, with two additional fields to enter the spacing and angle of the second set of hatch lines. Lock the lock icons to enter the same value for both fields. If the additional fields are left blank, MicroStation will place the second set of hatch lines perpendicular to the first set. Exercise: Creating an area Crosshatch pattern 1 2 Continuing in BSI200-M06-Wards.dgn, Fit View. Zoom In to the area indicated.
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Set the active level to Hydrography Fill. Select Crosshatch Area (R + 2) with the following tool settings: Method: Flood Spacing: 50 Angle: -135 50 -45
Enter a data point inside the area indicated.
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Delete Pattern
Use Delete Pattern to delete patterning while restoring the original element components that were used to create the pattern. Exercise: Delete a pattern 1 2 3 Continuing in BSI200-M06-Wards.dgn, select Delete Pattern (R + 8). Move the pointer over a hatch line. When it highlights, enter a data point. The hatching is immediately deleted.
Pattern Area
Pattern Area is the repetitive placement of a symbol to show material. The symbol used is a MicroStation cell element which is simply a small drawing of a frequently used drafting symbol. Tool settings provide a variety of placement and spacing options. Exercise: Pattern using a cell 1 2 3 Open BSI200-M02-City Small.dgn. Set the active level to Golf property. Select Pattern Area (R + 3) and set Pattern Definition to From Cell. First you must select the cell to use. 4 5 6 7 8 Click the magnifying glass next to the Pattern field. In the Cell Library dialog, select File > Attach File. Navigate to the \cell folder. Select Geospatial.cel and click Open. Locate and highlight the cell named Grass.
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Click the Pattern button in the Active Cells section at the bottom of the Cell Library dialog. This allows the cell to be used with the Pattern Area tool.
10 Close the Cell Library dialog. 11 Set the following tool settings: Method: Flood Scale: 500 True Scale: Enabled 12 Enter a data point inside the area of the Karwatha Golf Course.
13 Enter a second data point to accept the area pattern.
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14 Select File > Close. When a hole element is drawn inside of a solid, enable Search for Holes in the extended tool settings. This setting offers a variety of methods to search for holes. Hole elements cannot be patterned.
Associative patterning
Associative Pattern creates patterns or hatches that are linked to the original element geometry. If the Method is set to Element, then the hatching is automatically updated when the original element is manipulated or modified. Exercise: Create an associative pattern 1 In the MicroStation Manager, set the following: Project: General 2 3 4 Open Element Manipulation.dgn. Open the Handles2D model. Set the following in the Attributes tool bar: Level: Default Weight: 0 5 Select Hatch area with the following tool settings: Method: Element Spacing: 10 Angle: 45 Associative Pattern: Enabled 6 7 Enter a data point on the polygon. Enter a data point to accept.
Select Modify Element (7 + 1).
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Enter a data point on a lower vertex to modify the polygon.
10 Move downward and enter a data point to accept.
The pattern automatically updates to reflect the new shape. 11 Select File > Close.
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Module Review
Module Review
Questions
1 2 3 Describe the process for copying multiple elements. True or False: You can use the Modify Element tool to modify a dimension line. Which of the following is true of named groups? a. Named groups can include elements from master and reference files. b. You can drag and drop an element into the Named Groups dialog to add it to a named group. c. Elements in a named group can be added to a DisplaySet or QuickSet. d. All of the above. 4 5 Name two methods for using the Measure Distance tool. Which method would you use to pattern an area made up of multiple elements?
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Module Review
Answers
1 Describe the process for copying multiple elements. First, use Element Selection or fence to select them. Then use the Copy tool. You can also copy an element multiple times using the Copies option in the tool settings. 2 True or False: You can use the Modify Element tool to modify a dimension line. True. 3 Which of the following is true of named groups? a. Named groups can include elements from master and reference files. b. You can drag and drop an element into the Named Groups dialog to add it to a named group. c. Elements in a named group can be added to a DisplaySet or QuickSet. d. All of the above. 4 Name two methods for using the Measure Distance tool. Along Element, Minimum Between, Between Points and Perpendicular. 5 Which method would you use to pattern an area made of multiple elements? Flood.
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Module Summary
Module Summary
You are now able to: Use the manipulation and modification tools to modify a design Use Element Selection to work with multiple elements and obtain information about those elements. Edit graphical elements in designs quickly and easily Add patterns and hatches to highlight an area
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Module Summary
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Modifying Existing Elements

Module Overview
This module explains how to change existing geometry and use MicroStations modification tools to edit existing geometry accurately.
Knowledge of MicroStations interface Knowledge about MicroStation views Knowledge about MicroStation tool usage
Module Objectives
After completing this module, you will be able to: Modify existing element properties Break and partially delete an element Trim and extend elements
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Questions
1 2 True or False: You can make multiple copies with the Copy Element tool. Which tool would you use to create the following pattern from an original element?
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How many previous commands can you undo in a MicroStation session? To place an AccuDraw compass on a snap point, which shortcut should you use?
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Answers
1 True or False: You can make multiple copies with the Copy Element tool. True. Copy has an option to make multiple copies. 2 Which tool would you use to create the following pattern from an original element?
Use Construct Array, Rectangular method, with a rotation of 45 degrees and 5 by 5 elements. 3 How many previous commands can you undo in a MicroStation session? Unlimited (to the extend of the undo buffer). 4 To place an AccuDraw compass on a snap point, which shortcut should you use? O for Set Origin.
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Basic Modification tools

There are several tools that can be used to modify the spatial geometry of existing elements.
Modify Element
Modify Element is an all-purpose modification tool that is used to change the spatial coordinates of an elements geometry. For example, with this tool you can do the following. Move the endpoint of a line Modify rounded segments of complex elements. Scale an arc while maintaining its sweep angle. Scale a block about the opposite vertex. Change a circle's radius or the length of one axis of an ellipse
The tool settings will change depending upon the element or vertex that is selected. Exercise: Use modifying different element types 1 2 3 Open Element Manipulation.dgn, in the General Project. Open the Handles2D model. Select Modify Element (7 + 1). Note that there are no tool settings available. 4 Enter a data point on the right end of the Linear Element.
The end closest to the data point used to select the element will be modified. Since this is a line string, no tool settings are necessary to modify the selected end point. 5 Snap to the end point of the line.
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Enter a data point. The selected end point is moved to the new location. Enter a data point on the right end of the arc.
Move the pointer. The arc end point can be moved in any direction, which causes the radius to change. Reset. Notice the tool settings now provide several options for modifying the arc. You can modify the arc angle, modify the radius about the center, or modify the radius while preserving the location of the end points.
10 Enter a data point on the center of the Arc.
11 Reset. 12 Select the lower left vertex of the yellow block.
In addition to moving the selected vertex to a new location, the tool settings also change to reflect available modification options. This includes changing the vertex type, radius, and an orthogonal toggle to maintain the vertex at right angles to its adjacent sides. 13 Reset. 14 Enter a data point on the bottom edge of the block and move the pointer. 15 Reset. 16 Select File > Close. When used with AccuDraw, the Modify Element tool provides the greatest degree of flexibility. For example, when selecting a circle AccuDraw switches to the Polar coordinate system, the compass moves to the center and it aligns to the view axis.
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Partial Delete
Partial Delete is used to remove unwanted portions of elements and has no options to alter its operation. Instead, the operation varies slightly depending upon the type of element selected. With linear elements, the first data point identifies both the element and start point for the partial delete. The second data point identifies the end of the partial delete. On closed shapes, the first data point identifies the element and start of the partial delete while the second establishes the direction and end point of the partial delete.
Break Element
Break Element allows you to break, or cut, an element at a defined point.
Extend Line
Extend Line lets you dynamically adjust the end point of a linear element while maintaining its direction. Use this tool to lengthen or shorten a line by entering a positive or negative distance in the tool settings.
Extend Elements to Intersection

This tool is used to extend or shorten lines, line strings or arcs to their intersection with another element. Depending upon the element geometry, one or both of the elements may be modified to create the necessary intersection.
Extend Element to Intersection

This tool is used to extend or shorten lines, line strings or arcs to their intersection with another element. Depending upon the existing geometry, the selected element will be modified to create the necessary intersection. In the following exercise, the redline modifications require you to modify roadways. Exercise: Use other element modifiers 1 In the MicroStation Manager, set the following: Project: Geospatial 2 Open BSI200-R03-Public Works.dgn.
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Window Area around the area indicated.
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Select Modify Element (7 + 1). Following the status bar prompt, enter a data point at the end of the road, as indicated.
Extend the road to the right, snapping to connect the roadway.
Select Extend Line (7 + 4).
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Following the status bar prompt, enter a data point at the end of road, as indicated.
Snap to the road below and enter a data point.
10 Select Partial Delete (7 + 2). 11 Enter a data point on the road, as indicated.
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12 Move the pointer to the right to create a break in the road and enter data point.
Trim Element
Use this tool to remove unwanted portions of elements to their intersection with a cutting element.
IntelliTrim
IntelliTrim is used to trim, extend or cut multiple elements. The trim and extend options require you to select a destination element, while the cut option requires a cutting line to be defined. Quick and Advanced modes IntelliTrim works in two modes. In the Quick mode, you identify a single cutting element followed by selection of elements to be trimmed. Exercise: Trim multiple elements 1 In the MicroStation Manager, set the following: Project: General 2 3 4 5 Open Base Geometry.dgn. Pan to an open area of the design. Select Place Block (W + 1) and follow the status bar prompts to draw a block. Select Place SmartLine (Q + 1).
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Draw lines through the block, as indicated.
Select IntelliTrim (7 + 8) with the following tool settings: Mode: Quick Operation: Trim Following the status bar prompts, enter a data point on the block.
The symbology of the block changes to reflect its status as the cutting element. 9 Drag a line through the portions of the elements that will be deleted.
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Changing Element Attributes
When you complete the line, the selected element portions are trimmed to intersect with the cutting element.
The Advanced mode provides additional options that allow you to select either multiple cutting elements or multiple trim elements. If elements are already part of a selection set, you decide whether the selected elements are the elements to trim or the cutting elements.

Using Element Selection
Resizing elements A quick way to resize an element is to modify the location of the edit handles the Element Selection tool places on elements. To do so, do the following. 1. Select the element using the Element Selection tool. 2. Select a handle and drag to a different location. 3. Enter a data point when the element is the correct size. Note that geometric relationships may not be maintained when elements are resized this way. Note: To constrain the existing angles and preserve geometric relationships, press <Alt> while moving the handle. Changing attributes The Element Selection tool can also be used to change element attributes. Select the element or elements and then set new attributes in the Attributes tool box. All selected elements will inherit the new attributes.
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Exercise: Change selected element attributes 1 Continuing in Base Geometry.dgn, select Element Selection (1) with the following tool settings: Mode: Line Method: Add
Drag a line across the trimmed lines on the left side.
In the Attributes tool bar, set the following: Color: 1 Style: 2 The element attributes are changed.
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Click Clear in the Element Selection tool settings. Select File > Close.
To change an active attribute to match the property of a selected element, drag the element into the Attributes tool bar and drop it on the corresponding icon. For example, to set the active line weight to match an existing element, use the Element Selection tool and drag and drop it on the Active Line Weight icon in the Attributes tool bar.
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To change all of the active attribute settings, drop the selected element on the Symbology Preview in the Attributes tool bar. If the Symbology Preview is not displayed, right click in the Attributes tool box and select it from the pop-up menu.
Element Information
This dialog is used to review or modify the properties of an element, such as its type, attributes, or even its geometry. The selected element, or elements, are listed in the top frame. Tabs appear in the bottom frame and change depending on the type of element you select. Information displayed on each of these tabs pertains to the element whose list entry is selected in the top frame. If you select the <Selection> entry, any changes made in the dialog will apply to all the selected elements. Exercise: Change element attributes using Element Info 1 In the MicroStation Manager set the following: Project: Civil 2 3 Open BSI400-D02-Details.dgn Select Element Selection with the following tool settings: Method: Individual Mode: Add
Select the title text in the title block.
Click the Element Information tool in the Primary tools tool bar. The Element Info dialog opens. Select Text Node in the top pane. In the Formatting section, click in the field next to the Font Name attribute. Select the font Times New Roman. Click Clear in the Element Selection tool settings.
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Returning Elements to a Simpler State
The text font has changed. If a field and its setting are grayed out, the value is read-only and cannot be modified.
Change Attributes tools

Use the Change Element Attributes tool settings to specify the new element attribute settings. Since you can match and change attributes using this tool, it is useful if you need to make repetitive changes to many different elements. Select the method you want to use, Change or Match and Change, then enable the check box for each attribute you want to match/change. If the Use active attributes check box is enabled, the active attributes will change when you change or match attribute settings. By default this is disabled so that the active attributes are not affected. To set the active element attributes so they match those of an element in the design, you can use the Match Element Attributes tool. Match All Element Settings, or SmartMatch, is used to change all active element attribute settings, including those specific to particular element types, so that they match the attributes of a selected element.

The tools in the Drop tool box are used to break complex elements into simpler components and to remove associations between elements. Drop Complex Status breaks up a complex element, like a SmartLine or line string, into its components. Enable the Line Strings/Shapes option to convert a line string or shape to a series of individual line elements. Exercise: Drop a complex element 1 2 Continuing in BSI400-D02-Details.dgn, Window Area around the detail at the lower right of the sheet; Splice & Rail Nut & Bolt. Select Element Selection (1), with the following tool settings: Mode: Individual Method: Add
Move the pointer over the detail geometry. The entire element highlights. Select Drop Element (6 + 1) with the following tool setting:
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Complex: Enabled 5 Enter a data point on the detail.
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Enter a data point to accept. Move the pointer over the detail geometry. It is now made up of text, circles and lines. Select File > Close.
The Drop Element tool can break up more complex elements, or elements of a special type, into simpler components.
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Module Review
Module Review
Questions
1 2 3 4 5 In what ways can you modify an arc? Name two element types on which you can use the Extend Element tool. If you want to create a fillet between two lines, do they need to be touching each other? Describe the functionality of the Trim Element tool when you have first selected all the elements in the set to be trimmed. What tool would you use to complete the following?
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Answers
1 In what ways can you modify an arc? Relocate the arc endpoint, arc radius, arc radius preserve endpoints, arc angle. 2 Name two element types on which you can use the Extend Element tool. Line, line string, arc. 3 If you want to create a fillet between two lines, do they need to be touching each other? No. 4 Describe the functionality of the Trim Element tool when you have first selected all the elements in the set to be trimmed. All elements are trim elements and cutting edges. 5 What tool would you use to complete the following:
Delete Part of Element.
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Module Summary
Module Summary
You are now able to: Modify existing element properties Break and partially delete an element Trim and extend elements
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Annotating Designs
Module Overview
MicroStation includes a variety of tools with which you can annotate the geometry in your designs. You can place single or multi line text, dimension geometry, revision clouds as well as detailing symbols. This module will help you understand how to annotate existing designs, use many of MicroStations annotation tools, and use available text and dimension standards.
Module Objectives
After completing this module, you will be able to: Use and apply Text tools Correctly dimension elements Place Revision Clouds Add and edit detailing symbols, such as call-out markers
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Questions
1 2 Why would it be important to specify an origin for a text string? What is a dimension?
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Using Text to Annotate Designs
Answers
1 2 It is the point, specified during text creation or placement, about which the text is placed. It corresponds to the data point when text is placed in a design. A label in a design showing a linear, angular, or radial distance or angle measurement.

