COMPUTER AIDED ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN
COMPUTER AIDED ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN
A Summary of Microstation Commands
A Summary of Microstation Commands
MENUS
MENUS || TOOL BOXESTOOL BOXES || TIPS AND TRICKSTIPS AND TRICKS
Menus
Menus
File:File:
NewNew - Creates and Opens a New Design File- Creates and Opens a New Design File
OpenOpen - Opens and existing Design File.- Opens and existing Design File.
Save As...Save As... - Saves current design file under new name/location.- Saves current design file under new name/location.
CloseClose - Closes the current design file.- Closes the current design file.
Compress DesignCompress Design - Compresses data in design file / permanently removes deleted- Compresses data in design file / permanently removes deleted
elements.
elements.
Save SettingsSave Settings - Saves working units, grids, window positions, etc. - Automatic when- Saves working units, grids, window positions, etc. - Automatic when
grayed out.
grayed out.
ReferenceReference - Attaches and manipulats reference design files.- Attaches and manipulats reference design files.
Drawing CompositionDrawing Composition - Utility for creating plot layouts- Utility for creating plot layouts
ImportImport - Imports files of other formats.- Imports files of other formats.
ExportExport - Exports current file to other formats.- Exports current file to other formats.
Print/PlotPrint/Plot- Creates plot of current design file window or fence area.- Creates plot of current design file window or fence area.
Page SetupPage Setup - Setup paper size, etc. for plot.- Setup paper size, etc. for plot.
1,2,3,4,etc.1,2,3,4,etc. - Shows listing of last several files opened by MicroStation.- Shows listing of last several files opened by MicroStation.
ExitExit - Exits MicroStation, returning to operating system.- Exits MicroStation, returning to operating system.
Edit:
Edit:
UndoUndo - Undoes last command.- Undoes last command.
Undo OtherUndo Other - Undoes operations given other parameters.- Undoes operations given other parameters.
RedoRedo - Redoes last unone operation.- Redoes last unone operation.
Set MarkSet Mark - Sets a mark for undo by mark.- Sets a mark for undo by mark.
CutCut - Cuts elements to the Clipboard.- Cuts elements to the Clipboard.
CopyCopy - Copies elements to the Clipboard.- Copies elements to the Clipboard.
PastePaste - Pastes Elements from the Clipboard.- Pastes Elements from the Clipboard.
Show ClipboardShow Clipboard - Displays the contents of the Clipboard.- Displays the contents of the Clipboard.
GroupGroup - Creates a graphic group of elements to operate on as a unit.- Creates a graphic group of elements to operate on as a unit.
UngroupUngroup - Ungroups elements.- Ungroups elements.
LockLock - Locks individual elements, preventing manipulations.- Locks individual elements, preventing manipulations.
Find/Replace Text - Replaces text with other text. Select All - Selects all elements on all levels.
Select By Attributes - Set and execute selection by element filtering criteria. Element:
Attributes - Dialog to set all element attributes.
B-splines - Dialog for b-spline curve and surface settings. Cells - Opens cell library.
Dimensions - Utilities for dimension placement and editing. Multilines - Utilities for defining multi-line styles.
Tags - Utilities for using tag data linked to elements. Text - Font and text characteristic settings.
Information - Dialog showing information about selected element. Settings:
Manage - Settings group selection/management. AccuDraw - Settings for AccuDraw coordinate utility. Color Table - Utilities for color table selection and editing.
Database - Utilities for connecting and maintaining database linkages.
Design File - Settings for many aspects of design file, including units, scales, references, etc.
Level - Show levels, define the names of the levels, define symbologies, etc. Locks - Dialogs for setting and toggling lock constraints.
Camera - Set up the camera for perspective viewing.
Rendering - Settings and utilities for rendering and lighting setup. Snaps - Selection and settings for locational filters.
View Attributes - Toggle settings for what each view displays. Tools: - The many tool boxes. (see below)
Tool Boxes... - Select from any of the MicroStation toolboxes
Tool Settings - Tool Settings Floating Dialog, showing options for current tool. Primary - The primary tools, incl. color, layer, style and weight, information, and
accudraw.
Standard - New, Open, Close, Print file, Cut, Copy, Paste, Undo, Redo, Help. Main - Primary drawing and editing tools.
3D - 3D object creation and editing, and special view controls. Annotate - For drawing annotation.
Auxiliary Coordinates - Creation and Management of Coordinate Systems
Curves - Creation, editing, and controls for complex curves, B-Splines, and NURBS. Database - Connection and element linkages to remote tabular database files.
Drop - Complex elements to component pieces.
