You can create an unlimited number of named level definitions. When a level is created, a level element is created in the DGN file.
Each level definition consists of the following properties:
• A name up to 512 characters long
• ByLevel symbology (color, weight, line style, etc.), which is stored with the level and is applied to elements when they are placed on that level
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• Override symbology, which is a second set of symbology that is stored with the level
Levels can be stored in design libraries, providing support for design standards enforcement. It is most efficient to define and save a level structure in a DGN library before users begin work. It is easiest to map out all top level groups before defining the level structure. When you create your own level structure, create individual levels and group them hierarchically for easy maintenance.
Hint: A variety of sample level structures are delivered in MicroStation’s example files.
Users can update level definitions to make sure they match a library definition by right clicking the level name in the Level Manager dialog and selecting Update Levels from the pop‐up menu. All selected levels are updated to match the source definition.
Note: Level names and groups are settings that must be saved by selecting File > Save Settings. If you do not save settings, the level structure is lost when you close the DGN file.
The Level Manager
This is the tool used to create and maintain level definitions. Open the dialog by selecting Settings > Level > Manager or click the Level Manager tool in the Primary tools toolbox.
Attributes are listed in columns.
• The first column, Modified, indicates whether the level’s attributes are
consistent with those in a library or reference. A bullet appears if one or more
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of the active file’s level attributes or properties differ from the library source level. Pop‐up information listing the attribute or property that is out‐of‐synch appears when the pointer is over the bullet. The Modified column also indicates if a reference attachment level is out‐of‐sync with the attachment’s source.
• The next three columns, Color, Style, and Weight show the symbology
assigned to the level. Select ByLevel or Overrides from the Symbology options above the Name column to see that symbology.
• The Used column contains a dot if the level is in use in the current design. You cannot delete a level if it is in use. However, the key‐in LEVEL PURGE lets you delete a level that contains elements. Elements are moved to the Default level unless a destination level is specified.
• The Priority column, off by default, sets the display priority of elements on the level. Those with a higher priority display in front.
Note: To see any column that is off, right click a column heading and check the entry in the pop‐up menu.
• The Transparency column, also off by default, lets you assign transparency for elements on the level. Elements with the lowest transparency are opaque.
• The File column, also off by default, shows the file in which the level definition is found. This is useful when trying to determine where a level definition is stored. You can also see the file in which a level is stored in the target tree (upper portion) of the Level Display dialog.
Symbology
Elements can be placed with symbology settings inherited from the level on which they are placed. This is called ByLevel symbology. These are appearance attributes defined in the Level Manager dialog. They are applied to an element at placement time if the attribute’s value is set to ByLevel in the Attributes toolbox. Symbology that can be controlled using ByLevel includes color, style and weight. AutoCAD
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Levels
users will recognize this capability as being the same as the ByLayer attribute value. This feature allows for a close working relationship between DWG and DGN files.
Color, Style, and Weight set to ByLevel
If the ByLevel symbology definitions for a level are later changed, any elements on the level that have been placed with the ByLevel attribute will dynamically reflect the changes.
All elements on a level can be displayed with an alternate set of symbology by setting the Symbology option to Overrides in the level Manager dialog. Level Overrides must also be enabled in the View Attributes dialog for the override symbology to display. By default, levels are created with overrides enabled and set to color 0, style 0 and weight 0. Overrides can be modified by setting the
Symbology option to Override and then selecting the desired symbology.
The ByLevel display of an element cannot be turned off because it is an element attribute, not a view attribute. Display can be altered by changing the element attributes to something other than ByLevel or by using Overrides to temporarily change the display to the override symbology.
Exercise: Create a new level and assign symbology 1 Set the following in the File Open dialog:
Project: Civil
2 Move up one level to the \dgnlib folder and open civil.dgnlib.
3 Open the Level Manager.
4 Click the New Level icon, name the level Plan Markups, and set the following attributes:
Color: 3 Style: 0 Weight: 1 Priority: 300
5 In the Level Manager, change the Symbology option to Overrides.
6 Set the following attributes:
Color: 5
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Levels
Weight: 2
Exercise: Use the different symbologies
1 Open \dgn\BSI400‐Sheets.dgn in the Civil project.
2 In the Attributes toolbox, make Plan Markups the active level and make sure that color, style and weight are set to ByLevel.
You see the ByLevel symbology you assigned.
3 Select Place Text from the Tasks dialog with the following tool settings:
Method: By Origin Text Style: 1/4 in
4 Type the following in the text editor: Make sure By Level is on in Text Editor.
Add section STA 10+00 to STA 24+00
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Levels
5 Place the text on the sheet under the detail.
The text shows the ByLevel symbology in the text editor, but the override symbology in the design.
6 Open the View Attributes dialog.
7 Click the Level Overrides icon, to turn off Level Overrides.
The text is now red, the ByLevel symbology.
Exercise: Modify a level’s symbology
1 Continuing in BSI400‐Sheets.dgn, in the Level Manager, set Symbology to ByLevel and change the color of the level Plan Markups to 6.
The text changes color. A dot appears in the Modified column. The field is populated if one or more of the level attributes differs from the source from which the level is being read. The source could be either a DGN library or a level in a reference file.
2 Move the pointer over the bullet to see the pop‐up information.
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