Text elements are useful for including labels other than dimensions in a design. As an element, text is unique in that it has two distinct sets of attributes. There are element attributes such as color and text attributes such as font, slant and justification.
Text attributes
Fonts Fonts that are used to define the typeface of text elements are stored in external files that are referenced by MicroStation. This helps with the management of fonts and also helps to keep design file size reasonable. MicroStation can use and display Microsoft True Type fonts, MicroStation fonts and AutoCADs SHX fonts. Justification As with most other elements, text is positioned in the file with a data point which, in this case, is referred to as the origin, or insertion point.
The way the text is aligned about the origin is controlled by the texts justification.
Single and multi line text Justifications are Left Top, Center, and Right Bottom
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Text sizes Text size is determined by its height and width, which can be different values. Line spacing Line Spacing is the distance between individual lines of text in multi-line text. This value also specifies the distance text is placed away from an element when the placement method is set to Above, Below, or Along. Line spacing is commonly set to 1/2 to 2/3 of the text height. Setting Attributes You can set the text attributes that you want in the tool settings at the time of placement, or they can be set using a text style. A text style is a named collection of text attributes that are used to simplify their management.
Placing text
The most common tool for placing text in a file is Place Text which can be found in the Text tool box. The Text tool box is part of the Drawing tasks. Exercise: Open the word processor text editor 1 In the MicroStation Manager, set the following: Project: General 2 3 4 Open Text.dgn. Click the Task List icon. Expand the Drawing task by clicking the +.
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Select Text so those tools occupy the Task Navigation tool box.
You can also use the Task dialog by setting the Presentation Task Navigation preference in the Preferences dialog.
Select Place Text (Q). The word processor text editor appears.
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Unless it is already open, the word processor text editor opens when you select a text placement or editing tool. Input from the letter keys and arrow keys on the keyboard is treated as text input until you press the <Esc> key, select another tool, or click the Key-in browser. MicroStations word processor operates like any other text editor. You can set a variety of attributes such as bold, italics, and underline by either clicking the appropriate icon or using standard keyboard shortcuts such as <Ctrl> + , <Ctrl> + and <Ctrl> +. Text can be copied and pasted from other applications into the word processor and all formatting will be retained.
Hint: The word processor will also open if you double click on a text string with the Element Selection tool. Exercise: Placing text By Origin 1 Continuing in Text.dgn, open the TextStyles model.
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Select Place Text (Q). Click the Expand arrow at the lower right of the tool settings to show additional options. Since there is an active text style defined, the attributes found in the extended settings are grayed out. This indicates that the values for these attributes will be set by the active text style.
Enter the following into the text editor: DETAIL Press <Enter> to start a second line of text and enter the following:
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ELEVATION
A single line of text is a text element, while multi-line text is referred to as a text node. Text nodes are complex elements, which means that they are made up of multiple elements. Complex elements can be broken down, or dropped, to become simple elements. 6 Set the following tool setting: Justification: Enabled and set to Left Top The text is now attached to the pointer at the top left corner. 7 8 Enter a data point to place the text. Reset.
Exercise: Review placement options 1 2 3 Continuing in Text.dgn, open the PlaceTextOptions model. Review the placement options. Select File > Close.
The color of text is set by the text style. When you are not using a text style, text will be placed using the color that is active in the word processor text editor. When text is placed in the file, its position, scale and rotation is determined by the Method option found in the tool settings. When set to By Origin, the text is placed at the current angle and using the current text settings. When set to Above Element, the text is placed above the selected element and using the active text settings. When set to Below Element, the text is placed below the selected element and using the active text settings.
In the following exercises, redline modifications require changes to design file annotations. Exercise: Use the Below Element method 1 Set the following in the MicroStation Manager: Project: Civil
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Open BSI400-C01-Cover.dgn and zoom in to the area indicated.
3 4
Make sure that the Text tasks are active in the Task Navigation tool box. Select Place Text (Q) with the following tool settings: Method: Below Element Text Style: 1/8 in Read the prompt and in the Text Word Processor, enter: To Fresno Enter a data point on the lower solid line.
Enter a data point to accept. The name is placed along the roadway. Reset.
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Other placement options Fitted text is stretched to fit between two data points. The vertical alignment of the text is determined by the active justification. View Independent text is placed at the active angle and the active text settings. Once placed, text stays at the same orientation regardless of the view rotation. Fitted V(iew) I(ndependent) placement combines fitted and view independent views. On Element places text on a line or segment of a line string, shape, B-spline curve, or multi-line at the active text settings. Along Element places text above or below an element. Each character is placed as a single text element that is a component of a graphic group. Word Wrap is only available if you are using the word processor. It allows you to contain text within a box, once a box is identified. If a word is entered that exceeds the limit of the box, that word drops to the next line.
Changing existing text

The Edit Text tool lets you edit existing text. When a text string is selected for editing, it will appear in the word processor. In addition to changing the alpha-numerics, a variety of text attributes can also be changed. Once the desired changes have been made, they can be propagated to the text string by entering a data point in the view. Exercise: Edit text string content 1 2 3 4 Continuing in BSI400-C01-Cover.dgn, select Edit Text (E). Click on the text string you just placed. In the word processor, highlight Fresno and replace it with Redding. Enter a data point.
Hint: Double click a text element with the Element Selection tool pointer to activate the Edit Text tool and open the word processor text editor. Matching and changing text The Match Text Attributes tool sets the active text settings to match those of a selected text element. The Change Text Attributes tool changes the attributes of existing text elements. You can change text individually, or using a fence or selection set.
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Exercise: Match and change text attributes 1 2 3 4 Continuing in BSI400-C01-Cover.dgn, select Match Text Attributes (A). Click on the text string End of Contract. Enter a data point to accept. Select Change Text Attributes (S) with the following tool settings: Text Style: Disabled Font: Enabled Height: Enabled Width: Enabled Annotation Scale: Disabled The values for these fields are the attributes of the previously matched text. 5 Enter a data point on the text To Redding. The text is changed to the Courier font, height and width 10. 6 7 Reset. Select File > Close.
Text fields
Fields are text strings derived from the attributes of an element, the properties of a model or the properties of a file and are placed with Place Text tool. Fields based on element attributes are updated to reflect changes whenever a change to the element causes the attribute to change. Models have an option to update fields automatically. Exercise: Add a file property field 1 Set the following in the MicroStation Manager: Project: Plant 2 3 4 5 Open BSI700-P1083-001-PS Sheet.dgn. Make sure that the Text tasks are active in the Task Navigation tool box. Window Area around the borders title block. Select Place Text (Q) with the following tool setting: Method: By Origin 6 7 In the Word Processor text editor, right click. Select Insert Field > File Properties from the pop-up menu.
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In the Fields Editor dialog, select File Name. In the File Name Format area, set Path to False.
Setting the path to false excludes this information from the text field. You can also toggle display of the root file name, showing only the files extension. You can choose the case in which you want the field to display. There is a preview of the field contents at the bottom left of the dialog. 10 Click OK. 11 Place the text under the existing title information in the title block.
The string reflects the file name.
12 Select File > Save Settings. Exercise: Change file properties 1 2 3 4 5 6 Continuing in BSI700-P1083-001-PS Sheet.dgn, select File > Close. In the MicroStation Manager, right click on BSI700-P1083-001-PS Sheet.dgn and select Rename. Change the file name to BSI700-P1083-001-PS Sheet-FINAL.dgn. Reopen the file. With the pointer in the view, press <Enter>. In the Key-in browser, enter the following: FIELD UPDATE ALL 7 Press <Enter>.
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The file name text field updates. Note: Note that if Update Fields Automatically was enabled for this model, the field would update without issuing the key-in. A field can appear anywhere within a text string and can span multiple words or lines within multi-line text.
Text field background

In order to distinguish fields from text that is entered directly, fields have a light gray background. Its display can be toggled in the Preferences dialog. Exercise: Hide the field background 1 2 3 4 5 6 Continuing in BSI700-P1083-001-PS Sheet-FINAL.dgn, select Workspace > Preferences. Select the Text category. Enable the Hide Field Background check box. Click OK. Select File > Close. Reopen the file. The field backgrounds no longer display. 7 Select File > Close.
Note: Fields in MicroStation and AutoCAD are similar. A MicroStation field will be saved to DWG format as long as the underlying field property exists within AutoCAD. Exercise: Fields and elements 1 Set the following in the MicroStation Manager: Project: General 2 3 4 5 Open Element Properties.dgn. Open the Fields model. Select Modify Element (7 + 1) and enter a data point on the circle. Change the diameter of the circle and enter a data point to accept. The field updates the Area and Perimeter. 6 Select File > Close.
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Other useful text tools

In addition to the Place Text tool, the following tools provide alternate annotation solutions and can be found in the Text tool box. Place Note This tool is used to place text with leader lines and arrows, as well as callouts without leaders. Numerous settings are available to control both the appearance and placement of the notes. Enter_Data Fields Data fields are empty text place holders that are positioned in the file, but filled with text characters later. Each data field is placed with a full set of text attributes that will automatically be applied to the text characters upon entry into the data field. The default character used to represent a data field is an under bar ( _ ) and each under bar is a place holder for a single character of text. Data fields will display as underbars unless the Data Fields option is disabled in the View Attributes dialog. When this toggle is disabled, the data fields will not display but can still be used with the following specialized tools. Fill In Single Enter-Data Field is used to select and fill in a data field. The selected data field can either be empty or contain text. Auto Fill In Enter_Data Fields is a useful tool to simplify the filling in of empty data fields in a selected view. When selected, MicroStation cycles through each data field in the view and selects them in the order in which they were created.
Copy/Increment Text Use Copy/Increment Text to copy an existing text string that contains numbers. As MicroStation creates each copy, the number is incremented according to the Tag Increment value defined the tool settings. Find/Replace Text Located in the Edit menu, Find/Replace text enables you to search for all, or portions of, a specific text string in either a DGN or DWG file. Once the text is found, it can be replaced with a different string which enables global text edits. To use Find/Replace Text, select Edit > Find/Replace Text. The options in the Replace Text dialog work just like those of most Windows applications Find and Replace text functions.
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The Spell Checker
The Spell Checker

This feature lets you search the text in the text editor or the entire design file for spelling errors. To check the text in the text editor, select the tool from the text editor tools.
To check the active file, select the tool from the Text tool box or task. Follow the status bar prompts.
Revision Clouds
A revision cloud is a closed element commonly used to call attention to design revisions or redlines. Tools for placing them can be found in the Drawing Composition tasks, or select Tools > Annotation > Cloud. Exercise: Adding revision clouds 1 Set the following in the MicroStation Manager: Project: Building 2 3 4 Open BSI300AE101-Plan.dgn. Click the Task List icon. Select the Compose Drawing Set task.
Set the following in the Attributes tool bar: Color: 3 Weight: 1 Select Cloud By Points (T), with the following tool setting: Arc Angle: 100 Follow the status bar prompts to place a cloud around the Reception Desk. You can also create a revision cloud by modifying or copying an existing closed element using the Cloud By Element tool.
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Detailing Symbols
The Arc Radius option lets you define the radius of the arcs used to construct the cloud element. If the option is disabled, the radius of the arc elements is defined by the first two data points you enter when creating the revision cloud. Arc Angle Defines the sweep angle of the arcs used to form the cloud element.
Detailing Symbols
Detailing symbols let you standardize the placement of leader lines, callout markers, section markers, title text, arrow and detail markers in your designs. Specific attributes and characteristics of the detailing symbols can be set in the Detailing Symbol Settings dialog which can be accessed from the Edit menu. In addition, these settings can also be set in each of the tools tool settings.
Place Section Marker

This tool places a section marker with title and reference information. In the following exercise, you will add a section marker that uses fields. Exercise: Place a section marker 1 Set the following in the MicroStation Manger: Project: Plant 2 3 4 Open BSI700-D1102-001-HT Detail.dgn. Make the Detailing tasks active in the Task Navigation tool box. Select Place Section Marker (Q) with the following tool settings: Text Style: 1/8 Text Annotation Scale: Enabled (depressed) 5 6 In the tool settings, click the Title button. In the text editor, replace the word Title with the words Top View.
This text will appear as the top line of the section marker. 7 In the tool settings, click the Subtitle button. You will use a property of this model to populate the second line of the section marker.
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Detailing Symbols
In the text editor, right click on the word Subtitle and select Insert Field > Model Properties from the pop-up menu.
In the General section of the Fields Editor dialog, click on Description.
10 Click OK. The models description will be the subtitle. 11 In the tool settings, click the Ref # button. 12 In the text editor, right click on Ref # and select Insert Field > Model Properties. 13 Select the Name field and click OK. The model name, D1102-, is the reference. 14 In the tool settings, click the Sh# button, right click and select Insert Field > Model Properties.
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Detailing Symbols
15 Click the arrows in the Sheet section title to expand it, select Sheet Number 1, and click OK.
16 Place the section marker below the first detail in the top row.
17 Reset. 18 Select File > Close. Place Title Text This tool lets you place title text symbols with main and sub-titles. Fields for any of the properties listed in the Fields Editor dialog can be used with the Detailing Symbols tools. Place Arrow Marker This tool lets you place title text symbols along with the associated reference and sheet numbers.
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Dimensions
Place Detail Marker You can draw a detail bubble around a region and show the reference number and sheet number that contain the detail.
Symbol settings
There are also tools to match and control the appearance of existing detailing symbols. Match Symbol Settings This tool lets you match the settings of an existing symbol and make them active for subsequent placement. To match the settings of a symbol, first select the Match Symbol Settings tool. Identify the symbol whose settings are to be matched and accept. The settings that are enabled now match those of the identified symbol. Change Symbol Settings This tool lets you change the settings symbology and size of existing symbols. Select the Change Symbol Settings tool and, in the Change Symbol Settings dialog, enable the settings that are to change and set the attributes. Identify the symbol to be changed and accept to complete the change. Use the Change Text Attributes tool (A + 7) to change other text attributes such as text style, font, height, and weight.
Dimensions
Dimensions are critical for accurate designs. They are necessary to determine the size of, and relationships between, elements or overall models. To better understand the dimension settings MicroStation offers, examine the components of a dimension element.
Dimension text Dimension line Terminator (arrow)
Extension line
Dimension definitions can be set and saved in named styles in the Dimension Styles dialog.
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Dimensions
Element Dimensioning
The Dimension Element tool is used to dimension a line, line string, multi-line, shape, circular arc, or circle. Associations can be made between the dimension and elements, components of complex elements and elements that are part of cells. A variety of tool settings determine the placement and appearance of the dimension element. In the following exercises, redline modifications require you to dimension the office plan. Exercise: Element dimensioning 1 2 3 Continuing in BSI300AE101-Plan.dgn, Zoom In on the Reception area. Click the Task List icon and select the default Drawing tasks. Select Element Dimensioning (F + 1) with the following tool settings: Dimension Style: M Dimension Mode: Dimension Element
Annotation Scale: Enabled (depressed) Additional options are available in the expanded tool settings. 4 Enter a data point on the vertical line behind the desk. The dimension moves dynamically with the pointer. 5 Enter a data point to place the dimension.
You have created a dimension that shows the length of the line. The tool has different tool settings depending upon the type of element you are dimensioning. 6 Enter a data point on one of the arcs that represent the reception desk.
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Dimensions
Note the tool settings. They have changed to reflect the fact that you are dimensioning a circular element. Make sure that the active Mode is Dimension Radius
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Enter a data point to the right of the arc to place the dimension. Reset.
Alignment
Alignment options control the alignment of linear dimensions.
Alignment Aligns linear dimensions
View
Parallel to the view x- or y-axis. (X is the design plane x-axis.)
Drawing
Parallel to the design plane x- or y- axis. The designs rotation determines the alignment axis for a particular dimension. (X is the design plane x-axis.)
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Alignment
Aligns linear dimensions
True
Parallel to the element being dimensioned. The extension lines are at right angles to the dimension line.
Arbitrary (2D only)
Parallel to the element being dimensioned. The extension lines are not constrained to be at right angles to the dimension line.
Association
The Association option associates the dimension you are placing with the points on the element being dimensioned. If the element is then modified, the dimension automatically updates to reflect the change. The Association lock must be enabled to place associated dimensions. Exercise: Associated dimensions 1 Set the following in the MicroStation Manager: Project: General 2 3 4 Open Base Geometry.dgn. Open the LinearElements model. Select Element Dimensioning (F + 1) with the following tool settings: Alignment: View Location: Automatic Mode: Dimension Element Association: Enabled 5 Enter a data point on the line in the upper left of the frame.
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Dimensions
Enter a data point at location to place the dimension.
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Select Modify Element (7 + 1). Enter a data point on the line near the end of the line. Move the pointer to the right.
10 Enter a data point.
The associated dimension responds when you establish the new end point. 11 Select File > Close. When data points are placed during the dimensioning process, an association point is created between the element and dimension. Changing any association point by modifying the element automatically updates the attached dimensions. Note: Avoid placing associated and non-associated dimensions on the same design.
Linear dimensioning
Use Linear Dimensioning to dimension the linear distance between two points. When using these tools, alignment and location can be set in the tool settings. Options that affect placement and appearance are also available in the tool settings. Select Multiple Elements lets you dimension multiple elements by passing a line through them. Exercise: Placing a string of dimensions 1 Set the following in the MicroStation Manager: Project: Building
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Dimensions
2 3 4
Open BSI300AE101-Plan.dgn. Window Area around the upper right corner of the design. Select Linear Dimensioning (F + 2) with the following tool settings: Dimension Style: mm Dimension Mode: Linear Size
Linear Size dimensions the linear distance between two points. Each dimension is computed from the endpoint of the previous one and is placed chained. 5 Enter a data point at the end of the top grid line. Start here
Second data point
Enter a data point to the right to enter the length of the extension line.
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Dimensions
Enter a data point on the lower grid line.
Enter a data point at the next grid line.
Enter a data point at the last grid line.
10 Reset. Exercise: Stacked dimensions 1 2 3 Continuing BSI300AE101-Plan.dgn, Fit View. Window Area around the lower right corner of the design. Set the following Linear Dimensioning tool setting:
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Mode: Linear Stacked
This mode dimensions the linear distance from an origin, and stacks the dimensions. 4 Following the status bar prompt, enter a data point on the grid line to the left of Office 107.
Start here
Second data point
5 6 7
Enter a data point at the next grid line to the right. Following the status bar prompt, enter a data point to set the length of the extension line. Enter a data point on the last grid line, in the lower right corner.
Reset.
Note: The tool automatically starts the next dimension perpendicular to the last dimension placed. Resetting twice resets the tool from the beginning. Exercise: Dimension multiple elements 1 Continuing BSI300AE101-Plan.dgn, select Dimension Linear with the following tool settings: Alignment: View
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Dimensions
Linear Size: Enabled Select Multiple Elements: Enabled Start and End Extension: arrow Note the change in the start and end extension settings labels. The color changes to blue, indicating that this attribute is different than the one defined in the dimension style you are using. The * next to the style name indicates that it has been altered. You are prompted to select the start of the selection line. 2 Enter a data point to the left of one of the grid lines and drag it to the right to include all the grid lines.
Enter a data point to define the length of the extension lines and place the dimension chain.
4 5
Reset. Click the Reset Style icon in the tool settings of the Linear Dimensioning tool. The start and end extension settings return to arrow, as defined in the dimension style. The color difference indicators disappear.
Angular dimensioning
The Angular Dimensioning tool has modes that help you to dimension angles. The tool settings have options to define its performance and the appearance of the dimensions.
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Ordinate dimensioning
Ordinate dimensions are used to label distances along an axis from an origin. Available tool settings include the ability to decrement the ordinates by placing them in a reverse order.
Modifying existing dimensions

Change dimension Existing dimensions can easily be changed to reflect new settings using the Change Dimension tool. Exercise: Changing the active dimension settings 1 2 3 Continuing in BSI300AE101-Plan.dgn, select Element > Dimension Styles. Highlight the dimension style M Dimension. On the Text tab of the Dimension Styles dialog, change the following: Font: Enabled and set to Garamond 4 On the Symbology tab, change the following: Dimension Lines > Color: 3 Text > Color: 3 5 6 7 Select Change Dimension (F + 5). Enter a data point on the last dimension you placed. Enter a data point to accept. The dimensions assume the new attributes.
Modifying dimensions
You can modify dimension elements to do the following. Add an extension line. Remove an extension line. Modify the length of an extension line. Move an extension line. Move the dimension line with respect to the dimensioned object. Relocate the dimension text along the dimension line. Edit the text component in a dimension element.
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Dimensions
Use the tools in the Modify tool box to modify dimensions.