Fillets - Chanfers, Rounding, and other corner editing Isometric - Tools for drafting at isometric angles (2D)
Match - Select attributes fo existing elements and set to active. Multiline Joints - Corners and Joints for multiline editing.
Redline - Redline tools for drawing markup and revision.
Reference Files - Management of Referenced Vector and Raster Image files. View Control - View Controls in a floating toolbox.
Visualizaion Tools - Rendering and smoothing of 3D objects. Close Tool Boxes... - Close all floating toolboxes.
Utilities:
Key-in - A text input command line.
Cell Selector - Icon library of object cells.
Text Glossary - Special text objects and data fields.
Image - Utilitites for displaying, saving, and editing images. Render - Render a 3D view.
Auxilliary Coordinates - A library of saved Auxilliary Coordinate Systems. Saved - A library of saved view orientations and settings.
Archive - Save and compress all files related to a project. Generate Section - 2D and 3D section cuts of 3D objects.
Install Fonts - Use any Windows or Macintosh font in your drawing. MDL Applications - Plug-in extensions to MicroStation.
User Command - User created script files for batch automation.
Create Macro - Record events and create a MicroStation program plug-in. Macros - BASIC programs provide plug-in functionality to MicroStation. Workspace:
Preferences - Set user preferences.
Configuration - Configuration variables for program operation. Customize - Create your own look and feel.
Function Keys - Assign commands to function keys (F-keys). Button Assignments - Assign mouse buttons to point types. Digitizing - Set up and use a digitizing tablet.
About Workspace - Information about your current Workspace configuration. Window:
Open/Close - Open or close a view, or choose the dialog box. Cascade - Align all open views in a cascading down the screen. Tile - Align all open views tiled on the screen.
Arrange - Fit all windows so they are visible on the screen. Groups - Group Windows into sets.
Scroll Bars - Do windows have scroll bars and view controls embedded on edge? 1,2,3,4 - Open windows and Tool Boxes.
Tools and Tool Boxes
Main Tool Box
Element Selection
Place Fence Modify Fence
Manipulate Fence Contents Delete Fence Contents
Drop Complex Status of Fence Contents Place Active Point
Construct Points Between Data Points (divide)
Project Active Point Onto Element Construct Active Point at Intersection Construct Points Along Element (divide) Construct Active Point at Distance Along
Element
Place Smartline Place Line
Place Multi-line
Place Stream Line String Place Point or Stream Curve Construct Angle Bisector
Construct Minimum Distance Line Constrcut Line at Active Angle From
Point
Hatch Area
Crosshatch Area Pattern Area Linear Pattern
Show Pattern Attributes Match Pattern Attributes Delete Pattern
Place Block (Rectangle) Place Shape
Place Regular Polygon
Place Arc
Place Half Ellipse Place Quarter Ellipse Moify Arc Radius Modify Arc Angle Modify Arc Axis Place Circle Place Ellipse Attach Tags Edit Tags Review Tags Place Text Place Note Edit Text
Display Text Attributes Match Text Attributes
Change Text to Active Attributes Place Text Node
Copy and Increment Text Copy Enter_Data Field
Copy and Increment Enter_Data Field Fill in Single Enter_Data Field
(database)
Auto Fill In Enter_Data Fields (database) Drop Element
Create Complex Chain Create Complex Shape Create Region
Add to Graphic Group Drop from Graphic Group Group Holes
Place Active Cell
Place Active Cell Matrix Select and Place Cell Define Cell Origin Identify Cell
Place Active Line Terminator Replace Cell
Measure Radius
Measure Angle Between Lines Measure Length
Measure Area Measure Volume Dimension Element
Dimension Size with Arrow Dimension Size with Stoke Dimension Location
Dimension Location (Stacked)
Dimension Size Perpendicular to Points Dimension Size Perpendicular to
Element
Dimension Ordinates Dimension Angle Size Dimension Angle Location Dimension Angle Between Dimension Angle from X Dimension Angle from Y Dimension Radial
Update Dimension Geometric Tolerance
Change Element Attributes Change Element to Active Area
(Solid/Hole)
Change Element to Active Fill Type Modify Linestyle Attributes
Change Multiline to Active Definition Match Element Attributes
Match All Attributes Copy Move Move/Copy Parallel Scale Rotate Mirror Construct Array Delete Element Modify Element
Delete Part of Element Extend Line (indefinitely)
Extend Two Elements to Intersection Extend Element to Intersection
Trim Element Insert Vertex Delete Vertex
Construct Circular Fillet Construct Chamfer
3D
Place Slab Place Sphere Place Cylinder Place Cone Place Torus Place Wedge Extract Surface Rule Line Extract Trim Boundary Line Intersects Surface