To:
Add an extension line Remove an extension line Move an extension line Modify length of an extension line Move dimension text Edit text in a dimension element
Use this Modify tool

Insert vertex Delete vertex Modify Modify Modify Edit text
Note: You can also use tools from the Tools > Dimension Tools > Miscellaneous tool box. Exercise: Modifying the length of an extension line 1 Continuing in BSI300AE101-Plan.dgn, select Modify Element (7 + 1). Note the status bar prompt. 2 Enter a data point on the dimension line at the lower right corner of the design.
Moving the point dynamically modifies both the extension length and dimension line location. 3 Move the pointer upward.
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Dimensions
When the dimension line reaches the wall of the first office, snap to it and enter a data point.
Reset.
Exercise: Removing an extension line 1 2 Continuing in BSI300AE101-Plan.dgn, select Delete Vertex (7 + 0). Enter a data point on the extension line of the center dimension.
Enter a data point to accept. The extension line disappears and the dimension across the training room is recalculated.
You can use the Match Dimension Settings tool to match existing settings, then update using Change Dimension.
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Comparing dimension styles

Controls on the advanced tab of the Dimension Styles dialog let you compare dimension styles. Set the Mode to Comparison to compare settings for two dimension styles. Enable Compare with Library to compare a dimension style and a dimension style library. All dimension style properties are listed.
If you select Differences mode, only the differences between the styles are listed. The Edit mode lists all dimension styles properties and values. To modify a dimension style property, click in the Value column. The Differences mode compares the values for two dimension styles. Enable Compare with Library to compare a dimension style and a dimension style library. This option displays only the properties with different values.
Dimension Audit
The auditing tool searches all dimensions and reports any problems. Dimensions are tested for overridden text, dropped dimensions, and loss of associativity by toggling the criteria option icons. The report displays in the Report field at the bottom of the dialog. Audits can be performed using all of the criteria together, or on any single or combination of criteria. Find Overridden Text finds dimensions whose text has been edited. Find Dropped Dimension finds dimensions that have been dropped to elements. Find Non-Associative Dimension finds dimensions that are no longer associated to the elements they are dimensioning. Find Lost Associations finds dimensions that have associations that have failed.
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Any problem dimension is highlighted in the file and the area is zoomed to in the active view. Exercise: Audit the dimensions 1 2 3 4 Continuing in BSI300AE101-Plan.dgn, select Utilities > Dimension Audit. In the Dimension Audit dialog, enable only Find Non-Associative Dimension. Click Dimension Audit Find. Click the Expand arrow in the tool settings and note the report. To page through problems click the Next Item arrow. 5 Select File > Close.
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Module Review
Module Review
Questions
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 What additional attributes do text elements have? What is line spacing? True or False: Text can be copied and pasted from other applications into the word processor and all formatting will be retained. Name two different ways you can change text. Name the three places from which text fields are derived. Name 4 components of a dimension. What does the associate option in the dimensioning tool settings do?
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Module Review
Answers
1 What additional attributes do text elements have? Font, slant, justification, line spacing. 2 What is line spacing? The distance between individual lines of text in multi-line text. This value also specifies the distance text is placed away from an element when the placement method is set to Above, Below, or Along. 3 True or False: Text can be copied and pasted from other applications into the word processor and all formatting will be retained. True. 4 Name two different ways you can change text. Edit Text tool lets you edit the content of existing text. Change Text Attributes changes the attributes of existing text elements. 5 Name the three places from which text fields are derived. The attributes of an element, the properties of a model or the properties of a file. 6 Name 4 components of a dimension. Dimension text, dimension line, line terminator, extension line. 7 What does the associate option in the dimensioning tool settings do? The Association option associates the dimension you are placing with the points on the element being dimensioned. If the element is then modified, the dimension automatically updates to reflect the change.
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Module Summary
Module Summary
You are now able to: Use and apply Text tools Correctly dimension elements Place Revision Clouds Add and edit detailing symbols, such as call-out markers
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Organizing Design Data

Module Overview
In this module you will create a composite file with data from other files, use MicroStations references, models and raster tools and produce a plot-ready file.
An understanding of the way an overlay system works
Module Objectives
Upon completion of this module, you will be able to: Attach and control reference information from MicroStation and other applications Use models for references and other purposes Attach and control images with Raster Manager
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Questions
1 2 What is a model? Why might you want to look at another design at the same time as the one on which you are working?
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Answers
1 2 A model is an independent container within a DGN file that stores graphical information and specific settings. You might want to make measurements, check element attributes, make sure features match, or print the contents of that file along with those of your current file.
References
A DGN file is composed of models. When you place elements with MicroStation tools the elements are added to the active model. A model can be either 2D or 3D and is stored as a discrete object within a DGN file. A reference is a model that is attached to, and displayed along with, the active model for various purposes. When you use a design that was created by someone else, you generally want to look at it without modifying it. References let you do this. Print sheets can be composed using references and they will update dynamically. You can reference models from the open DGN file, or from other DGNs that may currently be in use by other users. Similarly, other users can reference the model that you are working on. Elements in a reference display as though they were in the active, or master, model.
Attaching references
Exercise: Select a file to attach 1 Set the following in the MicroStation Manager: Project: Geospatial 2 3 4 5 Open BSI200-R03-Public Works.dgn. Select the References tool from the Primary Tools tool box. In the References dialog, click Attach Reference. In the Attach Reference dialog, select BSI200-R01-Environmental.dgn.
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References
Attachment method The default attachment method is Interactive. With this method, additional settings are set in the Reference Attachment Settings dialog. The Attachment Method option menu lets you select another method.
When you use the other attachment methods the Reference Attachment Settings dialog does not appear. The default attachment settings, or the attachment settings of the last reference attached, are used instead. Once a method is selected it remains in effect until it is changed. File location The Save Relative Path option in the Attach Reference dialog is important.
A reference attachment that identifies the location of an attached file by its full, or absolute, path is not portable across directories, projects and networked systems. If the attached file is not found in that exact location, the attachment will be missing. The best way to ensure portability when attaching references is to enable Save Relative Path. This causes the relative path to the file to be saved as attachment data in the DGN file so the file can be more easily located. Exercise: Set attachment methods 1 2 3 Continuing in BSI200-R03-Public Works.dgn, in the Attach Reference dialog, enable the Save Relative Path check box. Leave the Attachment Method set to Interactive so that you can set additional settings in the Attachment Settings dialog. Click Open.
Attachment settings
The first option you can select in the Reference Attachment Settings dialog is the model you want to attach. All models in the file you have selected are listed. Just select the desired model.
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Since the same model can be attached many times, the Logical Name field helps you to distinguish between references. Orientation sets the view of the model that you will see. Coincident, the default, aligns the references with regard to design plane coordinates only. Coincident World aligns the references with the active model with regard to both Global Origin and design plane coordinates. Scale (Master:Ref) sets the ratio of the master units in the active model to the master units in the attached model. Use this if the reference elements need to be scaled. For example, 2 to 1 would make the referenced elements twice as large as elements in the master. Exercise: Attach the drainage model to assist in extending the road 1 Continuing in BSI200-R03-Public Works.dgn, set the following attachment settings in the Reference Attachment Settings dialog: Model: Hydrography Toggles: Display, Snap, Locate, True Scale Enabled
Click OK.
Toggles define settings for the reference. The first one is Display. If on, the reference is displayed. Second is Snap. If on, you can snap to elements in the selected reference. Next is Locate. If on, you can select elements in a reference for construction purposes. Treat Attachment as Element for Manipulation so you can manipulate references, as a whole, with the standard manipulation tools. True Scale uses units in the active model and those in the referenced model to calculate an appropriate scaling factor so that the reference scale reflects a true real-world scale.
Updating reference elements

Exercise: Use a reference to adjust landscaping 1 2 3 4 5 Open BSI200-R01-Environmental.dgn. Expand the Element Selection tool settings. On the Level tab, select the level river-fill. In the Attributes tool bar, set the active color to 160. Click Clear in the tool settings. The river fill is now dark blue. 6 Click Previous Model in the View Groups dialog at the bottom left of the application window to return to the Public Works model.
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References
The reference update is seen immediately.
Manipulating references
Although you cannot manipulate elements that are in references, you can snap to them and even copy them into the active model. You can also manipulate the reference as a whole. Tools Tools in the References dialog let you manipulate a reference. They work like the element manipulation tool with the same names; Move, Copy, Scale, Rotate and Mirror. Note: Tools for working with references can also be found in the References tool box. Select Tools > References to open it. It contains the tools in the References dialog and more. Reload Reference reloads and redraws a reference, which lets you see changes that have been made to a referenced model since it was last attached or reloaded. MicroStation checks to see whether the file size or file time has changed for the referenced model before reloading. If these have not changed, the file is not reloaded. One of the reference tools tool settings is Use References Dialog List. This option lets you select the reference you want to manipulate from the References dialog. If you are not sure of the name of the reference you want to manipulate you can disable this option and enter a data point in the design on an element from the reference you wish to manipulate.
Reference levels
You can turn reference levels on and off independent of the levels in the master file. Exercise: Turn off the fill levels 1 2 Continuing in BSI200-R03-Public Works.dgn, click the Level Display tool in the Primary Tools tool box. In the Level Display dialog, select the file BSI200-R01-Environmental.dgn, Hydrography in the target tree. The levels contained in this model are listed below. 3 Click on the creek-fill and river-fill levels to turn them off.
Transparency and priority

References have transparency and priority attributes that you can apply.
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References
Exercise: Apply transparency to a reference 1 2 3 4 5 6 Continuing in BSI200-R03-Public Works.dgn, click the View Attributes tool in the view control tool box. Enable the check box for transparency. In the References dialog, click Attach Reference. Attach BSI200-R02-Land Acquisition.dgn, the Limit model. In the references dialog, right click on the column headings and select Transparency from the pop-up menu to add the column to the dialog. With the BSI200-R02-Land Acquisition.dgn, Limit model, highlighted in the References dialog, click in the Transparency column and select 30. Hidden elements show through the limit boundary.
Detaching references
Be sure you want to detach a reference file before you do so. The scale, rotation, location, etc., of the reference are not saved when you detach the file. You will have to specify these settings again if you decide to re-attach it. Exercise: Detach a model that is no longer needed 1 2 3 In the References dialog, select the Hydrography model and click Detach Reference. Click OK in the Alert dialog. Select File > Close.
Resolving different working units

MicroStation uses working units to accommodate different systems of measurement. When working units differ between files, the relationships must be determined and then references scaled accordingly. True Scale makes the adjustments automatically.
Reference nesting
Live nesting provides the ability to see a reference that is attached to a reference. Suppose you have a DGN file called x.dgn. A.dgn is a reference to x. A.dgn has two references of its own, 1.dgn and 2.dgn.
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References
If A is attached as a reference to x with nesting disabled, only A will be listed in the References dialog hierarchy tree as a reference to x.
If A is attached as a reference to x with nesting enabled and set to a depth of one, it can be expanded in the hierarchy tree to show its references, 1.dgn and 2.dgn.
A benefit of live nesting is that any changes to these sub-attachments are dynamically updated in any file to which their master file is attached. When you attach a reference, you have three options for the nesting. No Nesting means that references attached to the attached design are not seen in the active design. Select Live Nesting so references attached to the attached design are seen in the active design. Copy Attachments copies reference attachments into the active design. Exercise: Enable live nesting 1 Set the following in the MicroStation Manager: Project: Building 2 3 4 5 Open BSI200AE101-Plan. Open the References dialog. Click Show Hierarchy and click the + preceding the file name to see a hierarchy tree of the attached files. Click on the entry with the Logical Name PlanClip in the hierarchy tree.
Review the files that are attached to this reference.
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You can control the display, snap and locate settings for the nested references of PlanClip. Just right click and select Settings from the pop-up menu or toggle the check marks in those columns. 7 Right click on BSI300AE9-Shell.dgn, in Slot # 4, and select Open in New Session.
Another session of MicroStation is started and the selected file is opened.
Note: Only one license is used. 9 Exit the second MicroStation session. 10 Select File > Close.
Models
A model is stored as a discrete object within the DGN file. Each DGN file, therefore, contains one or more models. It may be helpful to think of a DGN file as a box that can contain both 3D and 2D objects, models, any of which you can view individually.
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Models
Every model has its own set of eight views. The model whose views are displayed at a given time is the active model. Every model has its own working unit system. However, levels are DGN file-specific and not model-specific. Levels are shared throughout the entire DGN file.
Types of models
A Design model can be either 2D or 3D and consists of design geometry. These are similar to DWG models (model space). A design model can also be used as a reference or placed as a cell. In MicroStation, you can create an unlimited number of design models in a DGN file.
Separate models in a building DGN contain different parts of the overall plan
A Sheet model is used to attach references for composing finished and annotated drawings. These are similar to DWG drawing layouts, or paper space. MicroStation allows you to create an unlimited number of sheet models per DGN file.
Drawing composition using models

Creating Sheet models automates the creation of sheets. However, instead of redrawing a models geometry for each view, like a manual system requires, you simply attach views of design models as references. You attach views of your design geometry as references for each plan, elevation, section, and so on. Then any changes made to the design model are reflected immediately in each affected view in the sheets. The electronic version of the manual drawing sheet consists of the sheet model, the electronic drawing sheet, and attached models/views which are references of the design geometry. Exercise: Create a sheet model 1 Set the following in the MicroStation Manager: Project: Civil 2 3 4 5 Open BSI400-C01-Cover.dgn. Select the Models tool from the Primary tool bar. In the Models dialog, select Create a New Model. In the Create Model dialog, set the following: Type: Sheet 2D Name: Print
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Description: Print sheet Sheet Number: 2 Ref Logical: Print Scale: 1=100 Display Sheet Layout: Enabled (by default) Size: CUSTOM H: 1.833 W: 2.833 Create a View Group: Enabled (by default) Hint: You can navigate models using view groups if one is created for the model. 6 Click OK. The sheet model opens. 7 Close the Models dialog.
Exercise: Add a border to the sheet 1 2 3 Continuing in BSI400-C01-Cover.dgn, Print sheet model, click the References tool. In the References dialog, click Attach Reference. Attach \Examples\Civil\Seed\BSI400-C00-Border.dgn with the following attachment settings: Model: Cover Logical Name: Border Description: Border Toggles: Display, Snap, Locate, True Scale, Scale Line Styles
Scale: 1200.00 : 1.00 4 5 6 7 8 Click OK. Fit View. Open View 2. Window Area around the reference, visible in View 1. In the References dialog, select Move Reference.
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Models
Snap to the upper right corner of the border and accept with a data point.
10 Snap to the upper right corner of the sheet element, visible in View 2, and accept with a data point. 11 Reset. 12 Close View 2. 13 Fit View 1. Exercise: Compose the sheet 1 2 Continuing in BSI400-C01-Cover.dgn, Print sheet model, click Attach Reference. Attach BSI400-W01-Survey.dgn with the following attachment settings: Model: Survey Logical Name: S Orientation: Coincident - World Scale: 1.00 : 1.00 3 Click OK. The geometry comes in at the correct location because of the orientation. Coincident World aligns the references with the active model with both Global Origin and design plane coordinates. 4 5 Click Attach Reference. Attach BSI400-W01-Contours.dgn with the following attachment settings: Model: Contours Logical Name: Contours 6 7 8 Click OK. Click Attach Reference. Attach BSI400-W01-Design.dgn with the following attachment settings: Model: Xsect
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Logical Name: XS 9 Click OK.
The sheet is compiled from survey data, contours and cross section models. If changes are made to any of these models, the sheet will automatically update because it is composed of references.
Clipping referenced models

The Clip Reference tool uses a boundary, such as an element or fence, to clip a reference. The area of the reference that is outside the boundary is not displayed. Exercise: Clip a referenced model 1 Continuing in BSI400-C01-Cover.dgn, Print sheet model, Fit View. There is information in the model that you do not wish to include in the sheet. 2 Select Place Fence (2 + 1) with the following tool settings: Fence Type: Block Fence Mode: Inside 3 4 With the Xsect model highlighted in the References dialog, note the highlighted boundary. Place a fence around the area of the reference inside the border; the cross section lines.
Select Clip Reference with the following tool settings: Method: Active Fence
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Raster References
Use References Dialog List: Enabled 6 Enter a data point. The unwanted details to the right are removed. 7 Select Place Fence (2 + 1) to remove the fence.
Adding annotations
Along with using Text tools to place text in a sheet, you can select an existing text file to include annotations. This lets you use a text editor or word processor to enter lengthy text and then add it to a design. Import text Exercise: Import general notes from a text editing application 1 Continuing in BSI400-C01-Cover.dgn, Print sheet model, select Change Text Attributes (A + 7) with the following tool setting: Text Style: 1.5 By default, imported text is placed using the currently active settings. 2 3 4 Select File > Import > Text. Select \data\BSI400-Notes.txt. Click Open. Once you specify a file, the text in the selected text file can be positioned dynamically. 5 6 Position the text at the upper right of the sheet. Select File > Close.
Raster References
A Raster Reference is a link to an external image that resides outside the design file. Use the Raster Manager to attach, display and modify images in various formats. Raster tasks provide tools for working with image files. Rasters are assigned to the active level when they are attached. You can change the level that a raster is assigned to in the (Workspace > Preferences) Preferences dialog. Select the Raster Manager category and then select the level under Default Raster Attributes. When attaching a file in a 2D model, rasters can be on different planes. Foreground Plane - On top of elements and references.
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Raster References
Background Plane - In back of elements and references. Design Plane - Share the same space as design elements with Display Priority. Exercise: Placing rasters in the design plane 1 Set the following in the MicroStation Manager: Project: General 2 3 Open Raster.dgn. Open the Display Priority Views model.
The Raster Manager icon can be added to the Primary Tools tool bar. 4 Right click on the Primary Tools tool bar and select Raster Manager.
5 6
In the Raster Manager dialog, select File > Attach or click the Attach tool. Click Up One Level in the Attach Raster Reference dialog and navigate to the \Data folder. Select satellit.itiff with the following attachment settings: Description Plane change Place Interactively: Enabled (by default) Note the other file formats supported by expanding the Files of type option list. Click Open.
8 9
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Raster References
10 Following the status bar prompt, enter two diagonal data points to define the area and place the raster reference outside the frame.
Exercise: Change the images plane 1 2 Continuing in Raster.dgn, select satellit.itiff in the Raster Manager. Click the Plane icon.
The Plane dialog appears
Select Design and click OK. The raster moves to the design plane. Select the raster with the Description Plane change and detach it by selecting File > Detach.
When rasters are in the design plane, they share the same space as design elements. Next youll add a few elements to see how to prioritize the display of rasters and elements. Exercise: Adding elements and setting display priority 1 2 Continuing in Raster.dgn, make the Construct Chess Board tasks the active tasks in the Task Navigation tool box. Select Place White Square (W).
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Position the square in the center at the intersection of the rasters and enter a data point.
Note how it appears between the two top raster images
4 5 6
Select Element Selection and select the white square you placed. Click the Active Element Priority tool in the Attributes tool bar and change the Priority of the white square to 200. Click Clear in the tool settings.
With the higher priority the square moves in front of the rasters. 7 8 Select the raster that extends to the left. Right click and press on and select Properties from the menu.
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Attaching PDF Documents
Change the Priority of the raster reference to 201.
10 Note the change in display order.
Manipulating raster references

The raster tools allow for Move, Mirror, Clip, Rotate, Scale, Modify, Warp and many other commands.

The Adobe PDF format is available for attaching as a raster reference. The method is the same as attaching any other raster reference, except that when you have a multi-page PDF you must choose a single page for attachment. Exercise: Reviewing PDF attachments 1 2 3 4 Continuing in Raster.dgn, open the PDF Reference model. Open the Raster Manager. Select 2DExample.pdf in the file list. In the Raster Manager., select Scale with the following tool settings: Method: Active Scale X Scale: 1.5 Y Scale: 1.5 5 Make the Center snap the override snap mode.
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Snap to the center of raster boundary and enter a data point.
7 8
Reset. From the Raster Managers Edit menu, select Clip with the following tool settings: Method: Block Mode: Clip Boundary Draw a block to isolate the top of the PDF.
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10 Enter a data point to complete the clip.
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Module Review
Module Review
Questions
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 What is the difference between attaching a reference interactively and attaching it using the other attachment methods? What does the Save Relative Path option in the Attach Reference dialog do? Name two ways to move an attached reference. True or False: Scale, rotation, and location of a reference are saved when you detach the file and then re-attach it. What is live nesting? If you want to compose a print sheet, which type model should you use? Name 2 ways to navigate models What are the planes on which a Raster Reference can be displayed?
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Module Review
Answers
1 What is the difference between attaching a reference interactively and attaching it using the other attachment methods? The Reference Attachment Settings dialog does not appear using the other attachment methods. 2 What does the Save Relative Path option in the Attach Reference dialog do? Ensures portability because the relative path to the file is saved as attachment data in the DGN file so the file can be easily located. 3 Name two ways to move an attached reference. Use the references tools in the References dialog, or the Reference tools tool box. You can also enable Treat Attachment as Element for Manipulation so you can manipulate references with the standard manipulation tools. 4 True or False: Scale, rotation, and location of a reference are saved when you detach the file and then re-attach it. These are not saved when you detach the file. You will have to specify these settings again if you decide to re-attach it. 5 What is live nesting? Live nesting provides the ability to see a reference that is attached to a reference. 6 If you want to compose a print sheet, which type model should you use? A sheet model. 7 Name 2 ways to navigate models Select the view group dialog if a view group was created for the model, open it in the models dialog, or use Previous Model and Next Model. 8 What are the planes on which a Raster Reference can be displayed? Foreground, Background and Design.
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Module Summary
Module Summary
You are now able to: Attach and control reference information from MicroStation and other applications. Use models for references and other purposes. Attach and control images with Raster Manager.
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Module Summary
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Organizing Project Data

Module Overview
In this module you will add symbols to automate design production, use MicroStations cells and Project Explorer tools, enforce graphical standards to produce quality designs.
Module Objectives
Upon completion of this module you will be able to: Create, edit and place cells Use Project Explorer to link data
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Questions
1 2 3 4 How do you open the Key-in browser? What are working units? What is snapping? How can you select elements?
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Answers
1 2 3 4 By selecting Utilities > Key-in or Help > Key-in Browser. You can also press Enter with the pointer in a view. Real-world units to which the design plane is configured. The use of the tentative point to position a data point at an exact point on the target element. Tentative points snap to an element when Snap Lock is on. Using the Element Selection tool or a fence.
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Project Data
Project Data
Project data usually consists of MicroStation DGN files, DGN libraries and other resources, such as cell libraries. To group project data, you create links to data files. For example, a link can point to a design or sheet model or to a DWG layout. You use Project Explorer to see linked data. If link sets exist in the open DGN file, or in any configured libraries, they appear in the Project Explorer dialog when you open it. A link set is a group of links to files, models, references, saved views, and supporting documentation. The Link Set dialog is where you add, copy, rename, delete, and import link sets. Within a link set, links can be organized into a hierarchy of folders.
Cells
Cells are complex elements that let you group elements permanently. You can save these groupings to represent symbols that are used often and then place them into designs without recreating the symbol each time. Cells can be made up of any element or combination of elements. A specific series of steps is required to use cells in a design file. First you must attach the file in which the cells are saved, then you can place the available cells. Exercise: Attach a cell library 1 Set the following in the MicroStation Manager: Project: Geospatial 2 3 4 Open BSI200-M02-City Small.dgn. Select Element > Cells. From the Cell Library dialogs File menu, select Attach File. You can attach a single file containing cells or you can attach an entire folder that contains files that have cells in them. 5 Select Geospatial.cel and click Open. The cells in the library populate the dialog.
Placing cells in designs

The cell library is now attached to the design file. You can place any of the cells stored in this library in the design.
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Cells
Exercise: Placing a cell 1 Continuing in BSI200-M02-City Small.dgn, Zoom In to the area indicated.
In the Cells dialog, click on the cell named Arena in the list of cells. Note the preview of the cell. Click the Placement button. This makes the selected cell active. Close the Cell Library dialog. Make the default Drawing tasks the active tasks in the Task Navigation tool box. Select Place Active Cell (S + 1) with the following tool settings: Active Angle: 0 X and Y Scale: 0.75 True Scale: Enabled You can use the arrows next to the tool settings Active Angle field to set the angle to predefined values.
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Enter a data point below Hawley St. to place the cell.
Reset.
You can also set the active cell using the key-in AC=<name of cell>.
Placing cells that already exist in a design

Use Select And Place Cell to identify a cell in the DGN file and place an additional instance of that cell. Exercise: Place an additional PC cell 1 Continuing in BSI200-M02-City Small.dgn, select Select And Place Cell (S + 3) with the following tool settings: Active Angle: 0 X and Y Scale: 1.0 2 Enter a data point on the cell named SHOP at Landsdowne Place.
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Enter a data point to the right of it to place a second instance. Reset.
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True Scale
When placing a cell that was created in a file that has different working units than the active file, you can make the cell scale properly at the time of placement by enabling True Scale in the tool settings. True Scale aligns the units in the cell, one to one, with the units in the current design. For example a cell was created using feet and inches, but the working units in the current file are Metric, so the cell was initially the wrong size. True Scale reads the units in which the cell was created and adjusts the scale based on the designs working units.
Creating cells
When administrators create a cell, they define an origin for the cell. This is the location by which the cell is placed. They also set the cell type; graphic, point, or menu. Graphic cells The color, line style, and line weight of a graphic cell are determined when it is created. A graphic cell rotates when a view is rotated. A graphic cell is always placed using the color, weight and style with which it was created. You can also snap to any element in the cell once it has been placed. Point cells An active point is used as a reference, or monument, point in a design. It can consist of a cell from the attached cell library, a text character, a symbol, or a line with no length. Point cells take on the attributes that are active when the cell is placed. If color 6 is the active color, the cell is placed using color 6, as well as the currently active line style, weight, and level. A point cell includes only one point that you can snap to, the cells origin. Point cells do not rotate when a view is rotated. A point cell can be especially useful for adding text that you want to remain stationary to a design. To place a point cell, click the Task List icon and expand the Drawing tasks. Then expand the Linear tasks and select the Points task. To select a cell to place as a point, select a cell in the Cell Library dialog and click the Point button. Use a place point tool from the Points tasks to place the point. Exercise: Create a cell library file 1 2 Continuing in BSI200-M02-City Small.dgn, in the Cell Library dialog, select File > New. In the Create Cell Library dialog, navigate to the location in which you want to create the cell library.
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Cells
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Enter the name scratch in the File name field. Click Save.
A .cel extension is appended to the file name. The new cell library is automatically attached to the DGN. Note: A DGN file can also be created and attached as a cell library. Each model in the file that was created with the Can be placed as a cell check box enabled will be listed as a cell in the Cell Library dialog. You create a design model, place the cell geometry and then attach the DGN in the Cell Library dialog. Exercise: Create a cell 1 2 Continuing in BSI200-M02-City Small.dgn, Fit View. Select Element Selection with the following tool settings: Method: Block Mode: Add
Select all of the items in the legend.
You can also use a fence to select elements to include in a cell. Once you select the elements, you must set the location where the cell appears relative to the pointer.
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Select Define Cell Origin (S + 4). AccuSnap to the midpoint of the last entry in the legend and enter a data point. A + symbol appears at the point selected as the origin. Reset. Each data point you place shifts the origin. Resetting ends the origin placement command.
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Click the Create button in the Cell Library dialog. Enter the following in the Create New Cell dialog: Name: Legend Description: Map Legend Type: Graphic Click Create. The new cell is created and available for use.
10 Close the Cell Library dialog.
Replacing cells
This tool replaces cells using a designated replacement, or updates cells having the same name using cells from the active cell library. It places the origin of the new cell at the same location as the old one, maintaining the original scale and rotation.
Line terminators
The Place Active Line Terminator tool places a cell at the end of the selected element, rotating the cell to match the angle of the element. Select the cell, click the Terminate button in the Cell Library dialog, select the tool, and then identify the element. Note: Do not snap to the elements you want to terminate. The tool will find the end point automatically.
Shared cells
The first time you place a cell with Use Shared Cells enabled in the Cell Library dialog, the shared cell definition (elements comprising the cell) is stored in the DGN file in much the same way as it is stored in the cell library. With an unshared cell, the library definition is stored in the DGN file each time the cell is placed.
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To place more instances of a shared cell, the cell library does not need to be attached. A shared cell can have many instances in a DGN but has only one definition. This keeps the size of the file smaller. When a shared cell instance is replaced using the Replace Cells tool, all instances of the cell will be replaced. Shared Cells can be dropped to become a normal cell or to their components. However, shared cells arent always appropriate. For instance, when using Enter_Data fields or text nodes. These are entities that are usually meant to hold individual data, rather than shared data.
Breaking up cells
If you need to modify a cell you must reduce the cell into its component elements. Use Drop Element from the Groups tasks to do this. When Complex is enabled in the tool settings, any element will be reduced to its component elements. You can also enable the Shared Cells option to drop shared cells to either normal cells or to their component elements. Once a cell has been dropped to its component elements there is no connection between the elements. They are treated individually. The Drop Element option for shared cells, To Geometry, would drop a shared cell directly to geometry. Exercise: Dropping cells 1 2 Continuing in BSI200-M02-City Small.dgn, Zoom In on the north arrow in the lower right corner. Select Move Element (3 + 2) and move the north arrow.
Note how all graphics move as a group.
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Reset. Select Drop Element (6 + 1) with the following tool settings: Complex: On All others: Off
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Project Explorer
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Following the status bar prompt, enter a data point on the north arrow. Select Move Element (3 + 2) and move the north arrow again.
The symbol is now broken up into individual elements. 7 Select File > Close.
Project Explorer
Project Explorer supports links to office documents, PDFs, URLs, e-mail addresses and MicroStation key-ins, as well as design and sheet models, references and named views that have been saved. Project Explorer is a digital table of contents for your project data, allowing for easy browsing. Exercise: Selecting a link set 1 Set the following in the MicroStation Manager: Project: Building 2 Open \Dgnlib\Linksets.dgnlib. This file contains a project structure. Note: Change Files of type to DGN Library Files (*.dgnlib). 3 4 Select File > Project Explorer. In the Project Explorer dialog, click Manage Link Sets to browse for existing link sets.
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Project Explorer
You do not have to be in the file in which a link set was created to access it. You can use the option menu to view link sets from library files, in the active file or in a selected file.
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Select Active File (Linksets.dgnlib) from the option list. Close the Link Sets dialog. In Project Explorer, select the Building project link set.
Exercise: Explore a project 1 2 Continuing in Linksets.dgnlib, in the Project Explorer dialog, expand the Plans folder. Expand BSI300AE101-Plan.dgn and then expand References folder.
Model link names include the file name followed by the model name.
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Project Explorer
Each model link may include a Saved Views folder where any saved views that are present are listed and also a folder for references. Saved views and references are read in from the file that contains them. As saved views or references are added to a model, Project Explorer updates to reflect them.
3 4 5 6 Expand the BSI300AE101-Plan.dgn, Ground Floor Plan [1] model link. Expand the References folder to view the references. Right click on the link to BSI300AE101-Plan.dgn, Ground Floor Plan [1]. Select Open from the pop-up menu.
You are redirected to the model Ground Floor Plan in the file BSI300AE101Plan.dgn. This file resides in the \dgn folder. 7 8 9 Click Previous Model to return to Linksets.dgnlib. Click Manage Link Sets to open the Link Sets dialog. Select Configured Libraries ($MS_DGNLIBLIST) from the option list and close the Link Sets dialog.
Linking elements to project files

When placing detailing symbols, you have the option to specify a link target that links the annotation to a file in a project. Exercise: Additional link types 1 2 3 Open \Dgn\BSI300AE101-Plan.dgn. In Project Explorer, select the Building project. Make Compose Drawing Set the active task in the Task Navigation tool box.
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Project Explorer
Select Place Detail Marker (E + 3) with the following tool settings: Text Style: T2.5mm Link: Building > Section / Details > BSI300AE101-Secions.dgn, Building Sections [1] > Saved Views > Footing Reference Annotation Scale: On Bubble Size: 6.0 Following the status bar prompt, enter a data point on the lower right corner of the building and draw a circle around the column.
Following the status bar prompt, enter a data point in an open area to set the location of the detail marker.
Reset.
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Project Explorer
Exercise: Following an element link 1 Continuing in BSI300AE101-Plan.dgn, with Element Selection active, move the pointer over the new detail marker. As the pointer moves over the element, a link icon appears. Pop-up information provides information about the link. 2 3 Right click and continue to press the mouse button. Select Follow Link > BSI300AE301-Sections.dgn > Building Sections > Footing Reference. The footing reference saved view is opened. 4 Select File > Close.
Document links
You can link to DOC, PDF, XLS and other file formats. Links can be created to individual Excel worksheets, PDF bookmarks and to individual Heading styles in Word documents.
Linking project files to elements

When you right click on a link in Project Explorer, you have the option to link it to an element. The link can then be used to redirect to additional data. To create the element link, first create the data link in Project Explorer. Then, right click on it, select Add Link to Element from the pop-up menu and enter a data point on the element you want to link.
Link properties
Select Properties from the right click menu to open the Specifications dialog so you can view the properties of the folder or link. The Full Path is the location of the file that is the target of the selected link. If the file cannot be located, the link is broken and this is blank.
Validating links
The right click menu for links and models also includes a Validate option. Select this to verify that the file or URL to which the link points still exists. If the data does not exist in that location, the link name and folder name turn red. Details are provided in the Message Center. This will happen if you move, delete or rename the target file. If you try to open the target of the broken link through Project Explorer, you will receive an error message.
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To validate a single link or all links within a folder, right click on the link or the folder and select Validate from the pop-up menu. To restore an association you must correct any name change or restore the target file to the correct location. Note: Always check with an administrator to determine which files are most up to date or to determine the appropriate file location.
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Module Review
Module Review
Questions
1 2 3 4 5 6 What are cells? What is the relationship between cells and models? What is a shared cell and why would you use one? What is a link set? What types of target data can you link to? How do you validate a link?
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Answers
1 What are cells? Cells are complex elements that let you group elements permanently. 2 What is the relationship between cells and models? A DGN file can also be created and attached as a cell library. Each model in the file that was created with the Can be placed as a cell check box enabled will be listed as a cell in the Cell Library dialog. You create a design model, place the cell geometry and then attach the DGN in the Cell Library dialog. 3 What is a shared cell and why would you use one? A shared cell can have many instances in a DGN but has only one definition. This keeps the size of the file smaller. To place more instances of a shared cell, the cell library does not need to be attached. 4 What is a link set? It is a group of links to target data. The Link Set dialog is where you add, copy, rename, delete, and import link sets. 5 What types of target data can you link to? Design files, models, references, saved views, and supporting documents such as text files or PDFs. 6 How do you validate a link? Right click on the link or the folder and select Validate from the pop-up menu. Any broken links will turn red.
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Module Summary
Module Summary
You are now able to: Create, edit and place cells. Use Project Explorer to link data.
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Creating Printed Output