Construct Surface or Solid of Projection Construct Surface or Solid of Revolution Place Free-Form Surface
Construct Surface by Section or Network Construct Surface by Edges
Construct Tubular Surface Construct Skin Surface Construct Offset Surface
Construct Fillet Between Surfaces Construct Chamfer Between Surfaces Blend Surfaces
Blend Surfaces Between Rail Curves Trim Surfaces
Punch Surface Region Modify B-Spline Surface Stitch Surface
Split Surface
Analyze Curvature
Change to Active Surface Settings Change Surface Normal
Modify Trim Boundary
Change to Active Surface or Solid Status Extend Surface
Extrude Surface Region Zoom In/Out
Change View Perspective Set Display Depth
Set Active Depth Show Display Depth Show Active Depth Change View Rotation
Camera Settings Render View
More Tools
Place Note Place Flag
Show / Edit Flag Update Flag
Define ACS (Aligned with Element) Define ACS (by Points)
Define ACS (Aligned with View) Rotate Active ACS
Move ACS Select ACS
Place B-Spline Curve Place Composite Curve Interpolation by Arcs Place Conic
Place Spiral Place Helix
Change to Active Curve Settings Reduce Curve Data
Extend Curve
Change Element Direction Convert Element to B-Spline Offset Element
Blend Curves
Modify B-Spline Curve Curve Calculator
Attach Active Entity Show Linkage Mode Show Active Entity
Define Active Entity Graphically
Review Database Attributes of Element Detach Database Linkage
Attach Displayable Attributes Load Displayable Attibutes Generate Report Table
Dimension Driven Design
Attach Pen Element Attach Arc
Attach Ellipse Attach to Point Align Element
Attach to Line String or Shape Convert Dimension to Constraint Constrain Tangent Constrain Perpendicular Constrain Parallel Constrain Angle Constrain Constant Constrain Point On Constrain Point At
Constrain Points Coincident Fix Point
Assign Equation Assign Variable
Equate Constructions Resolve Constraints
Modify and Resolve Constraints Describe Constraint
Modify Value Sketch Profile
Convert Element to Profile
Drop Element
Drop Complex Status
Drop Line String/Shape Status Drop Text
Drop Association
Drop From Graphic Group Drop Line Style
Drop Associative Pattern Drop Multiline
Drop Dimension Element Drop B-Spline Curve
Construct Circular Fillet Construct Parabolic Fillet Construct Chamfer
Place Block Isometric Place Circle Isometric
Smart Match
Match Element Attributes Match Text Attributes Match Multi-line
Match Dimension Match Active Pattern Match Curve Settings Match Surface Settings
Construct Closed Cross Joint Construct Open Cross Joint Construct Merged Cross Joint Cut Single Component Line Cut All Component Lines Construct Closed Tee Joint Construct Open Tee Joint Construct Merged Tee Joint Construct Corner Joint Uncut Component Lines Multi-line Partial Delete Move Multi-line Profile Edit Multi-line Cap
Redline On Redline Off
Attach Reference File Clip Reference File Mask Reference File Delete Clip Mask
Set Reference File Back Clipping Plane Set Reference File Front Clipping Plane Reload Reference File
Move Reference File Scale Reference File Rotate Reference File
Tips and Tricks for MicroStation
General Operation:
Save Settings on Exit - Make sure that the "SAVE SETTINGS ON EXIT" preference is selected under Workspace / Preferences / Operation. This will maintain the drawing in whatever state that you leave it upon your next return. There will be no need to save anything before exiting.
Backup Often - Type BACKUP at the keyin prompt in MicroStation (Utiltiies / keyin) to create a backup file of your current working file. Though file corruption is rare, it can happen, and having a stable backup copy to return to later will save a lot of lost work. Do it periodically.
Tool Settings - Always watch your Tool Settings window. This window will give you whatever options and paramters may be available for the tool that you are working with. Undo - Remember that you can undo any command or operation after it has been done.
Undo can in fact undo several operations back sucessively, or to a mark that you set, or until the beginning of your working session for that day. Redo will undo any Undo. Undo can only operate on things done since opening the file. Anything done previously must be deleted or modified otherwise.
AccuDraw - Use AccuDraw to place points at exact coordinate locations, using either absolute or relative positioning in any of the available coordinate systems. Use this in combination with Tentative Points and Snap filters to establish offsets and relative positional locations of elements as you construct and modify them.
Mirror Reference File About Vertical Detach Reference File
Update View Zoom In Zoom Out Window Area Fit View Rotate View Pan View View Previous View Next Copy View Render Facet Smoothing