Module Overview
In this module you will do the following: Create printed output Use MicroStations printing tools Meet quality standards for customer delivery
Fundamental knowledge of the Microsoft Windows operating system.
Module Objectives
Upon completion of this module, you will be able to: Control the printable area of a design Determine print scale, paper size and other variables Produce quality printed output or PDF files
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Questions
1 2 3 4 How do you place a fence? How do you open and close view windows? How do you open a model? What are working units?
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Answers
1 2 3 4 Select the Place Fence tool, set the tool settings and, enter one, two or several data points depending upon the method that is selected. Two methods are using the view toggles in the View Groups dialog at the bottom left of the MicroStation application window, or selecting Window > Views > #. Select the view group in the View Groups dialog or click the Models tool in the Primary tools tool box and then double click the model. Real-world units to which the design plane is configured.
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Printing Basics
Printing Basics
Printing can be as simple as setting up a view or placing a fence around the area of interest and clicking the Print icon. Typically, the result will be printed output of what you see on the screen. The steps to create a print from MicroStation are as follows: 1. Open the Print dialog. 2. Select the print area. 3. Select a printer. 4. Set printing parameters, such as sheet size and scale. 5. Preview the print. 6. Click the Print icon to create output.
Selecting the print area

The initial print area is determined when you first open the Print dialog. If the active model is a sheet model, the print area is obtained from it. If no sheet definition exists, but there is a fence, the fence defines the print area. If no sheet definition or fence exists, the print area is the first open view window. Exercise: Examine print area 1 Set the following in the MicroStation Manager: Project: Building 2 Open BSI300AE301-Sections.dgn. You see a sheet model. 3 Select File > Print. In the General Settings section of the Print dialog, the Area is set to Sheet because you are in a sheet model. 4 Open the Composite Building Section #1 model. The area defined in the Print dialog changes to View and is set to View 1, the active view. 5 Select Place Fence with the following tool settings: Fence Type: Block Fence Mode: Inside 6 Place a fence around the model.
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The area defined in the Print dialog changes to Fence. You can change the print area at any time using the Area option menu. 7 8 Select Place Fence to dismiss the fence. Set the Area back to View.
Setting the output color mode

You may need to print in grayscale or monochrome, rather than using actual element colors. When you have a color printer, you can quickly set it to print in grayscale or monochrome using the Color options in the Print dialog. If you select Monochrome, output is black and white. If you select Grayscale, colors are output as grayscale. If you select True Color, the actual DGN file colors are used.
The colors in the design do not change, only the print reflects the change. Exercise: Preview the color modes 1 Continuing in BSI300AE301-Sections.dgn, select Monochrome from the Color option menu. When you choose a different output, you can see the result in the preview window. Output is black and white. 2 3 Select Grayscale and note the preview. Select True Color to use the DGN file colors.
Selecting a printer
MicroStation lets you work with the Windows printer driver, which uses configuration file printer.pltcfg or printer.plt or Bentley drivers. Bentley drivers are text files that supply all the necessary information to create a print or plot, in a particular plotter language format. The option menu in the Printer and Paper Size section of the Print dialog lets you switch between the two types of printers. Selecting Windows driver automatically loads the Windows printer driver file.
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Printing Basics
When you select Bentley driver the Bentley printer driver file that you last used is loaded. You can select another one by clicking the Select Printer Driver icon, the magnifying glass, in the Printer and Paper Size section of the Print dialog.
Note: Use the jpeg.plt, png.plt or tiff.plt files to create image output. Use pdf.plt to print a PDF of the design. Administrators can set a configuration variable to define a default printer driver file that is selected each time the Print dialog is opened. In that case, you do not have to decide. The Full option When you are using the Windows printer you can enable the Full check box to maximize the portion of the sheet that is used. For example, when printing to a sheet that is 381 x 279 mm the maximum print size may actually be less. If full sheet is enabled, the print size will be the size of the entire sheet, or 381 x 279 mm. Some geometry may be clipped by the printer if it falls into the area around the edge of the paper that the printer cannot print. When you toggle this setting you can see the area change from total area to usable area or vice versa.
With the Full option enabled the total area will be printed. The actual usable area is smaller.
You also see the scale and size of the print change in the Print Scale and Position section of the dialog.
Setting the printing parameters

Settings in the Print dialog let you select the sheet size, set the scale for the print and position the print on the selected sheet.
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Setting the paper size, orientation, and destination

Using settings in the Printer and Paper Size section, you can do the following. Select a predefined paper size. Choices for page sizes are determined by the type of printer that you select. The setting for Orientation lets you choose between Portrait and Landscape. You can select the output destination for your print. Send to printer is available only when using a Windows printer driver. Create plot file is available with the Windows printer driver and is the only option when using a Bentley printer driver. Create metafile is available only when using a Windows printer driver. Output goes directly to a Windows enhanced metafile (.emf). Exercise: Select a Bentley driver, the paper size and orientation 1 Continuing in BSI300AE301-Sections.dgn, set the following in the Printer and Paper Size section of the dialog: Bentley Driver: Click the magnifying glass, select pdf.plt and click Open Paper: ISO A4 Orientation: Landscape
Setting the print scale and position

Using settings in the Print Scale and Position section of the Print dialog, you can set the design dimensions or scale to what is required and position the print on the sheet. You can: Set the dimensions of the printed output. Set the scale of the printed output as a ratio of working units to printer units. Set the X and Y origins to position the printed output on the selected page. Maximize the printed output or center it on the page.
In setting the Scale for a print, you are defining the number of design units (in working units) that equal each paper, or printed output, unit (in printer units). Setting the height or width of the printed output As an alternative to setting the scale for the print, you can set the X (width) and Y (height) size dimensions for the print. When you first open the Print dialog, the printed output is maximized on the selected paper size. That means that either its width (X) or height (Y) is scaled to match the selected paper size, with the aspect ratio determining the remaining dimension. Within the limits of the
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selected paper size and the X origin and Y origin you can set the scale, the X (width), or the Y (height), of the printed output. The settings for the width and height (the Size fields) and Scale are interlocked to preserve the aspect ratio of the print area. Changing one setting results in corresponding changes to the others. You cannot set the Size or Scale settings to something that would place part of the printed output outside the area of the selected paper size. Setting scale units A printers units and your design file units are not always the same. To change the printer's units, in the Print dialog, select Settings > Units and then select new printer units from the menu. You are setting the scale for the design as a ratio of its working units to the printer units. This setting will remain until the units are changed again. Consider, for example, that your design file has Master Units (MU) of Feet, while your printers units are Inches. Creating a 15 feet to the inch scale output would require no changes to the printer units. You would enter 15 in the Scale field to make the printed output scale 15 design ft. per inch of paper.
To create a 1:20 scale output, you could first change the printer units to feet, to match the design files master units. You would then enter 20 in the Scale field. The printed output would be 20 design ft. per foot of paper, or 1:20.
The Scale Assistant For more complicated scale values, you can use the Scale Assistant to help you set the correct scale. You can define the scale criteria either as Design to Paper, or Paper to Design. This is another setting that an administrator can pre-define for you. Then enter the required paper and design values in the fields below. The scale will be calculated from these. Exercise: Change the printer units 1 2 Continuing in BSI300AE301-Sections.dgn, note the ratio of inches of paper to millimeters of design in the Print Scale and Position section of the Print dialog. Select Settings > Units > mm in the Print dialog.
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This sets the printer units to be the same as the design files master units. Now one millimeter of paper will include millimeters of design. The size of the design does not change, but the scale criteria along with the size and origin change to reflect the new print unit setting. Setting the print rotation Use the option menu to select an orthogonal rotation.
If you select None, no rotation is applied. If you select Rotate 90 cw, a rotation of 90 in the clockwise direction is applied. If you select Rotate 90 ccw, a rotation of 90 in the counterclockwise direction is applied. If you select 180, a rotation of 180 is applied.
If your administrator has configured your printing preferences so that you can use the Rotation entry field, you can specify any rotation in the 0-360 degree range as long as you are not using the View print Area. If working in 3D, you can use the field to rotate only prints that are not rendered and do not contain a camera definition. Exercise: Change the print rotation 1 Continuing in BSI300AE301-Sections.dgn, set Rotation to 90 CCW.
Or, if the Rotation field is available, enter 90.
Setting the print position If the size of the print is smaller than the selected page size, you can control its positioning on the page. By default, when you open the Print dialog the printed output is maximized. That means it is drawn to the largest scale that will fit on the selected paper size. Auto-center is also enabled by default and so the printed output is centered on the page.
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When you make adjustments to the margins by setting an origin, Auto-center turns off.
The image on the right shows the preview when the origin is set to 0.0
You can turn on Auto-center to center the printed output, or click the Maximize Print Size icon to maximize the printed output on the page at any time.
Attaching pen tables

Pen tables are ASCII text files that let you remap design file element characteristics for printed output. These are things like color, weight or the order in which elements are printed. Once a pen table has been created you simply attach it when it is time to print. To load an existing pen table, select Attach from the Print dialogs PenTable menu. Select the pen table you want to attach in the Select Pen Table File dialog and click Open. The effect of the pen table can be seen in the preview window.
Previewing the printed output

The Print dialogs preview window is good for quickly checking printing parameters. During the setup process, you may use view controls such as Window Area or Zoom tools to redefine the view to be printed. After adjusting the view, you must update to ensure that the preview is displaying the new printing region. Click the Update from View icon to do this. For more accurate previewing you can open a resizable Preview window. This lets you check more thoroughly how the printed output will appear and is useful for checking fine detail. To open it, click the Preview icon in the Print dialog.
Creating the print

Once you have established settings in the Print dialog you can click the Print icon to create the print. What happens at this stage depends on your system configuration and your selected printer driver. For a standard configuration, with no modifications to printer driver files or configuration variables, the print will either go directly to a printer, or will be saved to disk for later submission.
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Printing Basics
You can submit printed output to any printer on your network, whether or not it is physically connected to your system. MicroStation lets you use different methods to submit printed output. Send the printed output directly to the system printer whether attached to your system or on a network. Send the printed output directly to a locally connected printer through the parallel port without first creating a print file. Create a print file on disk and copy this to the printer at a system prompt.
Send output directly to the system printer To send the printed output directly to the system printer, establish the desired settings in the Print dialog, select the Windows driver and click the Print icon. Send output to a printer through a parallel port without creating a print file To do this, establish the desired settings in the Print dialog and click the Print icon. In the Name field of the Save Print As dialog, enter the name of the parallel port, for example, lpt1: or lpt2: and then click OK. Send a print file to a printer through a parallel port Select Windows Start menu > Run, enter cmd in the Open field of the run dialog and then press <Enter.>. At the system command line enter: copy /b <print_file> <port> where: print_file is the print file to be sent. port is the parallel port on your system to which the printer is connected; for example, lpt1: or lpt2: (Wintel systems) or prn (DEC Alpha).
The /b switch specifies that the file is binary. Exercise: Print the design to PDF 1 2 3 4 5 Continuing in BSI300AE301-Sections.dgn, in the Print dialog, click Print. In the Save Print As dialog, navigate to a location you will remember. Save the print as BSI300AE301-Sections-Default.pdf. Select File > Close. If Adobe Reader is installed on your system, open the file.
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Creating Complete Scaled Drawings
Note: If Adobe Reader is not available you can complete the exercise series using the Bentley jpeg.plt driver. Open the file in any imaging application or select Utilities > Image > Display from MicroStations main menu bar and navigate to the output file to display the results.

Because MicroStation designs can be printed at any scale, one design can be used in a number of drawings. For example, one design may be used in an overall plan at 1:100 and parts of it in other views or details at 1:10, 1:20, and 1:50. With manual drafting, each view or detail must be drawn separately. Using MicroStation you need only draw the design once. It then can be referenced to other files at various scales, either in its entirety or just a portion.
Working with borders

With manual drafting, you scale a design to fit the border. In MicroStation you can do this using scaled references. Or, you can scale a border to fit a design. Borders can be attached as references or they can be placed in the model as a cell, just like any other symbol.
Using a 1:1 scale border

With manual drafting, you have a full size drawing sheet into which you place scaled views of a design. In MicroStation you can do the same thing, except that you draw the original design at full size and then scale it, as a reference, to fit the border. For this method, you first create a sheet model, with the sheet layout set to full size. Into this model you reference a standard border at full scale. Within the confines of this border you then reference the designs at the required scales. All text and dimensioning is placed in the sheet model at full size. When you install MicroStation with the default options a number of sample border files are delivered to the ANSI, Architectural, and ISO sub-folders of the \Workspace\System\Borders folder. These provide sample border files that you can use as references or place as cells. In each border DGN file there is a default model, in which the title block is drawn at full scale. When printing, you print the sheet at full size. The border and text will print at their actual size while the design elements will print to the scale at which they were referenced to the sheet model.
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Scaling a border to fit design elements

Creating completed scaled drawings that include a border requires extra planning and set up prior to printing. Take text placement, for example. If you place text elements in a design and it is scaled, then the text elements also will be scaled. An alternative to using a 1:1 scale border is to create a sheet model that is scaled to surround the required part of the design or the required design elements. Do this by setting the Annotation Scale to the required value when creating a sheet model. When you place text with the Annotation Scale lock on, the text and dimensioning is scaled so that it prints at the correct size. For example, if a border is 12 times its normal size, all text also would have to be 12 times its normal size. This sheet model has an annotation scale of 1 inch to 1 foot. No matter how the model is scaled, the text will always maintain this ratio. Note: An advantage of referencing a border is that only one file or model needs to be updated if there is a change to the standard title block or border. Now you can reference the design elements that you want to print at a scale of 1:1. In such a case, when the final printed output is created, you would use the scale of 1:12 to reduce the border and text back to their normal size. At the same time, the design elements will be reduced by the same ratio. You print the sheet model at a scale that returns the border back to its normal size, at the same time scaling the design elements, text and also any dimensioning that was placed using an annotation scale. The sample borders delivered with MicroStation each have a default model, in which the title block is drawn at full scale. This model then is referenced to other models for various scales, including Full Scale.
Simply select the desired scale model with attaching the border as a reference or when placing it as a cell. The description for each model indicates the size required for any text, to produce standard size text in the printed output.
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Module Review
Module Review
Questions
1 How is the initial print area is determined? True or False: When you change the output color mode it changes the colors in the design file. What does the Full option do? Why would you change the scale units (Settings > Units in the Print dialog)? What does a pen table do? What is the difference between using the Windows printer and a Bentley printer driver?
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Module Review
Answers
1 How is the initial print area is determined? When the Print dialog is opened, if the active model is a sheet model, the print area is obtained from it. If no sheet definition exists, but there is a fence, the fence defines the print area. If no sheet definition or fence exists, the print area is the first open view window. 2 True or False: When you change the output color mode it changes the colors in the design file. False. The colors in the design do not change, only the print reflects the change. 3 What does the Full option do? Maximizes the portion of the sheet that is used. The print size will be the size of the entire sheet. Some geometry may be clipped by the printer if it falls into the area around the edge of the paper. 4 Why would you change the scale units (Settings > Units in the Print dialog)? A printers units and your design file units are not always the same. You set the scale for the design as a ratio of its working units to the printer units. 5 What does a pen table do? Lets you produce printed output that looks different from the on-screen view of the design. By using different pen tables, you can produce printed output having different element symbology to that of the original design. 6 What is the difference between the Windows printer and a Bentley printer driver? Selecting Windows driver automatically loads the Windows printer driver configuration file. Bentley drivers are text files that supply all the necessary information to create a print or plot, in a particular plotter language format.
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Module Summary
Module Summary
You are now able to: Control the printable area of a design Determine print scale, paper size and other variables Produce quality printed output or PDF files
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Course Summary
Course Summary
Now you will be able to use MicroStations tools, features, and concepts to produce quality designs. Work with multiple views, create and manage Saved Views and control view attributes Set element attributes, place elements, set working units, and use AccuSnap Use AccuDraw to draw with accuracy and speed Use element creation tools to add elements to your designs Apply element templates and create filled, outlined and gradient filled elements Use levels for drafting and display purposes Manipulate and modify existing elements Annotate designs Organize design and project data
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Course Summary
Course Review
Course Review
Now that you have completed this course, lets measure what you have learned.
Questions
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Identify four elements of the MicroStations interface. Name three things saved with a Saved View. True or False: MicroStation uses a true unit system. What are the operational steps when using AccuDraw? True or False: An active creation tool can only be used to draw one object. To draw two objects you must select the tool again. What type of elements can have a fill? What is the difference between a locked and unlocked element template? Level definitions can be created and edited in which dialog? Which method would you use to pattern an area made of multiple elements?
10 In what ways can you modify an arc? 11 Name two element types on which you can use the Extend Element tool. 12 What additional attributes do text elements have? 13 Name 4 components of a dimension. 14 What does the Save Relative Path option in the Attach Reference dialog do? 15 What is live nesting? 16 What is a shared cell and why would you use one? 17 What is a link set? 18 Why would you change the scale units (Settings > Units in the Print dialog)? 19 What does a pen table do?
Course Summary
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Course Review
Answers
1 2 3 4 Status bar, tool settings, tool boxes, Main menu bar, message center, AccuDraw window. Window size, position, aspect ratio, reference settings, levels, camera position, view attributes, clip volume. True. 1. Enter a data point using either precision input, or a data point, to fix the location of the compass. 2. Move the pointer in the direction in which you wish to draw. 3. Without using the pointer to put focus into the AccuDraw windows key-in fields, enter the desired distance value. 5 6 7 False. Closed elements. A locked template is linked to the source definition of the template and changes with the source. An unlocked template is not linked to the source, but uses the source definition once at element creation time. The Level Manager. Flood.
8 9
10 Relocate the arc endpoint, arc radius, arc radius preserve endpoints, arc angle. 11 Line, line string, arc. 12 Font, slant, justification, line spacing. 13 Dimension text, dimension line, line terminator, extension line. 14 Ensures portability because the relative path to the file is saved as attachment data in the DGN file so the file can be more easily located. 15 Live nesting provides the ability to see a reference that is attached to a reference. 16 A shared cell can have many instances in a DGN but has only one definition. This keeps the size of the file smaller. To place more instances of a shared cell, the cell library does not need to be attached. 17 It is a group of links to target data. The Link Set dialog is where you add, copy, rename, delete, and import link sets. 18 A printers units and your design file units are not always the same. You set the scale for the design as a ratio of its working units to the printer units. 19 Lets you produce printed output that looks different from the on-screen view of the design. By using different pen tables, you can produce printed output having different element symbology to that of the original design.
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Course Name Here
Course Review
Course Summary
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Design Problem 1
Module Overview
This design problem challenges you to design a floor plan that overcomes specified obstacles to meet certain criteria.
The Problem
The total floor area of a floor framing plan for a small, self-contained, area is 206 square meters. However, the total space available for development is less than 154 square meters. The dashed lines define circulation space which must remain clear. Starting with a new file, you must draw the floor plan and lay out workstations in the area.
Each work station will consist of a cubicle with an L-shaped computer table with dividing partitions, a utility casing post which can be shared among stations, and a chair.
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Design Problem 1
The Problem
The sketch shows all parts of the cubicle and the dimensions. Using this, complete the space utilization design.
Design parameters
The room must contain at least 18 work stations, but place as many work stations as you can fit into the available space. Provide aisles to give access to work stations. Aisles must be at least 70 centimeters wide. Avoid the columns in the center of the floor space. Here are 2 arrangements for clustering work stations.
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The Problem
Design procedure
1 2 3 4 5 Create a new file for the floor plan. Draw the outer and inner walls and doors. Draw the circulation area, which is centered on the room. Draw center, square circulation zones, which should be centered horizontally and spaced evenly vertically. Design the first L shaped table/work station cubicle. Consider using Place SmartLine and AccuDraw. 6 7 8 9 Draw the cabinet. Draw the equipment cable access portal. Draw the utility casing post. Draw the chair. Next, solve the space utilization plan. Fit cubicles in various cluster layouts. 10 Use Copy, Move, Rotate, and Mirror to place at least 18 cubicles, keeping aisle spacing and required areas clear.
Review the final design

Review the criteria and verify that your design meets them.
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Design Problem 1
Additional Problem
Additional Problem
Design procedure
1 2 Create a new file in which to create the P&ID diagram. Following the schematic, create cells for the various features.
3 4
Place the created cells in the proper locations. Draw the piping to connect.
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Appendix - AccuDraw Shortcuts

AccuDraw tries to anticipate your next move but it cannot always predict your intentions, so there are single and double character shortcut key-ins to help direct it. By pressing the appropriate key you can direct AccuDraw to perform a specific operation. Pop-ups confirm single letter shortcuts below the input field.
? ~ A B Show Shortcuts Bump Tool Setting Lock Angle Base Rotation Opens the AccuDraw Shortcuts window Move tool settings to the next value to set Toggles the lock status for the Angle value Rotates the drawing plane to the last non-content rotation, that is: Top, Front, Side, View, or Auxiliary. Select the shortcut again to return the drawing plane to its previous rotation Activates Center snap mode Toggles the lock status for the Distance value Rotates between three main planes: Top, Front, and Side (3D only). This also works when your original plane is an ACS or context rotation, so you do not have to use RX, RY to rotate to a 90 degree plane Smart Lock In Rectangular coordinates, locks X to 0 if the pointer is on the drawing plane y-axis or sets Y to 0 if the pointer is on the x-axis In Polar coordinates, locks Angle to 0, 90, -90, or 180 if the pointer is on a drawing plane axis or otherwise locks Distance to its last entered value Rotates the drawing plane to align with the axes in a standard Front view Retrieve a saved ACS Opens or moves focus to the Key-in browser Opens or moves focus to the AccuDraw Settings dialog Moves focus to the tool settings window. AccuDraw on Hold temporarily disables AccuDraw AccuSnap Toggle toggles the state of AccuSnap off or on AccuSnap Suspend stops AccuSnap until the next tool is selected Activate the Intersect snap Opens the Keypoint Snap Divisor settings box to set the Snap Divisor for Keypoint snapping
C D E
Center Snap Lock Distance Cycle Rotation
Enter
Smart Lock
F GA GK GS GT HA HS HU I K
Front Rotation Get ACS Go to Keyin Go to Settings Go to Tool Settings AccuDraw on Hold AccuSnap Toggle AccuSnap Suspend Intersect Snap Snap Divisor
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Lock Index
Locks the current index state. If an axis or distance is not indexed, <L> disables indexing. On the other hand, if an axis or distance is indexed, <L> locks indexing. The effect is temporary, lasting only until you enter another data point or run the shortcut again Opens the data point Key-in settings dialog for entering multiple data points Activate the Nearest snap Moves the drawing plane origin to the current pointer position. Opens the data Point Key-in settings box for entering a single data point Deactivate AccuDraw Used to permanently rotate the drawing plane. Because it rotates the current ACS, this rotation remains active after the current command terminates Rotates the compass to the current ACS You can define AccuDraw rotation by selecting an element. Tool settings let you choose to move the origin or update the current ACS as well Used to quickly and temporarily rotate the drawing plane Rotate View puts the view into a dynamic rotation mode Rotates the drawing plane 90 about its x-axis Rotates the drawing plane 90 about its y-axis Rotates the drawing plane 90 about its z-axis Rotates the drawing plane to align with the axes in a standard Right (side) view Toggles between Rectangular and Polar coordinates Rotates the drawing plane to align with the axes in a standard Top view Rotates the drawing plane to align with the view axes Saves the drawing plane alignment as an ACS Toggles the lock status for the X value Toggles the lock status for the Y value Toggles the lock status for the Z value
M N O P Q RA
Point Keyin (multi) Nearest Snap Set Origin Point Keyin (single) Quit AccuDraw Rotate ACS
RC RE
Rotate to Current ACS Rotate Element
RQ RV RX RY RZ S Space T V WA X Y Z
Rotate Quick Rotate View Rotate about X Rotate about Y Rotate about Z Side Rotation Change Mode Top Rotation View Rotation Write to ACS Lock X Lock Y Lock Z
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Glossary
A
accept To click the Data button to approve the placement of a data point at the location of a tentative point or to confirm the identification of an element that is highlighted. AccuDraw Drafting aid used to apply precision to geometry without affecting the flow of drafting or sacrificing the interactivity afforded by dynamic update. AccuSnap A snapping mode that may be used by itself, or in combination with AccuDraw, to reduce the number of button presses required during a design session. AccuSnap provides graphical assistance a smart pointer for snapping to elements. action string Defines the action MicroStation performs when a tool is selected or a menu item is chosen. active angle The angle, in degrees, used with cell placement and text placement tools that require an angle specification. active attributes The setting that determines the color, line style, and line weight of an element upon placement. active cell The cell that is placed with the cell placement tools.
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Glossary
active class The class (primary or construction) of an element upon placement. DGN files are normally composed of primary elements. Construction elements are usually placed to help place primary elements and are usually not plotted. active color The setting that determines the color of an element upon placement. active color table The set of up to 256 colors from which the active color can be selected. The active color table is modified, attached, and saved in the Color Table dialog box. active command The command that has most recently been activated from a tool box, menu, or key-in. active control indicator The dotted rectangle that indicates the input focus in dialog boxes. active DGN file The DGN file currently opened for viewing and/or manipulation. active font The setting that determines the font of a text element upon placement. active level The setting that determines the level upon which an element is placed. active pattern angle(s) The setting that determines the angle at which the active pattern cell is placed by Pattern Area, the angle of the lines placed using Hatch Area, or two settings that determine the angles of the lines placed using Crosshatch Area. active pattern cell The setting that determines the cell that is used for patterning.
Glossary
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active pattern scale The setting that determines the scale at which the active pattern cell is placed during area patterning and linear patterning. active pattern spacing The distance(s) between adjacent pattern cells placed using Pattern Area. The distance(s) between lines placed using Hatch Area or Crosshatch Area. active point The setting that determines whether a cell, symbol, or zero-length line is drawn by the point placement tools. active scale factor(s) The setting that determines the amount of scaling applied to a cell when placed, to selected elements, or to a fence contents when using Scale. The scale factors in the X-, Y-, or Zdirection can be identical or each can be different. active line style The setting that determines the line style of an element upon placement. active text height The setting that determines the height of text upon placement. active text width The setting that determines the width of text upon placement. active line weight The setting that determines the line weight of an element upon placement. align view To make one view display the same area (in 2D) or the same volume (in 3D) as another view. alphanumeric A string of characters that takes the form of letters, numbers, and some symbols (e.g. @, $, and punctuation).
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Glossary
alternate key-in A short cut way to enter a key-in command. For example, AA= is an alternate key-in for ACTIVE ANGLE. annotation Detailing, such as text, symbols, dimensions, and flags, added to a model for emphasis and to provide explanation. annotation scale Optional scale factor applicable to text and dimension elements and to the non-printing Sheet Layout element. Turn on the Annotation Scale lock to apply the annotation scale if you will create your sheet model by scaling the drawing border to fit your design. Applying the annotation scale will ensure that when the scaled print is created, annotations are at the correct physical size. application software Software that allows you to more efficiently perform specific tasks with MicroStation. These applications include: MDL applications, key-in scripts, and macros. arc A regularly curved open element that has a constant radius around a single center point. area attribute Whether an area is a solid or a hole. area patterning Placement of the active pattern cell (at the active pattern angle, scale, and spacing) in an area bounded by a shape, ellipse, circle, fence, or complex shape. The cell is repeated in a rectangular array spacing as many times as necessary to fill the area. aspect ratio Height divided by width. associated dimensions Dimensions that update automatically as the element they dimension is modified.
Glossary
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association lock The setting that, when turned on, causes element associations to be created when an element is snapped to while using Place Multi-line, a dimensioning tool, or a cell placement tool (with Use Shared Cells on). association point A point created by snapping while using Place Multi-line, a dimensioning tool, or a cell placement tool (with Use Shared Cells on) when Association Lock is turned on. An association point does not have its own coordinates, but is positioned by the coordinates of the point it is associated with. attach To activate a (paper, cursor button, or sidebar) menu. To define (a cell library, color table, or reference) for use with a DGN file. attributes Line color, line style, line weight, and fill color (for closed elements). axis increment The setting that determines, in conjunction with axis start angle, the possible axes for data points when Axis Lock is on. For example, if axis increment is 45 degrees and axis start angle is 0 degrees, the possible axes are 0, 45, 90, 135, 180, 225, 270, and 315 degrees. axis lock The lock that forces data points to be placed at axes that are at specific angles from the most recent data point or tentative point, constraining the movement of elements or placement to multiples of the Axis Increment from the Axis Start Angle. axis start angle The setting that determines (in conjunction with axis increment) the possible axes for data points when Axis Lock is on. For example, if axis increment is 60 degrees and axis start angle is 30 degrees, the possible axes are 30, 90, 150, 210, 270, and 330 degrees.
B
B-spline curve A free-form, parametrically defined curve in which each pole (vertex) has an influence over a defined range of the curve.
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Glossary
B-spline surface A free-form, parametrically defined surface in which each pole (vertex) has an influence over a defined range of the surface. balanced colors A representative spread of colors evenly spaced across the color spectrum. bitmap Pixel oriented (raster) data. Bitmaps are created by capturing an image on the screen (hardware) or can be generated by an algorithm (software). block A rectangular shape. buttons Areas in dialog boxes that you click to start, save, or dismiss an operation.
C
CALS The United States Department of Defense Computer-aided Acquisition and Logistic Support initiative, which was created to integrate and standardize all digital data received from Department of Defense suppliers. MicroStation supports CALS compliance by providing corresponding settings files. cascade The arrangement of stacked views of windows or views in numerical order, with the lowest numbered view entirely visible and the title bars of all other views visible. cavity wall An architectural term for a wall that is not solid. cell A complex element composed of a group of primitive or other complex elements that is stored in a cell library for repeated placement.
Glossary
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cell definition The graphical elements that make up a cell. cell library A file that is used to store cells. To access cells in a cell library, the library must be attached to the active DGN file, except if the Cell Selector dialog box is used. cell origin The point, specified during cell creation, about which the cell is placed (the origin corresponds to the data point when the cell is placed in the design). CGM Computer Graphics Metafile, which is an ANSI standard for the exchange of picture data between different graphics software that is device- and environment-independent. chamfer To cut a line across two linear elements, connecting the elements and modifying either one or both of the original elements. check box A square box in a dialog or setting box that can be clicked to toggle the associated setting. class An element attribute, usually primary or construction. click To press or tap once on a cursor or mouse button; to press a push button or check button in a dialog box. clip To divide an area, elements, or portions of elements in a design from the rest for manipulation or display. clipping boundary A boundary (established with a fence or from a named view) that separates the part of a reference that is displayed from the part that is hidden.
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Glossary
clip mask Used with the Raster Manager or Reference tools, a clip mask allows you lets you clip out a portion of the image. Masking can be used, for example, to clear an area for text display. closed Elements that completely enclose the area within their boundaries. closed B-Spline A complex curve that starts and ends at the same point, and encloses an area. cloud See revision cloud. coincident Attaching a reference by aligning the coordinates of its design plane with those of the active DGN file, without any rotation, scaling, or offset. coincident reference attachment A coincident reference has a one-to-one correspondence between its design plane and the design plane of the active DGN file. If the working units settings and global origin are identical in the two files, the coordinates in working units are identical as well. color book A collection of named, true (RGB) colors. PANTONE and RAL color books are featured among the color books supplied with MicroStation. color fill An attribute that, when applied to a closed element, indicates the element's enclosed area as a solid shape of color. color table In a DGN file, the color table determines the correspondence between the 256-color attribute values and display colors. It is displayed in a dialog box. column In a database table or file, a column or field represents the properties of objects (which are represented by records or rows.)
Glossary
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Jan-08
command An instruction that tells MicroStation what to do. Commands are activated with tools in tool boxes, pull down menus, settings and dialog boxes, key-ins, and function keys. All commands can be activated with a key-in. command button The button on a mouse or digitizing tablet cursor (puck) that is pressed to select a menu block in a paper menu. command file A text file containing an SQL statement. command menu Paper mounted on the surface of a digitizing menu with blocks of varying sizes and shapes. compass A square or circle used to indicate the AccuDraw drawing plane origin, axes, and coordinate system. Color-coded hash marks indicate the positive X and Y axes. complex chain An open complex element that is formed from a series of open elements, such as lines, line strings, and arcs. complex element An element created by combining several primitive elements. complex shape A closed complex element formed from a series of open primitive elements. components Groups of settings that comprise drawing settings group. Component types are: linear, text, cell, point, area pattern, hatching, dimension, and multi-line. configuration variables Equivalence strings that define where MicroStation is to look for certain files or classes of files. Configuration variables are tools for customizing your MicroStation working
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Glossary
environment. For example, MicroStation knows to search for references in the directory (or semicolon-separated list of directories) specified in the configuration variable MS_RFDIR. construction A type of element that is placed as a guideline from which to compose actual elements comprising a design. construction element See active class. controls Parts of a dialog box such as text fields, check boxes, and option menus. coordinate Location of a point in the design plane along the X (horizontal), Y (vertical), and Z (depth [3D only]) axes relative to the global origin. coordinate readout Format and precision with which coordinate, measurement, and angle data is displayed in the status bar and in settings and dialog boxes. cross-section A view of the interior of an object as it is sliced along a plane. crosshair The crosshair located on the digitizing tablet cursor is used as the positioning target to select a menu block from a paper menu. The crosshair pointer on the screen is used with element placement tools. crosshatch The process of constructing two sets of evenly spaced lines in a closed area bounded by a complex shape, closed element, or fence at the active pattern angles and spacing. CSV file Comma-separated values file: The CSV file format is an interchange format for tabular data, such as the contents of a flat file database or a table in a relational database. In this text file format, the first line contains the database field (column) names separated by commas. Each
Glossary
372
Jan-08
successive line corresponds to a database record (row). On each such line, the subject record's field values are separated by commas. cursor Hand-held tablet cursor. Commonly called a puck. cursor button menu A set of actions assigned to buttons on a tablet cursor.
D
data button The button on a mouse or digitizing tablet that is pressed to enter data points, identify elements for manipulation, accept a previous action, select tools, and operate dialog box controls. data point Input entered using the pointing device that designates a point in the design. default font The font used to display a text element in the design when the font with which the element was placed is not found. delete To remove an element(s) from the DGN file. design cube The space in which elements are created in a 3D design. DGN workmode The default MicroStation workmode in which the full functionality of the application is enabled. DGN file MicroStation document file that contains one or more models. These models may be design models or sheet models.
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Glossary
DGN library A DGN file that contains data resources, such as cells, levels, and styles, that are shared throughout files and among users. Sometimes referred to as a DGNLib. The recommend file extension is .dgnlib. design composition A working collection of references used in the performance of particular engineering tasks. Design compositions are used by engineers and other technical professionals to communicate through the visual content of their designs. design geometry The construction geometry and the constraints that make up a complete design. design history The historical record of changes to the DGN file. Enables you to restore earlier revisions of a DGN file. When you create a revision, Design History captures the state of the DGN file at that moment. design model A model is a container for elements. Models can be either 2D or 3D, but they are most useful in their 3D form. It may be helpful to think of a DGN file as a stack of cards, with each card being a model. Every model has its own set of eight views. The model whose views are displayed or available for display at a given time is the active model. design plane The area in which elements are created in a 2D design. design session The period during which a DGN file is active. detailing symbol Symbols placed for the purpose of detailing a design. Examples are title text, detail, section, material callout markers, and leaders. destination view A view that can be designated for attaching saved attributes and displays from a source view.
Glossary
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dialog box A window displayed on the screen that presents various controls that can be manipulated to set values that MicroStation will use. digital certificate DGN files can be protected by certificates. Users can be granted access to that certificate and all the rights to the file associated with certificate. digital rights The type of rights (i.e. view, edit , export, etc.) to a protected file assigned to a user. digital signatures The mechanism for indicating one's approval of DGN files to other users and communicating approval in a verifiable manner. digitizing The process of coding graphic information from paper sources (such as a map or other drawing) into a DGN file using a tablet. digitizing partition The area of a digitizing tablet in which the tablet cursor controls the screen pointer only within the part of the design in which features of the hard copy are being mapped. See partition, screen partition. dimension A label in a design owing a linear, angular, or radial distance or angle measurement. dimension attributes The settings for all components of dimension elements, including text (color, weight, font, height, and width), lines (color, style, weight, and alternates), and level. dimension element An element that contains all of the lines, arcs, terminators, and text in a dimension. dimension line terminators Symbols placed at the end of dimension lines that clarify the meaning of the dimensions.
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Glossary
dimension line The line component of a dimension that is usually parallel to and the same length as the object being dimensioned. dimension style A named group of dimension settings such as terminators, units, formats, and symbology. Commonly stored for usage as a shared data resource in a DGN library. Dimension styles allow you to place dimensions within a model in a consistent and automated manner. dimensional constraints The constraints that define the exact dimensions of a construction. display cube In a 3D design, the volume of the design that appears in a view. display depth Collectively, the front and back of the view cube. display mode Determines whether the contents of a view are continuously rendered and, if so, the type of rendering. dithering The process of alternating two or more colors pixel by pixel across the screen to seemingly create a third color not available in the color palette. double-click To press or tap twice in quick succession on a cursor button or mouse button, or to press on a list box item in a dialog box twice in quick succession. drawing composition A method in which views of the model are attached to a sheet model as references. Sheet files with attached references can also be established independent of the design model file so that a wider range of individuals may access these files.
Glossary
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Jan-08
drawing plane The plane on which data points are previewed with AccuDraw. In 3D, all data points will lie on this plane unless supplied by tentative point snap or by precision input key-in. drawing plane coordinate system The coordinate system (Rectangular or Polar) that defines the orientation of the drawing plane. drawing plane origin The origin of the drawing plane coordinate system. drop complex element To return the primitive elements composing a complex element to their primitive element status. DXF A drawing exchange file format supported by most CAD packages. MicroStation reads and writes DXF files. A DXF file, when opened and subsequently modified in MicroStation is automatically saved as DXF. DWG files AutoCAD binary files that may be directly opened in MicroStation. DWG workmode The MicroStation workmode in which certain functionality is disabled by default in order to restrict MicroStation to creating only engineering data that can be stored in DWG format. DWG workmode is enabled by default when a DWG file is opened. dynamic display A temporary representation, which moves when the pointer moves, that MicroStation displays until the placement is complete. dynamic update The display of elements being drawn or modifications being made, which moves as the pointer moves, before the element or modification is entered into the design.
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Glossary
E
edges hidden line removal Creates a DGN file where the lines hidden by surfaces (in the view the edges file was generated from) are removed. edit handles See handles. element One of the entities that make up a DGN file. See graphic element. element attributes Color, line style, line weight, class, level, and fill. Other element attributes apply only to certain element types. element manipulation To delete, copy, move, rotate, mirror, or scale existing graphic elements in the design. element placement Tools used to place or construct graphic elements in the design. element symbology The color, line style, and line weight of an element. element tag Where associated data is stored in the DGN file with the graphical elements. Tags allow you to associate non-graphical data to elements in the DGN file if the data is relatively simple or if you must maintain compatibility with other CAD packages that store data inside their drawing files. The associated tag data may be copied from the tag, loaded into a database and linked back to the tag. element template An element template is a component of a DGN library that defines properties of elements. Templates can be applied to existing elements. They can also be used to set the MicroStation active settings that are used for element placement. The primary purpose of templates is to increase consistency when drawing.
Glossary
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enter data field One or more placeholders representing characters that reserve space in a text element for future input. enter data field special character The character used during text entry to designate a character position in an enter data field. entity The fundamental unit of data in a DWG, DXF, IGES, or CGM file. In general, entities are the equivalent of MicroStation elements. extension A suffix of characters optionally separated from the main part of a filename by a period (.) character. Traditionally, these have been used to designate the type of the file. For example, .dgn is commonly used to represent a DGN file. extension lines Component of dimensions that consists of lines extending from the dimensioned points to the dimension line.
F
fast display A view attribute setting in which the display changes to an abbreviated form of the information which would normally be displayed. The nature of the information in the design does not change; only the presentation of it in the view changes. Fast display can be selected for cells, curves, text, and fonts. feature A part of a solids model created using feature modeling tools. feature control frames Indicators of geometric tolerancing in a design. feature modeling A technique for creating models with parametric-based solids using tools designed for this purpose.
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Glossary
fence A polygonal boundary that designates multiple elements for simultaneous manipulation using fence tools. fence contents The elements and portions of elements operated on by fence tools determined by the fence selection mode. These elements can be enclosed by, outside of, or overlap the fence. fence manipulation Tools that operate on fence contents. fence selection mode A setting that determines a fence contents. field In text, a container for a derived element, model, or file property. In a dialog box, an area into which a filename or other keyboard input can be entered. In a non-graphical database, a column.
filename Denotes the string used when calling for a generic file. filled Element that is colored within the planar element boundaries, as opposed to being displayed as just an outline. filled hidden line A rendering method that generates a surface model in which each visible surface is filled with the element color. fillet An arc constructed between and tangent to two converging lines. filter A filename pattern that limits filenames displayed in a list to those fitting the pattern. For example, *.dgn.
Glossary
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fit A viewing operation that expands the area seen within a view to include all elements on all levels turned on in the view. fitted view View that shows all elements on the levels turned on in the view. flag A bitmapped image (raster element) with or without an associated explanatory message used for annotating a design with reminders or suggestions for future changes. floating A dialog box, tool box, or other part of MicroStation's graphical user interface that can be positioned freely on screen. font A style of lettering. Fonts are identified by both a number and a font name. font library A file that contains fonts for use by MicroStation or other applications. These fonts may include TTF and SHX formats. function keys Application keys that are programmable; located at the top of the keyboard. function key menu A way to assign actions to the function keys on the keyboard.
G
geometric tolerancing Specification of how much a manufactured object can deviate from the geometry shown in a design. geometry
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381
Glossary
Type of entity that defines physical shapes, including points, curves, surfaces, solids, and relations (collections of similarly structured entities). global origin Location of the origin of the Cartesian coordinate system in design plane coordinates. When design plane positions are specified or reported in working units, they are relative to the global origin. graphic A type of cell in which the symbology (color, line style, and line weight) is determined when it is created. graphic element A graphic component of the design. Referred to in user documentation as simply an element. graphic group A permanent grouping of elements (primitive or complex). An element can be a member of only one graphic group at a time. graphic group lock The setting that, when on, causes all elements in a graphic group to be manipulated whenever one member of the graphic group is manipulated. For example, if an element in a graphic group is deleted with Graphic Group Lock on, all elements in the graphic group are likewise deleted. grid lock The setting that, when on, forces all graphically entered data points to the grid point nearest to the specified point. grid A matrix of grid points (dots) and grid references (crosses) at user-defined intervals, used as a visual aid or in conjunction with the Grid Lock setting for precision input. grid points Evenly spaced points in the design plane located at integer multiples of the grid units from the global origin.
Glossary
382
Jan-08
grid references Reference crosses spaced at user-defined intervals on the grid. grid units The settings that specify the distance between adjacent grid points and the number of grid points between grid references. group A complex element (actually an unnamed cell) that is not defined in a cell library. Groups can be created to keep elements together, or to be copied for repeated placement in a design.
H
handles Small squares drawn on (or sometimes near) elements to indicate that they have been selected. This provides an alternative to highlighting. hatch The process of constructing a set of evenly spaced lines in a closed area. help articles Text that displays in the Help window to explain particular concepts, features, and procedures in MicroStation. help topics A list of the areas covered by help articles that displays in the Help window. hidden line A rendering method that generates a surface model. highlight color The color in which an element is displayed upon identification for manipulation. hole elements Elements whose area attribute is set to hole, as opposed to solid.
Jan-08
383
Glossary
hypertext The text that appears in color in the online help and allows you to jump from topic to topic by selecting it.
I
identify To enter a data point on an element to distinguish it for manipulation or modification. IGDS Interactive Graphics Design Software, the software that ran on Intergraph VAX-based CAD systems. IGES Initial Graphics Exchange Specification, a public domain, ANSI standard, neutral file format that is intended as an international standard for the exchange of product definition data between different CAD/CAM systems. input focus The settings or dialog box control upon which the next keystroke will act has the input focus. insert mode If on, new characters are inserted at the insertion point. insertion point The point, represented by a vertical bar, at which new characters are inserted. inside Elements completely enclosed in a fence are inside the fence. instance An occurrence of a shared cell that is placed in a design. isometric The standard view that shows top, left, and front facets of a design.
Glossary
384
Jan-08
Isometric (Iso) view Standard view in a 3D design where the top, left, and front faces of a cube drawn orthogonal to the design cube axes are equally inclined to the screen surface. item In a dialog box, any control such as a text field, check box, or option menu.
J
joints Intersections of multi-lines.
K
key combination The <Ctrl>, <Alt>, and <Shift> keys, which may be used in conjunction with the function keys to create new function key definitions. key-in An instruction entered into the Key-in window to control MicroStation. Most key-ins have GUI control equivalents. Key-in window A window used to scroll through lists of key-ins, construct key-ins, and submit key-ins to MicroStation. Opens when Key-in is chosen from the Utilities menu. keypoint Points on an element to which a tentative point will snap when Snap Lock is on activated within Keypoint mode. keypoint snap mode If active, entering a tentative point close enough to an element causes the tentative point to snap to a keypoint on the element.
Jan-08
385
Glossary
L
level In the MicroStation DGN file format, the number of levels is unlimited, and the minimum number of levels is 1. You can delete unused levels. All levels are named and have default colors, line weights, and line styles, providing the foundation for numerous enhancements. An important benefit of the level system is the ability to standardize level structures across DGN files. level filter Filtering the level entries in the list boxes in the Level Display and Level Manager dialog boxes allows you to search and sort these entries. level group A set of levels that can be collectively manipulated and displayed. level lock The setting that, when turned on, prevents selection or manipulation of any element that is not on the active level. level structure The hierarchical organization of levels after they are grouped. level symbology A view setting that, when turned on, causes all elements on a particular level to be displayed with the same element symbology. line string An open graphic element composed of line segments connected at the vertices. line style A part of the symbology of an element, for example, whether a line is solid, continuous dashes, dots and dashes, and so on. Each element can have its own line style or each can be defined by separate symbology. You can create custom line styles. line style component Any of the properties such as stroke patterns, point symbols, and compound components that apply to a line style.
Glossary
386
Jan-08
line style definition A line style name and its corresponding line style components stored in a line style library. line style modifiers Properties that can be applied to a line style to modify it as elements are placed, without requiring separate line style definitions. line terminator A cell placed at the end of an open element, oriented in the direction of the element. A commonly used line terminator is an arrowhead placed at the end of a line segment. line weight An index in the range 0 to 31 that designates the weight or thickness of the lines used to draw or plot a graphic element. Each element has its own line weight. linear patterning The repetitive placement of the active pattern cell along a line, line string, shape, arc, circle, ellipse, or curve element. link Pointer to project data. link set Set of links. Create and open link sets using the Project Explorer dialog box (File > Project Explorer). list box Rectangular areas in which files, directories, or other items are listed for selection or reference. locate To find an element in the DGN file. locate tolerance A setting that determines the size of the area surrounding the element selection or identification pointer in which MicroStation can locate elements.
Jan-08
387
Glossary
locks Settings that you selectively enable or disable. Locks affect the way MicroStation interprets and reacts to your input.
M
macro A software program that automates an often-used, usually short sequence of operations. macro language Used to represent macro code a dialect of BASIC with MicroStation-specific extensions. manipulate To copy, move, rotate, scale, mirror, or delete an element or group of elements. mark See dimension mark. mask An area of a reference that is not displayed. master units The largest units in common use in a model. matrix menus Paper (mounted on the surface of a digitizing tablet) menus that contain menu blocks of a fixed size organized in rows and columns. maximized When a dialog box or window is drawn to the largest scale that will fit on the selected paper size. mechanical dimension format Dimensions that conform to mechanical design conventions.
Glossary
388
Jan-08
menu One method for activating a MicroStation command, including pull-down menus, tool boxes, function key menus, and paper menus. menu item Any of the list of options on a pull-down menu. MicroStation Development Language (MDL) Allows programmers to execute C language code within MicroStation. mirror A manipulation that reverses the geometry of graphic elements about a horizontal, vertical, or specified arbitrary line. mnemonic access character The underlined character in each menu name and menu item. model A DGN file component that contain elements. Design models can be either 2D or 3D, but they are most useful in their 3D form. Sheet models, which are flat and used for drawing composition, are ordinarily 2D. By default, the view windows of a design model have black backgrounds, and the view windows of a sheet model have white backgrounds. modify handles See handles. module A subdirectory tree under MicroStation's directory that contains data files in the sample workspaces. monument point A known landmark point in the design plane. Monument points are used to orient references. MSCATALOG A table that must be contained in every non-graphical database with linkages to elements. MSCATALOG contains information associated with each table that is used by the database server.
Jan-08
389
Glossary
multi-snap A list of snap modes applied sequentially. You can define three multi-snaps. multi-line element A set of two or more parallel lines treated as a single object, commonly used for drawing walls in floor plans. A multi-line element can be defined to include up to 16 separate lines, each with its own symbology, level, and class. multi-line style A named multi-line element definition commonly stored for usage as a shared data resource in a DGN library. Multi-line styles allow you to place multi-lines within a model in a consistent and automated manner.
N
nested When part of a cell is used as part of an additional cell. nested reference attachments MicroStation provides live nested reference attachments as an alternative to flattening all reference attachments in the active model. When this option is enabled, changes to reference attachments in designs that are referenced to other designs are reflected the next time either the active model's views are updated or the file is reopened. node Shorthand for text node. Also a computer in a network. non-coincidental reference attachment A non-coincident reference is offset, rotated, or scaled from the active DGN file. non-graphic database A collection of tables representing objects that, unlike DGN file elements, are not conveniently represented in pictorial form. note Text with one or more leaders to point to an area of interest.
Glossary
390
Jan-08
noun-verb A manner of operating MicroStation; to select an element in the design before selecting a tool to act upon it.
O
offset In a compound line style component, the value that specifies the distance measured perpendicularly from the working line to where the component is displayed. opaque A type of fill that is displayed as a solid shape of the active color. option menu A menu in a dialog box that allows only one value to be selected. order Integer value associated with a B-spline that determines the smoothness of the B-spline and the number of points in the control polygon, influencing the path of the curve at a given position. The higher the order, the smoother the curve, and the more points in the control polygon influencing the path of the curve. origin See cell origin or global origin. orthogonal Constructed with right angles or perpendicular lines. An orthogonal shape contains only right angles. outline A type of fill that displays lines in the active color forming a wireframe view of the closed element. overlap A fence selection mode that includes only the elements inside or overlapping the fence.
Jan-08
391
Glossary
override The mode that allows you to override the Snap Mode. overwrite mode The mode of text entry in which each new character overwrites an existing character.
P
PDF Adobe's Portable Document format. Files of this format are often referred to as PDFs. panning To scroll a view over the design plane. PANTONE The color standard for publishing created by Pantone. PANTONE colors are indexed using the PANTONE naming convention and separated into color books to group similar color processes together. PANTONE color books are supplied with MicroStation. paper menus Menus printed on paper and mounted on the surface of a digitizing tablet. The Command button on the tablet cursor is used to select an item on a paper menu. parameter See settings. partition To separate the digitizing tablet into two regions. path configuration variable A type of configuration variable that tells MicroStation in which directories to find files, MS_DEF, for example. pattern element An element with a class attribute of pattern. It can be placed only with a patterning tool.
Glossary
392
Jan-08
patterning See area patterning. picture data In file exchange, the graphical information that draws a picture. pixel PICture ELement, the smallest dot of light that a monitor can display. Place SmartLine The tool used to place a line, line string, shape, arc, or circle or a combination thereof. plotfile The file generated by MicroStation that contains plotter commands that, when sent to an output device, will cause it to print out the desired portion of the design plane. plotter driver file A file containing information needed to generate plotfiles for a particular type of output device. These file have the form *.PLT. point See data point, tentative point, or active point. point cell A cell with a single, snappable point. Point cells are commonly used for symbols and to establish monument points. The snappable point in a point cell is the cell origin. Point cells are always placed relative to the active level with the active symbology. point curve A type of curve that has no settings that control the curve's shape. point element A special case of a line element that has no length.
Jan-08
393
Glossary
point of intersection The point at which two non-parallel lines intersect, or would intersect if the lines were extended. point symbols A type of line style component. pointer The small icon on the screen that moves in response to user inputs and indicates the position where input is supplied to MicroStation. pointers Variables used by MicroStation and other applications to place, locate, and process elements in the DGN file. polar array The set of copies of an element placed in a circular pattern in a design. polar coordinates The coordinates used in a spherical (auxiliary) coordinate system or in AccuDraw to specify distances and angles. pole A vertex of a B-spline curve. PopSet A feature that prevents the display of the selected tool's settings window when you are finished adjusting its controls. PopSet allows you to reclaim valuable screen real estate and reduce pointer movement. pop-up menu See Reset pop-up menu, view control pop-up menu position mapping The mapping of keyboard zones to logical collections of controls in the graphical user interface.
Glossary
394
Jan-08
positional keyboard navigation A technique for selecting tools, view controls, and Tool Settings window controls using a position-mapped keyboard. precision input key-ins A means of entering data points at precise locations either by specifying the coordinates or by specifying the distance from the most recent data point or tentative point. preferences Settings that customize MicroStation to your particular machine and desired mode of operation. primary elements Elements whose class attribute is primary (as opposed to construction.) primitive elements The simplest type of element. private key An encryption/decryption key known only to the parties exchanging messages.
product-definition data In file exchange, graphical information that describes a design. project A type of configuration variable file that is set by a site or project manager to facilitate using MicroStation in workgroups. A project can also be the component workspaces and the data files used for a particular discipline or undertaking. prolog Text file used to provide the header for a PostScript file. prompt The text in the status bar that tells you what to do next.
Jan-08
395
Glossary
properties Element criteria that may be searched, including the area attribute (Solid or Hole), whether an element can be snapped to, whether it is locked, and whether it has been modified. public key With a private key derived from the public key you can effectively encrypt messages with a digital signature.
R
RAL colors Standard colors based on a series of color collections for industry which are published by the Deutsches Institut fr Gtesicherung und Kennzeichnung, Sankt Augustin (originally "Reichsausschuss fr Lieferbedingungen"). The RAL CLASSIC and RAL DESIGN color books are supplied with MicroStation. raster background A bitmapped picture that can be used as the backdrop for a rendering. raster fonts Fonts used to display text in the status bar, dialog boxes, tool boxes, and each view window's title bar. receiving application In file exchange, the application into which a file exported from MicroStation will be imported. reference A model attached to and displayed with the active model for printing or construction purposes. A reference cannot be modified. You can attach, as a reference, a model that resides in either the open DGN file or some other DGN file. relational database A software package that stores, manipulates, and reports on non-graphical information. It acts on collections of tables or files that represent objects, their properties, and relationships between the objects.
Glossary
396
Jan-08
rendering To produce an image of a 3D model that looks more realistic than a wireframe image. Includes hidden line and surface shading. report files Text files that report output from MicroStation. report table A file containing the database attributes of elements in a fenced area. A report table is structured identically to the master table from which the data was derived. Reset A placement action that, with most tools, backs up one step. In some cases a Reset operation completes an action; in other cases, it cancels an action or rejects an identified element. Reset button The button on a mouse or digitizing table cursor that is pressed to enter a Reset. Reset pop-up menu A pop-up menu providing convenient access to frequently used tools and utilities. To open, either press and hold or click the Reset button, depending on the Reset Pop-up Menu preference. Resetting Entering a Reset. resize border The frame around each view that permits the view to be resized. When the pointer is placed on the resize border, it becomes a double arrow, and that border can be pulled or pushed to expand or contract the size of the view. resolution The number of addressable points across a given area. For example, output device resolution is measured in lines per inch, while screen resolution is usually given with two numbers indicating the number of pixels across the width and height of the largest image that can be displayed.
Jan-08
397
Glossary
resource The default specifications for menus and dialog boxes. resource file File containing the default specifications for dialog boxes. revision A specific version of a saved DGN file. With each file save operation, Design History captures the state of the DGN file at that moment by recording your user ID, the current time and date, the incremental changes to the elements in the design, and optional comments. revision cloud A cloud-shaped closed element used in the detailing of a design to call attention to a design revision. A revision cloud is placed as a complex shape in which each segment is an arc. right isometric The view showing the top, right and front faces of a cube. rubberbanding See dynamic update.
S
saved The kinds of settings, such as working units and view configuration, that are kept between sessions. saved view A named view definition saved in a DGN file for later recall or for attaching to another model file as a reference. scale To resize an element or elements by the active scale factors. In plotting, the ratio between distance in the DGN file master units and distance represented on the output device.
Glossary
398
Jan-08
screen element One of the pieces that make up MicroStation's graphical user interface, such as the desktop, a window border, or a button. screen menu A menu created as a MicroStation model and displayed on screen for usage in its own resizable window screen partition The area of a digitizing tablet in which the tablet cursor controls the screen pointer normally across the entire screen. See partition, compare to digitizing partition. search criteria Element attributes for which MicroStation can search. section Part of a drawing that shows interior detail that is too complex to see clearly in a wireframe view. seed DGN file A template file that contains the appropriate default settings and attributes. seed sheet model A seed file from which sheet models can be created. select To distinguish an element, identify a list box entry on which to operate, or activate a tool or view control. select range See locate tolerance. select settings window Used to adjust the active settings and select a drawing tool.
Jan-08
399
Glossary
selection set The set of selected elements. Elements in the selection set are displayed with handles. sending application In file exchange, application that created a file that is to be imported into MicroStation. separator bar A horizontal line across a menu that logically subdivides menu items in the same menu. server model Defines the interaction between MicroStation, a database package, and the database server. settings Values that determine how MicroStation displays a design or handles user input. settings file An import or export file that stores all settings for a particular conversion as they were when the settings file was created or last saved. Also, a type of module data (.stg files) that specifies active settings and drawing tool selections; used with the Select Settings window. shape A closed primitive element composed of linear segments. shared cell A cell whose elements are stored only once in the DGN file, regardless of how often the cell is placed. Any change made to one instance of a shared cell reflects in all instances of that shared cell. shared cell definition The elements comprising the shared cell. sheet file A 3D DGN file in which views of the model file(s), including visible edges and sections, are attached.
Glossary
400
Jan-08
sheet model A type of model that serves as an electronic drawing sheet. It typically consists of design model references that are scaled and positioned to create a printable drawing. sidebar menu A menu that displays on screen and presents commands for selection in a text-based, hierarchical form. Although sidebar menus are still supported, tool boxes have taken their place. single-shot Selecting a tool for one-time use by double-clicking it. sink To put a window just below the lowest view. site A type of configuration variable set by a system or site manager to facilitate using MicroStation in workgroups. slab A volume of projection with a rectangular cross section. SmartLine See Place SmartLine. smooth shading A method of shading a rendered image by calculating the color of the polygons at their boundaries and blending those colors across the polygon interiors. snap lock The setting that, when on, causes MicroStation to try to find an element or element intersection to snap to when a tentative point is entered. See also keypoint snap mode. snap divisor The setting that determines the positioning of keypoints on linear segments. The number of keypoints per segment is one greater than the snap divisor. If the snap divisor is one, only
Jan-08
401
Glossary
endpoints of a linear segment are keypoints. If the snap divisor is two or a multiple of two, the center point is also a keypoint. snap Use of the tentative point to position a data point at an exact point on the target element. Tentative points snap to an element when Snap Lock is on. snap lock divisor The number of keypoints on each segment of a linear element plus one. solid A type of complex element specific to 3D, along with surfaces. source view A view created, set up, and saved to use as a model view. SQL Standard Query Language, a simple, powerful language that is the industry standard for database access and data manipulation. stacked dimensions A group of dimensions that have at least one witness line in common. standard views The eight commonly used views of a 3D design (Isometric, Right Isometric, Top, Bottom, Left, Right, Front, and Back). startup application The MDL application that is active when a DGN file is not opened. status bar The strip at the bottom of the application window (or screen) that displays messages, prompts, and status information. The area on the screen where messages such as tool prompts, errors, and the current status of MicroStation settings (snaps, levels, element selection, and DGN file disk status) are displayed.
Glossary
402
Jan-08
stroke pattern A line style component comprising dash strokes and gap strokes. stroke tolerance The setting that determines the size of polygons into which curved surfaces are broken for rendering. style See dimension style, line style, multi-line style, text style. subunits Units that master units are divided into in the working unit definition. For example, if master units are feet, a convenient subunits setting would be inches. The number of subunits per master unit and a one or two character abbreviation for the subunit name is specified in the working unit definition. suffix See extension. surface A 3D geometric construction that can partition space but cannot enclose a volume. symbol A character placed from a MicroStation symbol font. symbol font A font that contains special use geometric constructions rather than alphanumeric characters. A typical use is to hold symbols for dimension line terminators and dimension marks, and geometric tolerancing. symbol library MicroStation uses the term cell library to refer to what may be known as a symbol library in other applications. symbology See element symbology, level symbology, or attributes.
Jan-08
403
Glossary
system Type of configuration variable.
T
tags Non-graphical attributes that may be attached to elements drawn in designs. tag set Set of associated tags. tag set definition Information that specifies, for each tag in a tag set, several tag attributes, such as whether the tag is displayed and its default value, if any. task A task is a set of tools grouped to facilitate a particular work flow. By defining and grouping tasks, you can create a task-based user interface. The tools grouped into a task can be standard MicroStation tools, custom tools, or a combination of both types. tentative button The button that is pressed to enter a tentative data point. The tentative button may also shift the location of the AccuSnap selection. tentative point A graphic input that is used to preview the location of the next data point, define a point of reference, and/or create an association point. Tentative points may appear with AccuSnap. Terminal Control Block (TCB) A global data area of memory in which MicroStation stores settings. terminator See dimension line terminators or line terminator. text attributes The color, weight, font, height, and width of text.
Glossary
404
Jan-08
text element MicroStation places text in DGN files as a distinct type of element. text node A group of multiple text elements grouped in a complex element. MicroStation automatically forms a text node when multi-line text is placed. text node lock A setting that, when turned on, forces subsequently entered text to be attached to empty text nodes. If an empty node is not available, no text is placed. text style A named group of text attributes such as font type, width, height, and color. Commonly stored for usage as a shared data resource in a DGN library. Text styles allow you to place text within a model in a consistent and automated manner. The fonts that are supported natively in MicroStation are TrueType and AutoCAD fonts (.shx) tile To arrange views and tool boxes so that they do not overlap. toggle A type of setting that has only two states, such as off and on. Used as a verb, to change the state of a toggle. tool A drawing function or the screen icon used to represent that function in a tool box. tool box Icon-based screen menus from which tools and view controls are selected. tool frame A type of hierarchical tool box commonly used in the 2004 Edition and earlier versions. tool settings Special settings that apply to certain tools, such as length and angle settings for the Place Line tool.
Jan-08
405
Glossary
tool settings window The window that contains controls for adjusting the selected tool's settings. top The orientation in which the positive X-axis points right and the positive Y-axis points up.
U
U3D Universal 3D format introduced by the 3D Industry Forum as a means for transferring 3D data from CAD systems to mainstream applications such as marketing, training, sales, technical support and customer service Unit Lock The setting that, when on, forces all graphically entered data points to the nearest point that is an integer multiple of the unit distance from the global origin in the X, Y, and (in 3D files) Z directions. unit distance The setting that specifies the spacing between points that data points will be restricted to when Unit Lock is turned on. unshared cell A cell whose definition is placed in the DGN file each time the cell is placed. update To redraw the contents of a view window(s). user A type of configuration variable that determines which project configuration file is processed. user configuration file The file that contains the active workspace components.
Glossary
406
Jan-08
user interface A customized user interfaced (defined in Modification resource files in subdirectories under MicroStation's workspace user interface). user preference
V
V7 workmode The MicroStation workmode in which certain functionality is disabled by default in order to restrict MicroStation to creating only engineering data that can be stored in the MicroStation v7 (MicroStation/J) design file format. verb-noun A manner of operating MicroStation: choosing a tool before identifying an element in the design for it to act upon. vertex The highest point or apex of a figure, the intersection of lines or curves, or the endpoint of an element. view Collectively, the portion of the active model (and its attached references) and displayed in a view window and the display orientation. view configuration The arrangement of view windows on the screen and the area of the model displayed in each view. view control bar The bar at the bottom border of each view window from which commonly used view controls can be selected. view control pop-up menu A pop-up menu providing an alternate means of accessing view controls. To open, while holding down <Shift>, click the Reset button.
Jan-08
407
Glossary
view controls Graphically operated controls that affect the portion of the design or the orientation of the information in a view. view dependent settings Settings that affect the presentation of information in a view. view group A set of view window layouts applicable to a model within the open DGN file. A view group is also a set of views placed on a sheet file in a sheet model. view independent text A text element that displays at its angle of placement regardless of how the view is rotated. view window A window displaying a view. void A fence selection mode that selects elements or parts of elements outside the fence, rather than within the fence. void-clip A fence mode in which only the elements that are completely outside the fence and those parts of elements outside or overlapping the fence are included in the fence contents. void-overlap A fence mode in which only the elements outside or overlapping the fence are included in the fence contents.
W
window A bordered rectangular region on the screen displaying a tool box, dialog box, view, or sidebar menu.
Glossary
408
Jan-08
window control menu A menu opened by clicking the window menu button on the left end of a window's title bar. window origin The position in the design plane of the lower-left corner of a view. windowing A method of selecting new contents for a view. wireframe A display mode in which surfaces are displayed as their outlines, and elements behind surfaces are displayed as though the surfaces did not exist. wiremesh A rendered display similar to wireframe except that curved surfaces are represented by a polygonal mesh for increased realism. witness lines See extension lines. work line The line in a multi-line element connected to the pointer during placement. working set A temporary grouping of elements that need not be close together. Fence manipulation tools operate on working sets. working units Real-world units that the design plane is configured to. working unit settings The settings that designate the working units and working resolution. In the current implementation, MicroStation uses IEEE 64bit floating point storage, which allows for a high degree of accuracy and a working volume with each axis roughly 2 million times larger than the axes in V7.
Jan-08
409
Glossary
workmode An operating mode of MicroStation such as DGN, DWG, and V7 workmodes. workspace A custom MicroStation environment or configuration.
Z
zoom To decrease (zoom in) or increase (zoom out) the portion of the design displayed in a view.
Glossary
410
Jan-08

CE 201CE 201MicroStationEssentials

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CE 201CE 201MicroStationEssentials

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Bentley Platform Training

Copyright 2007 Bentley Systems Incorporated

Welcome to MicroStation ____________________________5

Working with Views _________________________________47

Designing with MicroStation _________________________67

Copyright 2007 Bentley Systems, Incorporated

AccuDraw, AccuDraw, AccuDraw ____________________101

136 136 137 138

Element Creation Tools ______________________________139

Additional Element Attributes ________________________167

The Level System ___________________________________181

Copyright 2007 Bentley Systems, Incorporated

Working with Existing Elements ______________________197

Modifying Existing Elements _________________________241

Annotating Designs _________________________________259

Organizing Design Data _____________________________293

Organizing Project Data _____________________________317

Creating Printed Output _____________________________337

Course Summary ___________________________________353

Design Problem 1 ___________________________________357

Appendix - AccuDraw Shortcuts _______________________361 Glossary ___________________________________________363

Copyright 2007 Bentley Systems, Incorporated

Copyright 2007 Bentley Systems, Incorporated

Copyright 2007 Bentley Systems, Incorporated

Copyright 2007 Bentley Systems, Incorporated

Copyright 2007 Bentley Systems, Incorporated

Copyright 2007 Bentley Systems, Incorporated

Copyright 2007 Bentley Systems, Incorporated

Task based interface

Copyright 2007 Bentley Systems, Incorporated

Copyright 2007 Bentley Systems, Incorporated

MicroStation/J and older versions of MicroStation

Older DWG versions

Copyright 2007 Bentley Systems, Incorporated

Copyright 2007 Bentley Systems, Incorporated

View Window (1 to 8) View Controls

Tool settings window

Main tool box

Standard tool bar

AccuDraw window (docked)

Copyright 2007 Bentley Systems, Incorporated

The Main tool box

Copyright 2007 Bentley Systems, Incorporated

View control tool box

Copyright 2007 Bentley Systems, Incorporated

Copyright 2007 Bentley Systems, Incorporated

Copyright 2007 Bentley Systems, Incorporated

Dialogs and Alerts

Task Navigation tool box

Copyright 2007 Bentley Systems, Incorporated

Starting and stopping commands

Copyright 2007 Bentley Systems, Incorporated

The tool settings window

Copyright 2007 Bentley Systems, Incorporated

Pop Set and tool settings

Select Copy from the menu.

Copyright 2007 Bentley Systems, Incorporated

The Key-in browser

Copyright 2007 Bentley Systems, Incorporated

The Status Bar

The message center

Copyright 2007 Bentley Systems, Incorporated

View control tool boxes for each view

Appendix - AccuDraw Shortcuts _361 Glossary _____________________363